Music Production

Music Production is the art and science of recording, editing, mixing, and shaping sound into finished musical works. It sits at the heart of the modern music industry, where the ability to operate recording technology fluently, to work collaboratively with artists, and to understand both the creative and commercial dimensions of music-making distinguishes those who build lasting careers. Producers and sound engineers are responsible for the sonic character of recordings across every genre, from pop and electronic music to film scores, podcasts, and commercial advertising.

At the University of Derby, this full-time programme runs over three years and includes a foundation year, a sandwich year, and a year abroad, as well as work placement opportunities. You will explore the full process of sound recording and production, from microphone technique and signal flow to mixing, mastering, and the integration of cutting-edge three-dimensional audio technologies. The programme is practice-based, and you will build a portfolio of commercial recordings that demonstrates your technical and creative range to potential employers.

You will also study music industry structures and the evolving relationship between producers, artists, distributors, and consumers, developing the commercial awareness that makes creative skills sustainable in a professional context. Placements and the sandwich year give you real industry experience before you graduate, and the year abroad broadens your perspective on how music production is practised in different cultural environments.

Graduates of Music Production work as producers, mixing and mastering engineers, sound designers for games and film, music supervisors, studio managers, and music technology educators. The combination of technical skill and creative understanding is valued across a broad range of industries beyond music itself, including advertising, broadcasting, game audio, and interactive media. Many graduates also continue to develop independent careers as artists and producers, using the professional foundation the degree provides to build their own practice.