Media and Music Production

Media and Music Production - BA (Hons)

Are you interested in the evolution of media and the impact and role of music in the creative industries? Media and Music Production at Keele combines the theoretical and practical understanding of two creative subjects, enabling you to develop and demonstrate your skills using a wide range of equipment. Gain industry knowledge and become experienced with studio facilities, preparing you for a career aligned to your graduate aspirations and technical skill-set.

We are in the process of refreshing our curriculum for the 2025/26 academic year to reflect best practices and the latest advancements in academia. New course content and modules will be available on this course page in Autumn 2024.

Year of entry

2025 - for 2025 entry see here - for 2024 entry see here

Course type

Combined Honours

Location

Keele University campus

Subject area / School

School of Humanities

UCAS code

PJ40

Duration of study

3 years / 4 years with international or placement year

Enquire about this course Clearing vacancies and entry requirements 2024 Book an open day Chat to students

Why study Media and Music Production at Keele University?

On-demand access to the Media Building – gain practical skills using film, sound and image production facilities

Benefit from our Apple MacBook Loan Scheme throughout your degree

Film Studies and Media at Keele is ranked Top 10 in England for student positivity* NSS 2023 (Broad-based universities) *based on overall student satisfaction, which is an average score across 27 questions asked in the NSS

Work placement opportunities to enhance your career prospects and network with industry partners

Graduate with a substantial music and audio portfolio using industry standard software and hardware

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Course overview

Studying a combined honours degree in Media and Music Production at Keele is a great combination for creative individuals who wish to blend their practical abilities with their understanding of contemporary forms of communication.

Media and Music Production encourages you to explore the developments of media over time and apply your learning to consider influential factors such as culture and technology. You will explore media in the context of business, politics and history and will review and analyse a range of media forms such as social media and the news. This provides insight into the various aspects of digital media, allowing you to critically evaluate the evolution of content and ideas.

Combining Media and Music Production, encourages you to examine the cultural contexts in which sound is produced for and consumed in various media forms. You will engage with research and actively develop effective skills in written and verbal communication as well as creative presentation methods to showcase your learning. With this, you will have the opportunity to get involved with a number of exciting activities such as broadcasting, photography, film making and sound recording; equipping you with skills to produce high quality media content.

Throughout this programme, you will build a portfolio of skills in media and music, that will assist you to pursue your career ambitions in the creative industries, such as TV, radio, film and games. You will be taught by staff with research expertise in a range of specialisms in the School of Humanities, building knowledge and technical skills in music, such as:

Sound recording
Audio design
Digital sampling
Music Programming
Mixing
Mastering
Audio software/hardware
Digital audio in studios/productions

These experiences will allow you to demonstrate your skill set and apply your learning in a creative setting, using industry-standard equipment. Music encourages you to explore current trends and topics, combining your theoretical knowledge and practical experience. You will also work with others to develop and collaborate on projects, learning how to build good working relationships, that will benefit you when entering employment. Having explored a diverse range of contexts of music and sounds, you will be equipped with a wide range of skills that will help to prepare you for a career of your choice.

Work Placements

Having the opportunity to undertake a placement is a valuable experience which will enable you to demonstrate and develop your skill set further. Through this course you will become a creative individual with the ability to critically evaluate, synthesise and produce content effectively through various methods.

There may be an option to do a work placement module. This could provide you with a platform to work within an organisation, and further develop your professional skills. You will identify an organisation based on your interests, with the guidance of the module tutors, and will spend a semester engaging with projects and tasks set out by the employer, as well as taught sessions at university.

This may include working at a local radio station, the city council, local football club or film and marketing agencies. Recent student placements include production assistant at a film production company and social media content creator for a charity. Keele Media graduate Kimberley Columbo, now Brand Manager of Nescafé in Amsterdam, told us that her final year work placement at BBC Radio Stoke opened up opportunities that led to her current role.

You will also have the opportunity to apply for a Work Placement Year that allows you to apply your knowledge and prepare for employment after university. This opportunity will enable you to build confidence in the workplace and demonstrate your abilities in a professional environment, using the skills you have gained throughout your degree programme. You will be supported to prepare for your placement with advice on CV writing and cover letters, as well as the chance to attend Q&A workshops to discuss individual experiences with alumni and employers. This is a valuable, character-building experience where you will develop both personally and professionally.

