Music and Sound Design, MA

Program Overview

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Music and Sound Design, MA

Take your passion for sonic creativity to the next level with our Master’s course in Music and Sound Design.

The course will encourage you to be forward-thinking and innovative and will prepare you to respond both technically and creatively to diverse professional industry environments, or for further academic study.

Taught by world-leading experts from Greenwich’s SOUND/IMAGE Research Centre, you’ll have access to great facilities including our three Sound Studios, Spatial Audio Lab, Loudspeaker Orchestra and an array of microphones and location sound recording equipment.

Graduates from the School’s existing courses have gone on to work in a range of different jobs in music and sound including - sound editing; sound design; composition for film, television, games, media and theatre; spatial audio; music production; VR and interactive media; and experimental sound practices.

School

Stage and Screen

Location

Greenwich Campus

Duration

• 1 years full-time
• 2 years part-time

Start month

September

Home /international fees 2025/26

£11,325 /£17,975

What you should know about this course

• You’ll develop professional skills and the creative confidence to work with music and sound in a range of production and post-production contexts
• Get the chance to work with industry standard tools (Pro Tools, Izotope RX, Reaper, Ambisonic Recording and more) to deliver a rich portfolio of creative works
• Gain a comprehensive understanding of 20th and 21st century developments in audio technology & practices
• See yourself developing skills in spatial and immersive audio, composition and sound design, and music production
• This course at the University of Greenwich is Industry Accredited by JAMES representing APRS, MPG and associate industry bodies

Accredited by the Joint Audio Media Education Support

What you will study

Full time

• Major Project – Practice Research (60 credits)
• Practice Research Cultures (30 credits)
• Contemporary Sonic Practices (30 credits)
• Audiovisual Composition for Film, Games and Media (30 credits)
• Spatial and Immersive Audio (30 credits)

Part time

• Practice Research Cultures (30 credits)
• Contemporary Sonic Practices (30 credits)
• Spatial and Immersive Audio (30 credits)
• Major Project – Practice Research (60 credits)
• Audiovisual Composition for Film, Games and Media (30 credits)

Entry requirements

UK citizens and permanent residents

• An undergraduate (honours) degree at 2:2, or above, in a relevant subject.
• Applicants with a degree in another discipline, may be considered if they can present evidence of substantial work within music an/or sound design.
• Applicants without a degree that have professional experience or relevant professional experience may be considered.

International entry requirements

• The University of Greenwich accepts a broad range of international qualifications for admission to our courses.
• For detailed information on the academic and English language requirements, please find your country in our directory.

How you will learn

Teaching

• Teaching takes place over several days, and hours may vary depending on your module choice.
• Students will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, technical workshops, seminar groups and individual tutorials by expert staff and leading industry professionals.

Class sizes

• This course will run for the first time from September 2023 so we are unable to give an indication of class sizes.

Independent learning

• Students are required to undertake independent learning throughout their time on course.
• Tasks will include regular set reading and research activities, as well as independent work on practical tasks, such as composition, sound design and spatial audio techniques.

Overall workload

• Students will undertake four 30-credit credit modules and one 60-credit module.
• Each module consists of 300 hours of work, divided between contact hours and independent study.

Assessment

• The range of assessment strategies will challenge students to develop appropriate skills.
• The structure and details of each course has been devised to respond to the needs of industry.
• Students will be assessed through a diverse range of coursework and project assignments, including written work, presentations, creative portfolios and compositions.

Fees and funding

Fees

• Cohort | Full time | Part time | Distance learning
• Home | £11,325 | £1,887 per 30 credits | N/A
• International | £17,975 | £2,996 per 30 credits | N/A

Accommodation costs

• Whether you choose to live in halls of residence or rent privately, we can help you find what you're looking for.
• University accommodation is available from £126.35 per person per week (bills included), depending on your location and preferences.

Scholarships and bursaries

• We offer a wide range of financial help including scholarships and bursaries.
• The Greenwich Bursary
• EU Bursary

Careers and placements

What sort of careers do graduates pursue?

