Undergraduate Course

Sound, Light and Live Event Engineering with Foundation Year

BSc (Hons)

Course details

Study options

Full-time: 4 Years

UK fee

£9,250 per year (2024/25)

International fee

£14,900 per year (2024/25)

UCAS points

72 (September 2024 entry)72 (September 2025 entry)

UCAS code

HJ3X

Start date

September

Location

Markeaton Street, Derby Campus

One of the leading courses of its kind in the country, this degree prepares you for a technical career in the exciting world of live events. With the technology involved becoming ever more sophisticated, there is an urgent demand for more skilled engineers and technicians in the industry. At Derby we have been teaching Entertainment Engineering for 25 years and our graduates are working across the industry and around the world at the highest levels. You will gain real-world experience of mounting live events on this highly practical course, guided by a team of experienced professionals.

Find out more about the exciting projects being undertaken by staff and students in our Entertainment Engineering specialist subject group.

1st for satisfaction with feedbackElectronic and Electrical Engineering subject area, The Guardian University Guide 2024
Top10 for satisfaction with teachingElectronic and Electrical Engineering subject area, The Guardian University Guide 2024

Foundation Year - helping you to achieve more

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.

This degree covers a broad range of subjects – from lighting technology, audio engineering, video systems, live streaming, power distribution and rigging to electronics, computer networks, 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.

Dan Jellicoe

Making Connections

Dan began working behind the scenes on live events, such as music concerts, when he was still at school. His initial aim was to get a graduate job within the live event industry - and he's done just that.

Read Dan's storyRead Dan's story

Industry links

Our BSc (Hons) Sound, Light and Live Event Engineering is an engineering-centred but practical-based course for anyone keen to embark on a career in the live 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 degree is built on close links with industry through ongoing engagement with graduates who have taken up professional roles, as well as our many industry contacts . You’ll benefit from regular guest speakers, from Sound Engineers to Tour Managers, and will have the opportunity to go on field trips to get real-life experience. We work closely with companies such as Solotech, d&b audiotechnik, Disney, Chauvet, Meyer Sound, Alton Towers, and many more.

You’ll plan and deliver actual live events throughout your degree. Previous events have included Green Man in Wales, YNot festival, WFR Central Electronic Music Festival and Back 2 festival. You will also get the chance to work on other types of events such as fashion shows, charity events, awards ceremonies, album launches and corporate events.

Our close ties with Derby Theatre gives you the opportunity to learn and work in a professional theatre building, if you wish.

You’ll graduate with multi-disciplinary skills, including technology, design, project management, manufacturing, environmental and health and safety knowledge, which will open the door to a wide range of job opportunities, in and out of the industry.

Why you should study Entertainment Engineering at the University of Derby

View Sound, Light and Live Event Engineering video transcript

The ideal learning environment

As this is an engineering course, you will study 'how it works' – learning about the underlying technology and electronics in our electronics and computing laboratories.

You will also learn ‘how to work it’ - developing professional skills in lighting design, sound engineering, video and broadcast production, and event management, with practice in our dedicated production spaces and in venues around the city and beyond.

You'll get to grips with the latest technology, thanks to our links with the leading manufacturers and production companies. A small selection of our industry-standard equipment includes:

Our extensive equipment is housed in the following facilities:

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. There are also wood and metal working workshops and a Digital Media (Print) hub onsite, as well as the specialist electronics and computing labs.

A student and lecturer working on a lighting desk
An Entertainment Engineering student making adjustments to the lighting up a ladder wearing PPE
A student sat inside the Millennium falcon in auditorium 3
A female student working on a tablet

Makerspace

Open to all students at the University of Derby the Makerspace is a student-led workshop based at our Markeaton Street site. There is a large range of tools in the Makerspace that you are able to use in your own time to design and develop projects.

Find out more about MakerspaceFind out more about Makerspace
Sam Bowden with his colleagues holding an award

How Sam became a lighting innovator

After graduating from our BSc (Hons) Sound, Light and Live Event Technology degree, Sam Bowden has gone on to a fulfilling career journey, recently winning a prestigious industry award.

Read Sam's storyRead Sam's story

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:

With outstanding subject knowledge and a wealth of industry experience, our lecturers including Adam Hill provide you with the opportunity to fulfil your potential.

View Adam Hill - Sound, Light and Live Event Technology video transcript

The entertainment industry is one of the largest employers in the world. Whether through the live event or through recorded medium, it is enabled and driven forward by its underlying technology. Our innovative BSc (Hons) Sound, Light and Live Event Engineering degree is engineering based and draws on the technical basis of electronics, computer and software systems, acoustic, sound technology and professional practices. This really is a unique and exciting degree.

Markeaton Street, Derby Campus

Build, Create, Innovate

Whether it's computing, photography, or engineering, our top-tier facilities — including a new suite of recording studios and a £12 million STEM Centre — provide the perfect setting to excel.

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What you will study

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.

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus entrance

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.

Book your Undergraduate Open DayBook your Undergraduate Open Day

How you will learn

Sound, Light and Live Event Technology student, Regan Hawley, playing a guitar.

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:

The University has a partnership with leading loudspeaker company Meyer Sound to deliver online masterclasses and an in-person training course for our Entertainment Engineering students. As a student at Derby you'll also have access to full-length seminars on topics such as acoustics, loudspeakers, audio networking, spatial sound and audio fundamentals.

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.

Find out more about personal academic tutoring

Entry requirements

2024 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2024 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

RequirementWhat we're looking for
UCAS points72
A LevelDDD
T LevelPass
BTECMMP
GCSEGCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification
Access to HEPass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 24, Pass: 21

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

2025 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

RequirementWhat we're looking for
UCAS points72
A LevelDDD
T LevelPass
BTECMMP
GCSEGCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification
Access to HEPass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 30, Pass: 15

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

Fees and funding

2024/25

 Full-timePart-time
UK

£9,250 per year

N/A

International

£14,900 per year

N/A

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

How to apply

Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.


UK students

If you are in Year 13 and applying for a full-time undergraduate course (including our joint honours courses), we recommend that you apply through UCAS.

Apply through UCAS

If you are applying to study part-time, or already have your qualifications, or wish to join at Year 2 or 3, you should apply directly to the University.

Apply directly to the University

Careers

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.

Graduate Tom Bland

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

Getting you career ready

Your degree is only part of your story.

We're here to help prepare you for life after university.

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96%
of UK graduates are in employment or further study.

Top 5
for employability.
Uni Compare Annual Student Review Rankings 2025.

87%
of UK graduates say their current activity is meaningful.

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.

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Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

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.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

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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