BA in Audio and Music Production
Four great reasons to consider this course
- The lecturers on the course are all active in the music and audio industries, you’ll be learning from respected industry professionals and academics.
- Regular guest lecture masterclasses expose you to additional industry experts.
- You’ll be trained on high-end, industry standard equipment in our state-of-the-art facility.
- We are consistently highly rated for the expertise, commitment and approachability of the lecturing team.
Course Summary
This three-year degree programme is aimed at producing professionals for the recording industry capable of assuming key creative and architectural roles in the process of analysing, developing and realizing the creative intentions of the client to a commercial conclusion. The course is designed to continuously strengthen the student’s understanding and awareness of a wide range of aspects of Audio Production.
The course trains students through the delivery of a suite of carefully developed modules covering Production, Technology, Theory, Craft, Musicianship, Research and Personal Development. The artistry of modern Audio Production assumes a diverse range of interrelated disciplines. Creativity, science, recording technologies and techniques, musical appreciation and awareness, business, interpersonal skills and more, combine to form the rich diversity of strands that is the BA in Audio & Music Production.
Year 1
Semester 1
- Microphone Applications and the Recording/Playback Chain
- Properties of Sound
- The Digital Audio Workstation
- Introduction to Musicianship
- Academic Writing and Research Skills
Semester 2
- Recording Electric and Acoustic Instruments
- Studio Environment
- Music Production Content Analysis
- Popular Music Genre Studies
- Musicianship for the Music Producer
Year 2
Semester 1
- Sound Synthesis
- Audio Signal Processing
- Mixing Fundamentals
- Elements of Popular Music: Piano & Strings
- Production Project 1
- Erasmus: International Academic Studies
Semester 2
- Vocal Production
- Live Sound
- Elements of Popular Music: Songwriting
- Production Project 2
- Electronic Music Production
- Erasmus: International Academic Studies
Year 3
Semester 1
- Audio Industries
- Electroacoustic Composition
- Work Placement (6 Weeks)
Semester 2
- Advanced DAW Techniques
- Studio Acoustics
- Advanced Live Sound
- Sound Design & Implementation
- Production Project 3
* All module titles are subject to change and are for indicative purposes only.
- The course is delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, practicals and online learning
- The course is highly applied with a focus on ‘hands-on’ skills
- Basic music theory and keyboard skills tuition is built into the programme
This course develops individuals who are creative, considered, independent and disciplined. As such they are capable of entering a wide range of graduate careers. Graduates will be comprehensively equipped to progress directly into jobs in the industry such as record producers, recording studio engineers, sound designers, radio broadcast assistants and studio managers.
With additional appropriate experience, career opportunities exist in other related areas. Positions include radio producers, promotional and advertising managers, education, publishing, retail, music-related journalism.
- Record/Music Producer; Recording Engineer
- Sound Reinforcement Engineer
- Sound Designer
- Composer
- Sound for Film
- Radio Production
- Studio Manager - Promotional and Advertising Manager
- Programmer
- Education
- Publishing
- Retail
- Music related journalism.
Students who achieve a sufficient GPA over the course of the Level 7 degree may be considered for an Advanced Entry place onto Year 4 of the Level 8 BA (Hons) in Audio & Music Production programme.
Please find information on fees and funding here: www.dkit.ie/fees
Note: There is no audition process or need to play an instrument for this programme.
Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements:
Six Grades at O6 or H7 in Leaving Certificate
→ INCLUDING At least one H5 Grade, OR Minimum Points Score of 200
→ AND Mathematics Grade F2, O6 or H7
→ AND English Grade O6 or H7 OR Irish Grade O6 or H7
Northern Ireland/UK Entry Requirements:
Applicants must meet the matriculation requirement of 5 different subjects which must include:
→ Mathematics at GCSE (Grade A* - C or better)
→ English (or Irish) at GCSE (Grade A* - C or better)
→ One subject at:
- 'A Level’ (Grade A* - E or better)
- OR Applied A-Level (Grade A* - E)
- OR BTEC National Level 3 (National Award, Subsidiary Diploma, Extended Certificate, 90-Credit Diploma, Foundation Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma) (Pass, Merit or Distinction).
