• Undergraduate

Recording, Mixing and Production BA (Hons)

Overview

Overview

Why study at UWL? 
  • In the top 30% of universities nationwide - The Guardian University Guide 2024 
  • University of the Year for Social Inclusion - Daily Mail University Guide 2024 
  • Best university for Student Experience and Teaching Quality in the UK - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 
  • Number 1 London university (non-specialist) - National Student Survey 2023** 

If you want to learn how to mix music at a professional level, come and study with us, at one of the largest audio complexes in Europe.

Our music mixing and mastering course represents more than two decades of development and experience. During your studies at the London College of Music (LCM), you will build up your core recording and production skills to mix and master for commercial release.

Throughout the course, you will have opportunities to work in professional studios and with a wide range of musicians.

View some of our students' recent work.

Student guitarist being recorded

Select your desired study option, then pick a start date to see relevant course information:

Study options:
We support flexible study by offering some of our courses part-time or via distance learning. To give you real world experience before you graduate, we also offer some courses with a placement or internship. All available options are listed here. Your choices may affect some details of your course, such as the duration and cost per year. Please re-check the details on this page if you change your selection.

Start date:

If your desired start date is not available, try selecting a different study option.

Why study Recording, Mixing and Production with us?

Why study Recording, Mixing and Production with us?

What our students say…

The University is very modern, and it has a really good atmosphere. 

Costel Cantia
Next
£1m+ investment in the Paragon Annex Studios. Our studio complex is now one of the largest in Europe.
The London College of Music is an all-Steinway school
UWL boasts a 200-seat fully equipped studio theatre
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Course detail & modules

Course detail & modules

Welcome to the BA (Hons) Recording, Mixing and Production Course where you will learn how to become a well-rounded record producer with a variety of sound-shaping skills that will allow you to define the creator you want to be.

You will work to generate newly recorded work using the latest in technology, and our extensive recording facilities which include Dolby Atmos Spaces, a significant number of large format recording studios, specialist mastering facilities, and Universal Audio mobile recording rigs.

You will develop advanced skills, such as tonal and spatial processing, a deep understanding of dynamics, and mixing skills for multiple musical formats.

This course will train you to apply these techniques in UWL’s numerous recording studio facilities, where you can practically apply, and critically assess your work.

Learning to use our facilities will arm you with an appreciation of recording competency and help you to explore future recording, mixing, and mastering practice. Thus allowing you to become the creator of your own signature sound.

You will study remixing as a creative process through practical assignments, drawing on critical skills such as audio editing, sequencing and sampling. You will put theory into practice by building up your portfolio of mixed and mastered materials.

Your final year will allow you to undertake a self-managed project. On this project, you will need to negotiate all the aspects necessary for success in the industry, including: 

  • Organisation 
  • Resource management 
  • Research planning 
  • Professional practice 

Throughout your course, you can refine your skills in one of the largest professionally equipped music studio complexes in Europe. Including acoustically designed recording studios and multi-performance production studios.

As a part of the larger LCM community, you are encouraged to collaborate with a significant number of fellow artists and musicians from the popular music courses, as well as classical and jazz musicians on our traditional performance courses. You will be able to work with students across genres, including western classical, pop, jazz, grime, and hip hop, as well as define new musical trends with your collaborators. 

Compulsory modules

  • DAW Mixing and Production

    This module offers you the opportunity to develop as a creative user of professional DAW systems.

    Through the module you will gain fluency in the use of:

    • hardware and software
    • synths
    • samplers
    • controllers

    You will also grasp the essential concepts required for next level music production.

  • Recording Theory

    Recording Theory is a broad module introducing a variety of topics vital to the field of music technology. It also serves as a base for the more practical and technically orientated modules in the music technology degree courses at LCM/UWL. It is a key module designed to equip students with a grounding in the core knowledge and techniques germane to the disciplinary nature of the music technology courses.

    The module aims to provide the student with a solid grounding in the theory, techniques and terminology associated with contemporary acoustic and digital recording practice, as well as ensuring a fundamental grasp of the basic physics of sound and sound propagation.

  • Portfolio Development

    This module focuses on the development of your portfolio career. Increasingly, the successful modern freelancer requires a diverse range of skill sets in:

    • writing styles
    • technique
    • arrangement
    • production
    • the ability to expand your client base and income streams.

    Workflow demands will be examined in a time managed ethos to allow best practice. The module also explores creative outlets, future facing opportunities and residual income streams to allow you to pursue a career as a music professional whilst developing your portfolio.

  • Popular Music Analysis

    If you understand how other people’s music works, it will help you develop your own creative vision. Different music genres all have their own particular sonic signature and this module is where you learn how to identify and talk about the elements which have defined recorded music, from past to present allowing you to absorb the techniques and mix aesthetics to build them into your tracks.

