Introduction
Study at an award-winning university
We're the Times Higher Education (THE) University of the Year. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.
Create a diverse portfolio of work that will prepare you for the modern collaborative creative industries, whether you want to make soundtracks for films and games, manage sound for podcasts and live broadcasts, or perform as a DJ.
Our BA (Hons) Music and Sound Production degree will allow you access to industry-standard equipment for recording, mixing, editing and production, giving you valuable practice in working as a professional producer or sound engineer.
As well as advancing your understanding of digital audio theory, MIDI, and sound synthesis, you’ll move beyond the native mixers, processors and plugins in commercial DAWs towards higher-quality external processors, such as digital signal processing-based plugins and analogue outboard.
Course options
Key facts
Entry Requirements
Loading...
Entry requirements are not currently available, please try again later.
Fees and Paying for University
Student experience
Student work
Music Performance Showcase at the Six Six (photo: Aleks Rose)
See more of our music students' work
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.
Collaborative project
Our BSc Audio & Music Technology and BA Music and Sound Production students collaborated with Year 11-13 musicians from Thetford Academy on a recording of Eric Clapton's 'Layla'.
Sound of Tomorrow
Our Sound of Tomorrow conference in April 2024 was a collaborative effort by Year 3 students on all our music courses, focusing on how the development of AI and social media are changing the music industry.
Find out more about Sound of Tomorrow
Which ARU music course is right for you?
Find out which ARU music course best suits your interests and ambitions with this handy video guide from Dr Chanan Hanspal, Senior Lecturer in Music.
Develop
Build your skill set and portfolio using the latest studio equipment.
Experiment
Try out different styles and techniques using industry-standard hardware and software.
Expertise
Our expert lecturers and technicians are here to help you get the most from your course.
Mark Pickering
Technical Officer and Lecturer Mark talks about his work in the music industry and changing trends and attitudes in the music scene.
ARU Spotlight Podcast: Mark PickeringFacilities and showcase
Professional facilities
All our music students have access to:
- Five climate-controlled recording studios featuring analogue-digital hybrid studio set ups and two mixing suites, all equipped with Pro Tools, Logic and outboard hardware recording equipment (Neve, Universal Audio, Audient, SSL); and an audio-visual studio
- A spacious recital hall, band rooms and practice rooms
- Electronic and orchestral instruments; five grand pianos, including a Steinway Model D; synthesisers; traditional instruments from India, China and Africa; a Balinese Gamelan
- An impressive inventory of professionally rated microphones and recording equipment
- Podcast and video capture system
- Training in all of our creative facilities.
Futures Lab and workshop equipment
Our new digital workshop includes a variety of computer aided manufacturing machines, helping you learn up to date manufacturing and design processes as well as supporting many traditional techniques. These technologies include:
- 3D printers and scanners - FDM printers; material-specific extruders; SLA Formlabs printers; SLS Formlabs Fuse1; structured light 3D scanners
- 2D printing and cutting machines - laser cutters; Roland BN20 vinyl printer & cutter; Gerber substrate cutter; Mimaki TX300P sublimation printer.
Develop your talent
Study at ARU and benefit from:
- regular feedback on your performance skills and assessment on live performances
- facilities to develop your music and experiment with different styles and techniques
- our links with local networks such as Cambridge Arts Network and Cambridge Live
- a diverse music scene in Cambridge ranging from classical to UK rap.
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.
Lecturers
Richard Edwards
Senior Lecturer
Mark Pickering
Technical Team Leader
Tim Webster
Lecturer
Chanan Hanspal
Senior Lecturer
Nikki Sheth
Associate Lecturer
Tom Macpherson
Associate Lecturer
Careers
Throughout our BA (Hons) Music and Sound Production degree, you’ll not only develop the latest skills and knowledge for a career as a music producer or sound engineer, but also get the support you need to grow into a confident and creative graduate with a willingness for lifelong learning, and the desire to seek continuing personal and professional development in all aspects of your career.
By the time you graduate, you’ll have built up a professional portfolio of audio production projects that will act as an enhanced CV for you to present to future employers and clients. This might consist of video showreels, commercial music releases, or other demonstrations of your technical expertise, as well as a fully-developed online profile.
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 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.
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.
Your guide to placementsLoading...