• The breadth of the curriculum is such that graduates will be equipped to seek employment in areas as diverse as theatre sound, music production, games, immersive experiences, live sound and acoustic engineering, or further academic study for MPhil and/or PhD.
• Graduates from the School’s existing courses have gone on to work in a range of different jobs in music and sound including - sound editing, sound design, film composition for film, television, games, media and theatre; spatial audio, music production, VR and interactive media, and experimental sound practices.

Do you provide employability services?

• We have an Employability Officer for postgraduate students to consult about specific opportunities relevant to the course.
• They work closely with professionals in industry to ensure you are well-prepared for the workplace and have already begun to build your professional network by the time you graduate.

Support and advice

Academic skills and study support

• We want you to make the most of your time with us.
• You can access study skills support through your tutor, our subject librarians, and our online academic skills centre.

Support from the department

• As a postgraduate student in the School, you will be a member of a wider creative community.
• Each year we run a graduate show where our degree students can showcase their best work.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

The MA in Music and Sound Design is a postgraduate program designed to cultivate forward-thinking and innovative sonic creators. It equips students with the technical and creative skills necessary to thrive in diverse professional industry environments or pursue further academic study. The program is taught by world-leading experts from Greenwich's SOUND/IMAGE Research Centre, providing access to state-of-the-art facilities, including three Sound Studios, a Spatial Audio Lab, a Loudspeaker Orchestra, and an array of microphones and location sound recording equipment.

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Outline:

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Full-time:

• Year 1:
• Major Project – Practice Research (60 credits):
This module focuses on developing a substantial, independent research project that explores a specific area of music and sound design.
• Practice Research Cultures (30 credits): This module examines the theoretical and practical frameworks of research in music and sound design, exploring different methodologies and approaches.
• Contemporary Sonic Practices (30 credits): This module delves into contemporary trends and innovations in sonic practices, analyzing the work of leading artists and exploring emerging technologies.
• Year 2:
• Major Project – Practice Research (60 credits):
This module involves the completion of the major research project, culminating in a final dissertation or creative output.
• Audiovisual Composition for Film, Games and Media (30 credits): This module continues to develop students' skills in audiovisual composition, focusing on advanced techniques and industry-standard practices.

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Part-time:

• Year 1:
• Practice Research Cultures (30 credits):
This module examines the theoretical and practical frameworks of research in music and sound design, exploring different methodologies and approaches.
• Contemporary Sonic Practices (30 credits): This module delves into contemporary trends and innovations in sonic practices, analyzing the work of leading artists and exploring emerging technologies.
• Year 2:
• Major Project – Practice Research (60 credits):
This module involves the completion of the major research project, culminating in a final dissertation or creative output.
• Audiovisual Composition for Film, Games and Media (30 credits): This module continues to develop students' skills in audiovisual composition, focusing on advanced techniques and industry-standard practices.

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Assessment:

The program utilizes a diverse range of assessment methods to challenge students and develop their skills. Assessment strategies are designed to meet industry needs and include:

• Written work
• Presentations
• Creative portfolios
• Compositions
Feedback on assignments is provided within 15 working days.

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Teaching:

Teaching takes place over several days, with hours varying depending on module choice. Students are taught through a combination of:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Technical workshops
• Seminar groups
• Individual tutorials
Expert staff and leading industry professionals deliver the teaching.

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Careers:

The program's breadth prepares graduates for a wide range of careers in music and sound, including:

• Sound editing
• Sound design
• Composition for film, television, games, media, and theatre
• Spatial audio
• Music production
• VR and interactive media
• Experimental sound practices

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Other:

• The program is Industry Accredited by JAMES, representing APRS, MPG, and associate industry bodies.
• The program is taught by a team of academics and composers who explore the potential of sound and audio-visual media, bringing together musicians, sound designers, filmmakers, artists, and philosophers.
• Regular guest lectures from industry professionals contribute to the learning and teaching experience.
• The program provides access to industry-standard tools, including Pro Tools, Izotope RX, Reaper, Ambisonic Recording, and more.
• Students develop a rich portfolio of creative works during the program.
• The program offers a comprehensive understanding of 20th and 21st-century developments in audio technology and practices.
• Students develop skills in spatial and immersive audio, composition and sound design, and music production.

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Home Fees

£11,000

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International Fees

£17,450