  • Recording Practice

    Recording Practice will help you develop the required skills needed to operate studio recording technology to a high standard. The module will further the listening skills covered in Recording Theory and will increase your sensitivity to different recording and musical contexts. It covers a comprehensive overview of contemporary studio technology and the recording process.

    The module will also extend ear-training techniques and examine each component of studio technology in detail. In addition, it will address how the techniques of recording are coupled to the technology, providing each student with a backbone of knowledge designed to help the recording demands of the second year.

  • Remix Practice

    From King Tubby to Danger Mouse and beyond, the power of mixing has progressed from a process of sonic enhancement and balancing, to a creative force capable of creating brand new musical styles. Remix Practice give students the chance to creatively and technically explore an essential career pathway and continue to develop their professional portfolio throughout the course. The module focuses on the creative abuse of dynamic, non-linear DAW packages, following on from DAW Mixing and Production in semester 1, and preparing students for Advanced DAW Practice in year 2.

    The module aims to provide students with opportunities to:

    ·       Explore the aesthetics of the remix, what it ‘looks’ like and how it is perceived;
    ·       Deploy specialised tools and techniques associated with the practice;
    ·       Embrace remix culture as a sonic and philosophical paradigm
    ·       Acquire processing, production and mixing skills beneficial to students in their roles both as remixers and creative engineers.

Compulsory modules

  • LCM Record Label

    During the LCM Record Label Module, you will be participating in a simulated record label from the perspective of the record-production students. You will learn how to pitch recording projects to labels and project-manage new releases to specified release timeframes.

    The module is broken into two distinct halves. First, you will establish a foundation of knowledge around the structure of contemporary record labels. Second, you will learn how to identify and correct recording and arrangement issues using advanced pre-production and project management skills.

  • Recording Music

    'Recording music' is an advanced-recording subject designed to develop the required skills to operate both physical and virtual recording technology to a higher standard. Students will engage in a combination of practical and theoretical workshops aimed at developing a fluency in recording planning and practice. The module aims to further develop students’ abilities to critically evaluate, and confidently produce musical recordings in a chosen style.

  • Creative Collaboration and Innovation

    This module embraces the idea that the creative mind, rather than thriving on isolation, is dependent upon human interactions, which are in turn essential for the development of your own innovative artistic practices.

    By examining multidisciplinary case studies ranging from pioneering scholarly ideas, through to scientific theories and revolutionary art forms, you will learn the importance of thinking outside the box, synthesising different backgrounds into new forms, and putting these ideas into practice.

  • Research Methods for Record Production

    This module aims to get you thinking about applied research: how can you get better at some aspect of your creative and/or technical practice? You will come at this from three perspectives. Firstly, you will use some aspect of your practice from another module in the course to collect video data documenting the way you engage with and conduct that activity.

    You will then use a process of stimulated recall to analyse that data and reflect upon your creative practice – an autoethnographic approach. Secondly, you will use a series of masterclass presentations given by members of staff and/or postgraduate research students to think about your practice – an ethnographic approach.

    Finally, you will conduct a review of some of the academic literature in their field which is relevant to their practice – a theoretical approach. These three activities will be used to think about a way that you can improve your professional practice in some way and will form the basis for designing a major project at level 6, which will bring that improvement to fruition.

  • Advanced DAW Practice

    On this module you will learn how to build upon core Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) skills and enhance your understanding of Pro Tools software. Your goal will be to produce a computer-based, digital mix of music-only projects to a professional standard. You should finish the module fully prepared to collaborate with other producers, engineers and musicians to realise your creative goals.

  • LCM Music Factory

    LCM Music Factory embraces the network and community available within London College of Music and the University to provide real-life scenarios for the production of original music with a contemporary stylistic focus through collaboration. The fundamental aim of this module is to offer the student an opportunity to experience both the pressure and challenges of producing recorded artefacts to a specific musical brief. There is also a significant research aspect to the module, with assessment based upon both practical and theoretical knowledge in equal measures. 

Compulsory modules

  • Advanced Audio Processing Techniques

    This module will look at the shaping of electronic sounds, timbre as a compositional tool, advanced sampling and advanced forms of synthesis. You will conduct experiments that explore techniques covered in the online lectures and production workshops. You will also create a short video explaining or demonstrating some aspect of what you have learnt and how you have applied it.

  • Mixing Music

    'Mixing Music' embraces the notion of balance-mixing as an art (form), at the same time celebrating its dependence on a firm technical foundation, repertoire and vocabulary of engineering skills, combined with a refined conceptual understanding of the three-dimensional stage of an envisioned sonic illusion. Focusing on developing and specialising students’ mixing skill to an advanced level, the module provides a practice-based context for the application, evolution and acquisition of advanced mix-techniques.


