Our exciting Live Sound degree is highly practical, gear-heavy and packed full of industry opportunities to give you the skills and knowledge required for a successful career. We’ll teach you how to work with modern speaker systems, current mixing technology, acoustics, sound system optimisation, live sound production and elevate your listening skills and hone your professional practice.

Register your interest

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)
£9,535

Start your application

Get UCAS codes

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)
£9,535
Get UCAS codes
Start your application

Course Overview

Ready to turn up the volume? Dive into the exciting world of live sound and events with our Live Sound degree. This isn't your average course, it's your backstage pass to the heart of the music and events industry. Whether you live for a festival packed summer, geek out over sound systems, or dream of engineering sold-out arena shows, this three-year degree in Live Sound will give you the skills to make it.

This cutting-edge, industry-focused course has been designed to shape the next generation of live sound engineers, combining rigorous technical training with hands-on experience. Over the three years you’ll become confident in areas such as Front of House (FOH) mixing, digital audio networking, advanced system optimisation, and audio console operations. But we're not just about pushing faders, you'll dive deep into the science of sound, acoustics, and sound systems design.

As you progress, you'll gain experience in a wide range of live events, from club gigs, theatre productions, commercial events to festival stages. By your final year, you'll be planning and delivering major live productions and thanks to our industry connections, you'll have opportunities to work at real festivals, shadow pros at live events, and build a network that'll kickstart your career before you graduate.

What really makes this course special - all practical elements take place in our specially designed teaching and performance spaces, in Bristol this is our Live Sound Hall and in Manchester this includes the 1,300 capacity working venue New Century.

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Why Choose This Course?

Professional Grade Equipment: You'll be using professional-grade equipment from respected manufacturers such as LÁcousitcs, Allen & Heath, Martin Audio, Midas, Avid, Yamaha and d&b Audiotechnik.

Industry Connections: You’ll gain extensive practical experience and build your network through our strong links with production companies, venues, events and festivals. This is real-world experience that will make you stand out as a live sound specialist.

Thriving Industry: The UK Events Industry is a global leader, reaching a value of £34.3bn in 2023 and this degree will see you develop a versatile skillset from live music, theatre, commercial events to immersive audio experiences and installations that will open doors across the entire industry.

Throughout your studies you’ll also have access to a substantial guest lecture programme with topics ranging from demonstrations in new technology to personal experiences from professional practitioners who are at the very top of the UK Live Sound industry.

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

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.

Close up of a digital Yamaha mixing console

Year Overview

Year 1

Module Breakdown

In your first year of the Live Sound degree, you will build a strong foundation in the science and artistry of live sound. You’ll explore how sound behaves in different environments, develop your live mixing skills and delve into loudspeaker design. Additionally, you’ll be looking at the evolution of sound culture and how to bring together the many aspects of planning, producing and executing live shows.

Module Details

Unit Overview

Front of House & Signal Flow

Learn how to set up and operate professional sound systems, working as part of a team during live gigs.

You will gain the skills to create a professional environment for artists to comfortably perform in, both practical and theoretical elements such as room acoustic calculations. You’ll demonstrate your knowledge by taking on two different roles in a live show scenario.

Applied Acoustics

This module will give you an essential grounding and understanding of how sounds behave in different spaces and how they are perceived by listeners. You’ll be introduced to a range of complex tools and techniques and see how they are applied to a range of real-world scenarios, giving you the ability to assess a number of environments effectively.

Sound Culture

Deepen your knowledge and understanding of the cultural evolution of sound and music, with a focus on conducting research. You’ll choose a specific area within live sound to explore, developing research materials that will help you present your findings effectively. This module lays the groundwork for essential research skills you’ll use throughout your degree and your career.

Digital Mixing Techniques

This module develops your knowledge and understanding of Front of House (FOH) and monitor mixing techniques using a range of different desks, both analogue and digital. You will learn how to cater to artists’ preferences and adapt your mix accordingly.

