Music Technology BA (Hons)
Subject and course type
- Dance, drama and music
- Undergraduate
Turn your passion for music and technology into a career you love. This course gives you hands-on experience in professionally equipped studios, guided by a teaching team of active producers, engineers and composers. You’ll learn to create, record, produce and design sound using both cutting-edge digital tools and rare analogue equipment. This includes Kingston’s flagship commercial recording studio, created in partnership with legendary producer Tony Visconti.
You are reading:
Hone your sound in our thriving music scene
Your future in music starts here.
Kingston School of Art is a thriving hub for makers and performers. You’ll collaborate across disciplines and gain real-world experience in live events and multimedia projects.
Kingston-upon-Thames has a vibrant music scene. Plus, with central London just 30 minutes away, you get the best of both worlds: big city energy and a tight-knit, creative community.
Whether you see yourself producing albums, designing sound for film and games, mixing live gigs or innovating with new technologies, this course helps you develop the creative and technical skills the industry is looking for.
Dance, drama and music at Kingston School of Art
Develop your technique and learn the skills you need to launch your career. Hear from our staff and students about how they hone their craft.
Why choose this course
Are you passionate about making music, experimenting with sound, and pushing creative boundaries? Our BA (Hons) Music Technology course is built for people who want to create, record, and produce music that stands out – whether that’s in the studio, on stage, or for film, games, and emerging media.
At Kingston School of Art, you’ll join a vibrant, collaborative community where producers, performers, and sound designers work side by side. You’ll learn in professional studios (including our flagship Visconti Studio, created in partnership with legendary producer Tony Visconti), and you’ll gain hands-on experience with both cutting-edge digital tools and rare analogue equipment.
Throughout the course you’ll:
- Build core skills in recording, mixing, sound design, and live sound.
- Explore everything from synthesis and sampling to audio post-production and performing with technology.
- Work on real-world projects and collaborate across disciplines, from fashion and film to fine art and gaming.
- Be supported by a teaching team of active industry professionals who bring current practice into the classroom.
- Develop Future Skills like problem-solving, adaptability, and digital fluency to prepare you for the evolving music and creative industries.
Located in Kingston upon Thames, just 30 minutes from central London, where you’ll have access to the capital’s world-leading music scene while being part of a close-knit creative campus.
Check out what we're up to on our Music Instagram page.
Kingston University is ranked Top 3 in London for Music (The Times Good University Guide 2026).
The Art School Experience
As part of Kingston School of Art, students benefit from joining a creative community where we encourage collaborative working and critical practice.
Our workshops and labs are open to all disciplines, enabling students and staff to work together, share ideas and explore multi-disciplinary making.
Course content
Music Technology at Kingston combines hands-on practical training with creative and critical exploration. You’ll work with analogue, digital, and hybrid tools, learning how to record, produce, master and design sound across multiple contexts, from popular music to film sound, games, live sound and performing with tech.
Each year builds on the last. You’ll gain core technical skills in Year 1, develop specialisms and industry awareness in Year 2, and focus on your professionalism and mastery in Year 3.
Please note: Optional modules only run if there is enough demand. If we have an insufficient number of students interested in an optional module, that module will not be offered for this course.
Year 1
In your first year, you’ll get hands-on with the tools and concepts that underpin modern music technology. This includes:
- creating music with computers, synthesizers and samplers
- learning studio techniques, from mic placement to mixing in DAWs
- exploring how acoustics and space affect sound, from real-world to imagined environments
- mapping the history and future of music tech, develop critical listening skills, and start planning your professional journey
Core modules
30 credits
Hands-on instruction and practice in synthesiser programming, sampling, sequencing, electronic composition and orchestration. You will learn how to create unique instrument patches and sounds and use them effectively in music productions. Curriculum will cover beat making, groove writing, and style arrangement using Logic Pro and Ableton Live.
The musical concepts of melody, rhythm, harmony, and form will be explored as applied to the principles and techniques of writing and arranging using computers.
30 credits
Through this module you will learn about the history of music technologies, how they have evolved to the present day, transforming how music is conceived of, played, heard, consumed and understood. You will critically engage with key developments led by inventors, producers, artists, composers, technicians in recorded music, live music, art and film. This module also requires you to begin to develop your professional identity and active citizenship, through exploring concepts including understanding ethical issues and values, design thinking, and commercial awareness.
30 credits
This module offers hands-on study in modern recording and sound engineering. Students will learn about analog and digital consoles, microphones, audio signal flow, DAW session management, the principles of signal processing, audio editing and contemporary mixing techniques. You will also receive training in critical and diagnostic listening.
