Digital Media and Music Production

Program Overview

---

Digital Media and Music Production BA (Hons)

Year of entry

• 2025 - for 2026 entry see here - for 2025 entry see here

UCAS code

• P4J0

Duration of study

• 3 years or 4 years with international or placement year

Course summary

Are you ready to create, innovate and make a positive impact as a responsible digital citizen or music producer? Develop your creative edge with our Digital Media and Music Production BA. Build cutting-edge digital media skills and gain professional music production expertise. You’ll work with industry-standard software and equipment and collaborate on real-world projects. Undertaking a work placement will provide you with industry experience, and you'll build a professional portfolio to help shape your future career in the fast-moving and innovative creative industries.

Why study Digital Media and Music Production at Keele University?

• Gain practical skills using film, sound and image production facilities
• Benefit from our Apple MacBook Loan Scheme throughout your degree
• Film Studies and Media at Keele is ranked Top 10 in England for student positivity* NSS 2024 (Broad-based universities) *based on overall student satisfaction, which is an average score across 27 questions asked in the NSS
• Work placement opportunities to enhance your career prospects and network with industry partners in the creative and cultural industries.
• Graduate with a substantial music and audio portfolio using industry standard software and hardware

Course overview

Our Digital Media and Music Production degree’s contemporary curriculum is designed for aspiring creatives. You’ll critically explore the theories behind digital media and music production and develop hands-on content creation skills. This will provide you with the creative, professional and technical skills to produce dynamic digital content and high-quality audio, opening doors to wide ranging careers in areas such as broadcasting, sound engineering, television and marketing.

You’ll build skills and knowledge in areas including content creation for social media, analysing what makes good content and understanding the different platforms, content, and audiences. Using professional recording studios and state-of-the-art equipment you’ll gain a solid grounding in recording and mixing skills and gain practical experience as sound technician and engineer. You’ll examine the contemporary music scene and put your understanding of the nuances of crafting compelling and persuasive multimedia stories into practice focusing on an issue you’re passionate about.

Optional modules throughout this programme allow you to tailor your studies to your interests, enhancing your creative, digital, or analytical skills. Topics range from creating sound for moving images, digital curation and history, sampling and remixing, media and climate change, social media management and the American South – a summer school in the US.

Our practical, career-focused approach includes real-world projects, work placements, and study abroad opportunities. You'll develop workplace-ready skills including critical thinking, communication and problem-solving and graduate with a professional portfolio created using industry-standard equipment and software, highly valued in the digital media and creative industries.

Related courses

• Digital Media
• Digital Media and Marketing
• Digital Media and Sociology
• Music Production and Sound Design

Course structure

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Social Media Content Creation
• Unlocking the Studio: Your Journey into Sound Engineering
• Popular Music and Digital Platforms
• Becoming a Cultural Citizen

Optional modules

• Understanding and Producing Digital Media
• Sound Synthesis in Music Production
• Sound for Moving Image

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Storytelling for Change
• Studio Engineering and Live Sound

Optional modules

• Promotional Cultures
• Sampling and Remix
• Professional Experience for Music Production (Year 2)
• Pathways with Music Production: Developing Your Profile
• Augmenting Live Performance
• Data and Design
• Digital Curation and History
• The American South: US Summer School (Level 5)

Year 3

• Music Production Final Year Project
• Digital Media Project
• Professional Experience for Music Production (Year 3)
• Employing Music Production: Putting Your Subject into Practice
• Advanced Audio Tools
• The Art of Mixing, Mastering and AI in Modern Music Production
• Media and Climate Change
• Creative magazine production
• Social Media Management
• Memes, trends, and vibes: participatory social media cultures
• The American South: US Summer School (Level 6)

You must take one or the other of the project modules: ‘Digital Media Project’ or ‘Music Production Final Year Project’.

You can choose to take both project modules. You must take a minimum of 45 credits from modules with a MDS code and a minimum of 45 credits from modules with a MUS code.

You also must take one of the following modules: ‘Professional Experience for Music Production (Year 3)’, or ‘Employing Music Production: Putting Your Subject into Practice.’

