Program Overview

Course overview

Keele's combined honours course in Film Studies and Music Production is an exciting programme that allows you to develop key skills in filmmaking, screenwriting and producing sound. You will examine the cultural contexts for which sound is produced and develop a portfolio of skills that will help you to achieve your career ambitions in the creative industries, such as TV, radio, film and games

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Film is a powerful art form that incorporates the study of technology, culture, and aesthetics. At Keele you will delve deep into the theoretical analysis of film from both historical and contemporary perspectives. You will identify key debates in contemporary screen media, and analyse a broad range of film and television texts from the widest cultural contexts. Looking both at 'classic' Hollywood film and newer forms of global film and television, you will consider the characteristics that distinguish these different types of production. You will also have the chance to make further connections to film through the study of other media forms, such as photography and literature.

The depth and breadth of this course will strengthen your critical thinking skills as well as widening your cinematic knowledge and technical abilities. Your experience in Music Production will involve working with audio software, hardware, and digital audio in studio and production set ups. You will be taught by staff in the School of Humanities, with research expertise in a range of specialisms, exploring current trends and topics. You will develop experience in sound recording, audio design and digital sampling, as well as programming, mixing and mastering, enabling you to build confidence using specialised equipment. There will also be opportunities to work with peers to share your ideas and expertise through collaborative projects.

As a graduate, you will be equipped with a wide skill set, preparing you for careers in the film and media industries, as a musician, or in a variety of other professional sectors where you will be able to apply your creative practice and academic knowledge.

Work Placements

We are committed to ensuring you graduate from Keele with a highly desired, diverse skill-set to support your employability. We embed opportunities for you to develop these skills throughout our optional work placement modules and work placement year which will enable you to engage directly with industry. You will gain invaluable practical skills and first-hand experience of the day-to-day operations of a relevant working environment.

There may be an option to do a work placement module. This could provide you with a platform to work within an organisation, and further develop your professional skills. You will identify an organisation based on your interests, with the guidance of the module tutors, and will spend a semester engaging with projects and tasks set out by the employer, as well as taught sessions at university.

Our alumni have previously taken work placements in film and media companies, museums, schools, charities and archives, enhancing their career prospects upon graduation. Our placement partners include the education and skills support service business ENTRUST, the New Vic Theatre in Newcastle under Lyme, the music charity Make Some Noise, the independent local radio station Signal Radio, and others.

You may choose to apply for a Work Placement Year that allows you to apply your knowledge and prepare for employment after university through a year long placement. This will enable you to build your confidence in the workplace and demonstrate your abilities in a professional environment, using the skills you have gained throughout your degree programme. You will be supported to prepare for your placement with advice on CV writing and cover letters, as well as the chance to attend Q&A workshops to discuss individual experiences with alumni and employers. This is a valuable, character-building experience where your will develop both personally and professionally.

Apple MacBook Loan Scheme

Our Apple MacBook Loan Scheme ensures that all Music Production students have equal access to high quality resources to support learning. As a Music Production student, you will be provided with an Apple MacBook for the full duration of your degree, at no cost to yourself*. Pre-installed with the necessary software required for your studies, the loan scheme allows you to optimise your learning experience and engage with industry-standard hardware.

*a charge will be made in the event of loss or damage to the MacBook.

Study Abroad

International Year

Enhance your career prospects with an International Year at one of our partner institutions. Utilising this opportunity between 2nd and 3rd year can help in your employment search to stand out from the crowd and broaden your horizons, potentially working across the globe.

On successful completion of all modules across the year, you will graduate with a degree title ‘Music Production and Sound Design with International Year’. This can be highly beneficial for your career prospects and through experiencing different cultures; you will not only grow as an individual, but you will also strengthen your knowledge and interests within society. You can find more information here.

Alternatively, you may choose to study abroad for just a semester in your second year which will count towards your second-year grades. Our Global Opportunities team will support you through the process, ensuring you are able to get the most out of your international experience.

Learn a Language

Discover languages at Keele, whether you are a complete beginner or already have a foundation of knowledge; we offer a flexible and guided route to developing your skills. We currently offer British Sign Language, Mandarin Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish.

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