Introduction
Study at an award-winning university
We're the Times Higher Education (THE) University of the Year. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.
With our BSc (Hons) Audio & Music Technology degree, you’ll produce compelling audio projects by mastering the sciences that underlie the design and control of sound. You'll build a portfolio for a future-oriented career in the creative industries, including studio engineering, live sound, film, video games, broadcast, and acoustics.
Under the guidance of expert academics and industry-active practitioners, you'll spend time developing a broad, balanced skill set, and become proficient in the design and application of key technologies and specialist techniques.
We've been committed to equipping our graduates with such skills for more than 20 years, providing you with the technological edge to succeed in the creative industries.
Course options
Key facts
Entry requirements
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Fees and paying for university
Student experience
Student work
Music Performance Showcase at the Six Six (photo: Aleks Rose)
See more of our music students' workJoseph Simpson
Joseph was named winner of ARU’s Alumni Contribution to Culture Award 2023 after touring the world with internationally acclaimed artists as a tour / production manager and providing sound experiences for prestigious venues and events like the Mercury Awards and Glastonbury Festival.
Find out more about Joseph’s winStudent Success
AMT student Emma Brown was awarded the Outstanding Academic Achievement Award 2023 by acoustic consultants Sharps Redmore.
Which ARU music course is right for you?
Find out which ARU music course best suits your interests and ambitions with this handy video guide from Dr Chanan Hanspal, Senior Lecturer in Music.
Develop
Build your skill set and portfolio using the latest studio equipment.
Experiment
Try out different styles and techniques using industry-standard hardware and software.
Expertise
Our expert lecturers and technicians are here to help you get the most from your course.
Mark Pickering
Technical Officer and Lecturer Mark talks about his work in the music industry and changing trends and attitudes in the music scene.
ARU Spotlight Podcast: Mark PickeringFacilities and showcase
Professional facilities
As part of your Audio & Music Technology studies at ARU, you’ll have access to specialist facilities including:
- Five recording studios featuring analogue, digital or hybrid mixing desks by AMS Neve, SSL, Audient, and Allen & Heath, with all spaces equipped with the DAWs Pro Tools, Logic Pro, and Ableton Live and plenty of hardware outboard (Drawmer, DBX, TC Electronic, Lexicon, TL Audio, Toft Audio), software plug-ins and instruments (Universal Audio, Native Instruments, Moog, iZoTope, Fabfilter)
- Audio-visual studio
- A spacious recital hall, band rooms and practice rooms
- Five grand pianos, including a Steinway Model D
- Many orchestral instruments, including a range of synthesisers; traditional instruments from India, China and Africa; and a Balinese Gamelan
- An impressive inventory of professional-grade condenser, ribbon, and dynamic microphones (Neumann, Sennheiser, Coles, Røde, Shure), Ambisonics and binaural 3D microphones (Soundfield, Neumann), recording equipment (Neve, RME, Sound Devices, Antelope Audio, Roland), and other cutting-edge technologies (Audio via ethernet, Wwise audio middleware for games).
Exciting opportunities
During your Audio and Music Technology studies, you’ll be able to take advantage of:
- links with local networks such as Cambridge Arts Network, Cambridge Live, Cambridge Junction and Britten Sinfonia
- a diverse music scene in Cambridge ranging from classical to UK rap
- an optional placement year where you can put your learning into practice, gain valuable experience and make useful contacts.
Take a closer look
Our Creative Showcase shines a spotlight on what makes ARU creative and cultural – our spaces, places and people. Find out more about our community, the difference we make, the stories we tell, and the things that inspire us.
Meanwhile, Present is an exhibition that you curate for yourself. Explore the work of our graduating students in this eye-catching virtual degree show.
Alternatively, take a guided tour and meet our students.
Accreditation
JAMES
Our Audio & Music Technology course is accredited by JAMES (Joint Audio Media Education Support). Their trained assessors and accreditation panel members are working professionals with extensive knowledge and experience of today’s music and audio industry - so you can be sure our course will give you all the relevant skills you need for a successful career.
Lecturers
Sven-Amin Lembke
Senior Lecturer
William Campbell
Deputy Head of School
Mark Pickering
Technical Team Leader
Tim Webster
Lecturer
Richard Edwards
Senior Lecturer
Nikki Sheth
Associate Lecturer
Tom Macpherson
Associate Lecturer
Careers
Our Audio & Music Technology course equips you with a well-balanced, blended skill set to carry out audio/music production across a range of career paths. You'll benefit from a solid applied understanding of relevant sciences and technologies and use it to your best advantage.
Our past students now enjoy successful careers in the music industry and beyond – from recording and mixing engineers, front-of-house engineers for live-music events, audio specialists and acoustic consultants through to lecturers and technicians, the choice is yours.
Join the JAMES Graduate Database after completing the course to promote your skills and portfolio to potential employers.
Develop your skills further by getting involved in the vibrant, collaborative community of students across the Cambridge School of Creative Industries (CSCI), for example by joining the cross-disciplinary ARU CSCI Podcast team or our in-house recording label across the music-related courses.
Graduation doesn’t need to be the end of your time with us, of course. You might decide to stay at ARU and study for a Masters, such as our renowned MA Music Therapy. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.
Employability and personal career development
Informed by employers, our courses support an integrated approach to employability. You’ll have opportunities to develop the skills and abilities they are looking for and gain a deeper understanding of how your academic learning relates to the world of work through Live Briefs and Ruskin Modules.
To amplify your career ambition, you will need to actively dedicate time outside of your studies, whether you choose to explore placements, internships or volunteering. Or you could make a social impact by collaborating with our partner organisations through our volunteer scheme Students at the Heart of Knowledge Exchange (SHoKE). These all give you an edge, providing you with experience that you will be able to evidence on your CV and talk about in interviews.
Our Employability and Careers Service offers a range of expert advice and support to build your unique professional profile, including tailored career appointments, advice on writing your CV, and help to complete job applications. You’ll have 24/7 access to the Careers Centre, our comprehensive online digital resource, which empowers you to start building a Personal Career Development Plan from the very start. Design your future at ARU.
Clare
“Lecturers encourage and support cross-faculty communication so everyone can produce the best portfolio possible.”
ClareBSc (Hons) Audio & Music Technology
Life in Cambridge
Our friendly, bustling campus is a stone’s throw from the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.
Our favourite places in Cambridge Did you know...? Facts about Cambridge Watch: Our CambridgeWant to talk to someone?
Do you have a question that we haven't answered so far? Talk to our application experts. You can also ask our Student Ambassadors about life at ARU.
We're here Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm (please note we close at 3.30pm on the first and third Thursday of the month for staff training), and Friday 9am-4.30pm.
Placement year available
You have the option to take a placement year as part of this course. It’s a great chance to get hands-on experience in the industry you want to work in.
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