Loudspeaker Design

One of the more technical modules, where you will examine the history of loudspeakers and their design. You will learn how to decide which transducer would be most suitable for different loudspeaker cabinet and explore concepts such as point source systems, coverage angle and inverse square law, T/S parameters, horn theory and other key considerations for system design.

Live Sound & Pre-Production

This comprehensive module covers various aspects of live sound, including monitor mixing, FOH mixing, signal processing and tuning. With an emphasis on teamwork, with clear roles and responsibilities, this module will teach you how to collaborate seamlessly with others to deliver professional, well-coordinated live shows.

Year 2

You’ll refine your live mixing skills, exploring digital processes and transition protocols, digital audio consoles and associated devices, synchronisation and timecodes and the use of Voltage Controlled Amplifiers (VCAs) and snapshots in audio-mixing. 

You’ll develop the knowledge needed to operate and tune a sound system to a specific environment and discover how technology can be used to deliver live experiences via digital means.

Module Details

Digital Audio Fundamentals

Explore the latest digital innovations, how they have impacted the live sound industry. This module introduces you to cutting-edge technologies and techniques that are revolutionising how live sound is produced and managed.

System Design Theory & Application

This module covers the theoretical and practical aspects of sound system design in real-world environments.

You will develop knowledge and understanding of sound system technologies and their application within a range of venues and situations, alongside underpinning theoretical principles such as wave theory and line arrays, coverage prediction and phase calculations.

Audio Networking

This module examines advancements in digital technology that enable previously problematic analogue solutions to be replaced with modern audio networks. You will develop expertise in digital audio networking and learn how to apply these technologies to achieve reliable, high-quality results.

Digital Production Implementation

This module will see you build your experience working with the more unusual applications of live sound, for example immersive experiences and installations using purpose-built hardware and software.

Advanced Mixing Techniques

Further develop your mixing skills by mastering complex processes and strategies to solve intricate audio challenges and deliver exceptional sound quality, even when under pressure.

Research Practice

Explore a research topic that sparks your interest, providing the foundations for your third-year Research Project. This module will help you develop your research skills, identify new pathways and develop your critical thinking skills.

Year 3

In your final year, you’ll focus on mastering the advanced techniques needed to deliver exceptional live sound experiences. You’ll explore advanced monitoring, system tuning and radio frequency theory, culminating in a comprehensive research project on a topic of your choice within the live sound industry.

Module Details

Live Sound Production: Planning & Delivery

Throughout your final year, over two modules, you will plan, develop and deliver a major live sound production. This module will challenge you to curate acts, manage artist requirements and oversee the technical and logistical aspects of a large-scale event.

Advanced System Design & Optimisation

Learn the required skills needed to optimise the tuning of a sound system to create the best possible experience for the audience whilst adhering to off-site noise limitations. 

You’ll explore advanced topics such as FFT data analysis, phase theory, transfer function measurements, advanced phase theory, meteorological effects on sound, and large-scale system alignment and management. Preparing you to manage complex sound environments with precision.

Monitoring

This module examines the wide range of different monitoring technologies available to the monitor engineer and develops skills, knowledge and understanding of their application within real-world environments, including ISO frequency bands, feedback isolation, equal loudness curves and PAG.

Investigation

In this module, you'll be planning, developing, and proposing a research project related to sound or music in an area that interests you. You will outline what you want to explore and start investigating how you'll go about doing it. This module will help you lay a solid foundation for your upcoming extended research project and give you a head start on tackling it!

Extended Research Project

This is your chance to take the research gathered in your second year and Investigation module and apply it to a much larger project, which can take the form of a full written dissertation or a practical research project that culminates in the creation of a physical artefact. This module allows you to contribute original research to the field of live sound supported by thorough academic and practical investigation.

