BA (Hons)Music Production
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- 3 years
- 4 years with foundation year
Why study a music production degree at Solent University
This course offers a unique blend of technical and creative skills in live or studio sound, preparing you to become a music producer of the future.
- 0rdin the UK for student satisfaction in music studies, out of 79 institutions (CUG 2026)
- Top0%for teaching quality, out of 131 institutions (Times Good University Guide, 2025)
- 0%positivity measure for learning resources in the subject of music (NSS 2025)
- Solent is one of the largest Pro Tools Training Locations in the UK. You'll have the opportunity to gain additional training in Pro Tools software.
- Students can experience mixing in Dolby Atmos, the leading immersive audio format. Solent is also an Academic Partner of Dolby Institute, meaning students have the opportunity to showcase their Dolby Atmos mixing work on the Dolby website, and access Dolby training materials.
- Learn from an enthusiastic and dedicated team of professional producers, composers, musicians, sound engineers and DJs with a wealth of international industry experience.
- Recent successful graduates include Sarah Elias, BAFTA Nominated Sound Editor, Liam Gunning, studio Sound Engineer, Jordan Sykes, music featured on Netflix in Top Boy, Samm Henshaw, 30 million views - co-written with Pharrell Williams, Freya Beer, Record of the week (BBC Radio 6 Music).
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: Call:Course overview
Built on three main areas: technical and technological skills, a creative understanding of music, and the music industries – Solent will support you to grow in confidence, and develop an understanding of the diversity inherent in the world of music production.
Music students benefit from access to a range of industry-standard facilities including multiple recording studios and a fully accredited Dolby Atmos cinema. You will also have the opportunity to use an extensive collection of musical instruments, high-end microphones by Neumann, Pro Tools and Logic digital editing workstations, analogue processing by Neve & Empirical labs, , our unique synthesiser collection, and live sound mixers include Allen and Heath – developing crucial technical industry ready skills.
Throughout the course, you'll be supported by an experienced and dedicated course team, many of whom are active industry experts with professional experience in studio and live sound and music, electronic sound design, and the business and culture of music production. Academics frequently engage with ongoing research in music composition, performance and production.
The team’s professional links also enable a hand-picked selection of students to record at the world-renowned Abbey Road Studios. Students also have the opportunity to take part in the annual Anthems event, producing technical live sound at a large scale public event.
A varied guest speaker programme also enables you to gain valuable industry insight, and recent speakers have included Fraser T. Smith (co-writer and producer of Adele’s Set Fire to the Rain), Craig David, Ash Soan (drummer for Adele), Guthrie Govan (guitarist for Dizzy Rascal), Creeper, Hannah Vasanth (keys for Rihanna), Jules Hepple (Grammy nominated producer), Imogen Heap (Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Deadmau5), and Katie Holmes-Smith (BVs for Adele, Olly Murs).
If you’re looking to study our BA (Hons) Music Production degree but don’t have the relevant qualifications or experience, the music foundation year will help you develop the core skills and knowledge to progress. Find out more about the music foundation year.
Who is this course for?
This course is suitable for both schooled and self-taught music producers who are passionate about developing their creative, technical and academic skills in music and sound.
What does this course lead to?
Recent graduates have gone onto roles such as; Producer, songwriter, mix engineer, sound engineer, sound designer, foley recordist, educator, event manager, online music producer, audio editor, live sound engineer, podcast engineer, artist development, promoter.
Meet the team
The course team are all active industry experts, with experience in areas such as music performance, studio and live sound, electronic sound design, music education, and the business and culture of music production.
The University cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.
Facilities
Workshops take place in our nine recording studios, including Pro Tools Ultimate, Logic and Ableton digital audio workstations; microphones by Neumann, Coles, AKG and Shure; analogue processing includes Neve, Universal Audio, Focusrite, Empirical Labs, and Portico; software includes Native Instruments Komplete, and Plugins by Sonnox, McDSP and Celemony.
