Program Overview

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MA Sound for Film and Television Production

Prepare for a career as a professional sound designer

Overview

Year of entry: 2026 (September)

• Start date: September 2026
• Length: 1 year full-time
• School/department: School of Arts and Creative Technologies

Course Content

Study, explore, and practise contemporary film and television postproduction with a focus on technical aspects of sound production and design. Enhance your understanding of digital sound design creation and audio for film, television, and interactive media.

• Our course emphasises a high level of craft skill and creativity, combined with critical thought and collaboration.
• You'll gain scientific and technical training with hands-on experience of sound design, programme creation, and artistic decision-making.
• We'll teach you through a mix of workshops, lectures, screenings, and masterclasses led by leading academics and industry professionals.
• You'll use industry-standard facilities in a vibrant and supportive environment.
• You'll realise your own creative and technical projects and develop essential professional skills to pursue a career in industry.

Accreditation

This course is industry recognised by ScreenSkills, the industry-led skills body for the UK's screen-based industries, and carries the ScreenSkills Select quality-mark which indicates courses best suited to prepare students for a career in the screen industries.

Alumni Success

Several York alumni have gone on to work on projects, including the Oscar-winning The Brutalist and BAFTA-winning Slow Horses.

Unique Creative Environment

Bringing together world-leading researchers, dynamic teachers, and industry professionals in a vibrant community.

Employment Prospects

Experience industry-standard training and creative practice, and use the latest professional kit to advance your skills for your future career.

Course Structure

Modules

You'll study taught modules in the first part of the year. You'll then go on to take an individual project.

• You'll look at digital production and postproduction processes for the creation of commercial film and television programmes, and examine the latest technical and aesthetic workflows for picture and sound.
• You'll put theory into practice by applying the concepts and techniques covered in lectures with labs on picture and sound techniques.
• You'll study the fundamental theory and practical skills involved in the creation of sound design.
• You'll explore the technical design and implementation of sound synthesis and sound processing systems, and look at their creative application.
• You'll have hands-on experience with software packages such as ProTools, Media Composer, Adobe creative suite, and Davinci.

Option Modules

You will also study one option module each semester. Examples may include:

• Audio Cultures & Modernities
• Business of Production and Postproduction
• Digital Cinematography I
• Directing for Film & Television 1
• Directing for Film & Television 2
• Editing 1
• Feminism on the Screen (Masters Level)
• Production Techniques for Acoustic Recording
• Research Approaches & Processes
• Sound Design with Sound Effects
• Studio Live & Analogue Mixing

Final Project

You'll design and develop a creatively-focused extended research project. If you'd like to undertake a more technically-focused project, then you should consider applying for the MSc in Film and Television Production with Sound instead.

• You may choose from two different types of individual project:
  1. A production project that involves creating a short film or pilot television episode – either fiction or nonfiction – along with a written 7,000-8,000 word production report describing your approach to making the project in your role as a sound designer.
  2. An individual research project focusing on a specific area related directly to your chosen specialism.

Learning Outcomes

Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers.

• Carry out film and television postproduction sound to a professional standard by employing their in-depth understanding of the theoretical basis, underlying technologies, and practical skills central to postproduction sound.
• Work collaboratively and to good effect with others - as leader or team member - in the production and delivery of creative projects that conform to current industry practices and standards.
• Analyse, critically evaluate, and reflect upon their practice, using a developed understanding of professional production values and aesthetics.
• Organise themselves to deliver creative work that meets commercial objectives by exercising self-discipline and a capacity to work independently to challenging deadlines.
• Solve problems creatively and with intellectual rigour through applying formal investigative research skills and an ability to exercise critical judgement.
• Communicate to both professional and lay audiences both clearly and persuasively using appropriate written, oral, and other media.
• Devise and execute original technical projects that explore creative aspects of postproduction sound and aesthetic design.

Fees and Funding

Annual Tuition Fees for 2026/27

• Study mode: Full-time (1 year)
• UK (home): £13,900
• International and EU: £32,900

Fees Information

• The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student.

Funding Information

• Discover your funding options to help with tuition fees and living costs.
• We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2026/27 throughout the year.
• If you've successfully completed an undergraduate degree at York, you could be eligible for a 10% Masters fee discount.

Teaching and Assessment

You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.

Teaching Format

The course involves a range of different teaching styles. Most modules will include lectures to give you a fundamental understanding of the subject and then lead on to practical work.

Facilities

You'll have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with our industry-standard facilities.

• Three industry-standard Avid S6 dubbing theatres.
• Two dedicated recording studios for ADR and Foley.
• A large range of microphones and studio microphones.
• A large range of industry-standard field recording equipment.
• Three specialist post-production labs with industry-standard packages.

Careers and Skills

The film and television industry is highly competitive, and there is a constant demand for sound designers with a solid knowledge of current software and postproduction techniques.

Career Opportunities

• Dubbing mixer
• Mix Tech
• Sound editor
• Location sound recorder
• ADR recorder
• Foley Artist
• Sound supervisor
• Studio manager
• Sound designer
• Filmmaker

Transferable Skills

• Collaborative working
• Problem-solving
• Investigative research
• Time management and organisation
• Technical analysis
• Critical evaluation
• Reflective learning

Entry Requirements

Qualification

• Undergraduate degree: 2:2 or equivalent.
• You should have some experience of audio media production either gained through an undergraduate degree or through professional practice.

Additional Requirements

You will need to submit a sample of your creative work with your application.

English Language

If English isn't your first language, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability.

• IELTS (Academic and Indicator): 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component
• Cambridge CEFR: B2 First: 176, with 169 in each component
• Oxford ELLT: 7, minimum of 6 in each component
• Oxford Test of English Advanced: 136, minimum 126 in each component
• Duolingo: 120, minimum 105 in all other components
• LanguageCert SELT: B2 with 33/50 in each component
• LanguageCert Academic: 70 with a minimum of 65 in each component
• Kaplan Test of English Language: 478-509, with 444-477 in all other components
• Skills for English: B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component
• PTE Academic: 61, minimum 55 in each component
• TOEFL: 87, minimum of 21 in each component
• Trinity ISE III: Merit in all requirements

If You Haven't Met Our English Language Requirements

You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.