BA (Hons)
Undergraduate - Level 4,5 & 6

Music & Sound for Film & TV

Online
Subject to validation
Recoding Strings

Explore the exciting and ever-changing world of television, film and new media with our BA (Hons) Music & Sound for Film & TV degree. With this degree, you’ll learn the skills and gain the industry experience to become a composer for film and TV or a creative sound artist, honing in on ADR, sound design, Foley and a range of other post-production specialisms.

Key Information
  • Where can I study?
    Bristol / Manchester
  • Start Date
    September 2025
  • Study Modes
    Full-Time
  • Course Length
    3 Years
  • UK/Home Fees (Per Year)
    £9,250
Applications opening soon
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Key Information
Key Information
Music & Sound for Film & TV

Course Overview

This BA (Hons) Music & Sound for Film & TV degree will immerse you in the world of music and sound production for film, helping you to develop a wide range of skills and techniques that are in high demand in the industry.

From powerful soundtracks and sweeping orchestral scores, to the meticulously crafted Foley effects that make every footstep, door slam and whispered word feel real, music and sound doesn’t just support the visuals; it brings them to life.

 Throughout this 3 year degree, you’ll dive deep into the world of film and tv sound and music. Exploring both the creative and technical aspects of music production, sound design and post-production. You’ll learn how to create music that resonates with audiences and how to build sound effects that add depth and realism to a scene. Explore advanced techniques in orchestration and post-production, as well as staying ahead of the curve with cutting edge modules in immersive audio.

 These skills will be applied through a variety of projects throughout your degree,which may include collaborations with students at other institutions, professional placements, or projects you source yourself, building a professional portfolio that showcases your creative and technical abilities.

 It's not all about the technical side, however. You'll also study the aesthetics and history of film music and sound, and develop your research, writing, and communication skills. 

 

Why Choose This Course? 

  • Immersive Industry Experience: Work on industry-inspired projects that emulate real-world scenarios, with potential opportunities to collaborate with filmmakers and sound professionals, helping you build practical skills and expand your professional network.
  • State-of-the-art Studios: Learn in cutting-edge facilities, with access to the same tools the professionals use, including Dolby Atmos suites, recording studios and Foley Room.
  • Diverse Career Opportunities: Whether your passion lies in music composition, sound design or post-production, this course offers a wide range of career paths for its graduates.

 

Throughout your studies you’ll also have access to a substantial guest lecture programme, where you’ll learn from industry experts who bring their knowledge and insights. You’ll hear about the latest trends, technologies and creative practices shaping the industry.

This course is delivered at dBs Institute. Taught and awarded by Access Creative College

If you’re based in or hoping to study in London, this course is available to study with Access Creative London.

This course is taught by the dBs Institute and awarded by Falmouth University

Course Details

You will study a total of 18 modules, including a final major project. Programme structures and modules can change as part of our curriculum enhancement and review processes. If a certain module is important to you, please discuss it with the Course Leader.

Full course details, including course aims and assessment criteria can be accessed online, access the full course details.

Students record a string section in a music hall with a remote recording rig.

Year Overview

Year 1

Module Breakdown

In year 1 of your Music & Sound for Film & TV degree, you’ll develop your technical and creative skills by exploring key principles of music/sound composition and production for film and TV.  

You'll hone your skills with DAWs, like Logic Pro, Pro Tools and Ableton Live, and gain hands-on experience in professional studio settings. You’ll also explore the history and aesthetics of film sound, learning how different genres and techniques shape the way we experience movies.

Year 2

In year 2 you’ll be introduced to more advanced techniques and be encouraged to push your creativity further. You’ll continue developing your sound design skills while diving into new areas like immersive audio and post production. Research will also play a larger role, with a key project forming the basis of your final year research project.

Year 3

In your final year, you’ll bring everything together, focusing on larger projects that reflect your passion and expertise. You’ll be given the freedom to identify, research and realise a project of your choosing, alongside exploring more experimental and innovative approaches to music/sound creation.  

You will also produce an extended research project, which can take the form of either a full written dissertation or a practical research project.

How You'll Learn

You will be creating original music, Foley and sound effects for a variety of film and television projects, with the opportunity to specialise.  

You’ll be working on industry inspired briefs, collaborating with your classmates and as well as opportunities to collaborate with student filmmakers from other institutes. Building your knowledge and technical skills in composition, recording, mixing and mastering, you will also become adept with using various software, including Logic Pro X and Pro Tools.  

You'll learn through practical workshops, lectures, seminars, group and individual tutorials, and tutor and peer feedback on your work.

Assessment Methods 

  • Assessments are 100% coursework. 
  • Written assignments. 
  • Presentations. 
  • Portfolio development of creative, practical and/or technical work.


