BA Music and Sound Design at Queen's University Belfast

Programme overview

The BA in Music and Sound Design is designed for musicians interested in composing music and designing sound for a range of contexts, with particular emphasis on film and theatre. Students gain practical experience of composing in the studio, composing for instrumental forces, song-writing and scoring for picture, and learn methods of capturing, synthesising and manipulating sound for picture, stage, radio and gaming.

Department: School of Arts, English and Languages | Duration: 3 years full-time | Intake: 2027/28 | Study mode: full-time | Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Year 1 core modules are Fundamentals of Sound, Introduction to Music, Audio Mixing I, Introduction to Composition and Sound Recording and Production 1 (20 credits each), with options including Fundamental Harmony, Introduction to Film Studies 1, Solo Performance 1 and Ensemble Performance 1. Students collaborate with BA Film Studies and Production and BA Broadcast Production students.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A-level: ABB (a maximum of one BTEC/OCR Single Award or AQA Extended Certificate is accepted in the portfolio, with Distinction* equated to A and Distinction to B). Irish Leaving Certificate: H3H3H3H3H3H3/H2H3H3H3H3. Access Course: average of 70%. International Baccalaureate: 33 points including 6,5,5 at Higher Level. BTEC Extended/National Extended Diploma: D*DD. Graduate entry: minimum 2:2 Honours degree. No specific subject requirements. All applicants need GCSE English Language grade C/4 or equivalent, and normally a minimum of five GCSE passes at grade C/4 or better including English Language. Offers are normally made on three A-levels; HNC applicants need 2 Distinctions and remainder Merits. Applications are made through UCAS and candidates are not normally interviewed. An IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component, or an equivalent acceptable qualification, is required for international applicants.

Domestic applicants: GBP 4,985 a year (2026/27). NI/ROI residency, full-time undergraduate tuition; 2026/27 rate Source

International applicants: GBP 24,600 a year (2027/28). International and EU Other fee Source

Intake: September 2027

Duration: 3 years full-time

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