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

Sound Design

Online
Subject to validation
Female student location recording
Male student creating sounds in the studio
Male graduate records train sounds

Learn to design and implement sound using cutting edge technologies on this pioneering, professionally-targeted BA (Hons) Sound Design Degree.

Key Information
  • Where can I study?
    Bristol
  • Start Date
    September 2024
  • Study Modes
    Full-Time
  • Course Length
    3 Years
  • UK/Home Fees (Per Year)
    £9,250
icon chevron Icon Information
Key Information
Key Information
Sound Design

Course Overview

Bringing together the most exciting aspects of sound, science, technology and engineering, our Sound Design degree will equip you with everything you need to work in the rapidly evolving audio industry. As technology continues to advance, immersive audio experiences are becoming increasingly important in gaming, virtual reality, filmmaking, and other media platforms. This degree will give you a competitive edge in this expanding job market.

You will explore all aspects of audio creation, manipulation and implementation, helping you to develop your sonic signature and build a professional portfolio to showcase your abilities. Working on a range of cutting-edge projects including the development of your own audio production tool, you will compose, synthesise, record, programme, transform and integrate audio across a diverse range of platforms, developing wide-ranging skills, knowledge and understanding of the discipline. You will also study recording and mixing techniques, develop your skills with creative coding and how to program and integrate audio within industry-standard platforms. By the end of this degree in sound design, you will be well-prepared to contribute meaningfully to the creative industries and shape the future of audio experiences.

In addition to working on a number of innovative projects, you will have access to a substantial guest lecture programme, offering you the chance to learn from and connect with diverse industry professionals from the UK and beyond.

This course is taught by the dBs Institute 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 16 modules, including a final major project. Programme structures and modules can change as part of our curriculum enhancement and review processes.

A student using a Zoom recorder to capture sounds from a person wielding

Year Overview

Year 1

Module Breakdown

Your first year serves as your introduction to all the necessary skills the modern sound designer needs and the start of building your professional portfolio. You will learn how to run complex studio sessions, record audio for a range of projects, design original sound content and start audio programming, alongside developing your own sonic signature. You will learn how to problem-solve quickly and make artistic decisions with confidence, all the while working with industry-standard hardware and software.

Year 2

In year two of your sound design degree, you will work across a range of projects from film and television briefs to game audio content, expanding your skills and knowledge on an array of projects. You will focus on sound recording and production for the moving image, working with immersive sound to develop spatial audio content alongside middleware implementation in game and app design and enhancing your coding skills.

Year 3

This is your chance to work on your own projects and push the boundaries of sound design within a specific field. You’ll be given the flexibility to work across a range of projects and encouraged to explore avenues at the forefront of modern sound design with employment or further study in mind. You'll complete your degree empowered to move forward confidently with your career within sound design.

How You'll Learn

You will be creating original sonic work across film, television, games and apps, with the opportunity to expand and specialise in other mediums. You will also develop practical skills through practice-based workshops, and learn to evaluate and improve your work through group tutorials, and individual tutorials. Regular learning will come from lectures, seminars and our Virtual Learning Environment. In addition your learning will be supported by:

  • Lectures and practical workshops
  • Masterclasses and guest lectures
  • Group and 1-2-1 tutorials
  • Access to extensive studio facilities and bookable equipment
  • Use of library resources and study spaces
  • Access to our Virtual Learning Environment
  • Access to supporting online resources including videos, reading and interactive activities

Assessments are 100% coursework, submitted in an electronic format to our virtual learning environment, and designed to reflect professional practice.

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.

Why Choose dBs

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
arrow
arrow

    Why Choose a Online
    Degree at dBs

    Our online master's degrees offers 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.

    Tutors

    Alex Wilkins

    Alex Wilkins

    BA (Hons) Music Production & Sound Engineering Course Leader
    Alex is a music composition and production specialist who never stops learning about sound. He may also be the only person to try producing electronic music using Pro Tools…
    Bruce Turner

    Bruce Turner

    Module Leader
    We always learn something new when talking to Bruce. Specialising in production and performance, he’s passionate about exploring biomechanics and the science of sound.
    Jasz Pike

    Jasz Pike

    BA (Hons) Sound Design Course Leader & BA (Hons) Game Art Module Leader
    Jasz is a sound design specialist who’s passionate about creating meaningful, interactive experiences and sharing that passion with other creatives.
    Martin Peacock

    Martin Peacock

    FdA Sound & Music Technology Course Leader
    Cutting his teeth for over 15 years as a reputable Dubstep artist, Martin loves spending time on sound design, synthesis and building his own instruments.
    arrow
    arrow

      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

      Sound design's prevalence across the creative industries spans much further than you might think. The obvious areas are in film, television and video games, but as technology continues to grow, so do the opportunities for sound designers.

      Here are some of the career paths related to this degree:

      Carreers

      Game Audio Implementers utilise creativity and logical thinking to design and manage the systems that bring sound to life and immerse the player.

      Carreers

      Creative problem-solvers and playful thinkers, Sound Designers use audio to bring projects to life.

      arrow
      arrow

        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.

        Please note that the UCAS 'on-time' application deadline for equal consideration is 31st January 2024.

        UCAS Codes
        Campus
        Course Code
        Campus Code
        Institution Code
        Bristol
        W364
        D
        F33

        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.

        Further Study

        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.

        Stats