One of the leading courses of its kind in the country, this degree prepares you for a technical career in the pulsating world of live events. With the technology involved becoming ever more complex, there is an urgent demand for more skilled engineers and technicians in the industry.
100% of students said that they were satisfied with the overall quality of BSc (Hons) Sound, Light and Live Event Technology, according to the National Student Survey, 2020
Work in a challenging, stimulating and creative learning environment – harnessing world-class equipment in our
Learn from inspirational tutors who have vast experience in the industry and are experts in their fields
Cover fascinating aspects of electronics, optics, acoustics, computer-aided design, simulation and control, and electrical power distribution
Plan and deliver real live events as part of your studies
Take the chance to go on an optional industrial year to strengthen your practical skills further still
Enjoy collaborative projects, working closely with other students specialising in subjects such as music technology, music, electronics and theatre
Look forward to excellent employment prospects: the majority of our students go into employment, freelancing or further study after graduating
Follow in the footsteps of our high-achieving graduates who have gone on to work internationally on everything from James Bond film premières to star-studded concerts
2ndin the UK for student satisfaction**The Guardian University Guide 2021, Engineering: Electronic and Electrical subject area
No.1in the UK for student satisfaction with teaching and feedback**The Guardian University Guide 2021, Engineering: Electronic and Electrical subject area
100%overall satisfaction - BSc (Hons) Sound, Light and Live Event Technology**National Student Survey 2020
Entertainment Engineering - your questions answered
In the below video, Senior Lecturer, Dr Bruce Wiggins, answers some of the most frequently asked questions about Entertainment Engineering at the University of Derby. You can also watch exclusive subject content by signing up to Derby on Demand.
Including a foundation year as part of your four-year study programme will give you a head start in your academic and professional life. The foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence – with extensive support from our expert staff – before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change and want to get to grips with aspects of subjects which are new to you.
Our degrees with a foundation year are continuous, meaning that you won’t need to apply again once you have successfully completed the first year.
The degree is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer. Completing an accredited degree will give you an added boost to your CV and recognised qualification to employers.
This degree covers a broad range of subjects – from lighting technology, audio engineering, video systems, power distribution and rigging to electronics, computing, acoustics, computer aided design and simulation.
You will learn both the theory and practice relating to the underlying technologies and will develop hands-on skills by planning and delivering real live events.
We offer an optional industrial year as part of this degree to give you further practical experience and to strengthen your CV. Please check the relevant UCAS codes in the Fact File section before you apply.
Our BSc (Hons) Sound, Light and Live Event Technology is an engineering centred but practical-based course for anyone keen to embark on a career in the events industry. It is also ideal for professionals who have experience in the sector but want a deeper understanding of the theory, along with a recognised qualification.
The ideal learning environment
As this is an engineering course, you will study 'how it works' – learning about the underlying mathematics and electronics in our electronics and computing laboratories.
You will also learn ‘how to work it’ - developing professional skills in lighting design, sound engineering and event management, with practice in our dedicated production space and in venues around the city.
We offer industry-standard equipment and you can get to grips with the latest technology, thanks to our links with AC Entertainment Technology Ltd.
Facilities include:
Hemi-Anechoic Chamber: Our hemi-anechoic chamber is a specialist acoustic environment. The room has ‘dead sound’; there are no echoes or acoustic reflections which makes the space excellent for acoustic experimentation. The chamber has dedicated test equipment including a dummy torso used for testing
Auditorium: The main teaching space for students on the degree. The room includes 12 1-Ton rigging points in the ceiling. In the last few years, £174,000 has been spent on new sound and lighting equipment and our kit now includes 130 panels of video wall and controllers. You’ll have hands-on practicals where you’ll design the rig and make everything – including lighting and sound – work
Sound Technology Lab: A space that’s used for practising mixing audio or lighting design. The room includes a digital sound desk, and technical sessions in here are where you’ll judge the performance characteristics of equipment
Multi-purpose Lab: An experimental lab with some permanently installed tests. You’ll also be able to programme and prepare shows in here using a small loudspeakers system, digital mixing console, small lighting rig and lighting desk
Multi-Channel Sound Lab: The lab is a Dante audio equipped room containing 32 loudspeakers used for investigating future immersive audio applications. You’ll test surround sound decoders and create immersive auditory displays. The equipment is run through software created at the University
Multi-purpose Lab: This lab is used for small scale acoustic testing and includes a small anechoic chamber and a vintage hearing test booth. There’s also a selection of loudspeakers in different states of deconstruction
You’ll also have access to our Makerspace – a workshop where you can work on any project and turn your ideas into a prototype. Equipment includes a laser cutter, 3D printers, soldering irons and CNC machines. It’s a fantastic place to collaborate with other students across the University.