Register your interest

Start your application

How You'll Learn

Learning in both dBs' purpose-built spaces and public venues, you will become adept in live sound engineering; growing your skills in live sound production, system design, acoustics and more. You’ll get hands-on with a multitude of mixing consoles, working with some of the best speaker systems in the industry.

In addition, your learning will be supported by practical workshops, lectures, seminars, group and individual tutorials, and tutor and peer feedback on your work.
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‍Assessment Methods

Assessments are 100% coursework.

Written assignments.

Presentations.

Portfolio development of creative, practical and/or technical work.

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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.

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.

Apply

Entry Requirements

Fees & Funding

A full guide to fees, eligibility and funding can be found in our guide to fees and funding.

UK & Home Fee Status Students

Tuition fees for 24-25 are TBC. Below are the course costs for 23-24 for reference.

Access to HE courses, 1 year, on campus

£4,835

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International Students

At this time, we are currently unable to accept international students on our on-campus Access to HE diploma courses.

EU students who hold settled or pre-settled status may qualify for the Advanced Learner Loan if:

‍You have settled or pre-settled status granted under the EU Settlement Scheme
You are an Irish national living in the UK or Republic of Ireland
You are a British national living in the EU/EEA or Switzerland

If none of these exceptions apply, you'll be classed as an international student and will not be eligible to study on-campus at dBs Institute.

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Advanced Learner Loan

To help with the costs of your course you can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan. This is a loan provided by the UK Government through Student Finance England.

Head to the GOV.UK website to find out about Advanced Learner Loans and how to apply.

To apply for the Advanced Learner Loan you must be 19 or older on the first day of your course.

Eligibility for the Advanced Learner Loan is also determined by your nationality and residency status, please head to the eligibility page on the GOV.UK website for more information.

Please be aware that the Advanced Learner Loan will only cover your course fees, not your living costs.

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Repayment

How much you repay depends on your income. You will pay a percentage of your income over the threshold for your loan. The threshold and amount you repay is determined by when you take out your loan. For example:

If you receive an advanced learner loan for 2024/25 your yearly threshold will be £27,295. You will be required to repay 9% of your income over the threshold.

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Advanced Learner Loan ‘Write Off’

Student Finance England will ‘write off’ any outstanding Advanced Learner Loan balances you owe for an Access to HE course once you complete a Higher Education course. This means you do not have to repay it.

Year 3

Live Sound Production: Planning & Delivery

Throughout your final year, over two modules, you will plan, develop and deliver a major live sound production. This module will challenge you to curate acts, manage artist requirements and oversee the technical and logistical aspects of a large-scale event.

Advanced System Design & Optimisation

Learn the required skills needed to optimise the tuning of a sound system to create the best possible experience for the audience whilst adhering to off-site noise limitations. 

You’ll explore advanced topics such as FFT data analysis, phase theory, transfer function measurements, advanced phase theory, meteorological effects on sound, and large-scale system alignment and management. Preparing you to manage complex sound environments with precision.

Monitoring

This module examines the wide range of different monitoring technologies available to the monitor engineer and develops skills, knowledge and understanding of their application within real-world environments, including ISO frequency bands, feedback isolation, equal loudness curves and PAG.

Investigation

In this module, you'll be planning, developing, and proposing a research project related to sound or music in an area that interests you. You will outline what you want to explore and start investigating how you'll go about doing it. This module will help you lay a solid foundation for your upcoming extended research project and give you a head start on tackling it!

Extended Research Project

This is your chance to take the research gathered in your second year and Investigation module and apply it to a much larger project, which can take the form of a full written dissertation or a practical research project that culminates in the creation of a physical artefact. This module allows you to contribute original research to the field of live sound supported by thorough academic and practical investigation.

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.

Full how to apply guide

Register your interest

Entry Requirements

We consider all applications on their own individual merit and potential.

As a guide our typical offer at undergraduate level is 104 – 120 UCAS Tariff points, primarily from Level 3 qualifications such as but not limited to A-levels, a BTEC/UAL Extended Diploma or a Foundation Diploma.