30 credits
This module provides an introduction to the science and aesthetics of real and imagined environments, their acoustics and spatial phenomena. You will engage in creative practice research that will consider a wide range of inter-connected practices: from installations, location recording and measuring impulse responses in real environments, to examining how sound behaves in virtual spaces: interactive game environments, VR, soundtracks and soundscapes. You will learn the fundamentals of acoustics, sound diffusion and absorption, and get to grips with the basic operation of physical modelling software applications.
Year 2
Your second year focuses on applying your skills in professional contexts and beginning to specialise:
- training in the Visconti Studio, developing practical knowledge of production aesthetics
- learning audio post-production skills for film, TV, and games (Foley, ADR, sound design)
- performing with technology, from live electronics to multimedia shows
- investigating career pathways and professional practice, including opportunities for placements
Core modules
30 credits
Building on recording and engineering skills developed in Year 1, this module will focus on the aesthetics of production from a range of genres, using the Visconti Studio live room and instrument collection. You will research and critically engage with 20th-century recording and production legacies by attempting to recreate configurations and set-ups associated with 'signature' sounds of the past: Phil Spector, George Martin, Brian Wilson and Tony Visconti. You will record and produce music in a variety of styles using a mixture of analogue and digital techniques, and will learn how to master to 1/4 inch tape.
30 credits
In this module you will study a range of topics including copyright law; contracts and legals; performing, publishing and synchronisation rights; publicity and social media; income streams for musicians and music technologists; publishing and the internet income; management, agents, promoters; live music events and merchandising; self-assessment and tax; and the role of unions.
You will also critically evaluate your own personal development through reflection on your progress and goals, as a means of developing your creative practice to explore problems beyond your discipline. This will be supported through personal development planning (supported by your Personal Tutor), enabling you to evidence your understanding of the skills you are developing, through all the work you are creating as part of your course, in preparation for Level 6.
30 credits
From performing with laptops, interfaces, rigs, triggers, live effects manipulation, electronics and video, this module will encourage diversity through a range of performance and collaborative practice. You will also examine case studies, consisting of a range of historical and contemporary performance practices across a variety of cultures and styles.
30 credits
Study on this module will see you creating, editing and manipulating music and sound in a range of media postproduction scenarios, including trailers, TV, advertising, film and games. You will develop practical skills in Foley and ADR (automatic dialogue replacement) recording, editing, design and creation of sound effects, as well as creating audio assets for game soundtracks and interactive media.
Year 3
Your final year is about professional-level work and preparing for life after graduation:
- developing a self-devised capstone project (e.g., EP, performance, music for film or games, education project, or dissertation)
- refining your studio craft, focusing on industry standard mixing and mastering
- managing and engineering live events, gaining real-world experience
- integrating your skills across creative, technical, and professional domains to launch your next steps
Core modules
30 credits
As part of this module, you will develop a comprehensive theoretical and practical grounding in professional recording, mixing and mastering practices. The module will be taught in the Visconti Studio, with a mixture of lecture demonstrations and practical workshops, during which you will learn to record, mix and master and develop a comprehensive understanding behind the science, technology and traditions that underpin these practices.
30.00 credits
This module provides hands-on experience in live sound reinforcement and event management. It covers monitoring, lighting and projection, stage design, professional conventions, working with performers and promoters, and logistics. You will train on live mixers and gain experience engineering live sound at events held in a variety of external venues. You will put on shows and organise a small tour, working with local venues and promoters. There will be opportunities to work with local partners in Kingston where possible.
30 credits
You will produce a substantial creative piece of work which develops your skills in a specific area, marking the culmination of your degree work. It is designed to enable you to work independently in an area that excites and interests you. You may choose to create your work within performance, composition/production or a research dissertation. You will be supported by themed group seminar meetings as a whole cohort, supplemented by individual tutorials. You will work towards the major project of your choice and produce a reflective summation to evaluate your work within a wider context.
15 credits
In this module you will apply your knowledge and understanding of the music industry to support your preparation for graduation and beyond. You will extend your knowledge and understanding of a portfolio career, professional practices, and professional development alongside being encouraged to develop appropriate professional networks.
You will independently plan, carry out and critically evaluate an industry brief that engages with current industry standards and practices relevant to the sector with support of the module teaching team. This will prepare you for working in an aspect of the music industry and support you with developing a multi-faceted professional identity as a performing arts professional.
You will critically evaluate your own development through reflection on your progress of planning and carrying out an industry brief. You will document your reflection and critical evaluation in a portfolio referring to relevant industry context and practices.