Instruments provided include drums by DW and Mapex, Synthesiser collection including moog, Roland,ARP, Arturia and Sequential analog synthesisers, Korg Kronos, Marshall, Orange, Friedman, Fender and Vox valve guitar amplifiers, Ampeg and Eden bass amps. Live sound training includes digital mixers from Allen and Heath DLive, and Midas, point source and line array speaker systems. All students also have free access to over 100 microphones, as well as Zoom portable recorders and DSLR cameras. Some microphones are available for take-home use.
International opportunities
Broaden your horizons by adding an international dimension to your CV – essential to achieving success in today’s fast-changing, global environment.
Studying, working or volunteering in another country could be the experience of a lifetime. Enhance your degree by developing important global skills such as knowledge of other countries, language skills, intercultural awareness, adaptability and confidence.
For more information, please email international.mobility@solent.ac.uk.
What you'll study
Core modules
Digital Music (Introduction)
This module will introduce and familiarise you to industry-standard digital sound production software. You will learn the software, composition and production techniques; including audio manipulation and synthesis exploring sound with accompanying visual elements.
Popular Music Production (Introduction)
This module provides you with an understanding of studio techniques, song formats, instrumentation, and the popular music production industry contextually.
Musicianship
This module dives into song formats, structures, and instrumentation while sharpening your critical listening skills. You’ll analyse contemporary music and apply what you learn by creating your own compositions and remix projects, boosting your creativity and production skills.
Music Industries
This module helps you develop an entrepreneurial mindset by building your visual brand and online presence as an artist. You’ll also explore a wide range of music industry careers, gaining valuable insight to help you shape your future path in the music business.
Music in Context
In this module, you will learn about the significance of various developments within the music industry. It primarily focuses upon key facts, figures, events, artists and relevant technological developments, which have led/contributed to the current climate within electronic music.
Major Project
In this module you will undertake a major research project in an area of your choosing. It may take a variety of forms and is negotiated with support and feedback from module tutors who will discuss and approve project proposals.
Core modules
Principles of Studio Sound
This module aims to equip you with the core skills in understanding and applying audio theories in practical situations. The principles demonstrated in this module serve as a grounding in concepts required throughout the music courses. Beginning with the difference between acoustic, electrical and digital definitions of sound and audio, the module allows students to listen and identify audio phenomena, and apply them in a practical setting.
Digital Music Production and Composition 1
This module will teach you everything you need to know to compose and produce tracks from start to finish. These techniques are obviously invaluable for careers within composition and production. Equally importantly, this module will teach you to understand music on a deeper level.
Music Business Essentials
This module offers an introduction to key elements of the music business ecology, including the many job roles and businesses that exist within the contemporary music industries, and the challenges and opportunities related to them. The focus is on the activities of record companies, music publishers, and music distributors.
Aural Skills and Theory
This module will help you develop the language to communicate musical ideas. You will learn how to describe and analyse songs and musical productions. Everything you learn may be applicable at some point in your future musical career. The knowledge gained will be particularly helpful when you are exchanging musical ideas or collaborating with other musicians.
Digital Music Production and Composition 2
Building upon techniques learned within Digital Music Production and Composition 1, you will learn a multitude of more advanced composition, arrangement, sound design (synthesis), production and mixing/mastering techniques.
Introduction to Studio Production
This module introduces multitrack music recording and mixing, equipping students with the grounding in core skills for the course. Students gain fluency and confidence in the basics of operating a recording studio.
Core modules
Making Money from Music
In this module we will introduce you to the many ways that artists and companies can make money within the music and entertainment industries. You will also learn how to plan projects, secure funding, manage copyrights and evaluate financial data.
Advanced Studio Recording 1
You will learn to understand mix techniques and methods at a higher level to help you craft more engaging, lasting mixes.
