Subject overview

Why music?

Music is a creative art and central to contemporary expression both in live performance and across social and broadcast media of all kinds. Music reflects and expresses social forces, political aspirations and cultures, and is vital to understanding communication in the modern world. Studying music at university confers unique and highly valued skills such as analytical thinking, teamwork, communication, negotiation and the development of the creative imagination.

Programme content

This exciting course combines music with the creative technology used for sound creation, capture, analysis, manipulation and production. It can be tailored to work closely with your individual musical tastes, style and practices but can also introduce you to a wider range of technology, music and contexts in which the two interact.

The course offers options in computer music, enabling you to combine interests in studio recording, electronic music and interactive multimedia with creative work using the computer as a musical tool. Many other options – including composition, performance and film music – are also available through shared modules on the BA in Music. 

You take core modules in sound design, audio-visual analysis, acoustics, and studio and electronic music in performance. These combine with specialist modules in multimedia, popular music, songwriting and the music industry. There are plenty of chances to explore existing music software for creative purposes, as well as to push beyond those boundaries and create your novel extensions.

You can also select specialisms from composition (acoustic or film), performance (pop or classical), or musicology: composers submit a portfolio of work; performers give a recital; and musicologists submit a written dissertation.

Your course culminates in two large audio-visual and studio projects. Students who have attained a high level of performance in instrument or voice (grade 8 or above) may also be eligible for one-to-one classical or jazz tuition at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London, or alternatively with local tutors in Brighton. We also offer tuition in popular music at the Brighton Institute of Modern Music.

Core content

Year 1

Foundation modules provide a grounding in the study of music, music technologies and multimedia

Year 2

Your study involves development of your understanding and ability to exploit digital technologies in creative ways

Year 3 

You can select from specialist options to produce advanced work culminating in substantial music technology projects

How will I learn?

Teaching methods vary from lecture-based core modules with accompanying seminars in Year 1 to more specialised options relying on independent study in the final year. You take exercise classes and have individual and small-group supervision, as well as studio- and computer-based practical work. This studio work provides a team-based environment for technical development and implementation. Practice skills are taught by working to a particular brief and on self-initiated projects. Modes of assessment include group presentations, creative projects, portfolios of compositions, performances and more traditional essays and dissertations.

For more information, visit Studying at Sussex.

What will I achieve?

• You can expect to develop a firm foundation in your chosen area that will provide a solid basis for your future career development. This course also provides a range of invaluable transferable skills, including those of presentation, organisation, communication, problem-solving, time-management and teamworking

• You learn to manage your personal professional development in preparation for further study or the world of work, and beyond

• You learn to apply appropriate theories and techniques creatively to a variety of music technologies both in the studio and in wider performance contexts

• You gain an understanding of the hardware and software that support studio and music technology systems

• Depending on your chosen options, you develop your creative, technical and critical skills as a performer, composer/songwriter and musicologist

• You develop creative skills that will improve your employability across both the arts and music technology sectors and prepare you for work in professional studio recording and production.

Entry requirements

Sussex welcomes applications from students of all ages who show evidence of the academic maturity and broad educational background that suggests readiness to study at degree level. For most students, this will mean formal public examinations; details of some of the most common qualifications we accept are shown below. If you are an overseas student, refer to Applicants from outside the UK.

All teaching at Sussex is in the English language. If your first language is not English, you will also need to demonstrate that you meet our English language requirements.

A level

Typical offer: ABB

Specific entry requirements: A levels must include Music or Music Technology, at least grade B. Alternatively successful applicants must have other evidence of advanced musical literacy (to grade 7 theory standard).

International Baccalaureate

Typical offer: 34 points overall

Specific entry requirements: Successful applicants will need Higher Level Music, with at least grade 5. Alternatively successful applicants must have other evidence of advanced musical literacy (to grade 7 theory standard).

For more information refer to International Baccalaureate.

Access to HE Diploma

Typical offer: Pass the Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher.

Specific entry requirements: In addition to the Access to HE Diploma, successful applicants will need to have either A level Music (or Music Technology), with at least grade B, or other evidence of advanced musical literacy (to grade 7 theory standard).

For more information refer to Access to HE Diploma.

Advanced Diploma

Typical offer: Pass with grade B in the Diploma and A in the Additional and Specialist Learning.

