BA (Hons) Music Production and Performance
- Study Mode: Full Time
- Location: High Wycombe
- Duration: Three or Four Years
- Start Date: September 2025
If you have a passion for music and want to turn that into a career of composing, performing and recording original pieces, then this course could be for you.
BA (Hons) Music Production and Performance is designed to help you develop a wide range of music production and performance skills, making use of technologies to compose, perform, record and produce original music. Upon graduation you’ll leave with a substantial portfolio of original work in performance, composition and production.
My lecturers had the reassuring aura and approachable demeanour that made learning easy and fun. The lecturers really did a tremendous job of putting our minds at ease to help us deal with stress in this course. It’s all about developing your skills, determination, collaboration and learning new things in both the production and performance aspects that helps accompany your musical journey. In the studios, it's been great fun to use the Dolby Atmos system. It gives an insight and room for creativity when experimenting 3D audio by panning the objects. Overall, it is a very insightful course that I’ll recommend anyone that wants to do a lively and interesting music course.Danielle Ediale
You'll be taught by seasoned professionals who have extensive experience in the music industry. Their insights and connections will help you understand the real-world dynamics of music production and performance. Additionally, BNU offers numerous opportunities to network with industry professionals through guest lectures, workshops, and events. These can provide you with valuable contacts and mentoring, giving you an edge when you start your music career. You'll be able to ask questions, gain advice, and potentially even collaborate with experts, who can guide your journey.
You’ll also benefit from our work-opportunities. Previous students have worked with companies such as Sony, Sennheiser and Universal Music.
Stay updated with all our latest BNU Audio and Music news by following us on Instagram .
Our High Wycombe campus is equipped with state-of-the-art recording studios and professional-grade equipment. You'll have access to the same tools and spaces used by industry professionals, meaning you gain hands-on experience with the technology that drives modern music production. Beyond lessons, you'll participate in live performances and production projects, providing you with real-world experience that is crucial for building a strong portfolio.
On graduation, you’ll join a vibrant community of BNU alumni who are making waves in the music industry. This strong alumni network offers ongoing support and opportunities, helping you stay connected and advance in your career long after graduation. You'll benefit from their experiences, advice, and connections, creating a supportive environment for your professional growth.
Today's music environment is fast moving and innovative meaning you'll need a whole range of skills and talents to succeed. By combining music production and performance you'll give yourself a unique blend of skills, opening numerous career opportunities within the music industry.
All our music degrees at Buckinghamshire New University come with membership of ’s Music Academic Partnership ().
UK Music is the collective voice of the UK’s world-leading music industry. We represent all sectors of our industry – bringing them together to collaborate, campaign, and champion music. The members of UK Music are: AIM, BPI, FAC, The Ivors Academy, MMF, MPA, MPG, MU, PPL, PRS for Music. UK Music also has an informal association with LIVE (Live music Industry Venues & Entertainment).
MAP is a ground-breaking collaboration between educational institutions and UK Music, and is designed to maximise the relationship between the industry and educational institutions in order to inform the next generation of industry professionals.
MAP does this by nurturing collaborative projects, such as and careers events, panel events, various education and skills work, policy work, and career opportunities. Fundamentally MAP provides extra opportunities to individuals who want to build careers out of their passion for music. This helps to future-proof the music industry by ensuring new entrants have the right mix of experience and skills.
What facilities can I use?
Our state-of-the-art recording studios and Dolby Atmos certified sound lab, give you access to the space and technology you need. From individual edit rooms up to large Pro Tools Ultimate studios with attached live rooms and vocal booths, we have it all to help you gain hands-on experience.
- Studio 1 boasts a Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 speaker system and an Avid S6 console. We are one of the first Universities in the UK to adopt Dolby Atmos into a music environment. Find out more about Studio 1 .
- Studio 2 features an Audient ASP8024 Mixing desk, with outboard equipment by Neve, Universal Audio, Teletronix, Focusrite, Tegler, Maag, Manley and others. It also has monitoring by Genelec and Adam Audio.
- Studio three and the Electronic Music Studio are based around Avid S3/S4 control surfaces and UAD Apollo x8 audio interfaces.
- The edit booths are equipped with microphone preamps from Avid.
- Our microphone stock includes Sennheiser, Neumann, AKG, Shure, Rode and Electrovoice.
- Studio monitoring includes 5.1 systems by Genelec and stereo systems by KRK.
All studios feature a full range of plug-ins including RX3, Ozone6, Komplete and Speakerphone.