Apple MacBook Loan Scheme

Our Apple MacBook Loan Scheme ensures that all Music Production students have equal access to high quality resources to support learning. As a Music Production student, you will be provided with an Apple MacBook for the full duration of your degree, at no cost to yourself*. Pre-installed with the necessary software required for your studies, the loan scheme allows you to optimise your learning experience and engage with industry-standard hardware.

*a charge will be made in the event of loss or damage to the MacBook.

Study Abroad

International Year

Enhance your career prospects with an International Year at one of our partner institutions. Utilising this opportunity between 2nd and 3rd year can help in your employment search to stand out from the crowd and broaden your horizons, potentially working across the globe.

On successful completion of all modules across the year, you will graduate with an enhanced degree title. This can be highly beneficial for your career prospects and through experiencing different cultures; you will not only grow as an individual, but you will also strengthen your knowledge and interests within society. You can find more information here.

Alternatively, you may choose to study abroad for just a semester in your second year which will count towards your second-year grades. Our Global Opportunities team will support you through the process, ensuring you are able to get the most out of your international experience.

Learn a Language

Discover languages at Keele, whether you are a complete beginner or already have a foundation of knowledge; we offer a flexible and guided route to developing your skills. We currently offer British Sign Language, Mandarin Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish.

Related courses

Next steps

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"I had an exceptional experience during my internship. Developing project management skills, learning, producing a premiered documentary about the impact of the YMCA Crewe team during the COVID pandemic. This led to being a finalist in the ‘Best Intern’ category at the National Undergraduate Employability (NUE) Awards 2022. The Keele Media programme has built my confidence, pushed me out of my comfort zone by continually presenting me with opportunities to formulate and express my creative ideas, all with supportive lecturers, ensuring my excellence in chosen projects. Practical Modules, especially, have been outstanding for me."

Abasiama, Media, Communications and Creative Practice

Teaching Excellence Framework GOLD

Keele University has been awarded the highest rating of gold in the teaching excellence framework (TEF), 2023. The TEF assessment identifies excellence in the educational experience and outcomes of our students, focusing on all undergraduate courses and students.

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Course structure

Modules for Media and Music Production

The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are subject to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods, as well as student voice. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.

Compulsory Modules

Optional Modules

Compulsory Modules

Optional Modules

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Music production facilities at Keele University

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Additional opportunities

Foundation year Learn a language Placement year International year Study abroad GCP Elective Pathways Explore more

There are a range of additional opportunities available when studying this course.
Please note, undertaking one may impact upon the availability of another.

Entry requirements

The following section details our typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If you don’t see your qualifications listed, please contact us to find out if we can accept your qualifications. If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course via a Foundation Year.

Typical offer

Please ensure that you read the full entry requirements by selecting your qualifications from the dropdown menu below. This will include any subject specific, GCSE/Level 2 Maths, and English language requirements you may need.

A Level: BBC

BTEC: DMM

T Level: Merit

Please select your qualification from the drop-down list below for the full entry requirement information

A Level

BBC in three A Levels.

Contextual Offer: CCC in three A Levels.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

BTEC Extended Diploma / National Extended Diploma

DMM in any BTEC Extended Diploma / National Extended Diploma.

Contextual Offer: MMM in any BTEC Extended Diploma / National Extended Diploma.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

BTEC National Diploma / Diploma

Distinction and Merit in any BTEC National Diploma / Diploma and C in one A Level, or Merit and Merit in BTEC Diploma and A in one A Level.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

BTEC National Extended Certificate / Subsidiary Diploma

Distinction in any BTEC National Extended Certificate / Subsidiary Diploma and CC in two A Levels, or Merit in any BTEC National Extended Certificate / Subsidiary Diploma and BB in two A Levels.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

T Level

Merit in any T Level.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

International Baccalaureate Diploma

554 in three Higher Levels or 29 points.

Contextual Offer: 444 in three Higher levels or 27 points.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme

We encourage applications with the IBCP but recognise that your combination of qualifications may differ depending on where you are studying.