    Taking into account contemporary mixing strategies, musical contexts and professional outputs/formats, the module offers opportunities to approach creative mixing projects over a range of stylistic and technical challenges. As such, this mixing curriculum focuses on genre-specific techniques, and a range of software, hardware and hybrid workflows, encouraging the development of mixing folios that showcase a wide-ranging palette of techno-artistic skills. Ultimately, the module also requires both the critical evaluation of, and reflection upon both mixing practices and end outcomes – framed in the context of the history, culture, technological development and the current aesthetics of the artform.

  • Mastering Music

    During this module you will develop an understanding of the processes and technologies used in mastering. You will also have opportunities to apply these techniques to create a portfolio of mastered materials. Seminar work will help you to develop the essential listening skills for mastering as you simultaneously enhance your technical abilities to the highest level of control.

  • Mix Analysis

    This module aims to provide you with an overview of the technique and musical approaches to contemporary mixing. The module will focus on historical origins and approaches to mixing and will analyse the work of professional contemporary mix engineers.

  • Major Project

    In the final year of your degree course you will undertake a major project. This module is your chance to create your dream project with a high degree of independence.

    You will be allocated a supervisor and then given the freedom to create a piece of work, which you feel really represents you as a music technology student.

    You will be guided and supported, but this is your vision and your chance to show the world your achievements.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

112-128 UCAS points required from level 3 qualifications

These can include:

  • A Levels at grade B, B and C, or above
  • BTEC Extended Diploma with Distinction, Merit, Merit
  • Access to HE Diploma
  • T Levels

Your Level 3 qualifications would normally include Music or an alternative relevant subject area.

You also need GCSE English and Maths (grade 9 – 4 / A* - C) or Level 2 equivalents.

 

Candidates without a level 3 Music Technology qualification are required to provide a portfolio.

Looking for BA (Hons) Recording, Mixing and Production with Foundation Year?

View Foundation Year course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.

Mature applicants (aged 21+): If you do not hold the qualifications listed but have relevant work experience, you are welcome to apply. Your application will be considered on an individual basis.

Level 5 (year 2) entry
To directly enter the second year of this course you will need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 120 undergraduate credits at Level 4 or a CertHE in a related subject area.

Level 6 (year 3) entry
To directly enter the third year of this course you need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 240 undergraduate credits (at Levels 4 and 5), a DipHE, Foundation Degree or HND in a related subject area.

Looking for BA (Hons) Recording, Mixing and Production with Foundation Year?

View Foundation Year course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.
6.0 IELTS or above

You need to meet our English language requirement - a minimum of IELTS 5.5 for each of the 4 individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening). Visit our English language requirements page for information on other English language tests we accept. 

You also need academic qualifications at the same level as UK applicants. In some countries where teaching is in English, we may accept local qualifications. Check for local equivalents

We offer pre-sessional English language courses if you do not meet these requirements.

Find out more about our English Language courses.

Candidates without a level 3 Music Technology qualification are required to provide a portfolio.

Looking for BA (Hons) Recording, Mixing and Production with Foundation Year?

View Foundation Year course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.

Mature applicants (aged 21+): If you do not hold the qualifications listed but have relevant work experience, you are welcome to apply. Your application will be considered on an individual basis.

Level 5 (year 2) entry
To directly enter the second year of this course you will need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 120 undergraduate credits at Level 4 or a CertHE in a related subject area.

Level 6 (year 3) entry
To directly enter the third year of this course you need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 240 undergraduate credits (at Levels 4 and 5), a DipHE, Foundation Degree or HND in a related subject area.

Looking for BA (Hons) Recording, Mixing and Production with Foundation Year?

View Foundation Year course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.
Fees & funding

Fees & funding

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The fee above is the cost per year of your course.

If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year. If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.

Government regulation does affect tuition fees and the fees listed for courses starting in the 2025/26 academic year are subject to change.

If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

Funding your studies

You may be eligible for a student loan to cover the cost of tuition fees, or a maintenance loan. Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as those with dependants and disabled students.

We offer generous bursaries and scholarships to make sure your aspirations are your only limit. In recent years, hundreds of students have received our Full-time Undergraduate Student Bursary.

Additional scholarships specifically for music students are also on offer.

View full details, including conditions and eligibility.

{{ formatCurrencyValue(currentVariantData.field_p_cv_int_main_fee.name) }} per year

The fee above is the cost per year of your course.

If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year. If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.

