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Postgraduate

MA Music Production

Woman playing keyboard and smiling.
Composition Studio, London College of Communication.
College
London College of Communication
Start date
September 2024
Course length
1 year 3 months full-time (45 weeks across a four-term model)

MA Music Production will prepare you for a career as a highly skilled producer of music and audio through 4 key areas: creative practice in music production; technical studio and production skills; historic, aesthetic and critical listening and research skills; and employability within the creative industries.

Applying for more than 1 course

You can apply for more than 1 postgraduate course at UAL but we recommend that you apply for no more than 3. Find out more in the Apply Now section.

Why choose this course at London College of Communication

  • Creative practice in action: With structure, time and facilities to explore specialist production techniques, you’ll work creatively to develop and redefine your own practice.
  • Connected collaboration: As part of a global community of likeminded creatives, you’ll have opportunities to collaborate with other Screen School disciplines including film, television, animation, games design and virtual reality (VR).
  • Industry-aligned: Designed with industry specialists, this course provides opportunities to connect with creative practitioners and partner companies.
  • Build your career: You’ll focus on developing your career path by building a portfolio, creating work aligned with your interests, growing your network, and demonstrating your skills through opportunities such as public exhibitions.
  • Facilities and research: Our new, state-of-the-art studios will be your primary working space, with access to control and composition rooms, live rooms and multi-channel mixing rooms. You’ll also benefit from our close relationship with the Creative Research into Sound Arts Practice (CRiSAP) research centre.

Open Evenings

The next Open Evening for this course will be announced soon.

Course overview

MA Music Production will prepare you for a career as a highly skilled producer of music and audio. With a focus on 4 key areas, you’ll be supported to explore creative practice in music production; technical studio and production skills; historic, aesthetic and critical listening and research skills; and employability within the creative industries.

Designed to meet the needs of students who have completed an undergraduate programme in a related subject, this course is also suited to professionals who wish to return to study and further develop their own music production practices.

What to expect

  • Redefining your practice: Throughout your time on the course, you’ll develop a deep understanding of how to work creatively across the convergent digital technologies of contemporary music production.
  • Course progression: You’ll follow a curriculum that maps onto 3 distinct course stages, moving from technical and research practices in Term 1 to industry and collaborative practices in Term 2, before focusing on individual project and production delivery in Terms 3 and 4.
  • Practical learning: Supported by leading academics and industry professionals, you’ll be given the structure, time and facilities needed to explore a range of specialist production techniques.
  • Creative development: You’ll develop your own creative practice in areas such as studio and live recording, mixing, mastering, songwriting and composing for a wide range of media applications including film and television, games and virtual reality (VR).
  • Specialist facilities: The course is delivered using purpose-built, industry-standard audio facilities at LCC, including a suite of new studios and live rooms, a multi-channel performance lab, and an extensive range of audio equipment for recording and producing music.

Industry experience and opportunities

Working within one of the leading art and design universities in the world, you’ll have opportunities to collaborate across disciplines, and also with industry practitioners and partner companies.

Throughout the MA, you’ll build a portfolio of work that showcases your creative talent, and have space to both critically reflect on and evaluate your own practice, enhancing your own uniqueness as a music producer.

Mode of study

MA Music Production is in Full Time mode which runs for 45 weeks over 15 months. You will be expected to commit 40 hours per week to study.

Course units

In response to the Climate Emergency, UAL has embedded responsible practices within the curriculum. We shaped our courses around principles of social and racial justice, and environmental sustainability that ensure learning outcomes reflect the urgent need to equip you with the understanding, skills, and values for ethical practice and empower you to work towards an equitable future.

Each course is divided into units, which are credit-rated. The minimum unit size is 20 credits. The MA course structure involves 5 units, totalling 180 credits.

Autumn, Term 1

The Practice of Music Production (40 credits)

This unit will cover the fundamental tools used in the process of music production.

You’ll demonstrate that you have an advanced understanding of core technologies and learn how to apply your knowledge practically, grounding and enhancing your own music production practice through contextual, technical and creative study.

Critical Perspectives on Music Production (20 credits)

Through critical group discussion of both historical concepts and current research and practice, you will evaluate your own music production practice in reference to global contemporary debates on the art of record production and the wider creative industries.

You’ll also undertake self-directed research in order to create an individual music production practice proposal.

Spring, Term 2

Collaborative Unit (20 credits)

In this unit, you will identify, form and develop collaborative working relationships with a range of potential partners - either within the University or externally. You’ll design and deliver a cross-disciplinary project to a bespoke brief, replicating the kinds of collaborative work that music production typically involves.

