BSc (Hons) Computing, Audio and Music Technology

• Be immersed in an environment that benefits from the passion-driven and creative thinking attributes associated with the arts while covering topics such as audio engineering, music technology, and computing. You will accumulate skills that are professionally-relevant to today's modern technology industry. 

• Become an expert in recording, mixing, mastering, acoustics, digital audio workstations, audio processing, sound synthesis, and sampling whilst using the very latest technologies in the industry. 

• Learn hands-on and liberating computer programming and signal processing techniques that will empower you to realise your own innovative ideas. No longer will your creativity be confined by pre-made software!

• Go beyond the recording studio to explore how music technologies can change and enrich lives. You will be introduced to areas such as intelligent creative systems, algorithmic composition, automated mixing, computational creativity, and music neurotechnology. Discover how to apply your advanced knowledge to enable people with severe disabilities to interact with a computer or how to create intelligent assistive technologies for people living with dementia. 

• Learn from academics who have written field-defining texts that are used to teach the topic throughout the world.

• Prepare for a career in either the technology or creative industries. Our curriculum aligns with music technology employers who are seeking candidates with knowledge of both computing for audio/music and contextual use of the systems the industry is developing.

• Mix and collaborate with musicians on the BA (Hons) Music.

• Graduate with a diverse portfolio of practical work that evidences innovation in computing, music technology, and audio, which will provide a unique edge in a competitive job market.

• Year 1

• Year one provides students with a solid grounding in modern music technology. Learners will develop the fundamental technical skills required to work effectively and creatively with music and audio in the digital and acoustic domains. They will become familiar with the theory of sound and music, audio engineering applied to recording, mixing, mastering, and live sound, and computer programming. This curriculum is designed to provide students with the understanding and skills to use existing technologies while provoking curiosity around developing new tools for audio and music.

  Core modules

  • CAMT401 Music Fundamentals, Acoustics, and Perception

    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 music theory, 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.

  • CAMT402 Creative System Design and Build

    This module introduces learners to a range of rapid prototyping tools to empower them to design and build an interactive system. Through hands-on workshops, students will learn to develop systems using visual programming environments and microcontroller boards. Most of the module will be organised around practical design-and-build exercises. Students will work in teams and will be assessed in groups and as individuals.

  • CAMT403 Introduction to Programming

    This module provides a hands-on introduction to computer programming for the music and audio technologist. Learners will gain experience in a range of development tools and environments and will learn core programming concepts from the ground up within practical music and audio objectives. Sessions will equip students with program implementation methodologies along with design and problem-solving techniques.

  • CAMT404 Audio Engineering

    This module provides students with the skills and techniques to become an effective audio engineer. Students will explore audio engineering applied to recording, mixing, mastering, and live sound. Sessions will equip learners with knowledge of technical concepts along with the skills to effectively set up and operate audio technologies. Professional behaviours and legal frameworks will also be introduced.

• Year 2

• In year two, students will transition from using existing audio and music technologies to learning how to develop and deploy their own. They will engage with industry briefs and work as technical experts with musicians in the recording studio. Students will learn how to build their own digital instruments and software applications, how to make their own hardware and software interfaces, and about the latest research in audio and music technology.

  Core modules

  • CAMT501 Sound Synthesis, Sampling and Design

    Students will learn the art of sound synthesis, sampling, and design. 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.

  • CAMT502 The Research Paper

    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. Sessions will guide learners through advances in the discipline and will equip them with an ability to scrutinise and assess academic materials. Seminars with leading researchers and industry workers will provide a platform for discussion and debate.

  • CAMT503 Programming, Interfaces, and Interaction

    In this module, students will continue to develop their practical programming skills through hands-on design and build workshops. Sessions will focus on building systems for creative end-users and will cover topics such as object-oriented programming, program design, user interface, user experience, and methods of interaction via hardware. Students will use industry-standard tools for music & audio software development.

  • CAMT504 Studio Production

    In this module, students will collaborate with musicians and producers in the recording studio. They will learn how to combine their technical recording abilities with creative skills in music production. Along with developing the expertise to realise their own ideas, learners will be taught to draw on concepts from research.

• Final year

• Year three allows students to focus on individual interests. They will plan and develop a project that explores an area of their choosing in the realms of computing, audio, and music technology. Alongside embarking on a substantial project, students will learn advanced skills in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and audio signal processing. Students will also explore how to deploy their skills in assistive music technology, creating devices that can change and enrich lives.

  Core modules

  • CAMT601 Negotiated Project Proposal

    In this module, students begin laying the groundwork for undertaking a significant programme of work in the realms of computing, audio, and music technology. Sessions will guide learners through the process of defining, planning, and setting up their project. Students will produce a project proposal that includes a proof of concept pilot study, a comprehensive literature review, a project timeline, and a skills audit.

  • CAMT602 Audio Signal Processing

    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.

  • CAMT603 Negotiated Project Development

    In this module, students will work on a significant project in a negotiated area of computing, audio, and music technology, providing learners with an opportunity to focus on an area of individual interest.

  • CAMT604 Artificial Intelligence and Creativity

    This module will introduce students to Artificial Intelligence (AI) applied to creativity. Taught sessions will cover core AI concepts, current trends in the field, and methods and algorithms for implementing intelligent systems. Students will explore how AI can be used to develop things like intelligent plugins, assistive music technologies, and automated music generators.

UCAS tariff

104 - 112

A levels

104 points. General studies accepted. Applicants are require to show a strong interest/experience in music and have an instrument (which can be voice). Any queries please do contact the admissions team at admissions@plymouth.ac.uk or telephone on 01752 585858.

International Baccalaureate 

26 Points

Including Higher Level Music or a Technology related subject (e.g. Computer Science) at Grade 5. English and Mathematics accepted within as GCSE equivalent.

BTEC National Extended Diploma

DMM

BTEC National Diploma modules

If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.

Access to HE Diploma

Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma, with at least 33 credits at Merit and/or Distinction.

Equivalent qualifications may be considered.

English language requirements.

We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.