We welcome applications from all subject backgrounds, whether you’ve specialised in STEM, the arts or humanities. If you do not hold the minimum entry requirements but can demonstrate aptitude, enthusiasm and motivation you will be considered on an individual basis. Applicants who do not meet our typical offer guidelines may be invited to interview, where you will have the opportunity to discuss your experience and suitability for the course.

For applicants whose first language is not English, we accept a variety of English language tests and they are listed on Falmouth University's International Entry Requirements page.

If you don’t yet meet our undergraduate degree entry requirements, our Access to HE Diplomas offer a flexible and tailored route to prepare you for higher education.

Find out more about our Diploma courses

Fees & Funding

A full guide to fees, eligibility and funding can be found in our guide to fees and funding.

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. Therefore, tuition fees may rise in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.

Uk & Home Status Students

Tuition fees from September 2025 for new UK and home fee status students starting in the academic year 2025-26.

BA(Hons) / BSc(Hons) courses, 3 years, on campus

£9,535

Channel Island & Isle of Man Students

Tuition fees from September 2023 for new UK and home fee status students starting in the academic year 2023-24.

BA(Hons) / BSc(Hons) courses, 3 years, on campus

£9,535

International Students

At this time, we are currently unable to accept international students on our on-campus undergraduate degree programmes.

EU students who hold settled or pre-settled status may qualify for home fees if:

‍

You have settled or pre-settled status granted under the EU Settlement Scheme
You are an Irish national living in the UK or Republic of Ireland
You are a British national living in the EU/EEA or Switzerland

‍

If none of these exceptions apply, you'll be classed as an international student and will not be eligible to study on-campus at dBs Institute.

UCAS Codes

Bristol

W394

D

D16

Manchester

W393

J

D16

Apply now

‍Ready to make your application? You can apply online, via Falmouth University by clicking the button below.
‍

Apply now

Have a question?

To find out more about this course, get application advice and find out what funding is available, get in touch with our Admissions Team using our online form.

Register your interest

Entry Requirements

We welcome applicants with varied qualifications, but typically you'll need an undergraduate degree in a related discipline. Our typical applicants hold an undergraduate degree of 2:2 or above, or equivalent experience.

We'll also welcome your application if you have formal or 'certified' learning (such as training courses not run by universities or colleges) and learning from work experience or self-study. This is called Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL), and should have been gained within the last five years, and be equivalent to the learning outcomes of our minimum entry qualifications.

If English isn’t your first language, you'll need to demonstrate English language skills that are sufficiently developed for successful completion of your studies. We accept a range of recognised English language qualifications that are equivalent to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic minimum score of 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.

Fees & Funding

A full guide to fees, eligibility and funding can be found in our guide to fees and funding.

Uk & Home Status Students

Tuition fees from September 2025 for new UK and home fee status students starting in the academic year 2025-26.

MA(Hons), full-time, on campus, 1 year

£8,500

MA(Hons), part-time, on campus, 2 year

£4,250

MA(Hons), full-time, on campus, 1 year

£8,500

MA(Hons), part-time, on campus, 2 year

£4,250

MA(Hons), full-time, online, 1 year

£8,500

MA(Hons), part-time, online, 2 year

£4,250

Channel Island & Isle of Man Students

Tuition fees from September 2025 for new UK and home fee status students starting in the academic year 2025-26.

MA(Hons), full-time, on campus, 1 year

£8,500

MA(Hons), part-time, on campus, 2 year

£4,250

MA(Hons), full-time, on campus, 1 year

£8,500

MA(Hons), part-time, on campus, 2 year

£4,250

MA(Hons), full-time, online, 1 year

£8,500

MA(Hons), part-time, online, 2 year

£4,250

International Students

At this time, we are currently able to accept international students on our online postgraduate degree programmes only.

