(Full time) 2022 start
Music, Multimedia and Electronics BSc
Overview
This course combines music technology with electronic engineering and provides you with the opportunity to specialise in designing electronic systems for creative practice whilst pursuing musicological and scientific research in music.
Delivered in collaboration with the School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, the course focuses on engineering, creative applications and contextual study at the intersection of music and technology.
Core modules provide a solid base in both disciplines; you’ll gain an understanding of circuit analysis, audio signal processing, sound and music technologies, and engineering and musicological research skills. You’ll study digital media engineering and embedded systems while creating your own electronic music. Project work will equip you with skills for a variety of exciting careers.
You’ll be taught by researchers whose specialisms are in sonic arts, digital electronics and musicology.
Specialist facilities
You’ll learn from experts across disciplines in excellent facilities, including contemporary recording and electronic music production studios in the School of Music. Dedicated acoustics and digital media laboratories in the School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering will also be open to you. We support a wide range of software platforms, though we aim to equip students with platform-independent skills.
The School of Music has its own purpose-built facilities complete with rehearsal, performance, and practice spaces and lecture theatres. At the heart of the School is the Clothworkers Centenary Concert Hall, a beautiful performance space with a multi-channel sound system for the live projection of electronic music, comprising a large array of top-of-the-range Genelec loudspeakers. Our entire international concert series programme is free for students.
Find out more about our facilities
Music at Leeds
Leeds offers a fantastic variety of opportunities to get involved with music and performance through extra-curricular activities run by the student union, or you can create your own ensembles and bands.
Leeds University Union Music Society (LUUMS) is one of the Union's largest societies and the campus hosts a diverse range of other musical societies, including Electronic Music and DJ Societies, as well as Gospel Choir, Clothworkers Consort of Leeds, Opera Society, Music Theatre, Band Soc, and Big Band.
You could also get involved in cultural activities in the Leeds area, and perform in the city’s many venues such as clubs, pubs, churches, or the Town Hall.
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer.
Accreditation is the assurance that a university course meets the quality standards established by the profession for which it prepares its students. For this course, these are the quality standards set by the IET.
Course content
During year one of the course, you’ll develop fundamental skills and knowledge in music technology and electronic engineering. You’ll learn about sound and music technologies, research skills, analogue and digital electronics, and begin to learn how to program embedded systems, whilst also creating your own electronic music.
In your second year, you’ll develop contextual awareness and applied skills. You’ll develop your electronic music creation and production skills while learning about music in its critical and practical contexts. Project work will also allow you to apply your knowledge to specific engineering problems, such as prototyping a product with an embedded system.
The final year will allow you to focus on research and project work at the intersection of music and technology. As well as your group project in music, multimedia and electronics, you can choose to specialise in composition, applied creative technology, or musicology for your independent work. You’ll learn how microelectronic technology is used to process digital signals and how content is distributed, as well as learning more about development tools for embedded devices. Projects are open-brief, and this enables you to develop your own specialism in creative music technologies—excellent preparation for your future career.
Engineering ethics
You’ll study engineering ethics as part of your course, with lectures and/or seminars in each year of your study. Visit our engineering ethics webpage to find out more.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.
<p><a href="http://webprod3.leeds.ac.uk/catalogue/dynprogrammes.asp?Y=202021&P=BS-MUSI%2FMME">For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Music, Multimedia and Electronics BSc in the course catalogue</a></p>Discovery modules
Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.
This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.
Learning and teaching
The course is taught by distinguished scholars: in the recent Research Excellence Framework exercise, 83% of Music’s research was rated as internationally excellent or world-leading, and the School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering was rated in the top five in the UK.
Practical classes and project work in applied creative technology are distinctive features of the programme, through which students are able to gain first-hand experience investigating and applying material from lectures and tutorials to real life work situations. Technical and applied technology material is taught through a combination of lectures, example classes, practical laboratories (emphasising both group and individual work) and individual tutorials. This is combined with small group skills training in research techniques, and lectures and seminars in which historic, contextual, and ethical issues are discussed.
