Brayford Pool
3 years
J933
This specialist degree offers the opportunity to develop the creative, technical, and pro-fessional skills required for a career in music production and in sound for a diverse range of media, from film to video games. The course is built around hands-on, practical work in music and sound, as you work in our specialist facilities to create, experi-ment and develop your own projects. You'll work with professional-standard tools and workflows from day one, gaining experience in recording, producing, designing sound, and crafting audio for screen-based media.
Collaboration sits at the heart of the programme. You are able to work directly with musicians, filmmakers, animators, games designers, and artists, building the real-world teamwork skills the industry expects. Projects are designed to stretch your creativity, and are underpinned by critical study and research. A blend of making and thinking supports you to become a confident, adaptable audio practitioner ready for a fast-moving creative industry.
Our specialist facilities - including multi-channel recording studios, audio post-production suites, music rehearsal spaces, and dedicated editing rooms - provide opportunities for extensive practical work. High-end mobile equipment is also available for field recording and location sound, and all students on the programme have access to professional software throughout their studies.
You can learn from an experienced team of researchers and industry-active professionals working across music, music production, film and TV, radio, animation, game audio, and experimental sound. Teaching is supported by guest lectures, masterclasses, and opportunities to engage with contempo-rary professional practice.
1st
Music at Lincoln is ranked 1st in the UK for teaching*
Music at Lincoln is ranked 1st in the UK for teaching*
Opportunities to gain paid work experience on campus
Learn from staff and guest speakers directly connected to industry
Option to participate in sessions at Abbey Road Studios
Receive your own copy of Avid Pro Tools for the duration of the course
Industry-standard professional studios and edit suites
*National Student Survey 2024 (out of 68 ranking institutions)
Teaching on the programme centres on practical, project-based work supported by critical study. You will learn in professionally equipped studios, edit suites, rehearsal rooms, and specialist audio spaces, using industry-standard software and workflows. Demonstrations, hands-on sessions, and small-group practical classes ensure close support as you develop technical and creative skills.
Lectures introduce key concepts, while seminars and workshops give space to share work, discuss ideas, and build confidence. Tutorials provide tailored guidance as you progress toward specialist and independent projects.
Your studies develop from core skills in year 1, to increasing specialisation and autonomy in year 2, leading to advanced, portfolio-ready projects in year 3. Assessment includes practical studio work, collaborative projects, and flexible written tasks, with options that allow you to play to your strengths.
Our students were able to experience a day in the life of some of the world’s most eminent record producers and performers during their time at Abbey Road Studios. Industry professionals on hand to lend their support to the students included Abbey Road engineer Paul Pritchard. Paul has worked with some of the biggest recording artists in history, including Paul McCartney, Elton John and Freddie Mercury.
Beyond the Studio Recording introduces you to creative and critical approaches to recording sound outside traditional studio environments. Focusing on field recording and soundscape composition, the module explores how sound captures and reflects the environments, cultures, and social contexts in which it is produced. Through a blend of lectures, seminars, and workshops, you will develop practical recording skills whilst engaging with key theoretical and historical debates about listening, place, and histories of recording.
Cultivating Creativity is a first-year interdisciplinary module designed to develop students' creative thinking and industry awareness. The module fosters curiosity, ideation, and practical application while equipping students with essential academic, creative and professional skills. Through engagement with contemporary issues, students will explore how these topics intersect with their chosen industry contexts.
In this module, you learn how to create music using a digital audio workstation (DAW). You work with MIDI, synthesis, and sampling, and explore practical tools and techniques that you can use in your own music composition and sound design. By the end, you’ll be able to develop your own ideas and build complete pieces within the DAW.
This module introduces you to the multi-track studio environment, giving you the chance to explore the key techniques and skills needed to work in a professional audio recording setting. You’ll get hands-on with digital audio recording, editing, and mixing tools, developing the practical and technical abilities essential for studio-based music and audio production. You’ll also begin sharpening the critical listening skills required to judge audio quality, using them to build your confidence and creativity in the studio.
To become an expert in the studio, you first have to understand how sound really works. This module introduces you to the fundamental principles of audio and shows you how this knowledge can be applied in the practical context of music production.
