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Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Sound Arts

Close up shot of moulded shapes in a variety of pastel colours

College
London College of Communication UCAS code
W382 Start date
September 2023 Course length
3 years

BA (Hons) Sound Arts centres on the creative use of sound, both as a medium in its own right and in support of other media, and is delivered within specialist industry standard facilities.

Why choose this course at London College of Communication

  • The course is designed and delivered with support from the music industry professional body Joint Audio Media Education Support (JAMES). Certification in Pro Tools is included as part of the course, and as the Screen School is an Avid Learning Partner (APL), you will be given the opportunity to undertake further training.
  • The course team is comprised of internationally recognised artists, designers, composers and writers. You will benefit from the close relationship to our MA Sound Arts course and the Creative Research into Sound Arts Practice (CRiSAP).
  • We offer excellent sound arts facilities including a multi-channel Sound Laboratory, Dolby Atmos Composition Studio and 5.1/stereo Postproduction Studio along with a high spec Mac Lab and analogue synth studio. All areas of the department are supported by a dedicated team of technical experts.
  • You’ll have the option to apply to student exchange and study abroad placements with internationally renowned arts and cultural intuitions. Current course partnership programmes include RMIT in Melbourne and UTS in Sydney.
  • Our visiting practitioner series of lectures and creative workshops will connect you to a diverse range of contemporary practices. Graduates have gone on to work with Tate Britain, Versace, Warp Records, Selfridges, Venice Biennale, Channel 5, BBC and Red Bull Music Academy.
  • As part of a global community of like-minded creative artists studying together within one university, we encourage collaboration across disciplines within the Screen School in areas such as film, television, animation, games design and virtual reality. Such opportunities are built into the structure of the course.

Open Days

The next Open Day for this course will be on Saturday 10 December. Book your place.

Explore life at LCC with our interactive Virtual Open Day.

Course overview

On the BA (Hons) Sound Arts course, you’ll explore the many possibilities of sound arts in a well-established and future-facing program of student-centred activity.

You’ll cover the diverse ways that sound is used creatively in the contemporary world and you are taught how to apply your creativity to produce original pieces of work in wide range of artistic areas.

The course is accordingly broad, including: fine art, sound studies, art installations and gallery practice, audio-visual communication, game environments and virtual reality, community projects, creative coding, soundscape pieces, interactive work and new media, experimental musical work of all genres and more.

Students on the course come from a variety of backgrounds and have a wide range of interests in all things sonic. You will be curious and open-minded and want to develop and expand your potential as a creative artist/practitioner.

Your creative, contextual and technical knowledge will be built throughout the course, allowing you to face the challenges and opportunities of the contemporary creative sound practitioner.

What to expect

You can expect this course to take you on an exploration of sound art and design as a constantly emerging culture to be found in many forms and international contexts, in which your own analysis and evaluation will be central.

You’ll mature and expand your potential in a personal journey through a range of areas including:  

  • Creative practice and production
  • Sound studies – thinking, doing and being in sound
  • Fine art approaches to sound: e.g. sound installations, sound sculpture
  • Studio recording, mixing and mastering
  • Surround sound (games, Virtual Reality (VR), music, installation)
  • Workflows of pre-production, production and post-production
  • Field recording and phonography (including ambisonics)
  • Hardware fabrication and object / interface design
  • Radiophonic work
  • Synthesis (analogue and digital, hardware and software)
  • Digital improvisation
  • Interactive programming
  • Experimental music
  • Game audio, adaptive music and sound for Virtual Reality / Extended Reality (XR)

Your increasing technical, creative and theoretical knowledge will support you in the development of a professional portfolio. You will produce this work within a context of the history, practices and concerns of the sonic arts and of the major theoretical, philosophical and aesthetic issues in the media arts.

Our classes are relatively intimate (20 to 30 students) – this enables us to provide flexible, personal content and orientate our delivery according to the emergent requests of our individual students.

Industry experience and opportunities

You are also encouraged to engage in professional sound arts work alongside your studies and many students participate in activities with creative spaces and groups such as The Laptop Orchestra, IKLETIK, Corsica Studios, Resonance FM, Gallery 46, The Economist and London Sinfonietta.