You’ll be assigned a personal tutor who will meet with you individually at least twice a year, and tutorial support for your other modules is always available on request. Staff have office hours where you can drop in and ask for help if you need it. There is extensive support for students offered through the library's skills programme.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
We use different types of assessment, depending on the modules you choose. Assessments include examinations, written assignments, and portfolios of creative and technical work.
Entry requirements, fees and applying
Entry requirements
A-level: AAB
A-level: AAB including Mathematics plus evidence of musical literacy e.g. ABRSM Theory Grade 5, OR AAB including Music Technology.
Where an A-Level Science subject is taken, we require a pass in the practical science element, alongside the achievement of the A-Level at the stated grade.
GCSE: usually 5 at A-C, including English at Grade C/4 or above
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Access to HE Diploma
The Diploma must be in a relevant subject with 60 credits overall, with at least 45 credits at level 3 to include 30 credits at Distinction and 15 at Merit. -
BTEC
DDD
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Cambridge Pre-U
D3, M1, M2
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International Baccalaureate
35 points overall usually with at least 6 in Higher Level Music
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Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)
H2 H2 H2 H2 H3 H3
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Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers
AB in Advanced Highers and AABBB in Highers OR A in Advanced Highers and AABBB in Highers OR AAAABB in Highers.
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Welsh Baccalaureate
We can consider the Individual Project Element of the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate, and offer ABB for example + Distinction in the IP, (instead of AAB).
Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the Schools Undergraduate Admissions Team.
Alternative entry
We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.
Access to Leeds is a contextual admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.
Find out more about Access to Leeds and contextual admissions.
Typical Access to Leeds offer: BBB at A Level and pass Access to Leeds
International
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information
International Foundation Year
International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
How to apply
Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.
Read our guidance about applying.
International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Suitable candidates will be invited for interview as part of the selection process. Interviews usually take place between November and March during one of the post-application open days, meaning you’ll also have the chance to visit both schools and meet some staff and students.
Admissions tutors will consider your experience, skills and knowledge in relation to the academic demands of the course. The interview is important for demonstrating your experience, skills and knowledge, asking any questions you have about the course, and letting us know your views on music and technology.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2024
Fees
UK: See fees section below
International: £23,750 (per year)
Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will be £9,250 for students starting in 2024/25.
The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only, as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.
Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2025/26 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. When the fee is available we will update individual course pages.
Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2024/25 and 2025/26
Tuition fees for international students for 2024/25 are available on individual course pages. Fees for students starting in 2025/26 will be available from September 2024.
Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.
Read more about paying fees and charges.
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.
Financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.
Career opportunities
The degree is designed to equip you with skills and knowledge for a range of careers in which research skills and knowledge of technical systems are beneficial, including digital media, software programming, audio and consumer electronics, broadcasting, studio engineering, music editing and production, as well as postgraduate study.
On graduating, you could consider a variety of roles in fields such as innovative music product design, testing and implementation, software and programming for both music apps and general IT applications, audio hardware design, innovative musical performances and/or composition, music-related career routes such as composition, music production and music education, work in the electronics industry – especially in the areas of embedded systems and hardware/software interfacing – and academic research.
Careers support
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.
Study abroad and work placements
During your second year you’ll be able to apply to transfer to our BSc Music, Multimedia and Electronics (International) programme. This allows you to extend your degree by a year and spend your third year studying at one of our many partner universities worldwide.
It’s a great opportunity to enhance your CV and gain a new perspective on your studies, as well as deepening your cultural awareness through more varied experience. In addition to being a highlight of your degree, it can give you real confidence in a competitive job market.
Work placements
You might choose to do an Industrial year through one of the many existing placement providers. On successful completion, you will be awarded the ‘industrial’ variant in your degree title to demonstrate your unique expertise to future employers. Students who choose to take the Work Placement year in Music also have the chance to create their own placements.