Sound, Light and Live Event Engineering

Sound, light and live event engineering is the technical discipline that makes large-scale live experiences possible, from music festivals, concerts, and theatre productions to corporate events, television broadcasts, and public installations. It encompasses audio engineering, lighting design and operation, video systems, stage rigging, electrical installation, and the integration of these disciplines into complex, time-pressured production environments where failure is not an option. As the technology involved becomes increasingly sophisticated, incorporating digital audio networks, LED and laser systems, video projection and LED walls, and sophisticated control systems, the demand for engineers who understand both the principles and the practice of live production has grown substantially.

At the University of Derby, this three-year full-time degree with a foundation year and a sandwich year with work placement draws on more than two decades of experience teaching sound, light and live event engineering. You will gain hands-on experience mounting real live events, guided by experienced professionals who bring current industry knowledge into the classroom. The degree develops both the technical and the organisational skills needed to operate in fast-paced live event environments, covering audio physics and acoustics, signal processing, live mixing, lighting technology and control, rigging and staging, and the production management skills needed to coordinate complex technical operations.

The placement year gives you substantial professional experience in the industry before graduation, while the option of a year abroad extends your exposure to live event production in an international context.

Graduates work across the live event industry in roles including audio engineer, lighting technician, live event production manager, systems engineer, rigger, and broadcast engineer. The industry is global and varied, with graduates working at festivals, touring productions, theatrical venues, television studios, and corporate events companies. Many go on to work internationally as touring engineers and production managers with major artists and productions.

Derby's long track record in the field means that graduates enter an extensive network of alumni across the industry, which provides practical help in building a professional career.