Creative Arts with Music Production BA (Hons) Top-up

BA (Hons)

Study Area: Higher Education

Duration: 1 Year

Attendance: Full Time

Course Overview

UCAS Code: 8H76

This course provides a programme of specialist learning, with a strong emphasis on developing mastery of advanced practical techniques alongside the implementation of higher level academic skills in a dedicated music technology environment.

It is designed as a top-up to the University Centre’s Foundation Degree in Creative Arts with Music Production and builds on the skills developed at Levels 4 and 5. It is also suitable for those completing a comparable Level 5 qualification elsewhere and practitioners who have relevant work experience but wish to strengthen their qualification profile and employability.

Although the focus of the programme is aimed at those who aspire to work in music production it has, over the years, produced many graduates who want to work in a teaching role of some kind. In the second semester, there is the option to elect either the Production route or the Teaching route, which allows aspiring teachers to gain experience of teaching in this specialist area. Many of our BA graduates who take this module, continue onto a PGCE in Lifelong Learning which you can also study at University Centre Calderdale College.

You will be expected to undertake higher level research within a specific area of interest, as well as developing a strong portfolio of practical work to showcase your studio and production skills.

Modules studied at level 6:

Production Portfolio
Advanced Sound Design
Sound and Music for Interactive Media
Professional Practice: Production -OR- Professional Practice: Teaching (shared module)
Final Major Project: Production -OR- Final Major Project: Teaching (shared module)

Important Links:

Click HERE for the programme specification
For a full list of the University Centre’s regulations and policies please click HERE
Click HERE for The Open University Regulations for Validated Awards

Start Date

September 2025

Entry Requirements & Interview Process

Applicants are expected to have achieved a minimum of Pass in the Foundation Degree Creative Arts, or an equivalent level 5 award (comprising 240 credits of which 120 must be at level 5), such as a foundation degree or Higher National Diploma in a closely related subject area.

All applicants must complete a satisfactory interview as part of the admissions process. A good level of English and Maths is expected, however passes in Level 2 or GCSE qualifications are not absolute requirements. Applicants may, at the discretion of the course team, be required to bring a portfolio of work to the selection interview. Applicants for the Performance Arts specialism will also be required to present a 3-minute monologue (contemporary or historical).

Applications for RPL (RPEL or RPCL) will be considered where relevant experience or learning can be demonstrated, and the University Centre process has been satisfactorily completed.

Progression

Students will be qualified to work as freelance sound designers, producers, sound engineers, game audio designers or composers for a wide range of media.

Upon completion of the degree students will be able to progress to careers in the music industry or further their studies by undertaking a Masters degree.

Assessment Methods

You will be assessed throughout the course by completing projects, presentations, written reviews and evaluations and reflective self-evaluations.

Before you hand-in or present a final piece of work there is usually an opportunity for a discussion with your tutor in a one-to-one tutorial. You will be encouraged to submit or present your work-in-progress to your tutor – which will not be graded – to see whether you are on the right lines. There is usually a limit to the amount of feedback that your tutor can give you – please ask them about this.

Your assessed work will go through a process of internal moderation and then will be checked by an externally appointed person called an external examiner. At each stage this means that marking and grading is checked and may be adjusted.

Course Fees

Full Time £7950 per year.

Students may be eligible for funding through Student Finance England. www.studentfinance.direct.gov.uk

Additional information on fees and funding

Awarding Body

This award is validated by the Open University.