• Undergraduate

Sound and Music for Gaming with Foundation Year BA (Hons)

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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** 

BA (Hons) Sound and Music for Gaming will inspire you to become an innovative and creative professional. The games industry is experiencing huge growth.

Based in Ealing, West London, the Sound and Music for Gaming degree combines practical and vocational skills allowing you to develop hands-on approaches and creative enterprise. 

Throughout the course, you will: 

  • Enjoy access to one of the largest audio complexes in Europe 
  • Discover how to capture, manipulate and produce audio for games 
  • Study essential concepts of middleware, studio and game audio production
  • Explore new industry trends and directions

You will also focus on developing a portfolio showcasing a diverse range of skills integrating middleware, sound design, composed music, audio post-production, studio recording skills and Dolby Atmos surround sound mixing.

Additionally, you will learn from a highly experienced lecturing team that has composed for AAA game titles such as Chains of Fury (2023), H1.Jack (2022), Futurust (2022), and on Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy (2021).

Their original sound and music has seen them win a host of accolades for game soundtracks, including Cannes Lion Gold Awards, One Show Awards and BAFTA Nominations.

 

Foundation Year

The foundation year course is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to continue onto your Honours degree. You will study a range of subjects that will underpin your future study and also gain valuable experience of university life, with full access to campus facilities. Successful completion of the year allows you to progress straight onto Level 4 of this course.

Sound recording and audio engineering

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.
Without Foundation Year
Duration: 3 years

Start date:

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

Why study Sound and Music for Gaming with Foundation Year with us?

Why study Sound and Music for Gaming with Foundation Year with us?

A collage of students

What our students say…

The lecturers are fantastic and I don't think I would get as many work experience opportunities at any other university.

Harry Poulter
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Guest speakers and networking opportunities on this UWL course
Graphic stating "Learn the essential skills and disciplines required to enter the gaming industry"
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Course detail & modules

Course detail & modules

Designed to help you flourish in the exciting games industry, our BA (Hons) Sound and Music degree offers a comprehensive grounding in:

  • middleware/DAW implementation
  • creative sound design
  • music for gaming
  • recording studio and mix production skills.

The course modules are designed to nurture your creative potential and individual artistic identity. The course has been designed from the ground up, using industry input to prepare you with the skillset (and mindset) to succeed in this industry. 

You will also benefit from interaction with industry practitioners who have designed BAFTA/Cannes Lion Award/Apple Top Ten award-winning game audio.

Added value collaborations include studying with VFX and Gaming students. At the same time, you will also work closely alongside film and audio post-production, allowing you to develop a portfolio with a range of skills and vocational outputs.

Finally, the course involves a range of guest speakers to offer you invaluable networking opportunities and the chance to immerse yourself in the vibrant world of London game audio production.

Foundation year

There are many reasons for joining a foundation year course; you may not have the exact subjects or grades at A level to meet the entry requirements, you may have been living abroad or want to change direction with your career. Whatever your starting point, the foundation year offers a firm grounding in the skills and knowledge that you will need to get the most from your studies and thrive at University. Successful completion of the foundation year allows you to progress straight onto Level 4 of this course.

Compulsory modules

  • Academic Performance

    This module allows you to further develop a range of transferable skills that you will demonstrate in your own subject-specific studies and apply to a final piece of written work at the end of the module. The module is designed for you to further develop your skills in a range of academic, investigative and research techniques including how to evaluate and select evidence appropriate to your discipline from a range of learning resources. The module also aims to develop your critical thinking and writing strategies, encouraging you to become aware of personal learning development and to apply the introductory skills learned in your first semester in order to produce a final piece of academic writing relevant to your discipline.

  • Personalised Learning

    The Personalised Learning module is intended to equip you with the study skills needed to successfully progress onto level 4, the first year of undergraduate study. Tutor group sessions are an integral part of the module, where you will consolidate your learning and frame it in the context of your subject area. The module will focus on various aspects of study skills, such as those skills related to reading and writing, learning approaches, problem-solving techniques, critical thinking, researching, referencing, plagiarism, legal research and time management.

  • Sound Production Workshop

    This module will provide the fundamental skills required to be successful in analogue studio-based work, exploring technique through supported practice. The module will focus on the fundamental skills of signal routing between hardware devices typical in modern studios. 

  • Project Studio

    This module will move you towards the applied creative side of studio production work. You will explore a range of tools, techniques and instruments typically found in modern pop and electronic music styles. By doing so you will learn to operate and perform with these tools in an integrated analogue and digital small-studio environment.

    This module will introduce you to concepts and practice of:

    • Sequencing
    • MIDI
    • Sampling
    • Drum programming
    • Synchronisation
    • Compositional strategies

  • Digital Skills

    This module will give you the chance to edit music video material, to use Photoshop to design cover art, to create a band web page using HTML and to develop your blogging skills in WordPress.