Entry requirements

• A Level: BBC
• BTEC: DMM
• T Level: Merit
• International Baccalaureate Diploma: 554 in three Higher Levels or 29 points
• Access to HE Diploma: 112 UCAS points in any Access to HE Diploma including Distinction in at least 15 Level 3 credits
• Welsh Baccalaureate / Bagloriaeth Cymru: The Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate is equivalent to one full A Level at the same grade and can be included alongside 2 other A Levels in a standard A Level offer for this course
• Scotland - Highers and Advanced Highers: BCCCC in five Highers, or CD in two Advanced Highers and CC in two Highers, or CCD in three Advanced Highers
• Extended Project Qualification (EPQ): If you have B or higher in the EPQ and are studying A Levels, BTEC, the International Baccalaureate Diploma, or an Access to HE Diploma, you will typically receive an alternative offer which will be lower than the standard offer
• Core Maths: If you have B or higher in Core Maths and are studying A Levels, BTEC, the International Baccalaureate, or an Access to HE Diploma, you will typically receive an alternative offer which will be lower than the standard offer
• Ireland - Leaving Certificate: H3, H4, H4, H4, H4, H4 in the Irish Leaving Certificate
• China - Gaokao: 70%
• India - Standard XII: Average of 65% from four subjects in the ICSE, CBSE or Western Bengal Standard XII, or average of 70% from four subjects in any other Standard XII
• Germany - Abitur: 2.4 overall average in the Abitur
• France - Baccalaureate: 12 in the French Baccalaureate/International Option Baccalaureate/Baccalauréate Français International
• Hong Kong - Diploma: 443 from two electives and one core subject in the HKDSE
• Spain - Bachillerato: Overall average of 7 in the Título de Bachillerato
• Italy - Diploma di Esame di Stato: 75% in the Esame di Stato
• Cyprus - Apolytirion: 17.5 / 83% in the Apolytirion
• Portugal: Overall average of 15 in a Secondary Certificate
• Canada - Diploma: 60% / BCCCC in five courses in the Grade 12 Diploma
• Kenya - KCSE / Diploma: We do not accept the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele
• Nigeria - Senior School Certificate / OND: We do not accept the Senior School Certificate (WAEC or NECO) for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele
• USA - Advanced Placement: 443 from three Advanced Placement subjects
• Ghana: We do not accept the West African Senior School Certificate Examination for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele
• Sri Lanka - Advanced Level: BBC in three Advanced Levels
• Malaysia - STPM: BBC in three Principal Level subjects in the STPM
• Pakistan - Secondary School Certificate: We do not accept the Secondary School Certificate for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele
• Singapore - A Levels (H2): BBC in three H2 Levels
• European Baccalaureate: 70% overall
• NCUK: Pass NCUK Foundation Year with BBC and a C in EAP English Language module
• Uganda - Advanced Certificate of Education: BBC in three Principal Level subjects in the Advanced Certificate of Education
• Zimbabwe - Advanced Level GCE: BBC in three Advanced Level subjects

English language requirements

• All our courses require an English language qualification or test. Most students meet this through a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please visit our English Language pages for details, including test information for international students. For students who require a test, this course requires a result from Group A

Alternative and contextual offers

• We're committed to ensuring equality of opportunity for applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. We offer alternative offer schemes with clear eligibility criteria, including contextual offers, offers for those studying in the Keele region, and recognition of a range of additional qualifications

Tuition fees for 2025/26 academic year

• UK: £9,535 for the 2025/6 academic year (subject to Parliamentary approval)
• International: Band 3, £21,400 for the 2025/26 academic year

Music Fellowship Scheme – Studio Innovation Fellowship Award (SIFA)

• Our Music Fellowship Scheme provides the opportunity to apply for a Studio Innovation Fellowship Award of £750 (two available each academic year) to facilitate the creation, performance or production of new music in Keele’s Courtyard Studio

Supporting you

• To help you meet your academic and personal needs, we offer a multi-layered support structure. You will have access to an academic mentor and member of staff from the Student Experience and Support team if you need any additional support, or someone to talk to, whether about your degree programme or life outside of your studies

Societies

• We have a wealth of student-led societies here at Keele which cover a diverse range of interests. Joining a society is a great opportunity to continue to develop your skills away from your studies and can be beneficial when it comes to applying for graduate roles. It’s also a great way to make friends and share interests with fellow students

