BA Music and Sound Design for Film, Television and Interactive Media with Integrated Foundation Year

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Royal Holloway University of London

Program Overview

The BA Music and Sound Design for Film, Television and Interactive Media with Integrated Foundation Year at Royal Holloway University of London is designed for creative students eager to combine music composition with cutting-edge sound design for media. It suits individuals who want to explore the intersection of music, technology, and storytelling while developing a broad foundation in arts and humanities.

Curriculum Structure:

Foundation Year:
Students begin by building essential skills in arts and humanities, exploring modules in creative writing, digital media, and music fundamentals. This year emphasizes developing critical thinking, analytical abilities, and a strong grasp of cultural and artistic contexts, preparing students for specialized study in music and sound design.

Year 1:
The first year of the BA introduces core principles of music theory, composition, and sound design, alongside practical training in digital audio workstations and recording techniques. Students engage in modules such as Introduction to Music and Sound Design, Digital Media Production, and Musical Analysis, learning to craft soundscapes for film, television, and interactive media.

Year 2:
Second-year students deepen their understanding of applied sound design, audio post-production, and interactive media projects. Modules like Sound for Visual Media, Music Technology, and Interactive Media Composition encourage experimentation and collaboration, enabling students to produce portfolio-quality works.

Year 3:
In the final year, students focus on advanced creative projects, combining original music composition with professional sound design for diverse media platforms. Through modules such as Advanced Sound Design, Film Scoring, and Professional Practice in Music, graduates refine their artistic voice and prepare for careers in the creative industries.

Focus Areas: Music composition, sound design for media, digital audio production, interactive media, film and television scoring

Learning Outcomes: Develop professional-level skills in music and sound design, create compelling audio experiences for multiple media, and critically engage with cultural and creative contexts

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): Industry-relevant training with pathways aligned to creative media professions

Reputation (Employability Rankings): Royal Holloway is highly regarded for its music and creative arts programs, recognized for graduate employability and industry connections

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

🎬 Real-World Experience in Music and Sound Design

At Royal Holloway, students step into a vibrant environment that connects classroom learning directly with industry practice. This program is designed to equip you with the skills to thrive in the fast-paced worlds of film, television, and interactive media. From day one, you’ll work with cutting-edge technology on real-world projects, ensuring your education is both practical and relevant.

The Integrated Foundation Year provides a strong starting point, helping you build confidence and essential skills before moving on to more specialized study in the later years. Once you complete it successfully, you’ll transition into the full degree program, exploring the rich complexities of music and sound design.

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to state-of-the-art facilities that spark creativity and innovation. Collaborations with industry professionals and hands-on placement opportunities further enrich your learning, giving you a genuine taste of working in the field.

This program is perfect for anyone passionate about the intersection of music, sound, and media, blending theoretical knowledge with practical experience to prepare you for a rewarding career in the industry.


🔧 Facilities and Tools

The Department of Music at Royal Holloway offers a wide range of professional-standard rehearsal, performance, production, and recording spaces. From the modern studios in Wettons Terrace to the Victorian Picture Gallery and Boilerhouse Auditorium, students enjoy exclusive access to a variety of creative spaces.

In addition, you’ll benefit from the university’s extensive library, multimedia labs, and digital television studio, providing everything you need to support your learning and creativity.


🎯 Key Highlights

Integrated Foundation Year: A supportive, skills-building course that sets you up for success in the full degree program.

Hands-On Experience: Train in professional-standard recording studios and production suites to develop practical expertise.

Industry Placements: Gain real-world experience through opportunities with organizations such as Shepperton Studios and Netflix.

Collaborative Projects: Work on group projects with peers from music and media arts, simulating real industry workflows.

Advanced Technology: Learn to use the latest software and digital tools essential for sound design and production.

Creative Environment: Study on a vibrant campus with access to a variety of performance spaces and creative hubs.

This program combines theoretical insight with practical skills, ensuring that by the time you graduate, you’re ready to make your mark in music and sound design for media.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Future Progression & Opportunities

Graduates of the BA Music and Sound Design for Film, Television, and Interactive Media with Integrated Foundation Year at Royal Holloway, University of London are well-prepared to step into exciting and varied careers in the creative industries. This program combines practical skills with strong theoretical foundations, equipping students for roles such as:

  • Film and Television Sound Designer

  • Interactive Media Sound Designer

  • Game Audio Designer

  • Audio Post-Production Specialist

These roles are in high demand across sectors including film, television, gaming, and interactive media.


University Services Supporting Employment

  • Industry Placements: Students gain invaluable hands-on experience through placements with leading organizations such as Shepperton Studios and Netflix.

  • Professional-standard Facilities: Access to state-of-the-art recording studios and production suites ensures graduates are industry-ready.

  • Career Services: Dedicated support helps students navigate the job market and secure meaningful employment after graduation.


Graduate Outcomes

  • Employment Rate: Around 80% of recent graduates are employed in graduate-level roles or pursuing further study.

  • University Ranking: Royal Holloway is ranked 41st in the UK and within the top 400 globally.

  • Economic Contribution: The university contributes over £657 million to the UK economy.


University–Industry Partnerships

  • Collaborations: Close links with industry leaders such as Shepperton Studios and Netflix enhance learning and employment prospects.

  • Research Excellence: Royal Holloway is ranked 15th in the UK for the overall quality of its research outputs.


Long-term Accreditation Value

  • Reputation: As part of the University of London, Royal Holloway offers a prestigious degree recognized for academic excellence.

  • Global Recognition: The degree holds international recognition, opening doors to career opportunities around the world.


Graduation Outcomes

  • Alumni Network: Graduates join a global network of over 100,000 alumni, providing valuable connections for career advancement.

  • Career Paths: Alumni have gone on to successful careers across film, television, gaming, and interactive media.


Further Academic Progression

Graduates also have the option to continue their studies and specialize further, with programs such as:

  • MA in Film Music and Sound Design: Focus on film music composition and advanced sound design.

  • MA in Interactive Media: Advanced study in the creation and design of interactive media.

  • PhD in Media Arts: Engage in research and development within media arts.

These pathways allow graduates to deepen their expertise and expand their career opportunities in the creative industries.


If you’re passionate about music and sound design and dream of a career in film, television, or interactive media, this program provides the ideal foundation to launch your professional journey.

Program Key Stats

£28,500
£ 29
Sept Intake : 14th Jan


No
No

Eligibility Criteria

CCC - CCD
3.0
24
80

N/A
N/A
6.5
88

Additional Information & Requirements

Career Options

  • Film Composer
  • Sound Designer
  • Audio Engineer
  • Foley Artist
  • Music Editor
  • Game Audio Designer
  • Sound Effects Editor
  • Music Supervisor
  • Post-Production Mixer
  • Podcast Producer
  • Interactive Media Composer
  • Audio Programmer
  • Recording Studio Manager
  • Media Content Creator
  • Music Licensing Specialist

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