Audio Production MA

Part of Music
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Course Overview

Attendance

UK Fees £10,500 *
International Fees £15,000 *
Alumni Discount See details
Duration 1 year

* Price per academic year

Course summary

The Audio Production MA is a well-established course (running for over 20 years), producing numerous graduates who've gone on to enjoy successful careers in the music and creative industries. This Master's programme is accredited by JAMES (consortium of music, entertainment and media industry organisations in the support of education and promotion of excellence). The course is designed to meet and exceed professional standards and will enable you to reach the highest level in the creative use of audio, and explore how creative ideas and new technologies can be combined, enhanced and redefined.

As a major media education site in Europe, the University's Harrow Campus includes 14 professional recording studios (five of which are surround studios and two with Dolby Atmos), a new teaching recording studio, Music Lab and an array of TV, post-production, radio, film and multimedia facilities built and equipped to the highest standards.

This innovative course develops your creative abilities in audio across music production, sound design, radio, TV, film and multimedia, all supported by a robust understanding of the technologies involved. You will be able to explore and expand as a creative artist while achieving control and experience of a professional audio environment.

Top reasons to study with us

  • State-of-the-art facilities, including Surround and Dolby Atmos studios
  • Lecturers with top-level industry experience in music, film, broadcast and interactive sound production
  • Over 20 years of Alumni successes, including various award winners

Course structure

The following subjects are indicative of what you will study on this course.

Core modules

This cross-course module brings all the music post graduate students into one cohort and is an opportunity for students to share ideas and work together across disciplines in a creative entrepreneurial environment.

Students will develop systematic and critical understanding of entrepreneurial theories and practices within music and wider creative industries to enable them to pursue new enterprises and employment opportunities ethically and with confidence.

The module is the summation of the Audio Production course - it presents students with the opportunity to utilise the knowledge developed to fully explore the converging nature of technologies in the various media, and to create a research-led, large scale project.

The module encourages students to develop an individual language of creative music production. It also aims to develop analytical techniques consistent with scholarly practice that encourage individuality in their production work and assist in the articulation of original thought and ideas. Students will develop the professional practice and creative energies of the individual through both the theoretical and practical application of recording and production processes.

This module explores interactive sound, offering an in-depth exploration of interactive audio tool design, audio programming, sound design, and audio for games. Students will engage in both theoretical and practical work, acquiring skills in real-time audio processing and audio-visual synchronisation. Lectures will provide the theoretical framework, supported by hands-on workshop sessions and in-class projects.

The module is concerned with the creative application of production and post-production techniques, editorial control and the integration of recorded sound and music within audio and audio-visual narratives and broadcast media content.

The module supports students to explore the inter-relationships of various media types while developing a creative production output.

This module provides the basis for students to apply research methods to a chosen topic in the field of Audio Production. It aims to help students to undertake research using research methodology taught in this module: literature reviewing, qualitative and qualitative methodologies, practice research and the dissemination of research findings in the form of a video documentary and written report.

Option modules

The module offers an in-depth exploration into the possibilities of designing and executing immersive auditory experiences. This module examines advanced topics such as Ambisonics, sonic manipulation, and immersive audio storytelling. Students will gain critical insights into Extended Reality, including both Virtual and Augmented Reality and other immersive formats. The module balances theoretical foundations with hands-on practical sessions, enabling a comprehensive understanding of the subject.

Composition for Media sees students placed in authentic learning environments, as they are challenged to compose and produce music for video games, film, brands, music, adverts and library companies. Students work on real life briefs designed to facilitate the skills and knowledge required to work as a professional creative. In doing so, they learn about music theory, composition techniques and professional work ethics.

Experimental production encourages students to challenge established production methods to develop innovative and bold approaches to working with audio in a variety of settings. Students will investigate the historical experimental production methods and approaches of influential practitioners within audio, selecting and adapting advanced principles and concepts into their own experimental work.

Professional recognition

This course is Industry Accredited by JAMES representing APRS, MPG and associate industry bodies. Accreditation of a course by relevant industry bodies provides assurance to students and employers of its potential and value.

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Programme specification

For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).

To request an accessible version please email [email protected]

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Prospectus

Get your copy of the University of Westminster prospectus and browse the range of courses on offer.

Request a prospectus

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Get in touch

Contact us for general course enquiries:

+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511
(Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm GMT)

[email protected]

Live chat with us
(Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm GMT)

Open evenings

Join us at an open evening online or on campus. Get a feel for student life at the University of Westminster and talk to course leaders and our support teams.

Careers

Graduates of the Audio Production MA are able to work in a wide range of sectors and professions. This Master's will be of particular interest to students who plan to work or are already working in the creative industries. Our graduates are engineers, producers, managers, musicians and award-winners.

Professional recognition

Industry accreditation and long-standing recognition of the course puts graduates in a more favourable position with employers.

