Sound Engineering - BSc (Hons)

Program Overview

---

Sound Engineering - BSc (Hons)

Overview

Do you dream of engineering the future of sound? Our BSc (Hons) Sound Engineering course is designed to immerse you in the cutting-edge world of audio technology and production, equipping you with the skills to pursue careers in live sound, acoustics, audio hardware and software development, and studio production.

Delivered in collaboration with Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC), this course blends technical expertise, creative flair, and hands-on experience to prepare you for a dynamic career in the world of sound engineering.

What's covered in this course?

This course immerses you in the cutting-edge world of live sound, acoustics, audio hardware and software development, and studio production. You will study using purpose-built and state-of-the-art facilities across the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and College of Computing.

You’ll be supported throughout by our experienced and talented tutors and technical staff—all audio practitioners and/or world-leading researchers. You will develop innovation and problem-solving skills and experience interdisciplinary collaboration, preparing you for a career in sound engineering.

You will have access to a network of industry mentors, workshops, masterclasses and guest lectures, including Focusrite, Native Instruments, Midas (Music Tribe), Atkins, Solotech, RBA Acoustics, and independent live sound engineers and producers.

Professional Placement year

This course offers an optional professional placement year. This allows you to spend a whole year with an employer, following successful completion of your second year, and is a great way to find out more about your chosen career. Some students even return to the same employers after completing their studies.

If you choose to pursue a placement year, you will need to find a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study. You will be able to draw on the University’s extensive network of local, regional, and national employers, and the support of our Careers teams. If you are able to secure a placement, you can request to be transferred to the placement version of the course.

Please note that fees are payable during your placement year, equivalent to 20% of the total full-time course fee for that year.

Why Choose Us?

• World-leading state-of-the-art facilities: From recording studios at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire to the immersive SoundLab® in STEAMhouse
• Excellent audio employability: access to a network of industry professionals and careers in live sound, acoustics, audio product development and studio production
• World-class teaching team: 25-years’ experience in audio science degrees at BCU
• Top 15 in the UK for Music Guardian League Tables 2025

Entry Requirements

Essential requirements

• 112 UCAS tariff points. Learn more about UCAS Tariff points.

GCSE and other level 2 requirements

This course does not require evidence of GCSE qualifications. Please see A Level, BTEC and other level 3 requirements below.

A Level, BTEC and other level 3 requirements

Qualification| Entry requirements
---|---
A Level / AS Level |

• A Level: 112 UCAS Tariff points / BBC (or equivalent)
• AS Level: Must be in a different subject to A Levels
• A maximum of four subjects will be considered
• Must include one from Technology, Science, Mathematics, Engineering or Computing at A Level or level 3 equivalent

Pearson BTEC (Diploma / Extended Diploma/ Extended Certificate) |

• 112 UCAS Tariff points
• Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications
• Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications
• Accepted subjects: Technology, Science, Mathematics, Engineering or Computing

T Level |

• Merit overall
• Accepted subjects: Digital Production, Design and Development; Digital Support Services; Digital Business Services; Media, Broadcast and Production, Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing, Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing, Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control

Access to HE Diploma |

• Pass with 60 credits. At least 45 credits at level 3 with 30 credits at Merit or Distinction
• Accepted subjects: Technology, Science, Mathematics, Engineering or Computing

OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications |

• 112 UCAS Tariff points
• Accepted subjects: Technology, Science, Engineering or Computing

NCFE CACHE Level 3 qualifications |

• 112 UCAS Tariff points
• Considered alongside A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications, one of which must be Technology, Science, Engineering or Computing

WJEC Level 3 qualifications |

• 112 UCAS Tariff points
• Considered alongside A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications, one of which must be Technology, Science, Engineering or Computing

Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers) |

• Minimum of 112 UCAS Tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects
• Required subjects: Technology, Science, Mathematics, Engineering or Computing at Higher Level

Scottish Higher / Advanced Higher |

• 112 UCAS Tariff points from three Advanced Highers (CCD) or two Advanced Highers (CD) plus two Highers (CC)
• Required subjects: One from Technology, Science, Mathematics, Engineering or Computing

Welsh Baccalaureate |

• 112 UCAS Tariff points. Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications
• Required subjects: One from Technology, Science, Engineering, Mathematics or Computing

Fees & How to Apply

UK students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: BSc (Hons)

Starting: Sep 2026

• Mode
• Duration
• Fees
• Full Time
• 3 years
• TBC
• Apply via UCAS

(↩Back to price) * The Government is proposing to increase the cap on full-time regulated tuition fees to £9,535 from 2025/26 onwards and the University is planning on increasing fees to that maximum level once legislation is enacted. Part-time fees are charged pro-rata, where applicable.

International students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: BSc (Hons)

Starting: Sep 2026

• Mode
• Duration
• Fees
• Full Time
• 3 years
• TBC
• Register interest

Course in Depth

Year One

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):

• Acoustic Fundamentals 20 credits
• Digital Audio Fundamentals 20 credits
• Sound Recording 20 credits
• Audio Electronics 20 credits
• Audio Programming 20 credits
• Live Sound Fundamentals 20 credits

Year Two

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):

• Broadcast Sound 20 credits
• Digital Audio Effects 20 credits
• Embedded Audio Systems 20 credits
• Acoustic Applications 20 credits
• Collaborative Practice 20 credits
• Recording, Production and Delivery 20 credits

Professional Placement Year (Optional)

In order to qualify for the award of BSc (Hons) Sound Engineering with Professional Placement Year a student must successfully complete the following module:

• Professional Placement Year 120 credits

Year Three

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 100 credits):

• Immersive Audio 20 credits
• Audio Machine Learning 20 credits
• Advanced Live Sound 20 credits
• Individual Honours Project 40 credits

Employability

The Sound Engineering course is designed to equip you with the equipping you with the skills to pursue careers in:

• Live and Broadcast Sound
• Acoustic Consultancy and Engineering
• Audio Software and Hardware Development
• Recording Technology and Practice

The course has been developed in collaboration with employers, ensuring teaching and assessment methods are employability-led.

Facilities & Staff

Our Facilities

Our facilities are purpose-built for innovation and hands-on learning, from world-leading state-of-the-art recording studios at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire to the immersive SoundLab® in STEAMhouse. You will use industry-standard tools such as Logic, Pro Tools, MATLAB, Python, and C++. You will study on state-of-the-art Solid State Logic (SSL) recording consoles, run live sound sessions with industry-standard PA, and utilise our vast array of microphones from Neumann, Brauner and AKG.

You'll have access to the following facilities:

• Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (recording, performance and teaching)
• Millennium Point Recording Studios (eight live and recording spaces)
• SoundLab®
• Parkside TV Studios
• Parkside Broadcast Studios
• Electronics and Solder Lab
• Mac Lab

Our staff

• Ben West: Course Leader for BSc (Hons) Sound Engineering and Production, Lecturer in Audio Engineering
• Alastair Jamieson: Lecturer in Sound and Music Technology
• Dr Roy Priest: Associate Professor of Computing