In this module, you will explore the cultural, historical, political, and social forces that sound and music both reflect and transform. We will investigate how they construct identity, express power, mediate technology, and drive social change. Through key theories, case studies, and creative practice, you’ll tackle topics like listening in the digital age, the cultural impact of popular music, and the evolving influence of media technologies. Seminar discussions and research-led learning will sharpen your ability to interpret sonic and musical practices as active forms of cultural production and communication. By the end, you will understand the power of music and sound to shape lives and societies.
Step into the world of live events and take control of the sound and lights that bring performances to life. In this module, you’ll learn how to set up, operate, and troubleshoot professional audio and lighting systems for gigs, theatre shows, and more. From small venues to large-scale productions, you’ll get hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment and live bands, developing the technical confidence to make every event sound (and look) amazing.
This module provides you with advanced creative and technical skills aligned with the professional expectations of the contemporary recorded music industry. You learn core tracking and production practices while developing a considered approach to sonic aesthetics, technical precision, and coherent project delivery. Through the application of industry‑standard mixing and mastering techniques, you refine and contextualise your work to a professional standard. The module culminates in a portfolio of high‑quality recordings that demonstrate your ability to realise a brief and present finished production work with clarity and rigour.
In this module students will explore the development of music and audio culture through an eclectic range of case studies illustrating how situating music within diverse cultural contexts provides a broad and nuanced understanding of the role music plays in the lives of individuals, the formation of communities, and the influence on global culture. Through analytical and critical approaches, such as musicology, ethnography, socio-history, and psychology, the module aims to deepen students' comprehension of the myriad ways in which music can be studied, analysed, and comprehended.
This module aims to give you an opportunity to immerse yourself in a specialist area within the creative arts. The content of the module is shaped by the research and practice expertise of staff members who actively collaborate with and mentor you throughout your exploration of this specialist area. This ensures that you benefit from the latest insights and methodologies within the chosen specialist area, gaining a well-rounded understanding that integrates theoretical knowledge with practical application.
The Industry Placement Year is an exciting opportunity for students to take a year out of formal study to gain real-world experience in the creative industries. Whether you’re looking to build industry connections, develop professional skills, or explore career options, this year will give you a full-time, hands-on experience within an arts, cultural, or creative organisation.
This year is a collaborative experience between you, your employer, and the University—ensuring that you get the most out of your time in a professional setting.
Creative Futures is a final-year module designed to prepare students for the transition into professional life. Through guest talks, lectures, tutorials, and flexible online learning, students gain a critical understanding of creative careers and the wider labour market. The module focuses on key transferable skills such as emotional intelligence, resilience, digital literacy, critical thinking, leadership, and intercultural awareness. Students will reflect on their strengths, values, and goals, and emerge confident, career-ready, and equipped to thrive in diverse professional environments.
This module is the culmination of the Sound and Music Production course. Taking advantage of the specialist skills and interests developed throughout your studies, you will undertake a substantial project or set of projects. You can work individually or collaboratively, producing anything from the sound design for a film, through to recording and releasing an EP. Whatever you do, this work will form a key part of your professional portfolio as you move from student to professional.
Take control of your learning with a self-directed research project on a topic that inspires you. This module lets you explore your interests in depth, guided by expert academic supervision. You will develop your ideas into a polished dissertation and present your work with confidence. Your project is a chance to showcase your creativity, independence and critical thinking, all whilst exploring a subject that you are passionate about.
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on where and what you want to study. In addition to the information provided on this course page, our What You Need to Know page offers explanations on key topics including programme validation/revalidation, additional costs, and contact hours.
We are excited to announce that our courses have received JAMES (Joint Audio Media Education Support) accreditation. This recognition from industry professionals ensures our students benefit from a curriculum that meets the highest standards of the music and media industries, ensuring they are well-prepared for their careers.
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We have strong relationships with industry including a partnership with the iconic Abbey Road Studios in London. You can participate in workshops with industry professionals at Abbey Road Studios which may form an integral part of your learning and development. Our industry partnerships have led to students securing audio positions with the BBC, Channel 4, Sky, The Church Studios, Pinewood Studios, Fonic, and Sweet Justice Sound, as well as freelance roles.
Students are able to take a dedicated industry placement module in their second year, giving them experience of working in the music and wider arts industries. These placements have previously included radio studios, live music companies, recording studios and other parts of the music and audio industries.
Students have had the opportunity to take part in an annual trip to Abbey Road studios in London, where they work with Music students on a recording project.