Alumni network

Benefit from a well-established alumni network that filters a number of work and career opportunities to current students and former graduates, with many of our alumni occupying senior industry roles.

3,000

Employers around the world

The University’s Careers and Employability Service has built up a network of over 3,000 employers around the world, helping all our students explore and connect with exciting opportunities and careers.

Alumni Success

  • Ben and Julien Monie - managing directors at JBM post-production facilities house in London. Company directors at Dubai-based entertainments group, JBM
  • Chrissy Tignor - producer, Ass. Professor at the Berklee College of Music, Boston, USA
  • Cris Aragón - Managing director at 5A Studios, Postproduction House, London, UK: credits include ADR for Oscar-Winning Best Sound ‘Dune’
  • Dr Kirsten Hermes - Senior Lecturer and researcher at the University of Westminster, performing artist, author: Performing Electronic Music Live, Routledge
  • Joanna Orland -  supervising sound designer at Sony Interactive Entertainment; sound design awards for Black and Burnout (EA Criterion), Wonderbook: Book of Spells, Nightcrawler, God of War 3, PlayStation VR Worlds, (SCEE); featured in MCV’s Top 100 Women
  • Nick Howes - European product development manager, Yamaha
  • Oliver Julian - Composer: Sex Education (Netflix), Us, My Skin (BBC)
  • Owen Thomas - 2 time BAFTA Award Winner for Best Television Sound
  • Pieter Van Dessel - composer, performer, producer, educator, Marble Sounds, Belgium
  • Torfinnur Jákupsson - Music producer, composer, journalist, writer and creator of the 1st Faroe Islands crime drama series: Trom
  • Raúl Arellano - Music producer, Latin GRAMMY winner
  • Tae Hak Kim - Sound designer & dubbing mixer, BAFTA winner

Job roles

This course will prepare you for roles such as:

  • Broadcast director
  • Company director
  • Film post-production
  • Freelance audio producer
  • HE lecturer/course leader
  • Music producer
  • Sound designer
  • Studio technical manager

Graduate employers

Graduates from this course have found employment at organisations including:

  • Apple
  • Audible
  • Sony EA & Sony BMG
  • BBC World Service
  • Berklee College of Music & Royal College of Music
  • Mute Records
  • National Geographic
  • Pinewood Studios
  • Sky Broadcast
  • Universities of West London, Tashkent, and Arts London

Our graduates

Torfinnur Jákupsson

Audio Production MA - 2011

You couldn’t ask for better academics. They are all very personable but also critical if they need to be - hence the high quality of the work produced. In fact, I don’t really see anyone as ‘one of the lecturers’ anymore, more like good old friends. There’s a tremendous amount of respect, and I think I can speak for the whole class when I say that. And that’s how you want things to be when you work so closely together, even if it’s just in a classroom setting.
 

Tae Hak Kim

Audio Production MA - 2010

Studying at Westminster was one of the best choices I’ve ever made. The course I studied helped me to improve my skills both creatively and technically. Most importantly, I think it was the network I managed to develop and the ability to graduate with the practical skills needed in the industry. Had I not studied the course, I would have not known my career direction so clearly.

Westminster Employability Award

Employers value graduates who have invested in their personal and professional development – and our Westminster Employability Award gives you the chance to formally document and demonstrate these activities and achievements.

The award is flexible and can be completed in your own time, allowing you to choose from a set of extracurricular activities.

Activities might include gaining experience through a part-time job or placement, signing up to a University-run scheme – such as mentoring or teaching in a school – or completing online exercises.

Read more about our Westminster Employability Award.

Westminster Employability Award

Course Leader

WHY STUDY THIS COURSE?

State-of-the-art facilities

Our Harrow Campus holds a variety of creative spaces, including Surround and Dolby Atmos studios.

Expert teaching staff

You'll be taught by lecturers with top-level industry experience in music, film, broadcast and interactive sound production.

Easy access to central London

With central London only a 20-minute tube ride away, you’ll enjoy the benefits of studying in a major creative capital.

Entry Requirements

A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2) or lower with substantial experience. Applicants who do not meet the normal entry requirement who have a strong portfolio and professional industry experience can be considered. Each application will be considered on its own merits. In addition to a portfolio of audio and/or audio visual production works, demonstrating your potential to work in audio at a high level, you should be able to discuss how the course will enable you to build towards a diverse career as creative contemporary audio producer and sound specialist. Interviews can be by Skype or telephone. 

If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.5 in writing and no element below 6.0.

Applicants are required to submit one academic reference.

Recognition of prior learning and experience

If you have previously studied at university level, or have equivalent work experience, academic credit may be awarded towards your course at Westminster. For more information, visit our Recognition of Prior Learning page.