Advanced Studio Recording 2
The complex mix of technical and creative skills makes music production a unique challenge. In this module you will explore how those seemingly different skillsets combine and complement each other.
Creative Sound Design
In this module you will expand your musical thinking into the world of film sound design. Whether through music or sound effects, films rely heavily on sound added post production; this module gives you the chance to develop skills required for sound in visual media.
Live Music and Sound Production
Within this module we look to highlight AI’s direct or indirect influence upon this subject area, both currently and in its potential future. Where and when applicable, we may utilise AI tools to practice techniques and critique results.
Optional modules
Please note: Not all optional modules are guaranteed to run each year.
Music, Politics and Society
This module focuses on the intersections between music, politics and society, addressing such questions as the following. How do musicians, activists and politicians make use of music to promote a range of personal, social and political causes and movements? How do the lyrics and music of songs work to engage their audiences, and can they bring about societal understanding and change? How might organisations and governments seek to control the use of music through censorship?
Introduction to Experimental Music Performance
You will explore the creative dynamics of existing sound performances and recordings. You will investigate alternative approaches to music making by exploring experimental techniques that draw from creative music practices.
Music and Sound for Games
In the module, you will consider composition within an interactive sonic background and create and/or edit sound effects for video games using industry standard software. This module asks students to consider previous ideas, theories and concepts relating to interactive video game composition and environmental sound design, whilst considering production and composition techniques
Songwriting Techniques
This module will help you develop and enhance your skills in songwriting and will allow you to develop your musical identities through a wide range of songwriting tasks.
DJing
In this module, you will study the essentials of DJing and will look at how ‘DJ culture’ relates to the music industry in general, with an emphasis on the manipulation and mixing of music and sound. You will be encouraged to adopt a progressive and innovative approach to the art of DJing, and to explore the way that DJ-related technology has become a musical instrument in its own right. Hands-on experience will be an essential component of the module. You will also learn to research and critically evaluate music for playback within your sets.
Core modules
Final Major Project
This module allows you to undertake a sustained piece of academic or business research relevant to your subject specialism. You will have the choice of completing a dissertation, a practical project, or a consultancy project, with guidance provided by the teaching team. The project will demonstrate your critical analytical skills, your ability to work autonomously on a large-scale project, and your ability to communicate your work in line with academic and/or professional expectations.
Surround and Spatial Mixing
You will experience recent and emerging technological developments including 5.1 surround sound and Dolby Atmos. The issues in mixing music and film sound will be examined and you will learn how to achieve effective mixes in these formats. Indicative content includes: Demistifying surround formats, Key concepts – Immersion and localisation, Calibration and consistency and more.
Live Project Brief
Freelance work forms the basis of much of our industry, yet many clients are reluctant to take a chance on new sound engineers or producers. This module helps you get a freelance client as a first step in building your portfolio of clients.
Advanced Music Production
As well as advanced production techniques such as mastering, this module will examine how you can solve practical production problems and present your findings in a video or interactive format designed to train others.
Optional modules
Please note: Not all optional modules are guaranteed to run each year.
Festival Cultures
This optional module focuses on the culture of music festivals, drawing attention to the historical development of different forms of outdoor event and the stereotypes and expectations that we associate with them.
Copyright, Publishing and Sync
This module gives you an up-to-date understanding of how copyright, publishing and sync operate. It also considers how artists and companies can negotiate the ever-developing digital environment.
Songwriting Portfolio
This module will help you develop your own musical identity through the execution of a negotiated individual songwriting project. You will also investigate contemporary and traditional practices used to successfully write songs across different genres. This will put you firmly in control of your career as both artist and songwriter.
Experimental Music Performance
Through this module you will explore the creative dynamics of existing sound performances and recordings. You will investigate alternative approaches to music making by exploring experimental techniques that draw from creative music practices.
Live Sound Technologies
In this module you'll gain an appreciation of the factors that need to be accounted for in specifying, configuring and operating professional sound reinforcement systems and will be able to select tools and techniques appropriate to a variety of settings.
