University of Hertfordshire - BSc (Hons) Audio Recording and Production

University of Hertfordshire

BSc (Hons) Audio Recording and Production

In the first year you’ll learn the measurements of sound and basic acoustics to understand how they affect sound production, transmission, and capture. You’ll spot potential problems and overcome them, as you become familiar with recording, navigating innovative technology and environmental challenges. We’ll give you a strong understanding of all major Digital Audio Workstation packages. You’ll use these to mix, process effects and create your own virtual instruments. Your technical knowledge will quickly reach a professional standard. You’ll explore the scientific study of how humans perceive different sounds. This knowledge will inspire you further as you build your own synthesizer. You’ll record projects in our dedicated studios and out on location, developing a range of essential skills. 

In the second year you’ll develop a critical ear. You’ll gain a deep understanding of microphones and sound signal routing using our Rednet enabled network. We’ll teach you about the music industry, including the legal and logistical requirements of digital distribution. You’ll spend hours in the studio as you mix and master your own tracks. Your creativity will be unleashed when you record a song in a day, producing a raw recording and then mixing it in a style of your choice. We’ll challenge you because we know you can do it. Your skills as an audio engineer will begin to secure you a reputation among your peers, as you prove yourself on event management projects. You’ll grow confident in liaising with artists and providing technical support as you live mix events. We’ll give your potential the platform to excel.     

 In the third year you’ll refine your studio mixing techniques, as well as your skills in manipulating and restoring audio. You’ll become confident in audio system and studio design. You’ll work with your developing client base and have the opportunity to work within our annual music festival. We’ll teach you about the evolution of music and audio technologies, from their historical origins to the present day. Your final major project empowers you to specialise and immerse yourself in your passion. You can focus on your theoretical knowledge and critical thinking by writing a dissertation, or you can develop software or hardware and even record an album. Using our accreditation links, you’ll also work on a live music production drawing on the expertise of our staff and industry partners. This is a chance to test your skills to an industry brief. Can you deliver to specification, deadline, and budget? When you graduate, you’ll know what area you want to work in. Plus, you’ll have the technical expertise, management skills and professional contacts to pave your path on the journey ahead.  

Your time at Herts will be an enriching experience. Industry professionals visit us throughout the year to share their experiences with our students. Recent guest speakers include: 

  • Dan Lancaster (Music Producer) 
  • Olga Fitzroy (Recording Engineer) 
  • Isabel Gracefield Grundy (Sound writer, mixing engineer and producer) 
  • Marta Salogni (Producer, Mixer, Engineer) 
  • Steph Marziano (Writer, Producer, Mixer) 
  • George Shilling (Mixing & Mastering Engineer, Cellist and Studio Owner) 
  • Matt Ingram (Drummer, Producer and Engineer from London, and Co-Founder of Urchin Studios) 
  • Alan Branch (Grammy Award winning Engineer, Producer, Writer and Musician) 
  • Gareth Jones (Huge modular analogue synth enthusiast, who has worked with a wide selection of artists, including making 5 LPs with Depeche Mode, and another 5 with Erasure) 
  • Mike Warriner (Commercial Director at Focusrite) 
  • Dan Cox (Award winning sound engineer, mixer and producer, and an executive Director of the Music Producer’s Guild) 
  • Bernard O’Reilly (Sound designer, sound effects editor and FX recordist) 
  • Neil Coomber (mixer, producer, and engineer)
  • Nick Watson (Mastering Engineer - Fluid Mastering) 
  • Richard Pryke (sound engineer / re-recording engineer - best known for his Academy Award for Best Sound for the film Slumdog Millionaire) 
  • Tony Platt (Audio Engineer) 
  • Phill Brown (Sound Engineer, Producer - worked with Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix, Dido, to name but a few) 
  • Alistair Meachin (Acoustics, Audio & AV Consultant – Harmonia Consulting Ltd). 

Entry Requirements

UCAS pointsA LevelBTEC
104-112BCC-BBCMMM-DMM

IB requirement: 104-112 UCAS points.

Access course: Diploma with 45 level 3 credits at merit.

All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band.

Career Prospects

When you graduate, you can find work in many audio and sound related fields. You could work as an engineer for live location events or recording studios. You could specialise in mixing and mastering. Or perhaps you’re more interested in building hardware or software. You could even work in TV, radio, or music production. The possibilities are endless. Wherever your passion has guided you during your time here at Herts, you can feel confident that you’ll have the expertise to fulfil your dream. And let’s face it, who doesn’t want that? 

What our graduates say: 

“I’m Working at Fluid Mastering in London! I sort out the top and tailing of audio, sample rate converts it all, dither, make Apple Digital Masters, Master the instrumentals and TV versions of songs and all that. I’ve gotten to work on some awesome artists music e.g. Sea Girls, Gabrielle Aplin, Aurora... And as I write this, I’m doing some instrumentals for Love Island.” Lewis Whymark – Recent Graduate 

“Things are going well here at Global. It’s been really exciting over the past 7 months that I've been here and have been up to a range of things. Day to day it’s looking after the technical side of the broadcasting of Heart and Smooth Essex ranging from studio maintenance, understanding masses of audio signal paths within my building, how audio gets around the country when its being sent from site to site and troubleshooting issues that effect on air output. 

Recently I was part of the engineering team for Capitals Jingle Bell Ball at the O2 Arena which consisted of three days there, setting up a radio studio backstage at the O2 then looking after the broadcasting side of things while live acts such as Rita Ora and Jason Derulo were on stage or within the studio for interviews.” Andy Vogel – Recent Graduate 

Our graduates find work in a number of audio and sound-related fields, including audio engineering (live and studio), music production, TV and radio. Others have gone on to build hardware and software, work in acoustics, artist management, music PR or as sound designers for game audio, sample libraries and installations. Graduates also start their own businesses, from music labels to working as mastering engineers.

Course Details

Degree programmes are structured into levels, 4, 5 and 6.  These correspond to your first, second and third/final year of study.  Below you can see what modules you’ll be studying in each.  

Year 1

Professional & industrial context 1
Audio engineering practice 1
Audio specialisms 1
Sound technologies and techniques 1

Year 2

Audio engineering practice 2
Audio specialisms 2
Sound technologies and techniques 2
Professional & industrial context 2

Optional modules
Year abroad
Professional work experience 30: music

Year 3

Professional & industrial context 3
Audio engineering practice 3
Sound technologies and techniques 3
Major technology project
MT technology project (version 2)
Sandwich year (creative arts)

*The information’s are correct at the time of publishing, however it may change if university makes any changes after we have published the information. While we try our best to provide correct information, It is advisable to call us or visit university website for up to date information.

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