BA (Hons) Music (Production)

Applications are open for 2024.


Note: This course is found under the Undergraduate option when making a UCAS application NOT the Conservatoires option.

Apply now

Study BA (Hons) Music (Production) at Leeds Conservatoire

Gain the skills and experience to become a sophisticated music producer, with the freedom to express yourself musically in any genre. You will learn through hands-on studio and Mac Lab sessions with expert producers and software specialists in order to prepare you for a successful career in music production.

 

  • Starts:
  • Duration: 3 Years /
    4 Years (with Foundation Year)/
    1 Year (Top-Up)
  • UCAS Course Code(s): W301
    W333 (with Foundation Year)
    3Q9X (with Jazz)
    5W2D (with Popular)
    W304 (Top-Up)
  • UCAS Institution Code: L30
  • Apply Via: UCAS Undergraduate Application (note: this course cannot be found under the 'Conservatoire' application option)
  • Study Mode: Full time
  • Validated By: University of Hull

Course Overview

World-class facilities

We have six industry-standard recording studios and
seven mixing rooms. Our six Apple Mac Labs are equipped with over 100 high-specification iMacs, MIDI keyboards and audio interfaces, as well as industry standard software such as Logic Pro X, Pro Tools and Ableton Live. There are numerous composition, rehearsal and performance spaces. All of these facilities are open until late during term-time, giving you a dedicated, flexible environment in which to develop your recording and producing skills.

Industry links

Each year, a number of industry professionals deliver masterclasses to our students. Recent sessions have been given by Andrew Scheps, Grammy Award winning Mix Engineer (Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Adele, Ziggy Marley); Glen Scott, Producer, Composer, Musician, Artist, Engineer (James Morrison, Mary J Blige, James Blunt, Craig David, Backstreet Boys); Warren Huart, Producer Aerosmith, James Blunt, Korn); Mike Spencer, Producer (Rudimental, Emeli Sande, Newton Faulkner); Olga Fitzroy (award-winning recording engineer with Foo Fighters and Coldplay).

Visits from labels and management can provide you with the opportunity to respond to live publishers’ briefs and audition your material in front of industry contacts – a great networking opportunity which can result in getting published.

Pioneering approach

Our pioneering Augmented Reality app is the first ever to be used on a Production course. The app allows you to use a smartphone or tablet to access an interactive tutorial on our Audient sound mixing desks, giving you access to support and guidance outside of teaching sessions.

A Community of Musicians

Only at Leeds Conservatoire will you get the unique opportunity to collaborate with musicians from a variety of genres and with a multitude of specialisms. As a producer you’ll be in demand amongst our community of over 1,200 musicians, allowing you to build a portfolio of experience and establish your professional career long before you graduate.

Career destinations

Graduates from Music Production degrees at Leeds Conservatoire have gone on to a wide variety of careers including Recording Artists, Sound Designers, Broadcasters, Producers, and Film Composers. Find out more in our Alumni section.

“I did a pop track with a student called Lucy Whittaker. We put it forward for BBC Introducing and it was selected as Radio 1 track of the week, which was amazing and such a massive learning curve.”
– Frankie Harper, Music Production graduate
BA (Hons) Music (Production) - 3 Years

Our 3 year BA (Hons) Music (Production) is designed for musicians who know they want to specialise in Music Production. 

All Specialist Study and Specialist Group Study modules are Production focused.

As with all our courses, studies in your specialist area will be supported by a broader curriculum designed to prepare you for your career in the music industry.

BA (Hons) Music (Production) with Foundation Year - 4 Years

If you know that conservatoire study is for you, but you don’t think that you’ll meet the academic or musical entry requirements, our four-year courses are an excellent opportunity to start studying your degree while you focus on your musical development.

An extra year of access to our creative and collaborative environment, excellent facilities, expert staff and rich performance opportunities will build your confidence as a conservatoire musician.

Find out more about BA (Hons) with Foundation Year.

BA (Hons) Music (Production with Jazz/Popular) - 3 Year Combined Honours

Production can also be taken as part of a Combined Honours degree.

We are the only UK conservatoire to offer this type of combined degree where you will study both areas of music throughout all three years.

You will take specialist study modules in Production and specialist group study (e.g. ensembles) in a second area of music.

e.g. for Production with Jazz, you would have specialist Music Production tuition and also be in a Jazz ensemble.