Application process

Visit our How to apply page for more information on:

  • the application process
  • what you need to apply
  • deadlines for applications

A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2) or lower with substantial experience. Applicants who do not meet the normal entry requirement who have a strong portfolio and professional industry experience can be considered. Each application will be considered on its own merits. In addition to a portfolio of audio and/or audio visual production works, demonstrating your potential to work in audio at a high level, you should be able to discuss how the course will enable you to build towards a diverse career as creative contemporary audio producer and sound specialist. Interviews can be by Skype or telephone. 

If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.5 in writing and no element below 6.0.

Applicants are required to submit one academic reference.

Recognition of prior learning and experience

If you have previously studied at university level, or have equivalent work experience, academic credit may be awarded towards your course at Westminster. For more information, visit our Recognition of Prior Learning page.

Application process

Visit our How to apply page for more information on:

  • the application process
  • what you need to apply
  • deadlines for applications

More information

What our students say

Rohit Pradhan

Audio Production MA

Sound designer | Mixbox Studios, India

I am working as a Professional Sound Designer for feature films in India. My degree at Westminster geared me up for the professional challenges which a professional film faces on a daily basis. A career as a film technician involves working on tightrope deadlines and my education prepared me to handle every task to the satisfaction of my clients.

Joanna Orland

Audio Production MA

Supervising sound designer | Sony Computer Entertainment Europe

I initially thought radio or music production would be the path that I took in audio, but after a specific sound design course assignment, I knew it was sound design rather than engineering that I wanted to focus on. 

Learn new skills

Volunteer and gain new skills

We offer a number of different volunteering opportunities for you to learn new skills, create connections, and make a difference in the community.

Develop your entrepreneurial skills

Our award-winning Westminster Enterprise Network offers industry networking events, workshops, one-to-one business advice and support for your start-up projects.

Get extra qualifications

We provide access to free online courses in Adobe and Microsoft Office applications, as well as thousands of specialist courses on LinkedIn Learning.

Fees and Funding

UK tuition fee: £10,500 (Price per academic year)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

Paying your fees

If you don't wish to pay the whole amount of your fees at once, you may be able to pay by instalments. This opportunity is available if you have a personal tuition fee liability of £2,000 or more and if you are self-funded or funded by the Student Loans Company.

Find out more about paying your fees.

Alumni discount

This course is eligible for an alumni discount. Find out if you are eligible and how to apply by visiting our Alumni discounts page.

Funding

There is a range of funding available that may help you fund your studies, including Student Finance England (SFE).

Find out more about postgraduate student funding options.

Scholarships

The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible postgraduate students.

Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.

Additional costs

See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.

International tuition fee: £15,000 (Price per academic year)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

Paying your fees

If you don't wish to pay the whole amount of your fees at once, you may be able to pay by instalments. This opportunity is available if you have a personal tuition fee liability of £2,000 or more and if you are self-funded or funded by the Student Loans Company.

Find out more about paying your fees.

Alumni discount

This course is eligible for an alumni discount. Find out if you are eligible and how to apply by visiting our Alumni discounts page.

Funding

There are a number of funding schemes available to help you fund your studies with us.

Find out more about funding for international students.

Scholarships

The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible postgraduate students.

Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.

Additional costs

See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.

Facilities

We offer fully equipped rehearsal rooms, state-of-the-art recording studios and a brand new live music venue. We aim to give our students first-hand experience of "real world" recording environments and to set them on their paths to successful music industry careers.

Virtual tours

Take virtual tours of our Music Production Rooms and District 9 Music studio.

Teaching and Assessment

Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect through approximate percentages, taken either from the experience of previous cohorts, or based on the standard module diet where historic course data is unavailable.  Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.

How you’ll be taught

Teaching methods across all our postgraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into two broad categories:

  • Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
  • Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, dissertation/final project research, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
Year
1
48%52%
Scheduled hoursIndependent study

How you’ll be assessed

Our postgraduate courses include a variety of assessments, which typically fall into two broad categories:

  • Practical: examples include presentations, podcasts, blogs
  • Coursework: examples include essays, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation
Year
1
24%76%
PracticalCoursework

Data from the academic year 2022/23

Research groups

Our research achieves real-world impact and we are proud to claim a rich and diverse profile of high-quality research and knowledge exchange in a wide range of disciplines.

Find out more about our research groups related to this course:

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Supporting you

Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.

  • Study support — workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
  • Personal tutors — support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
  • Student advice team — provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
  • Extra-curricular activities — volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more

Visit our student hub

Course location

Harrow is our creative and cultural hub, home to most of our arts, media and digital courses. It houses state-of-the-art facilities for every discipline, including project and gallery spaces, film studios, creative labs, collaborative learning spaces, and the Westminster Enterprise Network.

Harrow Campus is based in north-west London, just 20 minutes from the city centre by train.

For more details, visit our Harrow Campus page.

Contact us

Call our dedicated team on:

+44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 65511

Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday

[email protected]

Start live chat

Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday

More information

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