You’ll also have the opportunity to undertake the Diploma in Professional Studies or the Diploma in Creative Computing between Years 2 and 3 to enhance your learning experience and employability skills.

Mode of Study

BA (Hons) Sound Arts runs for 93 weeks in full time mode. It is divided into 3 stages over 3 academic years. Each stage lasts 31 weeks.

Course units

In common with all courses at the University of the Arts London, this course is credit rated. The course is 3 years, levels 4-6. Each year requires you to achieve 120 credit points. To be awarded the BA (Hons) Sound Arts qualification, you need to accumulate a total of 360 credits.

Year 1

The first year of the course establishes a foundation of creative approaches, technical skills, contextual knowledge and communication skills associated with contemporary sound art.

This year is focused on enabling you to create innovative, relevant and personal sound art and design, guided by your tutors and allowing you to gain confidence in presenting your work to your peers.

Introduction to Sound Arts (20 Credits)

This unit orientates you within the Sound Arts course, the college and university. Introducing the learning skills and requirements of effective studentship.         

Sonic Doing and Thinking (40 credits)   

Introduces the critical, creative and technical fundamentals that underpin sound arts through a series of lectures, performances and workshops.

Global Sound Cultures (20 credits)                     

You will be introduced to 21st century sound art and experimental music, the practitioners involved, the historic and geographic background and the issues that arise from their work.

Creative Project (40 credits)        

Developing further skills for making contemporary sound art using a range of relevant materials, techniques and strategies. It builds upon the previous unit Sonic Doing and Thinking.

Year 2

Having completed Year 1, you choose and develop specific skills in greater depth during Year 2. The capacity for creative practice and critical thinking is developed during practical projects, informed by the Specialising Options Unit. You will also undertake individual sound studies research and opportunities for public-facing collaborative sound art production.

Sound Studies and Aural Cultures (20 Credits)

This unit develops critical awareness of the primary themes which emerge from sound art culture in the 21st century.

Specialising and Exhibiting (40 Credits)   

This unit offers you the opportunity to specialise developing critical, creative and technical excellence in specific areas of sound art practice. These specialisms may include: Advanced Recording Techniques, Game Audio, Improvisation, Instrument Design and Fabrication, Modular Electronics, Multichannel and Spatial Sound, Sound and Interactive Media, and Sound for Screen. This unit also explores sound installation and more broadly the position of sound in a gallery, museum or other public art contexts.

Contemporary Issues in Sound Art (40 Credits)

This unit allows you to develop a major piece of practical work and prepares you for the final year research and creative portfolio. It builds upon previous learning and enables you to combine new strategies when creating contemporary sound art practice.

Collaborating (20 Credits) 

This unit offers the opportunity to work collaboratively with students from other courses and disciplines, and more widely with external collaborators. In addition, the unit focuses on enterprise, employability, professional ethics.

Year 3                       

Year 3 develops those skills learnt in previous years by immersing students in their chosen specialist areas. This accompanied by a written dissertation or alternatively by other modes of critical reflection (i.e. an extensive audio documentary / podcast).

An important part of Year 3 prepares you for professional life and helps you to define and explore potential career paths following graduation. These include working for production houses, creative agencies, record labels, festivals, arts organisations and games companies or working independently as a freelance sound artist / designer. Students may also progress onto a master’s program, either at LCC (e.g. MA Sound Arts) or elsewhere.          

Research Project (40 Credits)      

This unit allows you to study and develop extended knowledge of a specific topic of your choice within sound arts through either text or an equivalent audio paper with supporting text.       

Portfolio (60 credits)

The aim of this unit is to provide you with the opportunity to research, develop, produce and present a substantial portfolio of original creative work which integrates the techniques, practices, aesthetics and contextual background provided by the other units of the course

Professional Futures (20 Credits)     

Building a professional development pack comprising of online presence, CV, show reel (or equivalent), critical appraisal of learning journey, research into employment progression opportunities.

Optional Diploma between Years 2 and 3

Between Years 2 and 3 of the course, you’ll also have the opportunity to undertake one of the following additional UAL qualifications:

Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS) (Optional)

An optional, year-long learning opportunity which enables you to develop your professional skills by undertaking time out for industry experience. Supported throughout the year by academics, you’ll build on the knowledge gained on your course in a range of national or international locations, and graduate with an additional qualification of Diploma in Professional Studies.