Your teaching team
The teaching team has a remarkable range of experience across the sector with some still practising in the industry around their teaching. Some are also research active with an international profile. They include:
Ben Sams: A graduate from our very own BSc (Hons) Sound, Light and Live Event Technology degree, Ben gained experience in the industry as a Conference Technician and Classroom Audio Visual Engineer before returning to us as a lecturer. He is passionate about helping new students enter the world of live events.
Dr Adam Hill: Adam is an Associate Professor of Electroacoustics and works seasonally as a live sound engineer at Gand Concert Sound. His research interests span across the whole of the audio engineering area, and he uses his knowledge and experience in the industry to inform his teaching.
Jon Burton: Jon joined the University in 2019 having worked as a Sound Engineer for 35 years, primarily in concert touring. Having worked with the likes of The Prodigy, Bring Me The Horizon and Biffy Clyro, Jon is now using his experience to teach a new generation of engineers on the degree.
Dr Bruce Wiggins: Bruce completed his PhD at the University of Derby and has a research interest in audio signal processing and immersive audio. His software and algorithms have been used extensively in the industry, including for VLC, Codemasters and at Glastonbury festival. He also designed the 32 speaker Ambisonic Decoder now found in the Royal Opera House.
Mark Dring: Mark joined the University as a lecturer in 2013 having previously completed studies in Audio System Design and Acoustic Engineering. His research is focused on the reproduction and auralisation of sound in acoustically small spaces. He enjoys the diversity of experiences that teaching brings and seeks to enthuse students with their studies.
Ian McKenzie: Formerly an electrical engineer in the construction industry, Ian joined the teaching team in 2015. He continues to study part-time for his PhD in Tissue Conducted Sound alongside teaching on the degree.
If you're still looking for a place at uni, have had a change of heart about your course, or your gap year plans are on hold, don't worry. Register with us today and fast forward to your future. Make it Real at Derby.
Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.
Undergraduate Open Days
The best way to find out if studying at Derby is right for you is to experience an Open Day. Get a feel for the city and campus, tour our first-class facilities and see where you could be living.
Personally, the guest speakers have been the highlight of the course. It has given me an insight to what is expected of me in the real world when embarking on my career, from both the technical and social side of things.
Regan Hawley
Sound, Light and Live Event Technology student
Real world learning
You will have the opportunity to take an optional work placement between stages two and three, during which you will gain an additional qualification, the Diploma in Professional Practice.
In addition, you will benefit from guest lectures, product demonstrations and venue visits. Recent guest speakers have included:
Ian Painter, a Sound Engineer at BBC, who spoke to our students about his work at Maida Vale studio and the many live events they broadcast like One Big Weekend and Glastonbury Festival
Matt Cox talked through his wealth of experience as a specialist support technician, building and operating keyboard rigs for artists such as Snow Patrol, The Prodigy and The Chemical Brothers – who he has worked with for 24 years!
Dave Hadley, a Sound Engineer and Tour Manager, gave our students great insight into the challenging role of tour management, drawing on his experience of working with artists like Pulp, Gomez and Band of Skulls
Production Manager Mick Brown provided our students with an insight into production, management, sound engineering and multitasking, drawing on his experience of working with artists such as The Stereophonics, Portishead and Radiohead
Many of our students also take on casual work with production and hire companies in the area, adding a new dimension to their real world learning experiences.
How you are assessed
You will be assessed through laboratory and practical exercises, written reports and exams. You will also work on group projects, including venue and event evaluations, and will be assessed on the concerts and productions you manage and create.
Personal academic tutoring
Your personal academic tutor will work with you to help you get the most out of your time at university. Having someone to talk to about your academic progress, your university experience and your professional aspirations is hugely valuable. We want you to feel challenged in your studies, stretched but confident to achieve your academic and professional goals.
A graduate from our very own BSc (Hons) Sound, Light and Live Event Technology degree, Ben gained experience in the industry as a Conference Technician and Classroom Audio Visual Engineer before returning to us as a lecturer. He is passionate about helping new students enter the world of live events.
We have an excellent employment track record and our graduates work in all areas of the entertainment industry. You could work as an engineer at a hire or production company - specifying, designing and operating sound, lighting, staging and video systems - or as a theatre technical manager. Many of our graduates work as freelance engineers or set up their own businesses.
Some graduates also progress to roles in design and manufacturing, media, broadcasting, acoustics, technical sales and support, education and event technology. There are opportunities to advance to postgraduate studies too.
The foundations drilled into me throughout the programme are the cornerstone of my career. Now, more than ever it is critical to be a generalist, and I constantly draw on the wide range of topics that we covered.
Tom Bland
BSc (Hons) Sound, Light and Live Event Technology graduate
Contact us
If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.
Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.
Additional costs and optional extras
We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.
The information below is correct for entry in the academic year September 2020 - August 2021 only. Entry for future academic years may be subject to change.
Included in your fees
Basic starter kit of CDs etc.
Use of resources
Extra-curricular activities
Mandatory costs not included in your fees
Purchase of small toolkit approx. £5
Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.
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