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

Live Sound

Online
Subject to validation
Female student practicing front of house mix on a Yamaha TF-5 console
Two dBs students help fly a Speaker array
Students being shown a Live Sound console

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.

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
Live Sound

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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
W394
D
D16
Manchester
W393
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

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)
A guest workshop in our live sound hall
Bristol
A guest workshop in our live sound hall
Hands-on with the Yamaha MC7L mixer
Bristol
Hands-on with the Yamaha MC7L mixer
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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

    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:

    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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    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

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    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.

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