Specific entry requirements: The Additional and Specialist Learning must be an A-level in Music or Music Technology. If the ASL is an A level in another subject then applicants must have other evidence of advanced musical literacy (to grade 7 theory standard).

For more information refer to Advanced Diploma.

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma

Typical offer: DDM

Specific entry requirements: The BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma would normally be in Music and Music Technology. If the BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma is in another discipline, it will need to be combined with either an A level in Music or Music Technology or with other evidence of advanced musical literacy (to grade 7 theory standard).

For more information refer to BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.

European Baccalaureate

Typical offer: Overall result of at least 77%

Specific entry requirements: Evidence of existing academic ability in Music is essential (normally with a final grade of at least 8.0). Alternatively successful applicants must have other evidence of advanced musical literacy (to grade 7 theory standard).

For more information refer to European Baccalaureate.

Finnish Ylioppilastutkinto

Typical offer: Overall average result in the final matriculation examinations of at least 6.0

Specific entry requirements: Evidence of existing academic ability in Music is essential. The requirement is for a high level of Music Theory (to grade 7 standard) rather than performance ability.

French Baccalauréat

Typical offer: Overall final result of at least 13/20

Specific entry requirements: Successful applicants will need to have a final mark of 12/20 in Music. Alternatively successful applicants must have other evidence of advanced musical literacy (to grade 7 theory standard).

German Abitur

Typical offer: Overall result of 1.8 or better

Specific entry requirements: Evidence of existing academic ability in Music is essential (normally with a final mark of 12/15). Alternatively successful applicants must have other evidence of advanced musical literacy (to grade 7 theory standard).

Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher level)

Typical offer: AABBBB

Specific entry requirements: Evidence of existing academic ability in Music is essential (normally with at least grade B at Higher level). Alternatively successful applicants must have other evidence of advanced musical literacy (to grade 7 theory standard).

Italian Diploma di Maturità or Diploma Pass di Esame di Stato

Typical offer: Final Diploma mark of at least 90/100

Specific entry requirements: Evidence of existing academic ability in Music is essential. The requirement is for a high level of Music Theory (to grade 7 standard) rather than performance ability.

Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

Typical offer: AABBB

Specific entry requirements: Highers must include Music with at least grade B. Ideally, applicants will have Music at Advanced Higher, also grade B. Alternatively successful applicants must have other evidence of advanced musical literacy (to grade 7 theory standard).

For more information refer to Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers.

Spanish Titulo de Bachillerato (LOGSE)

Typical offer: Overall average result of at least 8.0

Specific entry requirements: Evidence of existing academic ability in Music is essential. The requirement is for a high level of Music Theory (to grade 7 standard) rather than performance ability.

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma

Typical offer: Pass the Core plus at least AB in two A-levels

Specific entry requirements: A levels must include Music or Music Technology, at least grade B. Alternatively successful applicants must have other evidence of advanced musical literacy (to grade 7 theory standard).

For more information refer to Welsh Baccalaureate.

Related subjects

• Art history
• Computing
• Drama studies
• Film studies
• Media and journalism

Fees and funding

Fees

Funding

The funding sources listed below are for the subject area you are viewing and may not apply to all degrees listed within it. Please check the description of the individual funding source to make sure it is relevant to your chosen degree.

Careers and profiles

Brighton is the perfect base for studying music and music technologies. With proximity to creative industries in London, the city also offers a diversity of alternative music venues, games and multimedia companies. These provide rich opportunities for work experience, as well as widening your musical and technical knowledge. 

In a mobile employment landscape in which self-employment is likely to feature strongly, the emphasis in this course on creativity, critical analysis and technology skills will set you up for a range of careers. These could include jobs in the music industry, music and sound design for theatre, and the multimedia and gaming industries. Other career paths may include working in film, TV and library music. You will also be equipped to pursue a further vocational specialism or more academic study at postgraduate level.

Careers and employability

For employers, it’s not so much what you know, but what you can do with your knowledge that counts. The experience and skills you’ll acquire during and beyond your studies will make you an attractive prospect. Initiatives such as SussexPlus, delivered by the Careers and Employability Centre, help you turn your skills to your career advantage. It’s good to know that 94 per cent of our graduates are in work or further study (Which? University).

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