A student working with music production equipment, including a mixing desk and a monitor
BA (Hons) Available in Clearing

Music Production

Prepare for a career as a commercial music producer, equipped with the latest techniques and crucial experience in recording, mixing, editing and producing.

Start date
September 2025
Location
Cambridge
Duration
3 years
UCAS course code
W378

Start date
September 2025
Location
Cambridge
Duration
4 years with foundation
UCAS course code
W382

Start date
September 2025
Location
Cambridge
Duration
4 years with placement
UCAS course code
W380
1st

in the East of England for undergraduates employed as managers, directors or senior officials.

Source: GOS

This course is your path to a future in sound. It’s not just about making music but mastering tech, understanding your audience, making connections and gaining the right skills to stand out in a crowded industry.

Whether you’re into hip-hop, electronic, rock, or cinematic sound, you’ll build a portfolio and get real-world experience that sets you apart in the fast-moving world of music and media.

Why ARU?
  • Learn from expert academics and industry-active practitioners

  • Collaborate with others to develop all-important skills for your professional life

  • Get full training in our industry-standard music facilities, including five recording studios, a spacious recital hall, and practice rooms

  • Take an optional work placement, or internships with our industry partners and practitioners

  • Make the most of Cambridge’s music scene with our links to local networks, venues and arts groups

  • Create a diverse portfolio of work relevant to films, games, podcasts, live broadcasts, and DJing

Logo: THE Awards 2023
 

Study at an award-winning university

We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.

Careers

Our Music Production degree will give you the skills, experience, and network to step into the music industry or keep building your own sounds and connections.

We'll support you to grow into a confident, creative professional who values lifelong learning and ongoing personal and career development.

By the time you graduate, you’ll have built a diverse portfolio of music production work designed to showcase your abilities to future employers and clients.

Teaching and modules

From Year 1, you’ll work with other music students to develop your collaboration and project skills.

You’ll also be able to collaborate with film and game students to produce soundtracks, sound effects, and immersive experiences.

In Year 2, you’ll develop your understanding of the modern music industry and learn how to build your brand. You’ll choose from a range of optional modules to suit your interests and ambitions.

Finally, you’ll put everything you’ve learned into practice and prepare for your future career with independent and collaborative projects, and the opportunity to build up a portfolio.

Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.

Year 1
  • Music in Context
  • Electronic Music Composition
  • Studio Techniques
  • Music Production
  • Into ARU
Year 2
  • Mixing and Mastering
  • Music Industry
  • Ruskin Module (15 credits)
  • Audio for Film *
  • Audio for Games *
  • Composition and Orchestration *
  • Chords, Contours and Grooves - Songwriting 2 *
  • Music Business *
  • Synthesis and Sound Design *
  • Professional DJ Techniques *
  • Music Performance 2 *
Year 3
  • Final Project
  • Collaborative Project
  • Portfolio
Module details

To prepare you for university study, you can take a foundation year at the start of this course. Find out more about foundation years.

Year 1
  • Interactive Learning Skills and Communication B MOD008087
  • Interactive Learning Skills and Communication
Module details

You can choose to take an optional placement year as part of this course. Placements typically happen in Year 3, and your course will take four years overall. Find out more about placement years.

Placement year
  • Work Placement - Cambridge School of Creative Industries
Module details

Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.

Facilities

You can get full training in all our creative facilities, including:

  • five recording studios featuring analogue, digital or hybrid mixing desks, all equipped with DAWs Pro Tools, Logic Pro, and Ableton Live and hardware outboard recording equipment
  • audio-visual studio
  • spacious recital hall, band rooms and practice rooms
  • electronic and orchestral instruments, including a range of synthesisers and five grand pianos
  • an impressive inventory of professionally rated microphones and recording equipment
  • podcast and video capture system.

Entry requirements

Fees and funding

Apply for Music Production

Clearing places available

UK students, apply online

UK students

Call our Clearing line

01245 686868

UK students

Apply through UCAS for 2026

International students

Apply direct

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