Music Industry Practices (40 credits)

In this unit, you’ll study the music industry by examining its past, present and future, along with the diverse technical, social, cultural and political influences that shape music industry practices.

You’ll participate in sessions to develop key skills needed to work within the industry, ranging from business planning, copyright and intellectual property to funding applications and performance rights. You’ll also have the opportunity to prepare for your career beyond the course by working to a set industry brief.

Summer, Term 3

Final Major Project (60 credits)

This unit will provide an opportunity for you to demonstrate the development of your own practice and research relating to music production through the completion of a Final Major Project.

Working within an extended period of practice-based research, you’ll synthesise the practical, reflective and conceptual developments in your work throughout the course, and also produce an accompanying critical reflection on that practice.

Autumn, Term 4

Final Major Project (60 credits - continued)

Learning and teaching methods

  • Practical workshops
  • Studio recording practice
  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Guest lectures and workshops
  • Project work
  • Peer critique
  • Research
  • Learning sets
  • Group working
  • Virtual learning environment

Online Open Day

Programme Director Adam Stanovic gives an overview of the MA Music Production and studying at London College of Communication.

Facilities

  • The mixing board in the Composition Studio.
    Image © Lewis Bush

    Sound and Music

    Access our range of resources, studios and workspaces that support Sound Arts and Music Production practices.

  • Student reading a book in between two bookshelves in the Library
    Students in the Digital Space. London College of Communication, UAL. Photograph: Alys Tomlinson

    The Digital Space

    The Digital Space is an open-plan, creative hub with computers set up with specialist software.

  • Red light indicating recording is taking place.
    Image © Vladimir Molico

    Lens-based and Audio-visual

    Studios, workshops and technical spaces for photography, video production, special effects, audio-visual and live events projects.

Staff

Fees and funding

Home fee

£13,330

This fee is correct for 2024/25 entry and is subject to change for 2025/26 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£28,570

This fee is correct for 2024/25 entry and is subject to change for 2025/26 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

Scholarship search

Entry requirements

Applicants will be considered for admission if they have achieved an educational level equivalent to an honours degree in a relevant subject such as music production, music technology, audio technology, sound design, sound arts, or a closely related subject. However, we do not exclude candidates who have graduated from other less strongly aligned disciplines. All applicants will be required to submit a portfolio of previous work in the broad area of music production.

This educational level may be demonstrated by:

  • Honours degree;
  • Possession of equivalent qualifications;
  • Prior experiential learning, the outcome of which can be demonstrated to be equivalent to formal qualifications otherwise required;
  • Or a combination of formal qualifications and experiential learning which, taken together, can be demonstrated to be equivalent to formal qualifications otherwise required.

APEL - Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning

Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:

  • Related academic or work experience
  • The quality of the personal statement
  • A strong academic or other professional reference
  • OR a combination of these factors

Each application will be considered on its own merit. We cannot guarantee an offer in each case.

English language requirements

All classes are conducted in English. If English is not your first language, we strongly recommend you let us know your English language test score in your application. If you have booked a test or are awaiting your results, please indicate this in your application. When asked to upload a CV as part of your application, please include any information about your English test score.

  • IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) is required, with a minimum of 5.5 in each of the four skills

All classes are conducted in English. If English is not your first language you will be asked to provide evidence of your English language ability when you enrol.

For further guidance, please check our  English language requirements.

Selection criteria

Offers will be made based on the following selection criteria, which applicants are expected to demonstrate:

  • An academic or professional background in music production (or a related area)
  • Sufficient prior knowledge and experience of and/or potential in music production to be able to successfully complete the programme of study
  • Knowledge of aural culture and an ability to engage in critical discussion
  • A clear sense of their own creative practice within the broad field of music production
  • An interest in collaborative practices

Apply now

Application deadline

Deadline

Round 1:

13 December 2023 at 1pm (UK time)

Round 2:

3 April 2024 at 1pm (UK time)

Digital portfolio and video task deadline

Round 1:

7 days after digital portfolio and/or video task request

Round 2:

7 days after digital portfolio and/or video task request

Decision outcome

Round 1:

End of March 2024

Round 2:

End of June 2024

Round 1
Round 2
Deadline
13 December 2023 at 1pm (UK time)
3 April 2024 at 1pm (UK time)
Digital portfolio and video task deadline
7 days after digital portfolio and/or video task request
7 days after digital portfolio and/or video task request
Decision outcome
End of March 2024
End of June 2024

All applications received by 3 April will be treated equally. If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Read more about deadlines

Apply now

Application deadline

Deadline

Round 1:

