Skip to content
A 5 image collage of students doing a variety of creative activities
Chris MackinJul 12, 2024 1:28:49 PM3 min read

What makes each of our undergraduate degrees unique?

Searching for the perfect course for this September, but unsure what makes each of dBs Institute’s undergraduate degrees unique? We’ve got you covered…

With specialist degree courses that span music technology, audio production and game development, it can be difficult to know what’s right for you, even after reading through each course page. 

So, what sets each of our undergraduate degrees apart? And more importantly, what type of person is right for each course? Let’s find out…

Music Production degrees

Omar Taveras setting up a microphone

For the person who wants to live in the recording studio

Course: BA (Hons) Music Production & Sound Engineering 
Available at: Bristol, Manchester, Plymouth

The Music Production & Sound Engineering degree is all about developing your expertise with a variety of software (predominantly Pro Tools), mixing desks, microphones, monitors and hardware effects. You’ll spend the majority of your lessons in a studio environment learning the practicalities of recording, mixing and mastering music. 

This course naturally attracts people who enjoy recording instrumentalists and performers and envision their career in a recording studio. 

For the person who wants to become a production powerhouse

Alex Madsen performing live at Bristol Beaocn

Course: BA (Hons) Electronic Music Production
Available at: Bristol, Manchester, Plymouth

On the Electronic Music Production degree, you will hone your skills in Ableton Live and Logic Pro, developing an expert understanding of producing music using software and how to bring those productions to a live audience. You will still spend time in our studios and learn the fundamentals of recording, but the focus really is on building specialist skills with software and hardware, like synths, samplers, drum machines and more. 

Resonating with people who DJ or produce electronic music, this degree is designed for someone who wants to be able to make high-quality music - solo or collaboratively - and be able to tour that music in a live setting. 


Sound & Audio degrees

For the sonic nomads that love live music

A student stage patching on a festival stage

Course: BSc (Hons) Live Sound
Available at: Bristol, Manchester

Perhaps our most hands-on degree, Live Sound is all about getting you as much experience in real venues as possible, while really drilling down into the science of sound. With access to a range of industry-standard mixing consoles, amplifiers, sound systems and software, you’ll engage in practical lessons in our specialised learning spaces before applying those skills in a real-world environment. This will include local venues and nightclubs, as well as local and national festivals. 

The live sound degree strikes a chord with people who have an interest in audio engineering, but also love the variety that comes with each show and want a career that keeps things fresh and exciting.

For the storytellers who want to bring picture to life through sound and music

A student mixing in the Dolby Atmos suite

Course: BA (Hons) Music and Sound for Film & TV
Available at: Bristol

Another highly-practical course, the Music and Sound for Film & TV degree will see you composing music for picture from the day you start. You’ll be trained in all aspects of sound for media; from recording, composition and sound design to post-production and surround sound mixing. Working alongside student and professional filmmakers, you’ll quickly develop a portfolio of work and will spend your second and third years sourcing projects that form part of your submissions.

Students of this degree are lovers of film, TV and/or video games, and are obsessed with how sound and music can transform those mediums. They might be instrumentalists, or even have a background in music theory, but above all else, they care about stories and how their area of expertise can support a narrative experience.


Game & Digital Technology degrees

For the artist that wants to add their vision to gaming experiences

A game jammer creating art on their tablet

Course: BA (Hons) Game Art
Available at: Manchester

Few things could be more rewarding than seeing something you created in a video game, and our Game Art degree is all about enhancing both your artistic and collaborative skills to help you reach that goal. Working with top-of-the-line gaming PCs, tablets, mo-cap suits and VR headsets, you’ll create concept, character, and environment art; refining your skills using the same software professional game artists do. 

While the game art degree brings people from various backgrounds including fine art, game design and computer science, they all share a common goal; to put their stamp on the visual identity of a video game.


Found your perfect course?

Secure your place for September 2024 through Clearing today

FIND OUT MORE
Explore the cutting-edge facilities at dBs Institute
HANAH hits the road and celebrates one million streams with Saffron
'I’ve learnt so much' - Game Art students reflect on their first year at dBs

avatar

Chris Mackin

With almost ten years experience working in content creation and marketing, Chris has written for multiple music and taste-making brands including MusicTech, Guitar.com and Long Live Vinyl magazine. Over the years, he has interviewed countless key voices in the creative industries including Gordon Raphael (The Strokes), Bjørn Jacobsen (Cyberpunk 2077, Hitman), Sylvan Esso, Chris Cayford (Rolo Tomassi), Olivier Derivière (A Plague Tale) and many more.

RELATED ARTICLES