Curious about studying Music Production and Performance - BA (Hons)at Bucks New University? We've gathered all the key details—entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Hear from real students by checking out reviews, or take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
High Wycombe Campus
Full Time
Sep 2027
3 Year
If you have a passion for music and want to turn that into a career of composing, performing and recording original pieces, then this course could be for you. BA (Hons) Music Production and Performance is designed to help you develop a wide range of music production and performance skills, making use of technologies to compose, perform, record and produce original music. Upon graduation you’ll leave with a substantial portfolio of original work in performance, composition and production.
Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?As BNU has been delivering courses in the music industry for over 25 years, we have a wealth of expertise from within our network of lecturing staff, guest speakers, and alumni, all with a track record of success in a wide variety of roles in the music business internationally.Like the industry, we put collaboration at the centre of what we do. You will get the chance to work with other BNU courses, such as the Film and TV students. You’ll record sound and work on post-production which will give you experience of working with a wide variety of genres to help you perfect your production skills. During your time with us you’ll learn hands-on practical skills to help you stand out to potential employers. You’ll get to grips with industry-standard equipment including in our Dolby Atmos accredited sound lab, helping to prepare you for roles in the industry. You’ll also benefit from our work-opportunities. Previous students have worked with companies such as Sony, Sennheiser and Universal Music. As well as this our industry advisory group, BIGMusic, regularly reviews our courses which means you'll graduate with up to date skills and knowledge relevant for today’s industry demands.All our music degrees at Buckinghamshire New University come with membership of UK Music’s Music Academic Partnership (MAP).
What facilities can I use?Our state-of-the-art recording studios and Dolby Atmos certified sound lab give you access to the space and technology you need. From individual edit rooms up to large Pro Tools Ultimate studios with attached live rooms and vocal booths, we have it all to help you gain hands-on experience. Studio 1 boasts a Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 speaker system and an Avid S6 console. We are one of the first Universities in the UK to adopt Dolby Atmos into a music environment. Studio 2 boasts an Avid D-Command control surface and 24 channels of Focusrite ISA828 microphone preamps. Studio three and the Electronic Music Studio are based around Avid S3/S4 control surfaces and UAD Apollo x8 audio interfaces. The edit booths are equipped with microphone preamps from Avid. Visit our course website for full details of our studio equipment.
What will I study?This course will help you to develop many of the skills required the creative industries, preparing you for life in music environments, including studio-based music production, live sound, composition, performance and music-related entrepreneurial ventures. You’ll study key elements of music production and performance, including studio production, music performance and composition, critical listening and analysis, and live audio production techniques.By integrating studies in creative music practice, critical listening and audio production our BA (Hons) Music Production and Performance course will help you to understand the connections between these different activities and how they can be integrated into future careers.This course is also offered as four-year programmes, including an initial Foundation Year. The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and development needs for progression onto an undergraduate degree.
You'll study the science of sound and develop creative audio skills using hardware and software in the audio studio environment. You'll explore the auditory system and perception and learn to capture and create audio productions. You will study the critical technologies used in the audio industry and identify the science of how these operate.
You'll be taught how to capture, edit and mix audio elements into a single output. Topics on recording & mixing will be introduced and demonstrated. You'll explore the use of technology within the science of audio recording & mixing using industry-appropriate equipment. The main emphasis will be on music-based recording & post-production processes.
Discover the technical aspects of delivering sound reinforcement in the live audio industry. You'll explore the key components of professional live audio systems and industry standard technology and techniques in the context of live performance. You'll also study creative mixing and how to operate safely and effectively in the live audio industry.
You'll be taught how to examine the range and role of music and entertainment organisations responsible for the management and administration of the industry, and key issues they currently face. You'll look at artist management, record and publishing companies, copyright and collection societies, retail, streaming, broadcast, social media and DIY culture.
You'll develop your music performance abilities through workshops and live practice. You'll study how to read and inform others whilst playing in a group, how to both lead in a group dynamic and take direction. You'll consider your contribution in an ensemble, develop your movement on stage and apply new approaches to playing your instrument.
You'll study the relationships between equipment, environment and operational procedures involved in audio production in a multi-track recording studio. You'll explore approaches to audio and music production and the history and practices of producers, engineers and composers in popular music and more experimental sound art scenes and how they cross genres.
The aim of the module is to provide you with an introduction to research methods and the skills necessary for planning and conducting research and enquiry within their field of study, discipline or professional contexts.
You'll work on developing performance skills in a recording studio environment, which needs different techniques from live performance. You'll study the skillsets through practical, technical and psychological aspects and also study the socio-historic role of session musicians through case studies from classic & modern-era popular music.
This is an advanced exploration of songwriting and composition in relation to popular music. We'll help you learn to identify characteristics and conventions of popular music genres and how to combine these to create novel variations in your songwriting craft, through case studies and practical workshops. You'll compose two original songs for assessment.
This module will give you a thorough understanding of the fundamental topics needed to manage projects within a complex and ever-changing environment. You’ll develop a deeper understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of project management and gain the essential skills necessary to plan, monitor, control and deliver successful projects.
This module builds on the audio production skills you've developed in previous years and introduces immersive audio techniques in music production. From binaural audio to Dolby Atmos, immersive audio has become more common in the industry in the last few years and this module aims to put your skillsets at the forefront of technical developments.
You'll work on an advanced audio production project in the role of producer/engineer, in collaboration with other artists in a studio environment. The knowledge gained at Levels 4 & 5 will be used in relation to advanced audio production & mixing techniques. You'll produce two professional quality audio recordings, mixes and masters for the artist.
You'll further stretch your performance capabilities & study the key requirements that go into performing, putting on & promoting a gig. You'll make strategic management decisions about your self-directed learning experiences. You'll be able to challenge your own strategic music performance management decisions made in negotiation with your tutor.
In this project-based module you'll use the advanced technical resources at BNU to work alone or as part of a group to design and develop a performance of your own composition, acquiring new skills and honing those learned at Levels 4 & 5. You'll consider performance concepts utilising medium to large scale live production techniques including MIDI and pre-recorded, sequenced elements. You'll be supported by technical demonstrations, supervised time in studios, rehearsal spaces and performance spaces in addition to self-guided learning overseen by your tutor. There will also be tutorials to help your progress. A technical rider and detailed report will support a logbook and form part of the final submission along with a visual representation of the performance and a mixed and mastered recording.
4.4Bucks New University (BNU) is a student-focused university based in High Wycombe, with over 130 years of educational his...
