Program Overview

Music Production (Top-Up) BA (Hons)

Key Facts

• UCAS Code: W376
• Level: UndergraduateUG BA (Hons)
• Duration: Full Time: 1 year, Part Time: 2 years
• Starting: September
• Fees UK 25/26 >: Full Time: £9,535, Part Time: £1,585 (per 20 credits)
• Fees International 25/26 >: Full Time: £17,000
• Location >: Development Hub (Waterside)

Overview

Our BA Music Production Top-Up degree is intended to prepare you for a growing, and ever-evolving industry which contributed £4.5 billion to the economy in 2018. The course is specifically designed to ready you for a range of potential avenues of music creation, for example working in the video game industry or in the world of live music, or working as an educator. We aim to provide you with the broad range of transferrable skills required to be a self-producing Artist. You will develop a breadth of skills within the digital domain, the studio environment, and – perhaps most importantly – academically.

Our top up Music Production 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.

Highlights

• Accredited by Joint Audio Media Education Support (JAMES)
• Opportunities to work in real-world situations across Northampton
• Extra-curricular masterclasses in music production
• Interaction with partner degree in Popular Music
• Industry expertise from published and researching music team
• Contemporary specialisms in many areas of EDM
• Cutting-edge software: Native Instruments, Ableton, Pro Tools, Logic Pro X, SoundToys, Mac OS X
• Field Trips to events such as BBC Music Introducing Live, and visits to professional recording studios.
• Guaranteed paid internship with the Northampton Employment Promise.

Entry Requirements

• A typical offer would be:
  • A pass at HND level on a Music Production or equivalent course
• Applications from applicants with no formal qualifications will be considered on merit (i.e. significant industry experience and a convincing academic ability – assessed during interview).
• Other Entry Requirements
  • Applicants for this Music Production degree should be able to evidence:
    • Skills in musicianship in at least one instrument (including the voice) or via technology (i.e. beat mixing). These may be demonstrated through recordings provided or through performance as part of the interview process as well as the personal statement and reference parts of the application.
    • Commitment and motivation to develop themselves intellectually, creatively and professionally. This may be demonstrated through the personal statement and the interview process.

Course Content

• Course Details
  • While studying for your Music Production Top-Up degree at the University of Northampton, you’ll build on the fundamental principles you have acquired in your previous practice/ study so far (in areas including sequencing in the DAW, audio and MIDI, acoustics and psychoacoustics, studio engineering, hardware implementation, synthesis, critical listening skills, and reasoning, writing and debating).
  • On this Music Production University degree, you will have the opportunity to specialise within the music production domain; choosing from a range of areas, including music production, composition, live sound and sound for media and gaming industry, sound design, and music education.
  • Our modules are informed by staff actively researching, composing, performing and publishing in their specialist areas within the music industry. These modules introduce you to music principles and techniques which will help you develop the necessary analytical and creative skills, to aid you when evaluating and implementing real-life practice.

Fees and Funding

• 2025/26 Tuition Fees
  • UK Full Time: £9,535
  • UK Part Time: £1,585 per 20 credit module
  • International Full Time: £17,000
• Scholarships and Bursaries
  • For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.
• 2024/25 Tuition Fees
  • UK – Full Time: £9,250
  • UK – Part Time: £1,540 per 20 credit module
  • International – Full Time: £16,500

Staff

• Senior Lecturer in Popular Music
  • Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology
• Associate Lecturer (Music)
  • Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology
• Senior Lecturer - Music Production
  • Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology
• Senior Lecturer in Popular Music
  • Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology

Facilities

• Specialist facilities for the top up degree in Music Production include:
  • Three fully kitted specialised soundproofed rehearsal booths plus break-out space.
  • Small group sessions for most practical sessions.
  • Live PA equipment and technician support for assessed gigs.
  • Two recording studios: running Pro Tools and Audient 8024 mixing console, Neve 1073LB preamps, SSL VHD preamps, Apollo 8P, Apollo Satellite Octo, Rupert Neve Designs 5043, SoundToys bundle, Arturia V studio, Universal Audio Ultimate, Spitfire Audio Hybrid, Steven Slate Drums.
  • Two Mac Suites: running Logic Pro X, Ableton 10, Native Instruments Komplete 12, Pro Tools, iZotope, FabFilter.
  • Microphones: U87 condensers, AKG414s, Telefunken FET M60s, AKG 451s, Radial DI boxes, Radial SGI and re-amp boxes, and a full range of other industry mics.
  • Hardware synthesisers: Arturia DrumBrute, Novation Circuits, Roland TB303, Behringer Deepmind 12, Roland Juno DS, Novation Bass Stations, Ableton controllers – Launchkey 49s, Launcontrol XLs, Launchpad Mark 1 and Mark 2.
  • Live performance hardware: Vox amps, Marshall MG 4×12 amps, Orange Crush Pro amps, Peavey Amps, Ampeg PF500 Bass amplifiers, Yamaha Stage Custom kits, Gretsch Drum Kit, Studio AAX, full PA, three rehearsal rooms.
  • Two grand pianos: Steinway Studio B, Bechstein Boudoir Grand; two Yamaha upright pianos.

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