Course Options:

  • BA (Hons) Music (Production with Jazz)
  • BA (Hons) Music (Production with Popular)
BA (Hons) Music (Electronic Music Production)

BA (Hons) Music (Electronic Music Production) - 3 Years

BA (Hons) Music (Electronic Music Production) with Foundation Year - 4 Years

Develop your creativity by writing original music that focuses on contemporary electronic music including genres such as EDM, Hip Hop, Techno, DnB and Grime, whilst acquiring skills in dedicated music production suites.

This course centres on electronic music production, composition, and DJ performance technologies. You will have access to high end equipment and resources including a dedicated DJ suite and Mac labs, and are taught by experts in their field, in a friendly setting, with other like-minded people along with students studying on BA Music Production

See Electronic Music Production course page

Other Combined Honours Courses

If you are interested in Production but would like to specialise in another genre, you can choose to take your Specialist Study modules (including 1:1 sessions where relevant) in one area, and your Specialist Group Study in Production.

UCAS Undergraduate Courses

UCAS Conservatoires Courses

BA (Hons) Music Production (Top-Up)

This 1-year course is for students with a relevant Foundation Degree, HND or equivalent who wish to 'top-up' their qualification to a BA (Hons).

What You Will Study (See Modules and Specifications)

Each year of the course is structured into three distinct strands:

  • Specialist Study – Small group tuition in analogue and digital recording and production techniques
  • Contextual Studies – Develop your composition, arranging, musicology and aural skills
  • Professional Studies – Develop your skills for working in the creative industries

Some examples* of Contextual Studies and Professional Studies modules:

  • Working in the Creative Industries
  • Self-Promotion and Music Marketing
  • Music for the Moving Image
  • Performance with Electronics
  • Concerts and Touring
  • Structure & Functions of the Film Music Industry
  • Software Environments - Performance and Sound Creation
  • Business Start-Up
  • Music Journalism
  • Songwriting
  • Working with Music in the Community

*The above examples are chosen to represent a selection of the kind of mandatory and elective module options offered, so you can tailor your degree to your area of interest. See the full list of modules currently available for this course, including mandatory and optional modules, plus detailed module specification documents.

Module specifications are for applicants choosing to start their course in the 2021/22 academic year. In compliance with University of Hull regulations, the conservatoire retains the right to make minor amendments and improvements to course, programme and module content year on year. This may result in minor changes to these specifications by September 2022.

Combined Honours Courses

If you choose a Combined Honours programme (e.g. Production with Popular), your Specialist Study (e.g. small group recording/production tuition) would be in Production and your Specialist Group Study (e.g. ensemble/band sessions) would be in your second genre.

Production with Jazz

  • Specialist Study - Production
  • Specialist Group Study - Jazz

Production with Popular

  • Specialist Study - Production
  • Specialist Group Study - Popular
Foundation Year

If you choose to study the 4 -year Production with Foundation Year programme, your first year will focus on developing your musicianship through specialist tuition, and strengthening your music theory and academic skills, as well as your creativity and artistry.

You will also have access to a weekly programme of workshops and masterclasses, as well as regular individual tutorials with academic staff.

Upon successful completion of the Foundation Year, you will automatically progress to year one on your chosen BA programme.

Optional Extra-Curricular Instrument/Vocal/Composition Tuition

If you are at Grade 6 standard or higher in an instrument or voice, you can also choose to have additional 1:1 tuition in this area outside of your standard timetabled teaching.

This is not part of your course, but there are a limited number of Instrumental, Vocal & Composition Bursaries available, or tuition can be arranged at additional cost.

Entry Requirements

Academic Requirements

BA (Hons) - 3 Years

96 UCAS tariff points from level 3 studies or equivalent, which normally include A Level Music or a BTEC Extended Diploma in a Music-related subject.

A minimum of three GCSEs including English Language at Grade C / Grade 4 or above or equivalent international qualification, eg IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each component).

BA (Hons) with Foundation Year - 4 Years

96 UCAS tariff points from level 3 studies or equivalent, which normally include A Level Music or a BTEC Extended Diploma in a Music-related subject.

A minimum of three GCSEs including English Language at Grade C / Grade 4 or above or equivalent international qualification, eg IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each component).