Experimental Music Production
The module develops and enhances student skills in music production by exploring the creative manipulation of sound, and alternative approaches to music making. If you want to challenge the usual habits and conventions in music production, this module will guide and inspire you.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: Call:How you will learn and be assessed
You will learn by:
You may be assessed by a combination of:
- Recordings
- Individual presentations
- Written assessments
- Live performances
- Blogs
- Video production
Solent’s curriculum framework builds on our unique, creative and applied approach to teaching. The transformation of students’ lives is at the heart of our mission as a university, and our curriculum – informed by the latest theory – reflects this shared educational vision.
Find out more
Study support
The student achievement team are on hand to help you succeed during your studies at Solent. They aim to contact you at key times during your time here with personalised information, advice and guidance, by email or phone.
The disability advice team provides information, advice and guidance for disabled students.
All students can access Succeed@Solent, Solent's online guide to getting better grades. It offers extensive, practical information and advice on topics such as academic writing, research and presentations.
Why choose a career in music production?
The growth in the range of media outlets and the live event sector means that the best sound and music professionals are in high demand. In addition, the entrepreneurial nature of the industry means that there are opportunities to be created if you have the drive and skills. This course gives you a chance to begin building your networks of contacts and practice your skills so you can pursue the wide and varied career opportunities in music and sound production.
You could earn:
Sound engineer
Starting salary: £25,000 approx.
More experienced sound engineers can expect to earn between £25,000 and £50,000. Engineers working with very successful artists may command higher salaries.
Music producer
Per hour: £25 to £55
Most music producers work on an hourly basis, with fees starting at around £25 to £55 per hour. Experienced music producers can charge up to £200 per hour, depending on their previous work and level of skill. If you're a music producer on live events, salaries may be more fixed. The BBC, for example, employs producers on its music programmes and live events. An entry level salary for this kind of role ranges from approximately £18,000 to £25,000.
Sound designer
Average salary: £23,000
As an entry-level sound designer, you can earn in the region of £18,000. The average yearly salary for a designer with more than five years' experience is £23,000. Experienced designers can expect to earn between £30,000 and £41,000.
The stated salaries are published on prospects.ac.uk.
Solent Careers
The Solent Careers team is committed to getting students into great careers.
While you are studying, the team can help you with finding work experience or placements, link you with a mentor, check your CV, or offer one-to-one guidance.
We also have graduate job opportunities just for Solent graduates.
6th
UK uni for sustained employment
Longitudinal Educational Outcomes, 2022
Certificate in Practical Artificial Intelligence
Every student at Solent University will also have the option to study an additional Certificate in Practical Artificial Intelligence qualification alongside their course. Free of charge, the course ensures you'll be prepared for a fantastic and varied career after graduation.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year are not yet available. For guidance, the 2025/26 fees were:
- UK, ROI, EU (settled status) and Channel Island full-time fees for foundation year: £9,535 per year
- UK, ROI, EU (settled status) and Channel Island full-time fees: £9,535 per year
- International full-time fees: £17,750 per year (from year 1)
- International full-time fees: £17,750 per year
For further information, please visit our tuition fees page.
Extra course costs
While most course costs are covered by your tuition fees, some essential resources and optional extras may need to be paid for separately. These additional costs are listed below. For advice on budgeting and managing your money, please contact student.funding@solent.ac.uk.
The 2026/27 other costs are not yet available. For guidance, previous other costs have been:
Compulsory costs
- You will be required to purchase a pair of good quality headphones, which cost between £40 and £150.
Optional costs
- Optional trips to music performances are based on ticket prices and current transport costs.
Bursaries, scholarships and financial support
Solent University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships that provide financial assistance or waive fees for tuition or accommodation. Each bursary or scholarship has specific eligibility criteria. Check out our bursaries and scholarships pages to find out more.