Diploma in Creative Computing (Optional)

Between Years 2 and 3, you can undertake the year-long Diploma in Creative Computing. This will develop your skills in creative computing alongside your degree. After successfully completing the diploma and your undergraduate degree, you’ll graduate with an enhanced degree: BA (Hons) Sound Arts (with Creative Computing).

Learning and teaching methods

  • Creative workshops
  • Lectures
  • Seminars and tutorials
  • Peer critique
  • Independent and collaborative working practices
  • Site visits and events

Graduate showcase

Explore work by our recent students on the UAL Graduate Showcase

  • Audio-Vision
    Audio-Vision, Llorenc Garcia Bas, 2021 BA (Hons) Sound Arts, London College of Communication, UAL
    Llorenc Garcia Bas
  • The Eternal Distance Between Points
    The Eternal Distance Between Points, Giacomo Bandi, 2021 BA (Hons) Sound Arts, London College of Communication, UAL
    Giacomo Bandi
  • micrpboletan. a shady, cultish corporation.
    micrpboletan. a shady, cultish corporation., MOOGZ (matthew o'donnell), 2021 BA (Hons) Sound Arts, London College of Communication, UAL
    MOOGZ (matthew o'donnell)
  • John Pumphret's Portfolio
    John Pumphret's Portfolio, John Pumphret, 2021 BA (Hons) Sound Arts, London College of Communication, UAL
    John Pumphret

  • See more work by our students

Student work


  • Year 1 Playlist  

    See work from first year students on BA (Hons) Sound Arts and Design.

  • Milo Thesiger-Meacham student work as part of LCC Degree Shows 2019
    Student Work: Milo Thesiger-Meacham - Danger De Mort.
    Year 2 Playlist  

    See work from 2nd year students on BA (Hons) Sound Arts and Design.

  • Ed Waller student work as part of LCC Degree Shows 2019.
    Student Work: Ed Waller - noise/alternative
    Year 3 Playlist  

    See work from 3rd year students graduating from BA (Hons) Sound Arts.

Student Voices: Carla Geronimi

Here Carla talks through her video projection, exploring gender stereotypes and wanting those who experience her work to understand the struggles that a woman can experience.

Student Voices: Chiara Meadows

Chiara is a recent graduate of the course and talks through the themes of her dissertation and degree show installation, both focusing on the exploration of objects and bodies.

Course stories

Facilities

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

    Find out about the range of facilities on offer to students studying Sound Arts.

  • Red light indicating recording is taking place.
    Image © Vladimir Molico
    Lens-based and Audio-visual

    Find out about the workspaces and studios that support Lens-based and Audio-visual practice.

  • 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.

Staff

Tutors on this course are respected practising sound artists, composers and musicians. You will also benefit from a programme of visiting performers and speakers from all areas of contemporary sound practice, from wildlife recording to plunderphonics.

Associate Lecturers

Gareth Mitchell
Jessica Marlowe
Jose Macabre
Lucie Stepankova
Leslie Gaston
Sean McLusky
Kevin Logan

Visiting Practitioners

The Creative Research into Sound Arts Practice and LCC's Sound Arts department co-run a Visiting Practitioners Series of weekly talks at the college, exploring the diverse field of sound arts practice. Each term a number of sound practitioners are invited in to share their work.

Visiting Practitioners include:
Don Nelson
Charlie Kerr

Fees and funding

Home fee

£9,250 per year

This fee is correct for 2023/24 entry and is subject to change for 2024/25 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students.

Home fees are currently charged to UK nationals and UK residents who meet the rules. However, the rules are complex. Find out more about our tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£25,970 per year

This fee is correct for 2023/24 entry and is subject to change for 2024/25 entry.

Tuition fees for international students may increase by up to 5% in each future year of your course.

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

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Entry requirements

The course team welcomes applicants from a broad range of backgrounds from all over the world. The course attracts students who apply direct from A-level (or equivalent) or from Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, or other art or design courses, as well as mature students who may have previously worked in industry.