BA (Hons) - Top-Up

Foundation Degree, HND or equivalent in a relevant subject.

A minimum of three GCSEs including English Language at Grade C / Grade 4 or above or equivalent international qualification, eg IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each component).

Performance and Musical Theory Standard

Read our full entry requirements to see more  detail on musical performance and theory standards.

How to Apply

Apply via: UCAS Undergraduate (not Conservatoires)

Read our step-by-step application guide

Portfolio

Applicants will need to submit a portfolio of work. 

Exact requirements vary depending on which programme you are applying for.

Read more detailed portfolio information.

Fees & Funding
International Applicants

If you are an international applicant, visit our dedicated International section of the website for information on:

  • How To Apply
  • Auditions
  • International Entry Requirements
  • Fees & Funding

Study Mode: Full Time
Apply via: UCAS Undergraduate (not Conservatoires)
UCAS Institution Code: L30
Validated by: University of Hull*

*Note for applicants and offer holders for 2022/23 entry:

Leeds Conservatoire plans to apply to the Office for Students for Degree Awarding Powers. If we are granted Degree Awarding Powers, your degree may be awarded by Leeds Conservatoire rather than validated by the University of Hull.

BA (Hons) Music (Production)

Course Type: Undergraduate, Single Honours
Duration: 3 years
UCAS Course Code: W301 

Course Key Information Document 2021/22

BA (Hons) Music (Production) with Foundation Year

Course Type: Undergraduate, Single Honours
Duration: 4 years
UCAS Course Code: W333 

BA (Hons) Music (Production with Jazz/Popular)

BA (Hons) Music (Production with Jazz)

Course Type: Undergraduate, Combined Honours
Duration: 3 years
UCAS Course Code: 3Q9X

Course Key Information Document 2021/22

BA (Hons) Music (Production with Popular)

Course Type: Undergraduate, Combined Honours
Duration: 3 years
UCAS Course Code: 5W2D

Course Key Information Document 2021/22

BA (Hons) Music Production (Top-Up)

Course Type: Undergraduate, Single Honours (Top-Up)
Duration: 1 year
UCAS Course Code: W304

Course Key Information Document 2021/22

Alex Carrie - Alumni

Alumni Profile

Alex Carrie

Course Studied: BA (Hons) Music (Production)
Year of Graduation: 2015

Alex Carrie graduated in 2015, and with his band KRRUM was signed to label 37 Adventures just as they finished their study at Leeds Conservatoire.

Top Career Highlights:

  • Over 5 million plays for track 'Evil Twin' on Spotify
  • Performing at Radio 1's Big Weekend, Lovebox and Pitchfork Paris festivals
  • Track 'Evil Twin' featuring on an Apple Watch 2 advert

 

See more from graduates

Course Tutors

Craig Golding
Craig GoldingHead of School of Music Production and Events

Specialisms: Studio recording and production, song production

Read more
Caterina Mcevoy, tutor at Leeds Conservatoire
Dr Caterina McEvoySenior Lecturer: FdA Music Production, BA (Hons) Music (Production), BA (Hons) Film

Courses Taught: FdA Music Production, BA (Hons) Music (Production), BA Hons) Film

Read more
Rob Bentall
Professor Rob BentallPrincipal Lecturer: Music Production

Courses taught: BA (Hons) Music (Production)

Read more
Facilities

Our Production students have access to 13 recording and mixing studios, equipped with Audient, SSL and Neve equipment, and Logic and Pro Tools recording software, including one with 5.1 surround sound setup and an HD projector, making it perfect for cueing up your sound effects and music with film footage.

Find out more
LCOM-EDGE-OVERLAYS LCOM-EDGE-OVERLAYS
“I was chosen to perform at the Gala Concert in my first and second year and I’ve performed at Crosswire. I also played at Sound City in Liverpool through the conservatoire’s touring scheme. I never expected to play a festival during my time at Leeds Conservatoire, so that was a great experience.”
– Santino Browne, Production with Pop graduate
Open Days

Find out what it's like to study at Leeds Conservatoire by coming along to one of our Open Days. 

As well as talks and tours specific to the courses you're interested in, you can also chat to our staff and students.

Plus, get immediate access to our On-Demand Open Day.

Open Days
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