MA(Hons), full-time, online, 1 year

£8,500

MA(Hons), part-time, online, 2 year

£4,250

EU students who hold settled or pre-settled status may qualify for Home fees if:

You have settled or pre-settled status granted under the EU Settlement Scheme
You are an Irish national living in the UK or Republic of Ireland
You are a British national living in the EU/EEA or Switzerland

If none of these exceptions apply, you'll be classed as an international student and will not be eligible to study on-campus at dBs Institute.

Alumni Discount for dBs Institute graduates
‍
We offer a discount on postgraduate course fees for all dBs Institute undergraduate alumni.
‍
Continue your studies with up to 25% discount for postgraduate courses, even if you’re switching campus or subject specialism.

Year 3

Live Sound Production: Planning & Delivery

Throughout your final year, over two modules, you will plan, develop and deliver a major live sound production. This module will challenge you to curate acts, manage artist requirements and oversee the technical and logistical aspects of a large-scale event.

Advanced System Design & Optimisation

Learn the required skills needed to optimise the tuning of a sound system to create the best possible experience for the audience whilst adhering to off-site noise limitations. 

You’ll explore advanced topics such as FFT data analysis, phase theory, transfer function measurements, advanced phase theory, meteorological effects on sound, and large-scale system alignment and management. Preparing you to manage complex sound environments with precision.

Monitoring

This module examines the wide range of different monitoring technologies available to the monitor engineer and develops skills, knowledge and understanding of their application within real-world environments, including ISO frequency bands, feedback isolation, equal loudness curves and PAG.

Investigation

In this module, you'll be planning, developing, and proposing a research project related to sound or music in an area that interests you. You will outline what you want to explore and start investigating how you'll go about doing it. This module will help you lay a solid foundation for your upcoming extended research project and give you a head start on tackling it!

Extended Research Project

This is your chance to take the research gathered in your second year and Investigation module and apply it to a much larger project, which can take the form of a full written dissertation or a practical research project that culminates in the creation of a physical artefact. This module allows you to contribute original research to the field of live sound supported by thorough academic and practical investigation.

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

The Midas Verona 320 mixer in our live sound hall

Bristol

The Midas Verona 320 mixer in our live sound hall

Mixing a live show in the New Century venue (Credit: Honey Productions)

Manchester

Mixing a live show in the New Century venue (Credit: Honey Productions)

Bristol

A guest workshop in our live sound hall

Bristol

Hands-on with the Yamaha MC7L mixer

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.

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.

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.

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!

Tutors

Community Stories

Hear what our students, guests and staff said about Industry Week 2025

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dBs Institute has been shortlisted in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards

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dBs Institute and New Century's Live Sound scholarship in Manchester

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Live Sound Students Get Hands-on with d&b Audiotechnik's 360° Soundscape System

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Challenging underrepresentation in the live sound industry

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3 live sound students on how their tutors are making a positive difference in and outside of uni

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dBs live sound students go above and beyond at Balter Festival

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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.

Find out 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.

Find out more

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.

Find out more

Your Future Prospects

Students progressing on from the live sound course will possess a vast expertise of every element that goes into producing live music to a high standard. By the time they graduate, our students have all found a niche role within the wider live sound industry that they will pursue at a professional level.

In our career spotlight, we highlight a number of these roles and how this programme can equip you with the skills for any of them:

Carreers

Live Sound Engineer

The lifeblood of the show, Live Sound Engineers ensure that every element of the live music experience is perfectly tuned and neither the performers nor the audience ever misses a thing.

Find out more

More career options

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

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.

Apply for our Access to HE Diploma

Let's get started

If you’re 19+ and aiming for higher education, our diplomas provide the essential qualifications and skills you need to progress confidently onto university courses. Whether it’s a career shift, skill enhancement, or pursuing a long-held passion, our

Access to HE Diplomas open doors.

To apply for our diplomas, please complete the application form below. Once we have received your information, our admissions team will contact you to arrange an interview.