You will also create a professional profile that reflects your developing professional identity to support your progression to your chosen career path.
15 credits
This module gives you a dedicated opportunity to develop your Future Skills Graduate Attributes.
At the start of the module, you will be supported to self-assess your current skills profile. You will determine which attributes and skills you need to develop to support your career ambitions. In this process, you will be supported by a dedicated career coach, helping you explore a range of options that includes self-employment/freelancing, starting your own business, higher level study, and other professional graduate-level opportunities. Throughout the module, you will be given opportunities to engage with external mentors, to support reflection and to develop a professional network.
You will undertake a tailored series of activities and projects, aligned to your goals, from a menu of development options. This could include short courses, enrichment activities and experiential learning options such as micro-placements. You will also be able to reflect on activities outside the University that develop your graduate attributes, such as work or volunteering.
Get inspired by Tony Visconti
Watch this video to hear legendary music producer Tony Visconti explain why sharing his skills and experience with students at Kingston University's Visconti Studio is so important to him.
International students: direct application
Are you an international student? Have you decided Kingston is the place for you? If so, you can apply for this course directly, rather than having to go through UCAS.
What career opportunities does this course offer?
The music and creative industries are evolving fast, from streaming and immersive audio to AI-assisted production and interactive media. Our course is designed to give you future-proof skills so you can adapt, thrive, and lead in this changing landscape.
On this course, you’ll develop these skills:
- Creative problem solving – finding innovative solutions in recording, production, and sound design.
- Digital competency – mastering industry-standard software (Pro Tools, Logic, Ableton) and emerging technologies.
- Collaboration and communication – working in teams across music, film, design, and gaming projects.
- Adaptability and resilience – building confidence to navigate freelance work and portfolio careers.
- Enterprise and self-promotion – learning how to pitch ideas, network, and manage your own creative practice.
Where our graduates work:
- Music production and engineering
- Sound design and Foley artistry for film, TV, and games
- Podcasting and audio post-production
- Live sound and event management
- Composition and performance with technology
- Music teaching and community arts
- Arts management and creative entrepreneurship
Recent graduates of this course have gone on to careers with: Avid Technology, Olympic Studios, Pinewood Studios, Soho Sonic Studios, Deluxe Media Entertainment, World Heart Beat Music Academy, ENVY Post Production, Noiser Podcasts, Kingston College and M:Tech Education. Many also pursue freelance careers or further study at master’s or doctoral level.
Future Skills
Our Future Skills programme is embedded within all our undergraduate courses and throughout the whole Kingston experience. These skills will help you to become a future-proof graduate by equipping you with the skills most valued by employers, such as problem-solving, digital competency and adaptability.
As you progress through your degree, you'll learn to navigate, explore and apply these graduate skills. You’ll also understand how to demonstrate and articulate to employers how these future skills give you the edge.
Teaching and assessment
Scheduled learning and teaching on this course includes timetabled activities including lectures, seminars and small group tutorials.
It may also include critiques, project work, studio practice and performance, digital labs, workshops, and placements.
Outside the scheduled learning and teaching hours, you will learn independently through self-study which will involve reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, preparing for and completing your work for assessments. Some independent study work may need to be completed on-campus, as you may need to access campus-based facilities such as studios and labs.
Our academic support team here at Kingston University provides help in a range of areas.
When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of academic staff who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at Kingston and show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer at Kingston University.
A course is made up of modules, and each module is worth a number of credits. You must pass a given number of credits in order to achieve the award you registered on, for example 360 credits for a typical undergraduate course or 180 credits for a typical postgraduate course. The number of credits you need for your award is detailed in the programme specification which you can access from the link at the bottom of this page.
One credit equates to 10 hours of study. Therefore 120 credits across a year (typical for an undergraduate course) would equate to 1,200 notional hours. These hours are split into scheduled and guided. On this course, the percentage of that time that will be scheduled learning and teaching activities is shown below for each year of study. The remainder is made up of guided independent study.
- Year 1: 22% scheduled learning and teaching
- Year 2: 22% scheduled learning and teaching
- Year 3: 17.5% scheduled learning and teaching
The exact balance between scheduled learning and teaching and guided independent study will be informed by the modules you take.
Your course will primarily be delivered in person. It may include delivery of some activities online, either in real time or recorded.
Types of assessment
- Year 1: Coursework 100%
- Year 2: Coursework 100%
- Year 3: Coursework 100%
Please note: the above breakdowns are a guide calculated on core modules only. If your course includes optional modules, this breakdown may change to reflect the modules chosen.
We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.