We have other top-quality suppliers, including Midas, Focusrite, Novation and AC Lighting, so you can get your hands on the same tools as the best in the business.
Whilst studying with us you will also use our BucksAnywhere web service, which provides access to many of the software applications you use for learning and studying. BucksAnywhere can be used from your own device or from a University owned PC or laptop, from any location.
We organise monthly ‘rec nights’ where music students come together to record their own compositions in our state of the art studios. This allows our students to practice their craft to ensure they are ready to enter the music industry.
What will I study?
This course will help you to develop many of the skills required in the creative industries, preparing you for life in music environments, including studio-based music production, live sound, composition, performance and music-related entrepreneurial ventures. You’ll study key elements of music production and performance, including studio production, music performance and composition, critical listening and analysis, and live audio production techniques.
By integrating studies in creative music practice, critical listening and audio production our BA (Hons) Music Production and Performance course will help you to understand the connections between these different activities and how they can be integrated into future careers.
How will I be taught and assessed?
This course is offered as a four-year programme, including an initial Foundation Year. The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and development needs for progression onto an undergraduate degree.
Our teaching staff have a wealth of professional and academic experience, with many still actively working in the music industry. You’ll also engage with our dynamic programme of visiting lectures and can benefit from live project briefs, master classes, and plenty of networking opportunities. You’ll also benefit from our expert-lecturers who have a wealth of knowledge and experience within the industry.
You’ll study in a close-knit tutor group where everyone’s input is recognised and valued. Not only will you make friends for life, you’ll also make important connections that will last through your career, and you’ll form a network, just like you’d find in the working-world.
A variety of assessment vehicles will be used as appropriate to the modules you take, including assignments carried out in your own time, in-class assignments, workshops and presentations. Assessments will be appropriate to the task, achievable, motivating and vocationally focussed, forming a constructive part of your learning process.
What are the course entry requirements?
A typical offer will require a UCAS tariff score of: 88 - 112 (Full-time) or 32 - 56 (Foundation Year)
UCAS points can be obtained through qualifications such as A levels, T levels, BTEC or an Access to Higher Education course in a relevant subject. Please list all your qualifications on the application form as you will be asked to provide copies when we receive your application.
A minimum of two full A-levels (or equivalent) is required. Every application is considered on an individual basis.
For further details of our international English entry requirements, please visit our international pages.
If you don't meet the minimum requirements for the three-year undergraduate programme, or if you don't feel fully prepared for a degree course, you can apply for a four-year programme which includes a Foundation Year - find out more.
Modules
This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.
What are the tuition fees
Home
-
Home Foundation Year, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: £9,535 *
-
Home, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: £9,535 per year *
International
-
Overseas/International Foundation Year, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: £15,150 *
-
Overseas/International, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: £15,150 per year *
Following the Government’s announcement of 4 November 2024, we will be increasing our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for UK students to £9,535 per year from the start of the 2025/26 academic year. Our part-time fees for UK undergraduate students will increase to £7,145 per annum. Please visit , on the Government’s website, for more information about the changes.
Tuition fees for Home undergraduate students (including with foundation year) may increase in subsequent years for both new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by the Government.  
Tuition fees for both new and continuing international students may be subject to an inflationary increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12-month period to 31 January each year.  
Tuition fees for postgraduate courses and CPD may be subject to an inflationary increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12-month period to 31 January each year. This increase will apply to both new and continuing students.  
We understand, and really appreciate, the significant financial commitment our students make when they choose to study at BNU. We take our responsibilities to our students very seriously, and are ambitious for each to reach their full potential and succeed in their chosen career. Our fees help us to continue providing our students with a high-quality education, and to invest in the services and facilities which create an excellent student experience at BNU.
The following factors will be considered by the University when we set the annual fees: measures of inflation such as the retail price indices; projected increases in University costs; and any changes in the level of funding for teaching received from the Government.
What are my career prospects?
Throughout your time with us we’ll support you on the route to your chosen career. We’ll help you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable and good leaders. We also help you find employment after graduation. Have a look at our Careers and Employability pages to find out more.
Our BA (Hons) Music Production and Performance course will help prepare you for a range of career possibilities in areas such as:
- Producers
- performers
- composers
- researchers or educators
To help you prepare for your chosen career, we invite experts from industry to come and talk to you at our High Wycombe campus.
Previous guests speakers include:
Graduates can also choose to study for a postgraduate course, such as MA Music Business or MA Music and Audio Production.
Course leader
