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Creative Music Technology (Full-time) (BA Hons)

Swansea
3 Years Full-time
120 UCAS Points

Our Creative Music Technology degree is designed to equip you with the artistic, technical, creative, and professional skills needed for a career in the music industries. This degree is highly practical and industry-focused, offering a multi-skilled approach that includes composition, analysis, recording, and production. 

Throughout the course, you will develop your music production skills, learning how to convey personal expression and imagination in practical music-production. You will also gain expertise in recorded music and applied sound production. The project-based nature of the programme means you can tailor assignments to your own interests within the broad field of music technology and production. 

The course covers a wide range of music technology techniques and resources, helping you to build an in-depth understanding of the field. You will enhance your enquiring, analytical, innovative, and creative approaches to the production and performance of music. 

You will gain insight into the business and legal issues related to the successful application of music technology in the commercial environment. This includes learning how to generate and communicate original concepts that build on the knowledge gained in the taught sections of the programme. 

Our degree provides state-of-the-art facilities and access to the latest music technology. You will work on projects that include sound design, electronic music, and experimental music, preparing you for a wide range of careers in the audio sector. The course also covers live performances, composing and performing, and sonic arts. 

The practice-led course is designed to keep you engaged and excited about your studies. Our strong connections with the local music scene will provide you with plenty of opportunities to apply what you learn in real-world settings. 

By the end of the course, you will have developed a comprehensive portfolio of work that showcases your skills and creativity. This will prepare you for employment in the music industry, further research, and continuing professional development. You will be well-equipped to contribute to the future sounds of the music world and excel in contemporary music technology practice. 

Course details

Start date:
Study modes:
  • On-campus
  • Full-time
Language:
  • English
  • Bilingual
Institution code:
T80
UCAS code:
J931
Course length:
3 Years Full-time
Entry requirements:
120 UCAS Points

Tuition Fees 24/25
Home (Full-time): £9,000 per year
Overseas (Full-time): £13,500 per year

Why choose this course?

01
Access to specialist recording studio facilities and equipment.
02
One-to-one support in using specialist facilities and all projects undertaken.
03
Creative assessment outcomes are designed for a wide range of skillsets and abilities.
04
In the final year, students are supported on a one-to-one basis to master their individual specialisms in the field, and to develop an industry-focused body of work.
05
Modules are designed to highlight employment opportunities and prepare graduates for working in the Digital Media and Creative Industries sectors.
06
Module outcomes are designed to apply creative skills across a wide range of media applications which allows students to create a showreel and portfolio of work to help gain employment.

What you will learn

Our philosophy centres on nurturing your creative and technical skills through practical experience and industry engagement. We aim to develop well-rounded professionals ready to make a significant impact in the music industry. 

In your first year, you will explore the fundamentals of digital learning and contemporary challenges. You’ll enhance your creative and analytical skills through various projects, developing a solid foundation in sound manipulation, studio composition, and engineering. This year is designed to introduce you to the essential concepts and tools of music technology.

Compulsory

Learning in the Digital Era

(20 credits)

Contemporary Challenges: Making a Difference

(20 credits)

Ways of Thinking

(10 credits)

Ways of Perceiving

(10 credits)

Creative Sound Manipulation

(20 credits)

The Studio Composer

(20 credits)

The Studio Engineer

(20 credits)

Your second year focuses on advancing your technical skills and creative abilities. You will work on building your personal brand, understanding creativity and value creation, and applying these concepts in practical settings. You’ll engage in studio projects, sound design for screen, and location recording, preparing you for real-world audio production scenarios. Research skills will also be developed to support your creative endeavours.

Compulsory

Changemakers: Creativity and Value Creation

(20 credits)

Changemakers: Building your Personal Brand for Sustainable Employment

(20 credits)

Research in Context

(10 credits)

Research in Practice

(10 credits)

Sound Design for Screen

(20 credits)

Studio Project

(20 credits)

The Sustainable Studio

(10 credits)

Location Recording

(10 credits)

In the final year, you will consolidate your knowledge through major projects and specialised modules. You will work on an independent project, music video production, and mastering and production techniques. The focus will be on creating a professional portfolio and showreel, showcasing your skills and preparing you for a successful career in the music industry.

