Introduction
Study at an award-winning university
We're the Times Higher Education (THE) University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.
Use our BSc (Hons) Audio & Music Technology degree as a launchpad into a wide range of employment opportunities where audio expertise is needed. This applied STE(A)M course provides a firm scientific foundation that empowers you to master technology and produce the best creative outcomes.
Under the guidance of expert academics and industry-active practitioners, you can build a compelling skills portfolio for a future-oriented career in the creative industries, including studio engineering, live sound, film, video games, broadcast, and acoustics.
We’ve been committed to equipping our graduates with a relevant, balanced skillset for more than 20 years, giving you the technological edge to succeed in the creative industries.
Course options
Key facts
Entry requirements
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Fees and paying for university
Student experience
The Landscape Musician: student experiences in Finland
ARU students Emily Cole and Ben Brown share their experience of working in Finland with renowned guitarist and composer Mike Keneally.
The Landscape Musician: collaboration with Mike Keneally in Finland
Hear students Emily Cole and Ben Brown's work with renowned guitarist and composer Mike Keneally as part of Dr Chanan Hanspal's The Landscape Musician research project.
Phil Harding masterclass
Legendary pop producer Phil Harding gave a masterclass at ARU’s recording studios. Phil has worked with artists including The Clash, Killing Joke, Dead or Alive, Belinda Carlisle, Rick Astley and East 17.
Facilities and showcase
Professional facilities
As part of your Audio & Music Technology studies at ARU, you’ll have access to specialist facilities including:
- Five recording studios featuring analogue, digital or hybrid mixing desks by AMS Neve, SSL, Audient, and Allen & Heath, with all spaces equipped with the DAWs Pro Tools, Logic Pro, and Ableton Live and plenty of hardware outboard (Drawmer, DBX, TC Electronic, Lexicon, TL Audio, Toft Audio), software plug-ins and instruments (Universal Audio, Native Instruments, Moog, iZoTope, Fabfilter)
- Audio-visual studio
- A spacious recital hall, band rooms and practice rooms
- Five grand pianos, including a Steinway Model D
- Many orchestral instruments, including a range of synthesisers; traditional instruments from India, China and Africa; and a Balinese Gamelan
- An impressive inventory of professional-grade condenser, ribbon, and dynamic microphones (Neumann, Sennheiser, Coles, Røde, Shure), Ambisonics and binaural 3D microphones (Soundfield, Neumann), recording equipment (Neve, RME, Sound Devices, Antelope Audio, Roland), and other cutting-edge technologies (Audio via ethernet, Wwise audio middleware for games).
Exciting opportunities
During your Audio and Music Technology studies, you’ll be able to take advantage of:
- links with local networks such as Cambridge Arts Network, Cambridge Live, Cambridge Junction and Britten Sinfonia
- a diverse music scene in Cambridge ranging from classical to UK rap
- an optional placement year where you can put your learning into practice, gain valuable experience and make useful contacts.
Take a closer look
Our Creative Showcase shines a spotlight on what makes ARU creative and cultural – our spaces, places and people. Find out more about our community, the difference we make, the stories we tell, and the things that inspire us. You can also explore the work of our graduating students in our digital graduate showcase.
Accreditation
JAMES
Our Audio & Music Technology course is accredited by JAMES (Joint Audio Media Education Support). Their trained assessors and accreditation panel members are working professionals with extensive knowledge and experience of today’s music and audio industry - so you can be sure our course will give you all the relevant skills you need for a successful career.
Lecturers
Mark Pickering
Technical Team Leader
Tim Webster
Lecturer
Richard Edwards
Senior Lecturer
Nikki Sheth
Associate Lecturer
Tom Macpherson
Associate Lecturer
Careers
Our Audio & Music Technology course equips you with a balanced, blended skillset, paving the way into a wide range of career destinations.
Our graduates enjoy successful careers in the music industry and beyond: from recording and mixing engineers, front-of-house engineers for live events, audio specialists and acoustic consultants through to educators and technicians, the choice is yours.
Here's what two industry figures say about our course’s applied STE(A)M approach:
"From an employer point of view [BSc Audio & Music Technology is the] type of course we need as a feeder for our industry … the BSc approach doesn’t preclude being involved in the creative side of audio but gives you that solid backstop which … is more dependable and robust."
Dr Nick Durup, Director, Sharps Redmore Acoustic Consultants
"In my experience pursuing a career more focused on the STE(A)M aspects of audio engineering is generally more stable and better compensated than creative roles."
James Cook, Product Marketing Manager, dCS Audio
Entry-level employment roles that our graduates have assumed and the current starting salaries (annual gross income, as of May 2024) include:
- Audio Electronics Technician at studio-technology manufacturer (£21,000)
- Production Technician at hi-fi technology manufacturer (£28,000)
- Technical Sales Support Specialist at loudspeaker manufacturer (£31,000)
- Audio-visual Engineer at educational institution (£27,000)
- Graduate Acoustic Consultant (£25,000 plus benefits)
- Junior Quality Assurance (QA) Engineer at audio-technology manufacturer (£25,000)
- Junior Software QA Engineer at audio-technology manufacturer (£27,000)
- Junior Software Developer in Test at audio-technology manufacturer (£27,000)
As a JAMES-accredited graduate, you can join the JAMES Graduate Database after completing the course to promote your skills and portfolio to potential employers.
During your studies, you can develop your skills further by getting involved in the vibrant, collaborative community of students across the Cambridge School of Creative Industries (CSCI). For example, you might join the cross-disciplinary ARU CSCI Podcast team, or our in-house recording label across the music-related courses.
Graduation doesn’t need to be the end of your time with us, of course. You might decide to stay at ARU and study for a Masters, such as our renowned MA Music Therapy. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.
Employability and personal career development
Informed by employers, our courses support an integrated approach to employability. You’ll have opportunities to develop the skills and abilities they are looking for and gain a deeper understanding of how your academic learning relates to the world of work through Live Briefs and Ruskin Modules.
To amplify your career ambition, you will need to actively dedicate time outside of your studies, whether you choose to explore placements, internships or volunteering. Or you could make a social impact by collaborating with our partner organisations through our volunteer scheme Students at the Heart of Knowledge Exchange (SHoKE). These all give you an edge, providing you with experience that you will be able to evidence on your CV and talk about in interviews.
Our Employability and Careers Service offers a range of expert advice and support to build your unique professional profile, including tailored career appointments, advice on writing your CV, and help to complete job applications. You’ll have 24/7 access to the Careers Centre, our comprehensive online digital resource, which empowers you to start building a Personal Career Development Plan from the very start. Design your future at ARU.
Clare
“Lecturers encourage and support cross-faculty communication so everyone can produce the best portfolio possible.”
ClareBSc (Hons) Audio & Music Technology
Life in Cambridge
Our friendly, bustling campus is a stone’s throw from the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.
Our favourite places in Cambridge Did you know...? Facts about Cambridge Watch: Our CambridgeWant to talk to someone?
Do you have a question that we haven't answered so far? Talk to our application experts. You can also ask our Student Ambassadors about life at ARU.
We're here Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm (please note we close at 3.30pm on the first and third Thursday of the month for staff training), and Friday 9am-4.30pm.
Placement year available
You have the option to take a placement year as part of this course. It’s a great chance to get hands-on experience in the industry you want to work in.
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