School of Art, Design and Architecture
| UCAS tariff |
104 - 112
Contextual offers
A contextual offer is an offer to study at university that takes personal circumstances that may affect grades into account.
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| UCAS course code | JW93 |
| Institution code | P60 |
| Duration | 3 years (+ optional placement) |
| Course type | Full-time |
| Study location | Plymouth |
Learn how technology is transforming the music industry, with academics from our world-leading Interdisciplinary Centre for Computer Music Research. Become an expert audio engineer using the latest technologies. Free yourself from the limitations of current devices by gaining hands-on software development skills, enabling you to create your own tools. Prepare for an exciting range of roles in the music and technology industries and hear first-hand from industry professionals in masterclasses.
AMT4001
Interactive Sound
20 credits
This module introduces learners to visual programming which they will use to build an interactive system. Through hands-on workshops, students will learn to develop systems using visual programming environments. Students will learn how to use the computer both as a tool for working with sound and music but also as an intelligent creative collaborator. The module is delivered through a series of hands-on workshops that aim to stimulate curiosity around contemporary practices in Computer Music.
50% Coursework
50% Practicals
AMT4002
Acoustics and Psychoacoustics
20 credits
This module provides students with the knowledge required to understand and work with sound and music in the digital and acoustic domains. Sessions will introduce learners to the science of sound, and sound perception from the perspective of computing, audio, and music technology. The module will begin training students to relate subjective and objective measures of audio to inform their methods.
100% Coursework
AMT4003
Sound Synthesis and Sampling
20 credits
Students will learn the art of sound synthesis and sampling. Sessions will develop learners' understanding of digital representations of sound, sound compression, and methods to program computers to synthesise sounds for both creative and industrial applications. Students will learn sampling and effects processing techniques for audible design. The syllabus will be explored through hands-on workshops.
100% Coursework
MSP4001
Introduction to AI Composition
This module explores the field of artificial intelligence for sound and music composition. Students will gain a detailed understanding of established AI methods and their applications in music composition. Students will develop their own AI composition tools using established software while also documenting the developmental process. Alongside this, a critical project report will be produced considering the theoretical and ethical issues surrounding AI music generation.
MUS4002
Music Theory
20 credits
This module solidifies students’ understanding of music theory concepts and explores its practical applications.
75% Coursework
25% Tests
MUS4006
Audio Engineering
20 credits
This module introduces students to the fundamental skills and techniques they need to become an effective audio engineer. Students will learn how to relate subjective and objective measures of sound to inform their practice. Taught sessions will explore topics such as psychoacoustics, small room acoustics, digital and analogue recording consoles, signal flow, microphone concepts and positioning, and advanced use of professional software platforms. This module will include 2, 2 hour talks that introduce our School and programme level employability related opportunities and support, including details of the optional placement year.
100% Coursework
AMT5001
Audio Technology Design and Build
20 credits
In this practical module, students will spend the first few weeks understanding core audio technology and how existing audio products work and will then spend the rest of the semester building their own prototype, applying their knowledge of audio equipment to build a real working system. Students will then evaluate and critically analyse their prototype in comparison to a professionally constructed product. Examples of what students can build: speaker cone; speaker cabinet; ribbon microphone; binaural head; hardware reverb (plate or spring).
75% Coursework
25% Practicals
AMT5002
Live Sound
20 credits
In this module, students will collaborate with learn about the specific challenges of live sound production. They will work with performers use live sound systems in a multitude of different environments, from theatre to live music setting. Students will learn about sound system design, production engineering, live sound mixing, and theatrical sound design.
100% Coursework
AMT5003
Audio Signal Processing
20 credits
This module will provide students with a systematic understanding of audio signal processing. Practical sessions will equip learners with the ability to process, manipulate/effect, and analyse audio data. The module will also cover creative uses of audio signal processing. These skills will augment each student's existing programming abilities to ensure they are competent at developing audio software.
100% Coursework
AMT5004
Music Technology Research Project
20 credits
This module introduces students to research methods and techniques for surveying the state of the art to gain an awareness of the trends and challenges of the field. Students will be encouraged to negotiate a programme of study and assessment mode related to an audio and music technology topic of interest. There is scope in this module for students to put an emphasis on practical and/or theoretical engagement with the chosen topic.