The standard entry requirements for this course are as follows:

96 UCAS tariff points, which can be made up of one or a combination of the following accepted full level 3 qualifications:

  • A Levels at grade C or above (preferred subjects include: English; History; Media; Business; Art and Design, or other subjects within Social Sciences)
  • Merit at Foundation Diploma in Art & Design (Level 3 or 4)
  • Merit, Merit, Merit at BTEC Extended Diploma (preferred subjects: Art and Design, IT & Computing, Music and Performing Arts)
  • Merit at UAL Extended Diploma
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma (preferred subject: Digital and Creative Media, Film and Production, Computing)
  • OR equivalent EU/International qualifications, such as International Baccalaureate Diploma at 24 points minimum

And 3 GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (grade A*-C).

APEL - Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning

If you do not meet these entry requirements but your application demonstrates additional strengths and alternative relevant experience, you may still be considered. This could include:

  • Related academic or work experience;
  • The quality of the personal statement;
  • A strong academic or other professional reference;
  • 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

  • IELTS level 6.0 or above, with at least 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.

All classes are taught in English. If English isn’t your first language, you will need to show evidence of your English language ability when you enrol. For further guidance, please check our  English language requirements.

Selection criteria

The details on your UCAS application (including the academic reference and your personal statement) will be assessed against the following criteria:

  • Demonstration of an appreciation of the specialist nature of sound arts and design.
  • An understanding of the need for a critical and analytical approach (through research and practice) to this area of study.
  • Evidence of research and development of ideas through practice to achieve specific outcomes.
  • Quality of ideas and thought processes in the production of your work.

Apply now

Home International

You must apply for this course through Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), where you'll need the following information:

  • University code: U65
  • Course code: W382

London College of Communication courses are listed under University of the Arts London.

Application deadline

We recommend you apply by 18:00 GMT on 25 January 2023 for equal consideration. However this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.

Personal statement advice

This is an important part of your application and should demonstrate to the team that you are interested in sound arts  and that you have thought carefully about why you want to study on this course.

You can demonstrate this through your previous work experience or study, personal experience and your ambitions for personal development as a student at LCC.

You should ensure it is written clearly, and free of any spelling mistakes. It is your chance to impress the team by demonstrating your appreciation of what the course can offer you and how you feel it will help you in the future.

State what you personally would bring to the course, and explain what motivates you to learn, explore and experiment.

Please note: This course does not require a portfolio as part of the application.

Deferring your place

This course accepts requests from offer holders to defer their place for one academic year. Deferral requests are granted on a first-come, first served basis until all deferral places are filled, or a deadline has been reached, whichever is sooner.

Read our Admissions Policy for details, and request your deferral by contacting us through the UAL Portal using the Contact Us button in your My Application(s) tab.

Transfers

If you are currently studying somewhere else on a course in an equivalent subject area and would like to transfer to this course, you can transfer to:

  • Year 2, if you’ve completed 120 credits in Year 1
  • Year 3, if you’ve completely 240 credits in Years 1 and 2

Apply via UCAS and choose Year 2 or 3 for your POE (Point of Entry)

Please check our Student Transfer Policy for more important information and be ready to provide us with your current course handbook and Year 1/Year 2 unit transcripts. Applicants to Year 2 or 3 will be asked to supply a portfolio of work (maximum 20 ‘image’ files) to support their application.

Referral to alternative UAL courses

The University operates a cross-referral system, where applicants can be considered for and offered a place on an alternative course, if the admissions tutor feels they are more suited to that course. If you wish to opt out of the cross-referral process you can do so at the application form stage.

There are 2 ways international students can apply to an undergraduate course:

You must apply through UCAS, where you will need the following information:

  • University code – U65
  • UCAS course code – W382

London College of Communication courses are listed under University of the Arts London.

Read our immigration and visa information to find out if you need a visa to study at UAL.

You can only apply to the same course once per year. Any duplicate applications will be withdrawn.  Read the UAL international application advice for further information on how to apply.

Application deadline

We recommend you apply by 18:00 GMT on 25 January 2023 for equal consideration. However this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.

Personal statement advice

This is an important part of your application and should demonstrate to the team that you are interested in sound arts and that you have thought carefully about why you want to study on this course.