If you are taking a BTEC National Diploma / Diploma with one or more Higher Levels, your offer will be similar to our BTEC + A level offer (see 'BTEC National Diploma / Diploma') but with an HL requirement of 6 for A, 5 for B, or 4 for C.

For any other combination, please contact the University Admissions Team for advice.

Access to HE Diploma

112 UCAS points in any Access to HE Diploma including Distinction in at least 15 Level 3 credits.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Welsh Baccalaureate / Bagloriaeth Cymru

The Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate is equivalent to one full A Level at the same grade and can be included alongside 2 other A Levels in a standard A Level offer for this course (see A Level). All subject specific requirements will still need to be met.

Scotland - Highers and Advanced Highers

BCCCC in five Highers, or CD in two Advanced Highers and CC in two Highers, or CCD in three Advanced Highers.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

If you have B or higher in the EPQ and are studying A Levels, BTEC, the International Baccalaureate Diploma, or an Access to HE Diploma, you will typically receive an alternative offer which will be lower than the standard offer. Please see 'Alternative and contextual offers' below.

Core Maths

If you have B or higher in Core Maths and are studying A Levels, BTEC, the International Baccalaureate, or an Access to HE Diploma, you will typically receive an alternative offer which will be lower than the standard offer. Please see 'Alternative and contextual offers' below.

Ireland - Leaving Certificate

H3, H4, H4, H4, H4, H4 in the Irish Leaving Certificate.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

China - Gaokao

70% in the Gaokao.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

India - Standard XII

Average of 65% from four subjects in the ICSE, CBSE or Western Bengal Standard XII, or average of 70% from four subjects in any other Standard XII.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Germany - Abitur

2.4 overall average in the Abitur.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

France - Baccalaureate

12 in the French Baccalaureate/International Option Baccalaureate/Baccalauréate Français International.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Hong Kong - Diploma

443 from two electives and one core subject in the HKDSE.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Spain - Bachillerato

Overall average of 7 in the Título de Bachillerato.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Italy - Diploma di Esame di Stato

75% in the Esame di Stato.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Cyprus - Apolytirion

17.5 / 83% in the Apolytirion.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Portugal

Overall average of 15 in a Secondary Certificate.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Canada - Diploma

60% / BCCCC in five courses in the Grade 12 Diploma.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Kenya - KCSE / Diploma

We do not accept the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele.

We may accept a two year Diploma. Please contact the University Admissions Team for advice.

Nigeria - Senior School Certificate / OND

We do not accept the Senior School Certificate (WAEC or NECO) for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele.

We may accept an Ordinary National Diploma with GPA of 2.5 or a Merit / Lower Credit. Please contact the University Admissions Team for advice.

USA - Advanced Placement

443 from three Advanced Placement subjects.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Ghana

We do not accept the West African Senior School Certificate Examination for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele.

Sri Lanka - Advanced Level

BBC in three Advanced Levels.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Malaysia - STPM

BBC in three Principal Level subjects in the STPM.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Pakistan - Secondary School Certificate

We do not accept the Secondary School Certificate for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele.

Singapore - A Levels (H2)

BBC in three H2 Levels.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

European Baccalaureate

70% overall.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

NCUK

Pass NCUK Foundation Year with BBC and a C in EAP English Language module.

Uganda - Advanced Certificate of Education

BBC in three Principal Level subjects in the Advanced Certificate of Education.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Zimbabwe - Advanced Level GCE

BBC in three Advanced Level subjects.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

English language requirements

All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from Group A.

Alternative and contextual offers

We're committed to ensuring equality of opportunity to all our applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. That's why we operate a range of alternative offer schemes with clear eligibility criteria, including contextual offers, offers for those studying within the Keele region, and recognising a range of additional qualifications in your offer.

General information

The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer which would be made to candidates, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application.

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Your future career

95% of Keele students are in employment or further study within 15 months of finishing their studies (HESA Graduate Outcomes, 2019/20)

Enhance your employability

As a Media and Music Production graduate, you will have an array of practical experience and a strong understanding of subject matter, ideally placing you for employment, or further training within the creative industries. You will be equipped to apply your skills in the workplace environment across a range of different sectors, including sound recording, music production, film making, audio streaming, and broadcasting. Your experience will assist you to pursue a future in the public arts, teaching, postgraduate studies/academia or as an independent musician/artist.

