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Course Overview

This specialist degree enables you to develop the required industry production skills for a career in audio postproduction (film, TV, and animation), radio, and music.

Underpinned by theory and research, this programme enables you to think critically and creatively about sound. Our facilities, such as industry-standard recording and radio broadcast studios, sound theatre, and edit suites, allow you to get hands-on experience using industry-standard audio software such as Pro Tools, iZotope, Logic, and Adobe Suite. Previous students have pursued Master's degrees at institutions including the Berklee School of Music.

You can learn from an expert team made up of industry-connected professionals and academic researchers, as well as benefit from guest lectures and masterclasses delivered by industry experts. Previous guest lecturers include Andy Barlow (producer for U2), Tony Platt (recording engineer AC/DC), and Alannah Chance (producer BBC radio).

We have strong relationships with industry including a partnership with the iconic Abbey Road Studios in London. You can participate in workshops with industry professionals at Abbey Road Studios which may form an integral part of your learning and development. Our industry partnerships have led to students securing audio positions with the BBC, Channel 4, Sky, The Church Studios, Pinewood Studios, Fonic, and Sweet Justice Sound, as well as freelance roles.

1st

Music at Lincoln is ranked 1st in the UK for teaching*

*National Student Survey 2024

Why Choose Lincoln

Music at Lincoln is ranked 1st in the UK for teaching*

Opportunities to gain paid work experience on campus

Learn from staff and guest speakers directly connected to industry

Option to participate in sessions at Abbey Road Studios

Receive your own copy of Avid Pro Tools for the duration of the course

Industry-standard professional studios and edit suites

*National Student Survey 2024 (out of 68 ranking institutions)

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How You Study

On this course, students can develop their knowledge, theory, and practice of sound and music production. This culminates in their own independent projects (two advanced pieces of client-based practice work), along with an extended piece of academic work in the form of a dissertation.

In your first year, you will undertake a selection of core practical and theoretical modules to provide you with a solid foundation in sound as it applies to postproduction, radio, and music production. There will be opportunities for you to book our recording spaces for collaboration with students from film production, animation, journalism, and music.

In your second year, you can focus on your key areas of interest (post, radio, and/or music) through elective modules. Additionally, you will also prepare for your final-year dissertation through design of your major research project.

Your final year will enable you to bring together all of your previous creative, practical, and theoretical studies to produce two major client-based sound project portfolios, as well as complete your dissertation on your key area of interest.

For students who are interested in studying abroad, there may be the option to take part in an exchange programme in the USA. Please note that fees for the placement are included but travel, accommodation, and general living costs are the responsibility of the student.

We Visited Abbey Road Studios!

Our students were able to experience a day in the life of some of the world’s most eminent record producers and performers during their time at Abbey Road Studios. Industry professionals on hand to lend their support to the students included Abbey Road engineer Paul Pritchard. Paul has worked with some of the biggest recording artists in history, including Paul McCartney, Elton John and Freddie Mercury.

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Modules

Module Overview

Cultivating Creativity is a first-year interdisciplinary module designed to develop students' creative thinking and industry awareness. The module fosters curiosity, ideation, and practical application while equipping students with essential academic, creative and professional skills. Through engagement with contemporary issues, students will explore how these topics intersect with their chosen industry contexts.

Module Overview

In this module students will explore the development of music and audio culture through an eclectic range of case studies illustrating how situating music within diverse cultural contexts provides a broad and nuanced understanding of the role music plays in the lives of individuals, the formation of communities, and the influence on global culture. Through analytical and critical approaches, such as musicology, ethnography, socio-history, and psychology, the module aims to deepen students' comprehension of the myriad ways in which music can be studied, analysed, and comprehended.

Module Overview

This module aims to give you an opportunity to immerse yourself in a specialist area within the creative arts. The content of the module is shaped by the research and practice expertise of staff members who actively collaborate with and mentor you throughout your exploration of this specialist area. This ensures that you benefit from the latest insights and methodologies within the chosen specialist area, gaining a well-rounded understanding that integrates theoretical knowledge with practical application.

Module Overview

The Industry Placement Year is an exciting opportunity for students to take a year out of formal study to gain real-world experience in the creative industries. Whether you’re looking to build industry connections, develop professional skills, or explore career options, this year will give you a full-time, hands-on experience within an arts, cultural, or creative organisation.

This year is a collaborative experience between you, your employer, and the University—ensuring that you get the most out of your time in a professional setting.

Module Overview

Creative Futures is a final-year module designed to prepare students for the transition into professional life. Through guest talks, lectures, tutorials, and flexible online learning, students gain a critical understanding of creative careers and the wider labour market. The module focuses on key transferable skills such as emotional intelligence, resilience, digital literacy, critical thinking, leadership, and intercultural awareness. Students will reflect on their strengths, values, and goals, and emerge confident, career-ready, and equipped to thrive in diverse professional environments.


† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.

What You Need to Know

We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on where and what you want to study. In addition to the information provided on this course page, our What You Need to Know page offers explanations on key topics including programme validation/revalidation, additional costs, and contact hours.

