Music Production with Foundation Year

Music production is the creative and technical discipline of making recorded music, a field that encompasses everything from recording live performances and mixing sessions to programming electronic instruments, designing sounds, composing for film and television, and managing the digital workflows of modern music-making. It is a discipline where artistic intuition and technical mastery must work together, and where understanding both the creative possibilities of sound and the industrial structures of the music business is essential for a professional career.

At the University of Derby, this four-year full-time degree with foundation year is aimed at aspiring music producers, sound engineers, composers, and sound designers who want to develop their skills through a hands-on approach to learning and research. The foundation year provides the academic and creative foundation you need before entering the main programme. You will explore the process of sound recording and production in depth, craft a portfolio of commercial recordings, and receive support in developing and promoting your own music.

The programme covers the technology of the recording studio, the production process, cutting-edge 3D audio playback systems, and an understanding of the music industry and the changing needs of the music consumer. A sandwich year gives you professional industry experience, a year abroad broadens your creative horizons, and work placement is embedded throughout.

You will develop both the technical command and the creative vision that professional music production demands, graduating with a portfolio that demonstrates your range and capability to potential employers and collaborators.

Graduates go on to careers as music producers, sound engineers, composers, sound designers, studio managers, and music technology educators. Many work freelance in the music industry, while others move into related fields such as post-production, games audio, broadcasting, and live event production. Some continue to postgraduate study to develop a particular specialism or pursue academic careers in music technology and production.