100% Coursework
AMT5006MX
Physical Computing: Creative and Interactive Systems
20 credits
Physical computing is all about designing and creating objects that use a range of sensors, actuators, and software to interact with the world around them. Students will learn to develop their own systems using programming environments, electronic components, and microcontroller boards. Most of the module will be organised around practical, hands-on design-and-build exercises.
100% Coursework
SSC601
School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences Placement Year
Students have the opportunity to gain work experience that will set them apart in the job market when they graduate by undertaking an optional flexible placement year. The placement must be a minimum of 24-weeks (which can be split between a maximum of two different placement providers) and up to a maximum of 48-weeks over the course of the academic year. The placement is flexible and can be undertaken virtually, part or full time and either paid or voluntary. Students will have the option to undertake their placement year abroad. This year allows them to apply and hone the knowledge and skills acquired from the previous years of their programme in the real world.
AMT6002
Advanced Audio Production
20 credits
This module will introduce advanced concepts, theory, and practical use of a broad range of equipment used for recording, editing, and mixing sound. Practical experience of sound recording will be gained in analogue/digital recording, both in studios and on location. It aims to develop your ability to edit multitrack audio using advanced post-production techniques and develop the skills required to capture accurate stereo, multichannel, and 3D audio recordings.
100% Coursework
AMT6003
Music Information Retrieval
20 credits
This module develops an opportunity for students to understand and critique approaches to computational music analysis and the field of Music Information Retrieval. Within this field, musical meaning and understanding is developed from raw audio signal analysis, and these approaches and concepts can tie together fundamental acoustic, psychoacoustic, and music theory into the core music technology that is on the forefront of academic research.
100% Coursework
MUS6001
Negotiated Dissertation Project
40 credits
This module provides a structured learning environment in which to build on personal subject specific specialisms, culminating in either a practice-based portfolio with a substantial critical underpinning or a written dissertation.
100% Coursework
AMT6001
Audio Software Development
20 credits
This module provides an overview of advanced programming techniques. It builds on prior programming knowledge and focuses on the principles of object-oriented programming using C++. This is covered within the context of creating audio plugins.
100% Coursework
AMT6004MX
Data Science Ethics
20 credits
This module introduces allows student a hands-on experience in data science and the ethical considerations associated with our digital footprint. Learners will gain experience in writing code to clean, analyse and interrogate large dataset, understanding what meanings can be revealed from these datasets. Students will also investigate the ethical implications, assumptions and biases that are present in these techniques.
100% Coursework
MUS6004
Electroacoustic and Electronic Music
20 credits
This module will introduce students to the history and repertoire of electroacoustic and electronic music. They will acquire the compositional skills to create music in these genres through practical workshops. The module will encourage students to combine their critical and creative skills to produce pieces in their chosen genre.
100% Coursework
ACT5002MX
Acting for Audio: Radio, Podcast, Voiceover
20 credits
This module trains students to work professionally in mediatised/recorded settings. Students learn techniques appropriate to the preparation and performance of non-theatrical formats (such as audio drama) through text-based analysis, narrative and dramatic theory and genre-specific acting techniques.
100% Coursework
PER5003MX
Site Specific Performance
Outdoor, off-campus, real-world performance-making informed by research-led seminar-based explorations of an exciting and diverse range of performative case studies and influential theories. This module gives students the opportunity to study independently and work together to open up for themselves a whole new way of seeing the world as a site for theatre.
ACT6002MX
Auditions and Showreels
20 credits
Focused on employment in the theatre industry after graduation, this module is all about auditioning practices and techniques, self-taping, casting calls, character break-downs, working with your ‘pages’ and pulling together your showreel.
100% Coursework
PER5008MX
Play and Games for Performance
20 credits
This module will introduce students to practical methods for designing games and play structures for participatory performances that invite audiences to become actively involved in the work. In addition to learning new tools for designing and facilitating play, students will be prompted to consider playfulness from a theoretical perspective, recognising the connection between the play of mimesis and theatrical performance.
