Creative Music Technology BA (Hons)
Combine musical creativity and technology to compose, design, and produce in a collaborative and creative environment.
Key information
UCAS code:
W375
Typical offer:
112-120 points from 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, to include a relevant subject
Showing content for section Overview
Overview
Explore how music and technology come together to shape the future of sound on this dynamic BA (Hons) Creative Music Technology course.
You’ll develop your skills in composition, sound design, and music production while working in professional studios and alongside students from related disciplines.
Whether you’re creating immersive soundscapes for games, designing sound for film, composing and producing new music, or exploring new performance technologies, you’ll graduate ready to take your place in the creative industries.
Course highlights
- Develop your creativity by combining music skills with modern technology
- Create music and sound design for film, TV, and games
- Use world-class recording and production facilities, including the Neve Genesys Black G96 and Dolby Atmos Surround Sound Studio
- Collaborate with students from other creative disciplines to enhance your creative projects
Top 30
for student satisfaction
(Times Higher Education, 2024)
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsEntry requirements
BA (Hons) Creative Music Technology degree entry requirements
Typical offers
- 112-120 points from 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, to include a relevant subject
You may need to have studied specific subjects – find full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.
Selection process
Applicants without a relevant subject or experience will be asked to provide a portfolio to support their application.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
We look at more than just your grades
While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.
Your facilities
Centre for Creative and Immersive Extended Reality (CCIXR)
Create stunning works for film, TV, music, gaming and immersive reality in the UK's first integrated facility of its kind.
Music and Sound Recording Studios
Our high-end professional music studio complex houses three studios, two live rooms, editing rooms, and a vocal booth.
Careers and opportunities
You'll be entering a field that's constantly creating new outlets for new music - from television and art installations to digital media and interactive applications. When you graduate with experience of the practices, technologies and outlets for your music, you'll be able to show your readiness for careers across the creative media sector.
Graduate roles
Roles you could work in include:
- composer
- performing musician
- recording artist
- music producer
- music technology lecturer
- musical technician
- sound editor
- sound designer
- studio manager
- studio engineer
- music teacher
- game audio professionals (composition and sound design)
Modules
Indicative modules
- Composing through Technology
- Creative Computing for Music and Sound
- Music in Context
- Sound Design
- Studio Recording Fundamentals
- Studio Recording Practice
- Applied Music Technology Project
- Composition Portfolio
- Recording and Production Techniques
- Music Technology in Performance
- Sound Design and Music for Games
- Final Year Project
- Free Composition
- Implementing Game Audio
- Professional Studio Practice
- Collaborative Sound Project
- Spatial Audio
- Composition for Visual Media
- Music and Sound Synthesis
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
How you'll spend your time
One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.
We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies. As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.
A typical week
We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for your BA (Hons) Creative Music Technology degree. In your first year, you’ll be in timetabled teaching activities such as lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials for about 12 hours a week. The rest of the time you’ll do independent study such as research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group with others from your course. You'll probably do more independent study and have less scheduled teaching in years 2 and 3, but this depends on which modules you choose.
Most timetabled teaching takes place during the day, Monday to Friday. You may occasionally need to go to University and course events in the evenings and at weekends. There’s usually no teaching on Wednesday afternoons.
Term dates
The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.
Supporting you
The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.
You'll have regular contact with your personal tutor in learning activities or scheduled meetings. You can also make an appointment with them if you need extra support.
In addition to the support you get from your personal tutor, you’ll also have access to a Faculty student support advisor. They can give you confidential, impartial advice on anything to do with your studies and personal wellbeing and refer you to specialist support services.
If you need support with software and equipment or you want to learn additional skills (including skills not covered on your course), our creative skills tutors provide free workshops, activities and one-on-one tutorials. Skills you can learn include life drawing, film camera operation and video production.
Computing support staff are always available to give technical support in the Faculty's computer suites during normal working hours. There's also some support available from 5.00pm to midnight at busy times of the year.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Costs and funding
Tuition fees
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,535 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £9,535 a year (including Transition Scholarship – may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £20,200 per year (subject to annual increase)
Funding your studies
Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.
Apply
How to apply
To start this course in 2025, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – W375
- our institution code – P80
our online application form to apply directly.
You can also sign up to an Open Day to:
- Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
- Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
- Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
Applying from outside the UK
As an international student you'll apply using the same process as UK students, but you’ll need to consider a few extra things.
You can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.
Find out what additional information you need in our international students section.
If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.