BA Music and Sound Design
Manchester Metropolitan University
About this course
BA (Hons) in Music, blending creative composition with technical sound production. Core topics include research methods, critical and analytical thinking, ethics and professional practice, and design and creative practice. The programme offers an optional foundation year. A final-year independent project is showcased at a degree show alongside work from students in games design, filmmaking, animation, and multimedia production.
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
A level: BCC IB: IB Diploma with minimum 26 points overall or 104 UCAS Tariff points from three Higher Level subjects. If you plan to meet the Level 2 course requirements through your IB Diploma you will need to achieve Higher Level 4 or Standard Level 5 in English
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What students say
Based on about 20 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 93%
- Learning opportunities: 92%
- Assessment and feedback: 96%
- Academic support: 96%
- Organisation and management: 96%
- Learning resources: 91%
- Student voice: 87%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 30 students who started
- Continued on course: 70%
- Left higher education: 30%
What graduates do next
Based on about 43 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 78%
- Working and studying: 9%
- Further study: 1%
- Unemployed: 8%
Most common jobs
- Elementary occupations: 23%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 21%
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations: 12%
- Teaching Professionals: 12%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 8%
- Find their work meaningful: 60%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 45%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 165 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 42%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 8%
- East Midlands: 6%
- West Midlands: 13%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 12%
- South East: 2%
- South West: 4%
- Wales: 2%
- Scotland: 2%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 35 students who started
- A levels: 90%
- Access course: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
- No formal qualifications: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Audio Production
- Interactive Learning Skills and Communication
- Sound Design
- Creative Strategies in Music and Sound
- Fundamentals of Composition
- Studio Engineering and Production
- Speculative Futures
- Game Audio
- Music and Sound for Film
- Applied Research
- Generative Music and Sound Design
- Independent Project
- Industry Practice
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Music and Sound Design at Manchester Metropolitan University earn?
The median salary is £23,000 after 15 months, £18,500 after 3 years, £22,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £17,500 and £27,000. The £22,500 median after five years is £2,000 less than the UK median for Music.
What do graduates of BA Music and Sound Design at Manchester Metropolitan University do next?
88% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Music and Sound Design at Manchester Metropolitan University?
93% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Music and Sound Design at Manchester Metropolitan University?
The typical offer is BCC at A level, or 26 points in the IB. The average entrant had 127 UCAS points.
Does BA Music and Sound Design at Manchester Metropolitan University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year.
How many students continue on BA Music and Sound Design at Manchester Metropolitan University?
70% of students continued into their second year, and 30% left higher education.