The course is a two-year A-Level programme

We follow the AQA specification at Bilborough Sixth Form College. You’ll be taught in a dedicated dance studio, with a sprung floor, mirrored walls, and portable sound and lighting equipment. Practical exams take place in our wonderfully equipped Theatre. It is desirable, but not essential, that you have dance experience – and you must show enthusiasm, passion and a willingness to experiment with different styles. To strengthen your love for dance we facilitate workshops with companies such as Rambert Dance Company, Netherlands Dance Theatre and West End performers and theatre visits throughout the year, such as Move It, Amsterdam and London. If you’re serious about a career on the stage, or behind the scenes, this course may be taken alongside Drama and BTEC Extended Certificate in Performing Arts Level 3.

If you have a passion for sound, and would like to learn how to design it so that it is seamlessly integrated into media, products or environments, then this degree will help you develop an in-depth understanding and the practical skills needed to design and evaluate effective sound for listeners.

This course will teach you the techniques to create new sounds that coexist with dialogue and music to support a wide variety of media and applications. The underlying principles of linear and interactive media are also addressed, as well as products and environments to maximise potential employment.

Throughout your studies you can specialise in your chosen discipline, and then work towards creating an appropriate portfolio, whilst gaining valuable contacts who could help you during your transition from study to a professional career.

A mix of assignments and projects will give you the chance to collaborate with students on Acting, Digital Media, Film, Games Development and Television degrees.

Studying Sound Design will allow you to collaborate with students on Acting, Digital Media, Film, Games, Journalism, Television, UX and Web degrees.

We also have an extensive range of online guest lectures from internationally recognised Sound Designers.

This degree encourages you to work with music and sound in exciting new ways. You will develop an impressive portfolio of technical and creative skills to prepare you for music-related careers. These include music production, audio engineering, sound and interaction design, music composition for film and TV, and sound art.

• Study in a vibrant, dynamic department with internationally recognised staff who share your passion for music.
• Train in cutting-edge facilities, including advanced recording and composition studios, as well as performance and practice spaces.
• Explore a wide range of subjects, such as music recording, studio production, composition, interactive music, acoustics, psychoacoustics, sound synthesis, and digital signal processing.
• Engage in music-making activities, from student ensembles and regular concerts to a summer music festival.
• Learn in a research-driven environment featuring world-class studios and recording facilities.
• Develop modern technical skills in digital and audio technologies.
• Collaborate with fellow students from across the Performing Arts department.
• Join the ranks of past students who have completed placements with renowned organisations like Les Miserables and the London Philharmonic.

Produce the perfect sounds in cutting-edge studios and collaborate with the community of creatives out of Southampton’s vibrant music scene.

Solent’s music production programme is ideally suited to students who want to combine that unique mix of technical and musical skills, while developing an understanding of the industries that await them. Applicants should previously have studied music technology or a related subject, or be able to demonstrate some music making experience.

Recent graduates have gone on to work in diverse areas such as live sound, game audio, recording studios, film and television sound, and technical support – working at organisations such as Bang Post-Production, Sony Music, Envy Post-Production, Global Documentary, Columbia Records, Metropolis Studios, EMI Music Licensing and Stage Miracles.