Solent EU Welcome Scholarship (Fee Discount)
This scholarship is available to students from an EU country, with EU nationality, who are applying for an undergraduate course starting in September 2025. The scholarship will reduce your tuition fees to £10,500 per year - this includes foundation years.
Find out more about the scholarship
Cost of living support
At Solent, we understand that the cost of living crisis may be of some concern. To help, we've put together some detailed information to show what support is available and how to make your money go further.
Graduation costs
There is no charge to attend graduation, but you will be required to pay for the rental of your academic gown (approximately £45 per graduate, depending on your award). You may also wish to purchase official photography packages, which range in price from £15 to £200+. Graduation is not compulsory, so if you prefer to have your award sent to you, there is no cost. Extra guest tickets will go on sale after results publication and will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis. The cost per ticket is currently £20. Please note, we do not guarantee there will be any extra tickets available to purchase.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: Call:Entry requirements
Please select an option below:
Key entry requirements
48 UCAS tariff points
- From A-levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma at PPP or BTEC Diploma at MP, a T-Level Pass (D or E), or equivalent.
- For further information about UK qualifications, please contact admissions.
Key entry requirements
As a general guide, we look for qualifications that are equivalent to the British high school A-levels.
All applicants are expected to be able to sing or play drums, bass, guitar or keyboards to the standard required for public performance.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about EU qualifications, please see our course entry requirements document.
Key entry requirements
As a general guide, we look for qualifications that are equivalent to the British high school A-levels.
All applicants are expected to be able to sing or play drums, bass, guitar or keyboards to the standard required for public performance.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about UK, EU and international qualifications, please see our course entry requirements document.
Note to all international students requiring a visa
All international applicants need to be aware that the English language requirements to attend Solent University, and the English language requirements to obtain a visa from the Home Office, may be different. This means that if you meet the Solent University language requirement to gain a place on the course, you may still have to meet additional requirements to be granted with a visa by the Home Office.
We strongly advise all applicants to visit the Home Office website which outlines all the requirements for a successful visa application.
How to apply
Want to apply through Clearing? Contact us today
Full-time
Any student applying for the first year of a full-time/sandwich undergraduate course must apply through UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service). This includes mature, overseas and EU students.
Nearly all schools and colleges offer their students the facility of applying electronically through the UCAS website using 'Apply'; it may also be used by those applying independently in the UK and overseas. This facility and all course information can be found on the UCAS website: www.ucas.com.
Your application should reach UCAS by 31 January if you hope to enter a course the following autumn. Early application is advised for the most popular subject areas. Late applications may be made until the end of June. The UCAS Code for the University is S30, code name SOLNT.
Find out what happens after you apply
Contextual offers
Solent endeavours to offer learning opportunities to students from all backgrounds. When we receive and review an application, we take into consideration the context and personal circumstances of applicants when making a decision, which means our advertised entry tariff could be reduced.
Find out more about Solent's contextual offers
Alternative entry options
Top-up route:
We welcome applications from students currently studying a Foundation Degree, DipHE, HNC, HND or modules of an undergraduate degree course at another university, who wish to enter directly into Years 2 or 3 of one of our undergraduate degree courses. Please contact our admissions team for more information: contact us
Language requirements
Applicants who do not have English as their first language will be required to demonstrate an approved level of proficiency in the use of the English language. The agreed minimum requirements for this course are:
- IELTS minimum 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each individual component
- TOEFL IBT minimum 80 with a minimum of 20 in each individual component
- Duolingo English Language Test - 115 overall with minimum of 95 in each component or equivalent.
Qualifications are checked before enrolment, and international students must bring their original certificates or certified copies when coming to study at the University.
Pre-Sessional English programme
The University also offers a pre-sessional English programme for international students who wish to improve their level of English before starting a degree course.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: Call:Make your application
- 3 years
- 4 years with foundation year