  • Introduction to Contemporary Production Studies

    Making music involves understanding how it works – the sounds and the structures – and in this module you will examine the way that others have made music and use some of those ideas to make your own productions. You will explore musical structure, rhythm, melody, harmony, instruments and how computers represent those sounds on a screen.

Compulsory modules

Compulsory modules

  • 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.

  • Intro to Audio Post Production

    An overview of audio post-production theory, practice and technologies, their use and applications. The module aims to give students a near real-world experience by carrying out project work in a departmental group situation.

  • The Evolution of Sound for Games

    A historical and contextual overview of game sound and music with an emphasis on a research project.  

  • Sound and Music for Screen

    The module is putting the student in the role of a ‘Sound Designer’ and ‘Composer’, an increasingly important role in the life of the audio post-production and music freelancer. This module should serve as a springboard for students to proactively engage in this field. By the end of the module students will have created a body of sound and music to picture work, which can serve as an industry standard tool to promote their work with other film makers and content producers to work to near professional workflow standards and circumstances, reflective of current industry practice.

  • Creative Sound for Games

    Gaming is a fast growing and lucrative area of the entertainment industry.  By the end of the module you will have a solid appreciation of the power of audio for games, combined with the skills to develop audio assets and implement them in middleware. This in turn will form the basis of a show-reel which can be used for future promotion and collaboration within the gaming industry.

  • Soundtrack Composition

    Non-linear sound design, implementation and creative application of audio in a middleware context.  

Compulsory modules

  • Interactive Sound & Music for Gaming

    (immersive audio, surround formats, implementation)  

  • Experimental Sound

    In this module, you will have to design an experiment that generates an audio experience. You will have the freedom to explore and develop individual ideas and abilities in the context of sound, producing a portfolio that shows confident expression and creative risk-taking, but with technical accomplishment. 

  • Major Project– part 1

    A self-directed research project intended to encapsulate and progress their chosen area of specialism.  

  • Major Project – part 2

    A self-directed research project intended to encapsulate and progress their chosen area of specialism. 

  • Non-Linear Soundtrack Production

    Compositional techniques with a focus on interactivity and in game implementation.

  • Mixing for Audio Post & Industry Workflows

    A combination of lectures, workshops and tutorials detailing the necessary processes required to prepare mix and deliver audio-to- picture content for gaming and other contemporary formats such as VR and AR.  

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

72 UCAS points required from level 3 qualifications

These can include:

  • A Levels at grades B and C (if you have two A levels) or grades D, D and D (if you have three), or above
  • BTEC Extended Diploma with Merit, Merit, Pass
  • Access to HE Diploma
  • T Levels

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

Looking for BA (Hons) Sound and Music for Gaming without Foundation Year?

View 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.

We take pride in our inclusiveness and the diversity of our student population. We have a vibrant mature student community and look forward to welcoming you.

Looking for BA (Hons) Sound and Music for Gaming without Foundation Year?

View 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.
5.5 IELTS or above

You need to meet our English language requirement - a minimum of IELTS 5.5 for each of the four 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.

Looking for BA (Hons) Sound and Music for Gaming without Foundation Year?

View 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.

We take pride in our inclusiveness and the diversity of our student population. We have a vibrant mature student community and look forward to welcoming you.

Looking for BA (Hons) Sound and Music for Gaming without Foundation Year?

View 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 on a four-year degree with a foundation year have received our Path to Success Scholarship.

View full details, including conditions and eligibility.

Funding your studies
{{ 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.

 

Financial support for international students
Teaching staff

Teaching staff

Sam Sutton

Sam Sutton

I am a Senior Lecturer in Music Technology, specialising in sound design and production for media. I compose for advertisements, computer games and film, and bring this experience into my teaching practice at the London College of Music.

I am a Senior Lecturer in Music Technology, specialising in sound design and production for media. I compose for advertisements, computer games and film, and bring this experience into my teaching practice at the London College of Music.

Study & career progression

Study & career progression

A singer records vocals in a recording studio using a pop shield in front of the mic

This sound design degree course prepares you to enter the gaming industry as a sound designer and/or composer, while also delivering vocational training towards the music, film, and audio post-production industries.

You will develop a wide range of experience working in the studio environment, creating sound and music for AAA video games, and even attempting professional briefs.

There are a range of potential jobs for Sound and Music for Gaming graduates including:

  • composer
  • sound designer
  • mix engineer
  • audio post-production
  • AR/VR audio
  • studio professional
  • mixer/producer.

Additionally, you may wish to continue your studies. Explore our postgraduate courses for more information.

How to apply

How to apply

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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.