Two students working at a mixing desk in a recording studio
BSc (Hons) Available in Clearing

Audio and Music Technology

Discover how sound works and how technology can help you master it with our JAMES-accredited Audio & Music Technology degree.

Start date
September
Location
Cambridge
Duration
3 years
UCAS course code
J992

Start date
September
Location
Cambridge
Duration
4 years with foundation
UCAS course code
J993

Start date
September
Location
Cambridge
Duration
4 years with placement
UCAS course code
J992
Top 10%

in the country for the number of graduates going into paid employment or further study.

Source: GOS

Use our BSc (Hons) Audio & Music Technology degree as a launchpad for a range of employment opportunities where audio expertise is needed. This applied course provides a firm scientific foundation that empowers you to master technology and produce the best creative outcomes.

Guided by expert academics and industry-active practitioners, you’ll build a compelling portfolio for a future-oriented career in the creative industries, including studio engineering, live sound, film, video games, broadcast, and acoustics.

JAMES

Our Audio & Music Technology course is accredited by JAMES (Joint Audio Media Education Support). Their trained assessors and accreditation panel members are working professionals with extensive knowledge and experience of today’s music and audio industry – so you can be sure our course will give you all the relevant skills you need for a successful career.

JAMES logo
Why ARU?
  • Join our community of graduates who engineer in studios, tour the world as live-sound production managers, or become successful entrepreneurs.

  • Work in industry-standard recording studios and audio/video production facilities supported by our technical team.

  • Learn from expert academics and industry-active practitioners.

  • Take an optional work placement year, or internships with our industry partners and practitioners.

  • Make the most of Cambridge’s diverse music scene with our links to local venues and groups.

  • Collaborate with students from other music courses to develop all-important skills for your professional life.

Logo: THE Awards 2023
 

Study at an award-winning university

We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.

Careers

Soundboard in a recording studio

Lecturers encourage and support cross-faculty communication so everyone can produce the best portfolio possible.

Clare, Audio and Music Technology graduate

Our Audio & Music Technology course equips you with a balanced, blended skillset, preparing you for many different career destinations.

As a JAMES-accredited graduate, you can join the JAMES Graduate Database after graduating to promote your skills and portfolio to potential employers.

You can develop your skills further by getting involved in the vibrant collaborative community across Cambridge School of Creative Industries, such as our cross-disciplinary CSCI Podcast team or in-house recording label.

Teaching and modules

You’ll jump straight into learning fundamental concepts of audio signals in analogue and digital systems. We'll cover topics like constructing and exploring audio effects, designing acoustical treatments, and using current AI audio tools.

In Year 2 you’ll cover the full breadth of studio engineering, learning to record sound using advanced stereophonic microphone techniques then shape and mix the material further.

Finally, you'll work toward becoming an independent audio expert, tackling an individual research- informed project, producing a compelling portfolio, and applying your audio expertise to a collaborative project with other graduating students.

Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.

Year 1
  • Core Skills for Audio
  • Studio Techniques
  • Acoustics
  • Live Sound
  • Into ARU
Year 2
  • Advanced Audio Technology
  • Ruskin Module (15 credits)
  • Audio for Film *
  • Audio for Games *
  • Audio Programming *
  • Electronics for Music *
  • Live Event Production *
  • Music Business *
Year 3
  • Collaborative Project
  • Final Project
  • Portfolio
Module details

To prepare you for university study, you can take a foundation year at the start of this course. Find out more about foundation years.

Year 1
  • Foundation in Engineering, Computing and Technology
Module details

You can choose to take an optional placement year as part of this course. Placements typically happen in Year 3, and your course will take four years overall. Find out more about placement years.

Placement year
  • Work Placement - Cambridge School of Creative Industries
Module details

Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.

Facilities

At ARU you'll use industry-standard creative facilities.

These include:

  • five recording studios featuring analogue, digital or hybrid mixing desks, all equipped with DAWs Pro Tools, Logic Pro, and Ableton Live and plenty of hardware outboard, software plug-ins and instruments
  • audio-visual studio
  • spacious recital hall, band rooms and practice rooms
  • electronic and orchestral instruments, including a range of synthesisers and five grand pianos
  • professional-grade condenser, ribbon, and dynamic microphones, recording equipment, and other cutting-edge technologies (Audio via ethernet, Wwise audio middleware for games).

Entry requirements

Fees and funding

Apply for Audio and Music Technology

Clearing places available

UK students, apply through Clearing for a September 2025 start

UK students

Call our Clearing line

01245 686868

UK students

Apply through UCAS for 2026

International students

Apply direct

Loading...