Your future career

• As a Digital Media and Music Production graduate you will possess a wealth of knowledge and practical industry relevant experience, providing a foundation for kick-starting your career in the creative industries or further study
• You will be able to apply your skills in across various sectors including sound recording, music production, filmmaking, audio streaming and broadcasting and explore careers in:
  • Theatre
  • Sound engineering
  • Sound Mixing
  • Mastering
  • Television
  • Marketing
  • Public Relations
  • Public Arts
  • Journalism
  • Broadcasting
  • Business
  • Education
  • Further study

Teaching, learning and assessment

• We use a wide variety of teaching methods on this programme which currently include:
  • Interactive lectures – a framework for reading and independent study
  • Seminars and tutorials – key issues discussed in depth in small groups
  • Individual and small group tutorials – on specific topics under academic supervision
  • Practical sessions/workshops - learn about and use practical resources to create creative content
  • Peer assisted learning – actively support and learn from other students
  • Interaction with businesses, organisations and industry experts – through guest lectures and company visits
  • Plenaries – these sessions are mainly for modules with individual or small group teaching
  • Web based learning – using Keele’s virtual learning environment, the KLE to support your learning
  • Engaging with external partners – such as working to industry briefs and pitching to industry experts
  • Independent study project – undertake a piece of independent research or content creation, supervised and supported by academic staff

Assessment

• The different assessment methods used on this programme reflect the broad knowledge and skills you will develop during your studies. These may include:
  • Academic and creative portfolios and project reports
  • Reflective workbooks and critiques
  • Creative projects
  • Project work and accompanying reports
  • Creative briefs
  • Individual and group presentations and pitches
  • Oral presentations, eg. Posters and pitch projects
  • Demonstrations and simulations to test studio-based modules
  • Critical essays and case studies
  • Reflective diaries
  • Reports in music to assess your ability to recount the process involved in creating project/practical work
  • Reports

Facilities

• You will benefit from the use of dedicated teaching spaces including a specially equipped screening room. If you choose to take practical modules in Media, you will also have access to filmmaking equipment, providing the opportunity to gain hands-on experience to practice your skills and create a portfolio of work. You will learn how to use equipment and build your skill set throughout the process, including editing; building a portfolio of work ready to showcase to employers
• At Keele, you will enjoy the use of designated teaching spaces and may study in our beautiful 19th-century Clockhouse and have access to comprehensive studio facilities. There are six key areas housing equipment for sound recording, music production, computer music, audio-visual creative work, sound design, and music software development
• Our facilities provide the opportunity to explore emerging technologies and techniques, encouraging innovation in studio production and developing skills across music design, performance and recording

Foundation year

• Our Foundation Year provides an excellent alternative route to Keele, offering preparation for your chosen degree with guaranteed entry onto your undergraduate course once you successfully complete
• This extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge, build your confidence, and provide a better understanding of higher education
• On our Foundation Year, you'll join our undergraduate community from the outset, with access to all the facilities and support you'd get as an undergraduate student at Keele

Course content

• Our Foundation Year allows you to develop your critical thinking, academic reading, writing, and communication study skills along with subject-specific knowledge and skills which will be invaluable in your academic studies and beyond. Upon meeting the progression criteria and successfully completing our Foundation Year, you will automatically progress into your Keele undergraduate degree with the confidence that you have the skills, and knowledge needed to successfully complete your course
• This Foundation Year is a two-semester programme which provides a tailored pre-degree programme of study to better prepare you for the BA (Hons) Media and Music Production degree. For example, the Foundations of Humanities 1 module introduces you to the broad range of source material across the Humanities disciplines - from media to history which enables us to analyse political, social or economic perspectives and attitudes to individuals, marginal groups and 'mainstream' society. Course content has been developed in collaboration with degree teaching teams, so that by the time you begin Year 1, you will be ready to excel at your studies, as the majority of our Foundation Year students do

Entry requirements

• Between 40-48 UCAS tariff points from at least 1 A level/level 3 qualification, or relevant work experience
• GCSE English Language at grade 4 (C), or Level 2 Functional Skills
• IELTS 5.5 (with 5.5 in all subtests)
• GCSE Mathematics at Grade 4 (C) or A Level 2 numeracy qualification such as Key Skills Application of Number Level 2 or Functional Skills Numeracy Level 2

How to apply