You can demonstrate this through your previous work experience or study, personal experience and your ambitions for personal development as a student at LCC.

You should ensure it is written clearly, and free of any spelling mistakes. It is your chance to impress the team by demonstrating your appreciation of what the course can offer you and how you feel it will help you in the future.

State what you personally would bring to the course, and explain what motivates you to learn, explore and experiment.

Please note: This course does not require a portfolio as part of the application.

Deferring your place

This course accepts requests from offer holders to defer their place for one academic year. Deferral requests are granted on a first-come, first served basis until all deferral places are filled, or a deadline has been reached, whichever is sooner.

Read our Admissions Policy for details, and request your deferral by contacting us through the UAL Portal using the Contact Us button in your My Application(s) tab.

Immigration history check

You will be asked to complete an immigration history check to establish whether you are eligible to study at UAL. We will not be able to proceed with your application until you have submitted your completed Immigration History Form.

Transfers

If you are currently studying somewhere else on a course in an equivalent subject area and would like to transfer to this course, you can transfer to:

  • Year 2, if you’ve completed 120 credits in Year 1
  • Year 3, if you’ve completely 240 credits in Years 1 and 2

Apply via UCAS and choose Year 2 or 3 for your POE (Point of Entry)

Please check our Student Transfer Policy for more important information and be ready to provide us with your current course handbook and Year 1/Year 2 unit transcripts.

If you are an International applicant and studying outside the UK, please complete your Direct application and then contact us via your UAL Portal to ask to be considered for Year 2/Year 3.

Please be ready to provide an official document (translated into English) from your current university, explaining the learning outcomes of the units you have completed.

Referral to alternative UAL courses

The University operates a cross-referral system, where applicants can be considered for and offered a place on an alternative course, if the admissions tutor feels they are more suited to that course. If you wish to opt out of the cross-referral process you can do so at the application form stage.

Study abroad applicants

International undergraduate students can apply to join BA (Hons) Sound Arts and Design for a period of up to three terms as a Study Abroad student.

Visit the Study Abroad page for details of how to apply.

After you apply

Communicating with you

After you have successfully submitted your application, you will receive an email confirming we have successfully received your application and providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We will request any additional information from you, including inviting you to upload documents through the portal. You should check your UAL Portal regularly for any important updates and requests.

If you have achieved or expect to achieve the standard entry requirements we will consider you for a place on the course. We make our offers based on the strength of the whole application, and therefore don’t routinely invite applicants to interview.

International applicants may be invited to an online interview. Interview details will be sent via the UAL Portal.

Please add @arts.ac.uk to your contacts to ensure that you do not miss any important updates re: your application to UAL.

Portfolio advice

Please note: This course does not require a portfolio as part of the application.

What happens next?

We will advise you of your application outcome through UCAS Hub. If you are an International applicant and have applied directly or through an agent, we will notify you through the UAL Portal.

We invite all offer holders to attend one of our offer holder sessions where you'll hear from the team, find out more about the course, and the diverse and vibrant student community at LCC.

Requesting feedback

This course receives a high number of applications. Unfortunately, we can’t provide feedback to everyone who is unsuccessful. We can only provide feedback after you’ve had an interview. We are only able to provide feedback to you directly, or to someone you have told us in writing can receive it on your behalf. If you would like to request feedback  please contact us through the UAL Portal using the Contact Us button in your My Application(s) tab.

Successful applicants will be guided through the rest of our admissions stages and towards enrolment on the course.

Careers

The field of sound arts is diverse and growing discipline. Some recent graduates have gone on to postgraduate study; others have found work in music studios or as sound designers and composers for television.

Some become freelance sound designers; others work as sound specialists on professional film and video projects. Some have pursued careers in sound art and installation; others are pursuing performance-based opportunities.

Graduates have gone on to work in diverse areas including film sound, theatre sound design and solo performance work. Some are pursuing careers as independent sound artists, play and perform at venues in London or on the radio, while others have set up their own companies or gone on to study at postgraduate level.

London College of Communication

Contact

Telephone

+44 (0)20 7514 6500
Address
Elephant & Castle

London
SE1 6SB