Students recently visited London's Abbey Road Studios where best-selling albums have been recorded by artists including The Beatles.
Students have the opportunity to hear from those working in the industry on optional field trips
Assessment centres on creative projects that can cover music productions, sound for media, live sound, experimental pieces, and collaborative creations with filmmakers, musicians, animators, and other artists. Many modules offer choice, allowing you to shape projects around your interests and preferred working methods.
Alongside this practical work, critical assessments also help you contextualise your creative decisions through a range of academic formats. These might include reflective writing, research-informed tasks, creative documentation, or critical essays and are designed to deepen your understanding of sound and strengthen your artistic voice.
The University of Lincoln's policy is to ensure that staff return assessments to students promptly.
Students on this course have access to a range of specialist equipment, including two multi-channel recording studios for music and drama production; two dubbing theatres for audio post-production for film, TV, games, and animation; the University's digital audio platform; three radio production studios; music rehearsal rooms; and several audio edit suites with an extensive range of editing and audio processing software. High-end mobile kit is available for sound and field recording on location. All Sound and Music Production students can currently use Pro Tools software and have access to Ableton Live Suite and Adobe Creative Cloud software, including Audition, for the duration of their studies.
There may be opportunities throughout the course to volunteer for the University's digital audio platform, as well as potentially secure experience and paid work in live sound through our on-campus performance venue, The Engine Shed.
Find out more on the Film and Media subject webpage.
What I enjoyed the most was learning both theoretical concepts and professional practices. Each assignment allowed a personal approach where I collaborated creatively with students on other courses and outside the University, which helped with developing professional relationships.
Helena Spychala
BA (Hons) Sound and Music Production
This course aims to equip graduates for a wide range of roles in music production, radio, film, and TV, games, animation, mobile and web applications, audio engineering, and audio event management. Lincoln graduates have gone on to work for the BBC, Channel 4, The Church Studios, Fonic audio post production, Sweet Justice Game Audio, Pinewood Studios, and Sky.
Congratulations to graduate Dan Hibbert for winning the ‘Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing' Verna Fields Award at the 70th Motion Picture Sound Editors Golden Reel Awards, for his work on the National Film and Television School graduate film 'Brutal'. Dan specialised in Sound Post-Production and went on to study this subject at postgraduate level at the National Film and Television School following his time at Lincoln.
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104 to 112 UCAS Tariff points.
This must be achieved from a minimum of 2 A Levels or equivalent Level 3 qualifications. For example:
A Level: BCC to BBC
BTEC Extended Diploma: Distinction Merit Merit
T Level: Merit Overall
Access to Higher Education Diploma: 104 to 112 UCAS points to be achieved from 45 Level 3 credits.
International Baccalaureate: 29 points overall.
GCSE's: Minimum of three at grade 4 or above, which must include English . Equivalent Level 2 qualifications may be considered.
The University accepts a wide range of qualifications as the basis for entry and do accept a combination of qualifications which may include A Levels, BTECs, Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).
We may also consider applicants with extensive and relevant work experience and will give special individual consideration to those who do not meet the standard entry qualifications.
Non UK Qualifications:
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/ for information on equivalent qualifications.
EU and Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-sessional English and Academic Study Skills courses.
If you would like further information about entry requirements, or would like to discuss whether the qualifications you are currently studying are acceptable, please contact the Admissions team on 01522 886097, or email admissions@lincoln.ac.uk
Please note application assessment criteria may vary by country and we may close to applications from some domiciles. Please view the Your Country pages of our website before making an application.
Going to university is a life-changing step and it's important to understand the costs involved and the funding options available before you start. A full breakdown of the fees associated with this programme can be found on our course fees pages.
For eligible undergraduate students going to university for the first time, scholarships and bursaries are available to help cover costs. To help support students from outside of the UK, we are also delighted to offer a number of international scholarships which range from £1,000 up to the value of 50 per cent of tuition fees. For full details and information about eligibility, visit our scholarships and bursaries pages.
Project costs can vary depending on the nature of the practical work chosen by the student. Students are asked to consider costs when proposing a project.
Students are responsible for travel, accommodation, and general living costs while undertaking work experience, study abroad, or internships.
The best way to find out what it is really like to live and learn at Lincoln is to visit us in person. We offer a range of opportunities across the year to help you to get a real feel for what it might be like to study here.
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