Music Production with Foundation Year

This course is aimed at aspiring music producers, sound engineers, composers and sound designers who want to develop their skills and innovate using a hands-on approach to learning and research. You will explore the process of sound recording and production, craft a portfolio of commercial recordings and be supported in promoting your music.  

You will learn about the technology of the recording studio, the production process, explore cutting-edge 3D audio play-back systems and understand both the music industry and the changing needs of the music consumer.

The music industry is an important element of the creative industries sector and a significant contributor to the UK and global economy. In recent years, with the growth of new digital distribution models and the proliferation of live music events, the music industry has evolved significantly presenting new and exciting ways of music making and delivery. This course is accredited by Joint Audio Media Education Support (JAMES), which means it meets the highest professional standards set by industry. 

This course will support you to be multi-skilled, adaptable and adept at collaboration across different disciplines and media within the music industry and industry sub-sectors such as film, television, computer games and advertising. You will have opportunities to collaborate with students from other courses such as BA (Hons) Film and High-End Television Production and BA (Hons) Animation as you develop advanced digital skills for the creation of album artwork, music promos, brand development, etc., whilst also gaining vital networking and entrepreneurial skills for a successful career in the music industry.

Course highlights  

• You will develop a broad range of technological skills and knowledge in music production, sound perception, recording and production techniques, sound mixing, and sound design.    
• We will encourage you to take part in the local music scene through our relationship with venues like Dubrek recording studio and Derby Theatre, which is owned by the University of Derby. 
• You will be taught by experienced lecturers, many with international research portfolios and who are actively engaged in professional activities including freelance production and performance work.   
• You will be supported to understand the commercial environment applicable to music production, developing management skills and awareness of professional protocols to prepare you for your career.  
• Be inspired by our recording studios and rehearsal facilities, which will enable you to produce professional quality recordings.  
• Benefit from our strong links with the music industry and be invited to participate in our yearly Music Production Show, with guest presentations from industry professionals such as: Avid, Yamaha, Focusrite, Ableton, the Musicians Union and local industry.  
• Take up opportunities to gain professional experience through interactions with visiting performers and industry representatives which in recent years have included; Derby Jazz and ViVA Orchestra. 
• The University of Derby is a registered training centre for Apple and Avid and offers opportunities for accredited training on popular production software as well as significant discounts on associated products. 

In the video below, Cristian reflects on his experience as an international student studying Music at Derby:

Take a look at our professional facilities at Markeaton Street:

Boost your employability with a placement year

Take an optional placement year to put your skills into practice in a real-world setting. We’ll support you in finding a placement and throughout your time in industry. It’s a great way to gain valuable experience for your CV, build contacts, and explore career options before you graduate.

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.

Learning and assessment 

The course is set in the context of the music industry and the recording studio, covering all aspects of the production process through to the completion of recordings to a commercial standard. There is an emphasis on practical studio skills where you will prepare, record, process and edit material to create a finished product. You’ll also undertake laboratory work, conducting experiments in areas of science and technology such as recording studio acoustics or electronics.  

Strong employer links are a hallmark of this course. Our staff are actively engaged in projects across the industry, which opens doors for you to work on real-world projects, gain work experience, and hear from visiting performers and industry representatives. We have strong connections with companies such as Avid, Apple music products training division, Focusrite, Oxford Sound & Media, and Yamaha Commercial Audio.   

Various assessment methods are used on this course, all designed to support your progress and give you just the right level of challenge. They include coursework, portfolios, assignments, case studies, oral and graphic presentations, collaborative and interdisciplinary team work projects, laboratory work, internet-based investigations, computer testing and exams. 

Facilities 

You’ll discover a superb range of music making facilities at our Markeaton Street site, including state-of-the-art recording studios, rehearsal space, auditoria, music technology labs and three post-production rooms equipped with latest software.  

The University has invested almost £350,000 in these facilities, ensuring you have access to resources which match those of professional studios in the UK and overseas. We offer a wide range of instruments, amplifiers and outboard gear on which you can develop your skills, together with a classic 48 channel Neve recording console.   

Thanks to our close relationship with Focusrite we were one of the first institutions in the world to install the RedNet system in our recording studios, which placed us at the forefront of developments in audio-over IP.

While these studio facilities will provide an excellent setting for your taught sessions, they are also available for you to book at other times to fine-tune your personal music projects.

You will also hone your performance skills at venues across the city, including Derby Theatre which the University owns and runs as a professional producing theatre.

Playing a critical role in the UK’s creative economy, the music industry is undergoing dramatic change. New digital distribution models are emerging, live events are rocketing in popularity, and exciting new ways of music-making are constantly evolving. It means that professionals specialising in music technology and production are in greater demand than ever before – in the UK and overseas. 

Sound and music technology is important in almost every aspect of the entertainment industry. Sound recordists, music producers, audio engineers, broadcasters, musicians, composers, film-makers, computer game designers and sound designers all use music technology in some form or other. Our graduates have progressed into many fields of professional activity including production and studio work, outside broadcast management and web design. They also work in a range of media organisations, have gone on to further study, at MA, MSc or PhD level, or successfully completed QTS teaching qualifications for primary or secondary education.  

You can also consider taking your skills to the next level by studying our MA Music Production like Harry and Jordan who feature in the below video: 

2025 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

Offers will be made initially based on your application, including predicted grades and/or grades you have already achieved. You may be given the opportunity, within your offer letter, to submit a portfolio. If you submit a strong portfolio we will make you an unconditional offer, to reflect the quality of your work and your potential.

Additional entry requirements

• Portfolio: Recommended - view portfolio details

2025/26

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

Additional costs and optional extras

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.