- OR OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 (Introductory Diploma, Extended Certificate, Subsidiary Diploma, Foundation Diploma, 90-Credit Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma) (Pass, Merit or Distinction).
→ The remaining subjects must be different from those listed above and may be drawn from recognised subjects at:
- GCSE (Grade A* - C)
- AND/OR 'AS Level’ (Grades A - E)
- AND/OR ‘A-level’ (Grades A* - E)
- AND/OR Applied ‘A-level’ (Grade A* - E)
- AND/OR BTEC National Level 3 (National Award, Subsidiary Diploma, Extended Certificate, 90-Credit Diploma, Foundation Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma*) (Pass, Merit or Distinction).
- AND/OR OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 (Introductory Diploma, Extended Certificate, Subsidiary Diploma, Foundation Diploma, 90-Credit Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma*) (Pass, Merit or Distinction).
There is a 6 week placement in 3rd year.
- Students who are passionate about sound and music
- Students who enjoy working with others to realise a creative vision
- Students who are interested in the ‘behind the scenes’ of the music and audio industries
Advanced Entry: We welcome applications from students seeking advanced entry to our undergraduate music programmes.
Applicants should submit an Advanced Entry Application Form to the Admissions Office. Applicants will be called for interview/ audition and written examination
The application form for Advanced Entry is available here.
Interview Time: All students will be given a time and will be notified of room location for interview upon arrival. For your own convenience you are advised to be available up to half an hour before the appointed time in case of cancellations. While we aim to keep to the scheduled times allocated to each candidate, there may be a short delay on the day.
Transport: The main railway station in Dundalk is about 25 minutes walk from the campus. Bus Eireann and Matthews Coaches stop upon request at the main entrance to the Institute. Please give yourself plenty of time to locate the Institute. Note that if driving, DkIT operate a paid parking system on campus.
Applying to DK865:
BA (Hons) Production of Music and Audio; The informal interview is aimed at establishing the student’s previous music experience in the area of music production and recording. Applicants will have the opportunity to discuss any recording projects they had experience working on and they are encouraged to bring examples of work completed to date to the interview.
Applicants attending interview to gain ‘Advanced’ entry onto the Production of Music and Audio Programme will be expected to provide information ( with evidence where deemed appropriate) in the following areas:
- Academic: Your Qualifications (with evidence).
- Professional: A summary of activities after leaving education. Your previous learning will be closely considered in terms of its alignment (or otherwise) with the inherent requirements of the course at the specific proposed stage of entry. This of course points not only to topics of learning covered but also to the nature of the practical Music Production learning activities experienced.
- Specific Focus: Music Production related experiences. A portfolio of Music Production related works, while not compulsory, may indeed strengthen your application. Also be prepared to produce sufficient evidence to demonstrate the validity of any material you are presenting as your own, or part thereof.
- General Music Production knowledge/interest: Your knowledge of the various technologies currently used in Music Production and your experience in using them. Examples of Music Producers whose work your are influenced/impressed by.
- Course Insight: Your broad understanding of what you believe the Production of Music and Audio course to be about.
- Interpersonal skills: Teamwork, Leadership, Creativity, Integration, Directed Study.
- Projected career: What area of the broader Music Production discipline do you see yourself seeking employment in?
| Course ID | DK768 |
| CAO Round 1 Entry Points (2023) | 328 Points |
| Course Type | Undergraduate |
| Study Mode | Full-Time |
| Level | 7 |
| Duration | 3 Years |
| Starting Date | September 2024 |
| School | School of Informatics & Creative Arts |
| Department | Creative Arts, Media and Music |
| Credits | 180 |
| Awarding Body | Dundalk Institute of Technology |
| Delivery Method | On Campus |
How To Apply
Apply on CAO
All standard entry first-year applicants must apply for entry through the CAO. See Important application dates for CAO and information for specific applicant types below:
Advanced Entry & Transfer Applications
Advanced Entry is for applicants who have previous educational achievements and/or work experience and want to be considered for direct entry into year 2, 3, or 4 of a course. This includes students looking to transfer to DkIT from another Higher Education provider.
International Application (non-EU)
International Applicants (not from or living in the EU) can apply through an agent or directly to DkIT to study this course.
