BSc (Hons) Sound, Light and Live Event Technology

UCAS code: HJ39 or HJ3X with foundation year

Start date: September

Course length: full time: three years, plus an additional year if you have to do the Technology Foundation Programme, part time: five years minimum. Direct entry into later stages of the programme is available with a relevant HND or equivalent qualifications.

Campus: Markeaton Street site, Derby Campus

This course is available to international students

As live performances grow ever more spectacular, the underlying technology becomes more complex requiring skilled engineers to support and develop it. Live event technology incorporates aspects of electronics, optics, acoustics, computer aided design, simulation and control, electrical power distribution, management, and team working.

This course provides you with a deep understanding of basic electronic and physical principles of entertainment equipment, together with the knowledge of how to design and use such equipment in real world situations.

You'll study a total of 120 credits per year. This will be made up of single or double modules.

Stage one

You'll study modules such as:

• Analogue and Digital Electronics
• Engineering Workshop
• Lighting and Video Technology
• Signal and Circuit Analysis Techniques
• Sound Technology
• Stagecraft (Personal Development Planning)

Stage two

You'll study modules such as:

• Computing and Communication Technology
• Event Design and Management (Personal Development Planning)
• Acoustics
• Electronic Systems
• Lighting Equipment Design and Applications
• Live Event Techniques
• Professional Practice - short placement
• Sound System Engineering

Diploma in Professional Practice (optional)

You'll study modules such as:

• Applied Professional Practice (Work based learning)
• Contemporary Issues in Professional Practice (E-learning)

Stage three

You'll study modules such as:

• Independent Engineering Project
• Audio Digital Signal Processing
• Embedded Systems
• Live Event Practice (Professional Development Planning)
• Multi-Channel Sound System Design
• Electroacoustic and Lighting Design
• Venue Design and Technology

Our entry requirements are usually 260 UCAS points, of which at least 220 will be from your core A2s (full A levels) including Science, Maths, Computing, Electronics, Design Technology or Technology, or equivalent qualifications such as BTEC Diploma, International Baccalaureate, Scottish Highers etc.

We'll accept up to 40 points towards the total from level 3 qualifications such as AS levels (where those AS levels are not taken on to A2 level), the Extended Project or Music qualifications.

We don't accept points from Key Skills Level 3. If you have any questions about what is or isn't accepted, please contact our Admissions team.

We also accept the Access to HE Diploma.

Your points at level 3 will be in addition to 5 GCSEs at grade C or equivalent level 2 qualifications.

The UCAS tariff points are a guide - we'll also consider all information included in your application and from your interview. We'll also want to see that you're enthusiastic and motivated to take this course and that you have the potential to benefit from coming to university.

General undergraduate entry requirements

Fees for 2013/14

This is a resource intensive course.

UK/EU students

• Full time: £8,250 (each year)

We'll be announcing our part time and international fees for 2013/14 later in the year.

*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2013 and August 2014. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year.

We encourage our students to take an optional work placement between stages two and three during which you'll gain an additional qualification, the Diploma in Professional Practice. 

Visit our placements pages for more information.  

We have an excellent employment track record, and our graduates work in all areas of the entertainment industry. You could work for a theatre or a hire or production company, specifying, designing and operating sound, lighting, staging and video systems. Or you could work as a freelance engineer or set up your own business.

As well as going on to study a masters degree, our graduates also move into work in design and manufacturing, media, broadcasting, acoustics, technical support, education and event technology

"I was asked to design the loudspeaker system for the Glastonbury Jazz Stage - and that's when the skills and knowledge gained from my degree came into their own"

- Simon West