Your individualised timetable is normally available to students within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled learning and teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9am and 6pm. For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.
Music technology at Kingston University
Hear from staff, students and alumni as they talk about our Music Technology BA (Hons).
Fees and funding
| Fee category | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | £10,050* |
| International | |
| Year 1 (2027/28): | £To be confirmed |
| Year 2 (2028/29): | £To be confirmed |
| Year 3 (2029/30): | £To be confirmed |
The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK), 'Islands' or 'International' student.
For courses with Professional Placement, the fee for the placement year can be viewed in our Fees and Funding section. The placement fee published is for the relevant academic year stated in the table. This fee is subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body.
*For full-time programmes lasting more than one academic year, a tuition fee is payable for each academic year of the course.
Your annual tuition fee covers your first attempt at all modules required for that academic year. Any re-study or repeat of modules will incur additional charges, calculated according to the number of credits taken.
Home students (UK): Tuition fees are subject to inflation-linked increases in line with government policy. Updated fees will be confirmed in line with the maximum fee cap set by the Government or the Office for Students (OfS) for each academic year. This means your fee may increase for each academic year of study, but only up to the maximum amount permitted for that year.
Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest-rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.
International students: Full-time taught international student fees are subject to an annual increase, which is published in advance for the full duration of your programme.
| Fee category | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | £9,790* |
| International | |
| Year 1 (2026/27): | £19,200 |
| Year 2 (2027/28): | £19,900 |
| Year 3 (2028/29): | £20,700 |
The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK), 'Islands' or 'International' student.
For courses with Professional Placement, the fee for the placement year can be viewed in our Fees and Funding section. The placement fee published is for the relevant academic year stated in the table. This fee is subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body.
*For full-time programmes lasting more than one academic year, the published tuition fee is an annual fee, payable each academic year for the duration of your course.
Your annual tuition fee covers your first attempt at all modules required for that academic year. Any re-study or repeat of modules will incur additional charges, calculated according to the number of credits taken.
Home students (UK): Tuition fees are subject to inflation-linked increases in line with government policy. Updated fees will be confirmed in line with the maximum fee cap set by the Government or the Office for Students (OfS) for each academic year. This means your fee may increase for each academic year of study, but only up to the maximum amount permitted for that year.
Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest-rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.
International students: Full-time taught international student fees are subject to an annual increase, which is published in advance for the full duration of your programme.
| Fee category | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | £9,535* |
| International | |
| Year 1 (2025/26): | £18,500 |
| Year 2 (2026/27): | £19,200 |
| Year 3 (2027/28): | £19,900 |
The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK), 'Islands' or 'International' student. In 2025/26 the fees for this course are above.
For courses with Professional Placement, the fee for the placement year can be viewed in our Fees and Funding section. The placement fee published is for the relevant academic year stated in the table. This fee is subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body.
* For full-time programmes of a duration of more than one academic year, the published fee is an annual fee, payable each year, for the duration of the programme. Your annual tuition fees cover your first attempt at all of the modules necessary to complete that academic year. A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. Home tuition fees may be subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body. Full-time taught International fees are subject to an annual increase and are published in advance for the full duration of the programme.
Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest-rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.
Additional course costs
Some courses may require additional costs beyond tuition fees. When planning your studies, you’ll want to consider tuition fees, living costs, and any extra costs that might relate to your area of study.
Your tuition fees include costs for teaching, assessment and university facilities. So your access to libraries, shared IT resources and various student support services are all covered. Accommodation and general living expenses are not covered by these fees.
Where applicable, additional expenses for your course may include:
Our libraries have an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as open-access computers and laptops available to rent. However, you may want to buy your own computer or personal copies of key textbooks. Textbooks may range from £50 to £250 per year. And a personal computer can range from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.
While most coursework is submitted online, some modules may require printed copies. You may want to allocate up to £100 per year for hard-copies of your coursework. It’s worth noting that 3D printing is never compulsory. So if you choose to use our 3D printers, you’ll need to pay for the material. This ranges from 3p per gram to 40p per gram.
Kingston University will pay for all compulsory field trips. Fees for optional trips can range from £30 to £350 per trip.
Your tuition fees don’t cover travel costs. To save on travel costs, you can use our intersite bus service. This route links the campuses and halls of residence with local train stations – Surbiton, Kingston upon Thames, and Norbiton.
There may be costs for participating at external shows and exhibitions, such as travel costs, which will vary according to the location.
Scholarships and bursaries
For students interested in studying this course at Kingston, there are several opportunities to seek funding support.
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Find out more about course changes
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
Key information
The scrolling banner below displays some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).