We are JAMES accredited

We are excited to announce that our courses have received JAMES (Joint Audio Media Education Support) accreditation. This recognition from industry professionals ensures our students benefit from a curriculum that meets the highest standards of the music and media industries, ensuring they are well-prepared for their careers.

JAMES logo on sound mixing board.

How you are assessed

Assessment on this course is by a range of practical production projects both individually and within groups, and includes presentations and essays, reports, and case studies. The way students are assessed on this course may vary for each module, but there are no exams across the course.

The University of Lincoln's policy is to ensure that staff return assessments to students promptly.

Facilities

Students on this course have access to a range of specialist equipment, including two multi-channel recording studios for music and drama production; two dubbing theatres for audio post-production for film, TV, games, and animation; the University's digital audio platform; three radio production studios; music rehearsal rooms; and several audio edit suites with an extensive range of editing and audio processing software. High-end mobile kit is available for sound and field recording on location. All Sound and Music Production students can currently use Pro Tools software and have access to Ableton Live Suite and Adobe Creative Cloud software, including Audition, for the duration of their studies.

There may be opportunities throughout the course to volunteer for the University's digital audio platform, as well as potentially secure experience and paid work in live sound through our on-campus performance venue, The Engine Shed.

Find out more on the Film and Media subject webpage.

What I enjoyed the most was learning both theoretical concepts and professional practices. Each assignment allowed a personal approach where I collaborated creatively with students on other courses and outside the University, which helped with developing professional relationships.

What Can I Do with a Sound and Music Production Degree?

This course aims to equip graduates for a wide range of roles in music production, radio, film, and TV, games, animation, mobile and web applications, audio engineering, and audio event management. Lincoln graduates have gone on to work for the BBC, Channel 4, The Church Studios, Fonic audio post production, Sweet Justice Game Audio, Pinewood Studios, and Sky.

Award-winning Graduates

Congratulations to graduate Dan Hibbert for winning the ‘Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing' Verna Fields Award at the 70th Motion Picture Sound Editors Golden Reel Awards, for his work on the National Film and Television School graduate film 'Brutal'. Dan specialised in Sound Post-Production and went on to study this subject at postgraduate level at the National Film and Television School following his time at Lincoln.

MPSE logo besides a photo of a smiling man in a suit.

Entry Requirements 2026-27

United Kingdom

104 to 112 UCAS Tariff points.

This must be achieved from a minimum of 2 A Levels or equivalent Level 3 qualifications. For example:

A Level: BCC to BBC

BTEC Extended Diploma: Distinction Merit Merit

T Level: Merit Overall

Access to Higher Education Diploma: 104 to 112 UCAS points to be achieved from 45 Level 3 credits.

International Baccalaureate: 29 points overall.

GCSE's: Minimum of three at grade 4 or above, which must include English . Equivalent Level 2 qualifications may be considered.

The University accepts a wide range of qualifications as the basis for entry and do accept a combination of qualifications which may include A Levels, BTECs, Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).

We may also consider applicants with extensive and relevant work experience and will give special individual consideration to those who do not meet the standard entry qualifications.

International

Non UK Qualifications:

If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages

https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/ for information on equivalent qualifications.

EU and Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page

https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/

If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-sessional English and Academic Study Skills courses.

https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/pre-sessionalenglishandacademicstudyskills/

If you would like further information about entry requirements, or would like to discuss whether the qualifications you are currently studying are acceptable, please contact the Admissions team on 01522 886097, or email admissions@lincoln.ac.uk

Please note application assessment criteria may vary by country and we may close to applications from some domiciles. Please view the Your Country pages of our website before making an application.

Contextual Offers

At Lincoln, we recognise that not everybody has had the same advice and support to help them get to higher education. Contextual offers are one of the ways we remove the barriers to higher education, ensuring that we have fair access for all students regardless of background and personal experiences. For more information, including eligibility criteria, visit our Offer Guide pages. If you are applying to a course that has any subject specific requirements, these will still need to be achieved as part of the standard entry criteria.

Fees and Scholarships

Going to university is a life-changing step and it's important to understand the costs involved and the funding options available before you start. A full breakdown of the fees associated with this programme can be found on our course fees pages.

Course Fees

For eligible undergraduate students going to university for the first time, scholarships and bursaries are available to help cover costs. To help support students from outside of the UK, we are also delighted to offer a number of international scholarships which range from £1,000 up to the value of 50 per cent of tuition fees. For full details and information about eligibility, visit our scholarships and bursaries pages.

Course-Specific Additional Costs

Project costs can vary depending on the nature of the practical work chosen by the student. Students are asked to consider costs when proposing a project. There are funds currently available within the School to students at all levels to provide support with such projects.

Students are responsible for travel, accommodation, and general living costs while undertaking work experience, study abroad, or internships.

Find out More by Visiting Us

The best way to find out what it is really like to live and learn at Lincoln is to visit us in person. We offer a range of opportunities across the year to help you to get a real feel for what it might be like to study here.

Three students walking together on campus in the sunshine
The University intends to provide its courses as outlined in these pages, although the University may make changes in accordance with the Student Admissions Terms and Conditions.