Government regulation does affect tuition fees and the fees listed for courses starting in the 2025/26 academic year are subject to change.

If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

International students - funding your studies

We offer scholarships for international students including International Ambassador Scholarships. 

Further information about funding and financial support for international students is available from the UK Council for International Student Affairs.

 

Teaching staff

Teaching staff

Dr Daniel Pratt Profile Photo in front of a mixing desk

Dr Daniel Pratt

Course leader for BMus (Hons) Performance and Recording at the University of West London. Dr Pratt has worked as a record producer, a performer, and an educator for over twenty years. He has released professionally through Sony, Universal, and Independent record labels and has recorded several highly rotated songs for radio and television. As a researcher, Dr Pratt has published papers on recording concepts, transnational recording, and sensemaking theory. As a performer, he has toured Australia, Hong Kong, The UK, the USA, played in multiple festivals as well as performing on hallowed stages such as the Whisky a Gogo (LA) and the Bowery Ballroom (NY).

Course leader for BMus (Hons) Performance and Recording at the University of West London. Dr Pratt has worked as a record producer, a performer, and an educator for over twenty years. He has released professionally through Sony, Universal, and Independent record labels and has recorded several highly rotated songs for radio and television. As a researcher, Dr Pratt has published papers on recording concepts, transnational recording, and sensemaking theory. As a performer, he has toured Australia, Hong Kong, The UK, the USA, played in multiple festivals as well as performing on hallowed stages such as the Whisky a Gogo (LA) and the Bowery Ballroom (NY).

Study & career progression

Study & career progression

Student adjusts knobs on a mixing desk

Once you successfully complete your course, you could go on to work as a:

  • sound technician
  • recording engineer
  • mastering engineer
  • mixing engineer
  • production sound mixer
  • record producer

Past graduates have gone on to work with the likes of Lady Gaga, U2 and Trevor Horn. You may also want to explore a related area of study. Please see our postgraduate courses.

How to apply

How to apply

ARTSFEST

Someone operating a sound desk during a dress rehearsal

Find out more about the work our students produce and view some of their recent work by visiting our Music Technology ARTSFEST page.

Facilities

Facilities

Lawrence Hall, a black box theatre at the University of West London

Performance spaces

Our flexible, professionally-equipped performance spaces include Lawrence Hall, a 200-seat black box studio theatre, and Vestry Hall, a classical music performance space featuring a Steinway B Concert Grand piano, concert tuned percussion and seating for up to 150 

Production Studio 1 at the University of West London

Production studios

We have four black box production rooms featuring performance dance floors, ballet barres, wall mirrors and ¾ drapes. All rooms have PA and AV support in all rooms. The digital stage pianos are by Roland.

A music practice room at the University of West London

One-to-one teaching pods

We have five acoustically isolated teaching pods featuring Roland and Korg digital pianos and mirrors to facilitate one-to-one teaching in voice.

A music performance room at the University of West London

Music performance rooms

All music performance rooms feature drums and backline plus PA support.

  • Drums by Roland and Pearl.
  • Backline by Marshall, Orange, Line 6, Fender and Gallien-Kruger
  • Stage pianos by Korg and Roland
  • Synths by Roland and Kurzwiel
  • PA by Yamaha, ABT and Nexo.
Basement practice room at the University of West London

Basement practice rooms

  • All LCM practice rooms benefit from LCM’s All Steinway School status to bring you the very best instruments.
  • Three percussion practice and teaching rooms.
  • Percussion rooms feature Pearl kits with recording and playback systems.
Media Resource Centre at the University of West London

Media Resource Centre

At our Media Resource Centre (used by all subject areas) you'll find extensive portable audio recording systems, including up to 24 track digital HD recording and portable Focusrite RedNet systems.

There is also video-camera and accessory support, including LED and tungsten lighting systems, track and dolly systems and stedi-cam rigs.

Important notes for applicants

Disclaimer

*Modern universities - defined as higher education institutions that were granted university status in, and subsequent to, 1992.

**The National Student Survey 2022 and 2023 - Based on an average of all 27 questions. Excludes specialist institutions.

Testimonials - our students or former students provided all of our testimonials - often a student from the course but sometimes another student. For example, the testimonial often comes from another UWL student when the course is new.

Optional modules - where optional modules are offered they will run subject to staff availability and viable student numbers opting to take the module.

Videos - all videos on our course pages were accurate at the time of filming. In some cases a new Course Leader has joined the University since the video was filmed.

Availability of placements - if you choose a course with placement/internship route we would like to advise you that if a placement/internship opportunity does not arise when you are expected to undertake the placement then the University will automatically transfer you to the non-internship route, this is to ensure you are still successful in being awarded a degree.