You may wish to explore a career in:

Theatre
Sound engineering
Sound Mixing
Mastering
Television
Marketing
Public Relations
Public Arts
Journalism
Broadcasting
Business
Education
Further study

At Keele, there are also a range of internships available for you to apply for, that will enable you to gain real work experience with employers. This may involve full time or part time positions and roles that will allow you to gain a head start in your career.

Having the opportunity to take an internship will develop your practical skills in industries you may wish to pursue after graduation and the chance to engage with paid work during your time at university and beyond. You will be supported by staff and will be able to discuss your options to tailor your interests and career aspirations.

Media students have secured various roles in video production and other content creation for both local businesses, charities and national companies. These include Stoke Football Club, BBC Radio Stoke, NHS and Astrazeneca.

Keele graduates have gone on to successful careers in a range of industries and organisations including:

Senior Audio Director at the UK Studio of video game publisher Electronic Arts, London
Sound designer for SMA Animation Studios
Creative Labs European Developer Relations Group
Developer for Electronic Arts
Radio Producer at BBC Radio 3
Editor at Cambridge University Press.
Founder and Manager of Amadeus Music Academy, Stoke-On-Trent
Pro-Dean of Learning and Teaching in the School of Music at the University of Leeds

Keele’s Careers and Employability team (Shortlisted for Best University Careers Employment Service - National Undergraduate Employability Awards, 2021), offers a variety of personal and career development opportunities to enhance your employability.

From mock interviews, careers guidance and CV advice, to careers fairs, alumni mentoring and networking events, along with helping you find part-time and graduate employment - the team will support you throughout your studies and beyond.

Find out more about our careers and employability services, including career planning, alumni mentoring, jobs, internships, starting your own business and much more.

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Facilities

You will benefit from the use of dedicated teaching spaces including a specially equipped screening room. If you choose to take practical modules in Media, you will also have access to filmmaking equipment, providing the opportunity to gain hands-on experience to practice your skills and create a portfolio of work. You will learn how to use equipment and build your skill set throughout the process, including editing; building a portfolio of work ready to showcase to employers.

Media Building

The Media Building hosts specialised editing suites and facilities, open for you to implement and challenge your practical skills alongside your theoretical learning.

You will have regular access to our photographic studio, screening room featuring a small cinema, and Apple Macintosh labs. This will help to develop your editing skills further and enhance your employability prospects having used specialist equipment as well as Nikon and Canon cameras.

Clockhouse

At Keele, you will enjoy the use of designated teaching spaces and may study in our beautiful 19th-century Clockhouse and have access to comprehensive studio facilities. There are six key areas housing equipment for sound recording, music production, computer music, audio-visual creative work, sound design, and music software development.

Two purpose-built studios for sound recording, mixing and mastering – one of which has a Voice Over booth (VO booth) and it is specialised for live recording and PA system, foley and general sound design recording and mastering.
Two high-spec music production and sound design studios with AV equipment and surround sound speaker system – 5.1 and 8.1.
Six practice rooms, one of which is dedicated for drummers, popular music and jazz practice rooms with drum kit, PA system, keyboards and guitar/bass amplification.
A computer lab (Studio Garage) for workshops and also used by students to work on their projects.

Courtyard Studio

Keele has expanded its music facilities with a new multi-purpose studio for live sound recording, mixing and mastering, equipped with cutting-edge technology. Our Courtyard Studio is home to a control room with Dolby Atmos multi-speaker audio system, a live room with foley recording facility, voiceover booth, and a band rehearsal room.

Our facilities provide the opportunity to explore emerging technologies and techniques, encouraging innovation in studio production and developing skills across music design, performance and recording.

Keele University Library

Our on-campus library holds a wide range of written and visual material that you will have access to for your course. There are also designated study spaces for individual or group work which will be useful when completing your theoretical work and having the space to share ideas with peers. This can be a useful time to brainstorm ideas, work on storyboarding and editing content.

Foundation year

Our Foundation Year provides an excellent alternative route to Keele, providing a unique opportunity to better prepare for your chosen degree, and with guaranteed entry onto your undergraduate course once you successfully complete your Foundation Year.

This extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge, give you a better understanding of higher education and, perhaps most importantly of all, build your confidence.

Keele University is consistently ranked among the top universities for student satisfaction, and we have over 70 years' experience of teaching a foundation year to students. On the Keele Foundation Year, you'll study on campus, joining our undergraduate community from the outset, with access to all the facilities and support that you'd get as an undergraduate student at Keele.

The information in this Foundation Year section is for UK/Home applicants. Where an international Foundation Year is available, please see the 'Information for international students' tab.

The information within this section is for students wishing to start their studies in September. If you would like to start this course in January, please visit our January pages for further details.

Course content

Our Foundation Year allows you to develop your critical thinking, academic reading, writing, and communication study skills along with subject-specific knowledge and skills which will be invaluable in your academic studies and beyond. Upon meeting the progression criteria and successfully completing our Foundation Year, you will automatically progress into your Keele undergraduate degree with the confidence that you have the skills, and knowledge needed to successfully complete your course.

This Foundation Year is a two-semester programme which provides a tailored pre-degree programme of study to better prepare you for the BA (Hons) Media and Music Production degree. For example, the Foundations of Humanities 1 module introduces you to the broad range of source material across the Humanities disciplines - from media to history which enables us to analyse political, social or economic perspectives and attitudes to individuals, marginal groups and 'mainstream' society. Course content has been developed in collaboration with degree teaching teams, so that by the time you begin Year 1, you will be ready to excel at your studies, as the majority of our Foundation Year students do.

Find out more about the Keele Foundation Year, including information about teaching and assessment methods by visiting the Foundation Year homepage.

Course structure

The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.

Semester one modules

FYO-00247	Foundations: Breaking the code - Understanding Academic Writing	15 credits
FYO-00249	Foundations of Business - 1	15 credits
FYO-00257	Foundations of Humanities - 1	15 credits
FYO-00259	Foundations of Humanities - 2	15 credits

Semester two modules

FYO-00271	University Research Portfolio	30 credits
FYO-00261	Advancing Humanities	30 credits

Entry requirements

The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the likely offer or range of offers which would be made to candidates along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate’s application. Read more about our undergraduate entry requirements.

Between 40-48 UCAS tariff points from at least 1 A level/level 3 qualification, or relevant work experience

AND

GCSE English Language at grade 4 (C), or Level 2 Functional Skills
IELTS 5.5 (with 5.5 in all subtests)

AND

GCSE Mathematics at Grade 4 (C) or
A Level 2 numeracy qualification such as Key Skills Application of Number Level 2 or Functional Skills Numeracy Level 2

How to apply

Students will need to apply for Music Production with Foundation Year (UCAS code J932) through UCAS at www.ucas.com

Direct entry

If you already have your qualifications, are not expecting any further results and only wish to apply to Keele, please contact the Admissions Office directly.

The information in this Foundation Year section is for UK/Home applicants. Where an international Foundation Year is available, please see the 'Information for international students' tab.

We also offer a January start for some of our Foundation Year courses. Adopting a blended learning approach, the January start is particularly useful for students wishing to return to education following time out of studying, or who are seeking a flexible approach to their Foundation Year studies. Our January start is available across most of our Science, Humanities, Social Science, Health and Business courses.

Whilst still being a full-time course, our blended delivery model combines live teaching sessions - both online and on-campus - with self-directed study, enabling you to predominantly study at a time that suits your lifestyle. You will benefit from weekly online taught sessions which encourage you to engage with your teachers and peers.

In addition to online study there will be a series of full study days that you will be required to attend throughout each semester. These sessions may include lab-based activities, group work, review of course and assessment materials studied online. They will emphasise opportunities for you to deepen your knowledge and understanding of your chosen route.

Please refer to the September start tab for more information about the entry requirements and what you will study. The modules that you will take on a January start Foundation Year will be similar to those for the September start, but on a compressed timescale and tailored to a blended learning approach (with the majority of learning taking place online).

For more information, including fees, the UCAS code for this course, how to apply, and how you will be taught, please visit our January Start Foundation Year webpage.

Our International Foundation Year is delivered on campus through Keele University International College (KUIC). Find out more about the International Foundation Year options on the KUIC website.

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