13 December 2023 at 1pm (UK time)

Round 2:

3 April 2024 at 1pm (UK time)

Digital portfolio and video task deadline

Round 1:

7 days after digital portfolio and/or video task request

Round 2:

7 days after digital portfolio and/or video task request

Decision outcome

Round 1:

End of March 2024

Round 2:

End of June 2024

Round 1
Round 2
Deadline
13 December 2023 at 1pm (UK time)
3 April 2024 at 1pm (UK time)
Digital portfolio and video task deadline
7 days after digital portfolio and/or video task request
7 days after digital portfolio and/or video task request
Decision outcome
End of March 2024
End of June 2024

All applications received by 3 April will be treated equally. If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Read more about deadlines

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How to apply

Follow this step-by-step guide to apply for this course

Step 1: Initial application

You will need to submit an initial application including your personal statement and CV.

Personal statement advice

Your personal statement should be maximum 500 words and include:

  • your reasons for choosing the course
  • your current creative practice and how this course will help you achieve your future plans
  • any relevant education and experience, especially if you do not have any formal academic qualifications.

Visit our personal statement page for more advice.

CV advice

Please provide a CV detailing your education, qualifications and any relevant work or voluntary experience. If you have any web projects or other media that you would like to share, please include links in your CV. If English is not your first language, please also include your most recent English language test score.

Step 2: Video task and digital portfolio

We will review your initial application. If you have met the standard entry requirements, we will ask you to submit a video task and digital portfolio.

You’ll need to submit these via PebblePad, our online portfolio tool. Please submit your video task on the first page followed by your portfolio.

Video task advice

We’d like you to submit a 2-3 minute video to help us learn more about you. The video must be in English.

What to include in your video task

  • Choose 1 project from your portfolio and explain your creative intentions, your role in the project, the various challenges that you faced and your thoughts about the finished work.

Read our guidance for how to submit your video task and which file types we accept.

Digital portfolio advice

Your portfolio should consist of recent work that reflects your creative strengths.

It should:

  • include a maximum of 3 audio files such as recordings, mixes, compositions and performances
  • demonstrate your creative skills and interests in the broad area of music production
  • include written work to explain your creative intentions or processes if necessary.

For more support, see our Portfolio advice and PebblePad advice.

Step 3: Interview

You may be invited to an interview following our review of your application. All interviews are held online and last 15 to 20 minutes.

For top tips, see our Interview advice.

You also need to know

Communicating with you

Once you have submitted your initial application, we will email you with your login details for our Applicant portal.

Requests for supplementary documents like qualifications and English language tests will be made through the applicant portal. You can also use it to ask questions regarding your application. Visit our After you apply page for more information.

Applying to more than 1 course

You can apply for more than 1 postgraduate course at UAL but we recommend that you apply for no more than 3 courses. You need to tailor your application, supporting documents and portfolio to each course, so applying for many different courses could risk the overall quality of your application. If you receive offers for multiple courses, you'll only be able to accept 1 offer. UAL doesn't accept repeat applications to the same course in the same academic year.

Visas and immigration history check

All non-UK nationals must complete an immigration history check. Your application may be considered by our course teams before this check takes place. This means that we may request your portfolio and/or video task before we identify any issues arising from your immigration history check. Sometimes your history may mean that we are not able to continue considering your application. Visit our Immigration and visas advice page for more information.

External student transfer policy

UAL accepts transfers from other institutions on a case-by-case basis. Read our Student transfer policy for more information.

Alternative offers

If your application is really strong, but we believe your strengths and skillset are better suited to a different course, we may make you an alternative offer. This means you will be offered a place on a different course or at a different UAL College.

Deferring your place

We do not accept any deferral requests for our postgraduate courses. This means that you must apply in the year that you plan to start your course and you will not be able to defer your place to start at a later date.

Application deadlines

For postgraduate courses at UAL there are 2 equal consideration deadlines to ensure fairness for all our applicants. If you apply ahead of either of these deadlines, your application will be considered on an equal basis with all other applications in that round. If there are places available after the second deadline, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Careers

MA Music Production will develop your employability skills for a wide range of music production career paths in areas including:

  • Studio engineering
  • Live sound engineering
  • Song writing
  • Music performance
  • Composing for media
  • Game audio
  • Acoustics
  • Audio post-production.

With the increasingly freelance nature of employment in the creative industries, this course will also offer you the guidance and confidence to become a freelance professional.

More widely, Careers and Employability at UAL will support you in your journey to becoming an innovator in the creative and cultural sectors through a programme of events, seminars, workshops, online resources and funding opportunities.