On average you should allow for between 40-50 hours per week for your studies, of which approximately 25% will be taught (c.10 hours) and 75% will be self-study.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Apply

Applying for this course is easy! Simply click the "Apply" button below to submit your application directly through our website.
A member of our Admissions Team will then be in touch to discuss your suitability for the course, your interests and to arrange an interview.

Applications for undergraduate degrees are made through the University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). You can apply online through the UCAS website.

The equal consideration deadline for September 2025 entry applications is  29th January 2025. 

UCAS Codes
Campus
Course Code
Campus Code
Institution Code
Bristol
W395
D
D16
Manchester
W396
J
D16

If you would like to make an application for this course, fill in your details below and a member of our admissions team will be in touch to advise you through the application process.

For detailed information on how to apply please take a look at our guide to making an application.

Why Choose dBs

Why Choose dBs & ACC

Here at dBs Institute, we pride ourselves on creating a learning environment that reflects the industry that you want to work in. Our state-of-the-art facilities ensure that you are working on professional-grade equipment; our course leaders have years of industry experience to draw from and we foster a community of students and staff that inspires and encourages collaboration. Throughout your studies and beyond, we will also provide you with career support and guidance to reach your future goals.

Facilities

Our 8.1 Spatial Audio Lab
Bristol
Our 8.1 Spatial Audio Lab
Inside our Dolby Atmos suite
Bristol
Inside our Dolby Atmos suite
Our Solid State Logic Duality Delta mixing desk
Bristol
Our Solid State Logic Duality Delta mixing desk
Mic'ing up drums in the Studio 6 live room
Bristol
Mic'ing up drums in the Studio 6 live room
A hardware synth performance in Studio 3
Bristol
A hardware synth performance in Studio 3
Students making music in the production suite
Bristol
Students making music in the production suite
Our API 1608 mixing console
Bristol
Our API 1608 mixing console
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    Why Choose an Online Degree at dBs

    Our online Master's degrees offer a high-quality, immersive, and community-driven learning experience, led by industry experts who are passionate about their craft. With 24/7 access to course materials and resources, you can learn at your own pace from anywhere in the world. Plus, our hands-on projects will equip you with practical skills necessary for a successful career in the music industry.
    A female student works on her laptop

    Flexible study

    Enjoy the freedom to fit your learning around you. For online students, course content – other than one-to-one sessions – will be available to access whenever suits you. Video materials that have been created for online students will also be made available to students that select to study on-site.

    dBs Online tutor kris burton sits in front of our API desk at dBs

    Learn from the pros

    You will learn from tutors whose expertise extends across production, composition, sound design, sound engineering, label management, marketing and promotion.

    You’ll also have access to our extensive guest lecture programme, giving you the chance to meet leading industry professionals – ranging from respected producers and performers to specialist technical staff from world-class audio companies.

    Student working on a project at dBs Pro

    Industry Connections

    As a student of this course, you will be encouraged to apply for placements and opportunities with dBs Pro, our in-house creative audio company.
    This will allow you to further your experience and apply the skills you have been honing, as well as showcase your skills to clients and develop your creative own links in the industry.

    What our students say

    Who better to tell you about our course than students already doing the course? In this video, some of our latest cohort talk about their experience of the dBs online masters degrees.

    What our
    students say

    Learn what makes dBs Institute so special from the people who matter most - our students!

    Opportunities

    Engaging with our industry

    In our 20+ year history, we’ve built a strong network of contacts across the creative industries, that include AMS Neve, Solid State Logic, Avid and many more.

    Career support

    We strive to equip our students with the skills and opportunities to secure roles across the creative industries, and this goal underpins the student experience at dBs Institute.

    dBs Pro

    dBs Pro is a creative audio company with a difference - it’s dedicated to providing our students with real-world experience alongside their studies.

    Your Future Prospects

    Thanks to this programme's emphasis on learning by doing, students will have amassed a huge list of credits on a variety of shorts, feature films and shows over the course of three years; equipping them with everything they need to progress from education into the industry. Becoming a composer for film or a sound designer are two of the more obvious pathways students can explore, but the fundamental knowledge of composition, recording, mixing and mastering will give students the skills to work in a multitude of audio-based roles.

    Here are some of the career paths you can take:

    Register your interest

    Let's get started

    Thinking about an undergraduate degree at dBs? Want to know more about our courses? We're excited to help you explore your options.

    Simply fill out the form below and our dedicated admissions team will be in touch with all the information you need.

    If you're ready to apply, you can also apply directly through UCAS.com

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    Please note that if you are an international student or require a visa to study in the UK you are only eligible to study our online courses.

    Register your interest

    If you’d like to find out more about our postgraduate courses, please fill in the form below. Once submitted, a member of our admissions team will be in touch to discuss our postgraduate course offerings and the next steps of the application process.

    Please note, if you currently live outside of the UK and require a Tier 4 VISA to study in the United Kingdom, we are unable to accept your application for our on campus full-time or part-time postgraduate degree programmes. If this is the case, please apply for one of our online postgraduate courses instead.

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