Foundation DegreeMusic and Sound for Digital Arts (Performance & Production) Validated by The Open University
Qualifications
Foundation Degree in Music & Sound for Digital Arts (Performance) - Validated by The Open University
Overview
Foundation Degree in Music and Sound for Digital Arts (Performance & Production) Validated by The Open University
Please note that the programme title is subject to formal approval by The Open University.
The music and sound business is going through a transformation. Longstanding careers are adapting to welcome creative enterprises demanding abilities in music creation and sound manipulation. Here in Northern Ireland the broadcast, cinema, theatre, gaming and immersive experience sectors are booming. There is a wealth of opportunities in Belfast and beyond for multi-talented, digitally fluent, vibrant and flexible music and sound makers, who can propose and showcase pioneering concepts in current and compelling ways.
Course overview
The Foundation Degree in Sound and Music for Media at Belfast Met, which is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland, meets those needs, empowering learners to thrive in this landscape. During your time on the course you will have the chance to meet and receive feedback from industry professionals and key stakeholders within the sound and music industries and with employability deeply integrated into this programme, you will have a broad range of opportunities to develop and apply a variety of specialised technical and creative skills in sound and music production, cooperating within interdisciplinary projects modelled on professional practice in the media business.
Why choose our programme?
This unique course will equip graduates with the technical and creative skills needed for careers in the music and sound industry, where they can compose scores, design soundscapes, performance, and produce audio content for films, TV, video games, social media and advertisements, and also provide progression to relevant degrees in the UK, Ireland or abroad.
What you will gain:
This course is offering you a unique opportunity to develop and apply specialist skills in collaborative industry-focused projects. You will develop a range of practical skills and techniques, and collaboration skills, while developing an understanding of the professional, cultural, social, and technological contexts of your practice.
Key areas of study:
The course focuses on music composition techniques, sound design, music theory and post-production for media applications. The program combines core production skills, cutting-edge technologies, and a specific emphasis on creating music and sound content for media. It is also expected that students will be prepared theoretically and practically for progression to appropriate degree level courses.
Content:
Module 1 – Screenworks: Crafting Cinematic Music and Sound
Module 2 – Behind the Scenes: Fundamentals of Music for Linear Media
Module 3 – On Air: Crafting Music and Sound for Broadcast and Live Events
Module 4 – Beyond the Screen: Exploring Music for Broadcast and Performance Media
Module 5 – Level up! Crafting Music and Sound for Interactive Media
Module 6 – Inside New Realities: Exploring Music and Sound for Interactive Media
Module 7 – Work Based Learning
Module 8 – Professional Portfolio
Audio creation modules cover music production, software, compositional techniques, sound design, performance, sound recording, broadcast and live sound engineering and more.
Context modules cover orchestration, arrangement, music business, project management, history of music in film/TV, music theory and more.
Join us today and transform your computing foundation into a thriving career in the world of Music and Sound for Media. Your journey begins here at Belfast Met!
Ready to take your career to the next level in Music and Sound for Media? Explore our public documents to learn more about our validated awards and regulations:
OU Handbooks and Regulations can be found under the Higher Education section of our public documents.
Regulations for validated awards of The Open University
Student's guide to studying on a programme validated by The Open University
Applications to this course can be made through UCAS using code U427. If you haven’t started a UCAS application yet, and only want to apply to Belfast Met, you can apply directly to us using "Apply Now" option and we will process a UCAS application on your behalf. IMPORTANT: Applicants must only choose one method of application.
80 UCAS points that must include a music qualification (eg. GCSE Music or above, BTEC Level 2/3, performance or theory qualification at Grade 4/5 or above)
Minimum entry requirements are pre-defined by the College’s admissions criteria, which can be found by visiting our entry criteria page on this link
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) for HE Courses
APL allows you to use evidence from prior learning or experience to gain entry onto a course at Belfast Met. Belfast Met will work with you to make sure that relevant learning or work experience is formally recognised through the APL Process. For more information see Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) Process - Guidance for applicants. If you would like more information, or if you decide you would like to use the APL process, please contact the Course Co-ordinator. Contact details are provided at the end of these slides and on the course details page on Belfast Met website.
Fees:
Academic period 2026*:
Tuition Fee = £3235.00
Academic period 2027*:
Tuition Fee = £3235.00
Fees are payable annually.
*The fees have not been finalised and may be subject to change.
Visit our Student Funding page here to find out how to fund your studies
All fees are set in accordance with DfE regulations.
Please contact the student loan company if you require a loan or our Funding Team by emailing studentfunding@belfastmet.ac.uk for other options.
Whenever possible, we make our assessment methods as practical, with written components primarily being used to reinforce technical understanding and personally reflect on own performance. However, research is a core component to the development of any skillset, and so will be tested through written assessment alongside academic writing skills appropriate to the foundation degree level.
Careers
The course focuses on music composition techniques, sound design, music theory and post-production for media applications. The program combines core production skills, cutting-edge technologies, and a specific emphasis on creating music and sound content for media. It is also expected that students will be prepared theoretically and practically for progression to appropriate degree level courses.
Interests
- Audio Assets - Music production, software, composition techniques, sound design, performance, sound recording, broadcast engineering.
- Musical Elements and cultural context – Orchestration, arrangement, music business, project management, history of music in film/TV, music theory.
- Work Based Learning.
- Professional Portfolio.
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