Compulsory

Independent Project

(40 credits)

Music Video Production

(20 credits)

Final Portfolio and Showreel

(40 credits)

Mastering and Production

(20 credits)

Course Disclaimer

  • We listen to student feedback and insights from industry and from professionals to ensure that course content is high-quality and up-to-date, and that it offers the best possible preparation for your future career or study goals. 

    For this reason, there might be modifications to the content of your course over time, to keep up to date with changes in the subject area or in the sector. If a module is no longer running, we’ll make sure to keep you informed, and work with you to choose a different suitable module.

testimonial

Staff

Our People

You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses. 

Meet our Students

Facilities

View our Creative Music Technology Facilities

Mixing desk

Further information

  • We are interested in creative people that demonstrate a strong commitment to art and/or design, and therefore we welcome applications from individuals from a wide range of backgrounds. To assess student suitability for their chosen course, we arrange interviews for all applicants at which your skills, achievements and life experience will be considered as well as your portfolio of work.

    Our standard offer for a degree course is 120 UCAS tariff points. We expect applicants to have a grade C or above in English Language (or Welsh) at GCSE level, together with passes in another four subjects. Plus we accept a range of Level 3 qualifications including:

    • Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, plus one GCE A-Level in a relevant academic subject
    • UAL L3 Extended Diploma in Music Performance and Production.
    • UAL L3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production and Technology
    • Three GCE A-Levels or equivalent
    • BTEC Extended Diploma in a relevant subject
    • International Baccalaureate score of 32
    • Other relevant qualifications can be considered on an individual basis

    Qualifications are important. However, our offers are not solely based on academic results. If you don’t have the required UCAS points, please contact the courses admissions tutor or email artanddesign@uwtsd.ac.uk as we can consider offers to applicants based on individual merit, exceptional work/or practical experience.

    See our  for more information.

  • Students on the programme are assessed predominantly by portfolio and creative output assignments, compositions, recordings, productions, creative projects, etc. Written analysis and critique are also integral to the assessment, as well as presentations and vivas.

    Through all the projects undertaken, students develop both practical skills and an understanding of theoretical principles.

    The course assesses the students’ command of the many roles of technology in the creation of music, taking a multi-skilled approach, whilst allowing students to specialise in areas in which they would like to take their careers later on in the course.

  • Our students have access to a diverse range of equipment and resources, which in most cases are sufficient to complete their programme of study. We provide the basic materials necessary for students to develop their practical work within our extensive workshop and studio facilities.

    However, art and design students will likely incur additional costs to extend their investigation of their personal practice. For example, purchasing their own specialised materials and equipment, joining optional study trips, and printing. 

    Students are expected to bring their own personal art and design equipment when they commence the course.  We can advise on the correct equipment needed for your studies and signpost appropriate suppliers if you wish to purchase essential items before or during your studies.  

    A basic art and design kit will cost approximately £100, but you may well already have much of the equipment required, so check with us first.  Although we have extensive dedicated digital design studios (PC and MAC) for you to undertake your coursework, you may wish to bring your own digital devices; again, check with us first before making a purchase. 

    Depending on distance and duration, optional study visits can vary in cost from approximately £10 to visit local galleries and exhibitions to £200+ for overseas visits. These costs cover things like transport, entry to venues and accommodation and are normally at reduced rates for our students.

  • You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit our Scholarships and Bursaries section.

  • Students can also take up the opportunity to study abroad for a semester in Europe, the USA or Canada.

  • Graduates from the programme are well prepared for all aspects of this massive subject, and as a result, are highly employable across the Digital Media and Creative Industries sector. The department is lucky to have the Swansea Laptop Orchestra in residence at the studios.

    The entertainment industry and, in particular, recorded and broadcast media has grown dramatically in recent years. The industry employs a large number of people distributed across a range of different activities.

    Currently, there are approximately three hundred recording companies active in the UK, ranging from small, specialist labels to large multi-national companies. Several thousand recording studios exist, along with thousands more live performance venues, sound equipment hire companies and musical equipment manufacturers. Added to this are television and radio production companies, computer games designers, internet content providers, to name but a few, all of whom require music technology skills.

    In the last few years, the explosion in the sales of multimedia home computers and surround sound cinema systems has also resulted in opportunities in the areas involving surround sound systems and related audio technology.