BA Music Production with Foundation Year
About this course
BA (Hons) in Music Production with Foundation Year, an undergraduate degree focused on the technical and creative aspects of recording, composition, and sound production. Core topics include Research Methods, Critical & Analytical Thinking, and Design & Creative Practice. The programme includes a compulsory foundation year, an optional placement year, and an optional year abroad. The course begins with a foundation year covering Creative Studies, Creative Technologies, Creative Arts Skills, Creative Project, Developing Practice, and Academic Skills and Personal Development. Year 1 introduces foundational concepts through Commercial Composition, Music Industry and Society, Music Theory For Production, and Studio Production Techniques. Year 2 advances technical and creative competence via Composing for Commission, Music Business Studies, Spatial Sound and Music Perception, and Creative Technologies. The final stage culminates in independent work through the Production Portfolio, Creative Project, and Research Project, alongside placement learning.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
UCAS tariff: 72 A level: DDD T Level: Pass BTEC: MMP GCSE: GCSE Maths and English are preferred, however if you don't have these qualifications you will be able to undertake Maths and English at Level 2 as part of your course of study. Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 30, Pass: 15 English language: IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)
What students say
Based on about 17 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 97%
- Learning opportunities: 86%
- Assessment and feedback: 90%
- Academic support: 100%
- Organisation and management: 88%
- Learning resources: 87%
- Student voice: 93%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 70%
- Left higher education: 30%
What graduates do next
Based on about 35 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 90%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Engineering professionals: 55%
- Process, plant and machine operatives: 10%
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionals: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 5%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 70%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 210 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 6%
- East Midlands: 52%
- West Midlands: 14%
- East of England: 9%
- London: 4%
- South East: 7%
- South West: 2%
- Wales: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 95%
- Other qualifications: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by Joint Audio Media Education Services (JAMES) on behalf of Audio Technology, Music, Recording, Music Production, Games, Media and Audio Post Production Industries.
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Placement Learning and Professional Development
- Creative Studies
- Creative Technologies
- Creative Arts Skills
- Creative Project
- Developing Practice
- Academic Skills and Personal Development
- Commercial Composition
- Music Industry and Society
- Music Theory For Production
- Studio Production Techniques
- Composing for Commission
- Music Business Studies
- Spatial Sound and Music Perception
- Creative Technologies
- Production Portfolio
- Creative Project
- Research Project
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Music Production with Foundation Year at University of Derby earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £27,000 after 3 years, £32,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £25,000 and £40,500. The £32,000 median after five years is £5,000 more than the UK median for Technology (other).
What do graduates of BA Music Production with Foundation Year at University of Derby do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Music Production with Foundation Year at University of Derby?
97% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Music Production with Foundation Year at University of Derby?
The typical offer is DDD at A level. The average entrant had 116 UCAS points.
Is BA Music Production with Foundation Year at University of Derby accredited?
Yes. Accredited by Joint Audio Media Education Services (JAMES) on behalf of Audio Technology, Music, Recording, Music Production, Games, Media and Audio Post Production Industries.
Does BA Music Production with Foundation Year at University of Derby include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Music Production with Foundation Year at University of Derby?
70% of students continued into their second year, and 30% left higher education.