100% Coursework
PER5003MX
Site Specific Performance
Outdoor, off-campus, real-world performance-making informed by research-led seminar-based explorations of an exciting and diverse range of performative case studies and influential theories. This module gives students the opportunity to study independently and work together to open up for themselves a whole new way of seeing the world as a site for theatre.
PER6002MX
Applied Drama
This module offers students access to community-based professionals and work-based experiences with a meaningful employability focus. Through seminars and independent practice students learn the skills to work with and for community groups, using performance-making as a means to address real-world problems and social issues.
MUS5003MX
Psychology of Music
20 credits
This module introduces students to concepts in psychoacoustics, psychology and music therapy within a musical context. Students will critically engage with related topics through a series of lectures and workshops, which place theory within musical and creative practice.
100% Coursework
MUS5006MX
Recording Sound and Music
20 credits
Students will learn how to combine their technical recording abilities with their creative skills in music production. They will be introduced to a variety of recording contexts from a practical and theoretical perspective.
100% Coursework
MUS6003MX
Music in the Community
This module will introduce students to practical applications of music to encourage and expand their understanding of the ‘real-life’ uses of musical skills. A series of lectures will cover the concepts and skills required to carry out music work, before students apply these in practical situations.
DAN5001MX
Dance Technique
Students will develop their technical dance skills and ability to apply a range of dynamic qualities and spatial properties in performance. The module will develop students’ understanding of dance as a cultural discourse and foster awareness and appreciation of other cultural dance forms. Students will engage with workshop participation and leading skills, as well as learning how to give, receive and use critical feedback.
MTH6004MX
Choreography Repertory
Students learn, rehearse and perform dance repertory to a high standard. To support students’ ability to execute the choreography effectively a continued engagement with dance technique and its relationship to creative and performance skills is incorporated. Students will gain an understanding of their role as a contributing interpreter of this repertory and how to make this work their own.
DAN6001MX
Applied Dance
This module offers students access to community-based professionals and work-based experiences with a meaningful employability focus. Through co-taught seminars and independent practice students learn the skills to work with and for community groups, applying community dance practice and performance-making as a means to address real-world problems and social issues.
DAN5001MX
Dance Technique
Students will develop their technical dance skills and ability to apply a range of dynamic qualities and spatial properties in performance. The module will develop students’ understanding of dance as a cultural discourse and foster awareness and appreciation of other cultural dance forms. Students will engage with workshop participation and leading skills, as well as learning how to give, receive and use critical feedback.
UCAS tariff
104 - 112
Contextual offers: Typically, the contextual offer for this course is 8 points below the advertised tariff. A contextual offer is an offer to study at university that takes into account individual circumstances that are beyond your control, and that can potentially impact your learning and your exam results, or your confidence in applying to university.
| 2024-2025 | 2025-2026 * | |
|---|---|---|
| Home | £9,250 | £9,535 |
| International | £17,100 | £17,600 |
| Part time (Home) | £770 | £795 |
*UK Government announcement on tuition fees
Following an announcement in November, the government has confirmed its intention to increase undergraduate tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year.
Subject to final Parliamentary approval (expected in early March 2025), the tuition fee for UK students is increasing to a maximum of £9,535 from 1 August 2025. This change applies to current and new students at the University of Plymouth. The Student Loans Company (SLC) has confirmed loans for tuition fees will be increased accordingly.
I really enjoyed the cross functionality of the audio department. Being able to work as a musician, producer, composer and programmer with musicians, researchers, technologists and even film students was a true delight. It’s made me more comfortable communicating at work and proficient in understanding the needs of our customer bases.
Master professional audio software; build innovative and creative tools and develop your own software
No prior musical training or technical expertise is necessary to undertake this course, just enthusiasm and new ideas!
Learn how to apply your advanced knowledge in audio and music technology to enable people to create and interact with music in new ways.
Working at Shearwater Studios has been an excellent experience for me in terms of gaining exposure to my desired industry and developing my skillsets. I’ve had the pleasure of serving my second internship with them, the first time as a Marketing Intern and now as an Assistant Engineer and Marketing Liaison.
This course is accredited by JAMES representing APRS, MPG and associate industry bodies.
