MA Sound Design for Screen

As the first UK university to offer an MA in Sound, you’ll learn how sound design is used in image-based narrative formats such as film, TV or the game sector and be equipped to enter a range of areas such as film, TV, digital, media or games.

Delivery:
Full time according to Funding Council definitions

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Why study MA Sound Design for Screen at BU?

Work with students across a range of disciplines including collaborating computer-generated material through BU's National Centre for Computer Animation or via other creative ventures
Use specialist facilities, including post-production sound suites, track-lay and stereo mixing, a Foley/ADR studio, an AVID S6 equipped 7.1 dubbing theatre and Dolby ATMOS mixing theatre
This course has greater relevance and credibility in industry as part of the AVID Learning Partnership. We offer the chance to take the Pro Tools 101 exam as part of the programme
Take advantage of opportunities with RedBalloon, an award-winning professional production unit based in the Faculty of Media and Communication
The course is one of the few sound design programmes recognised by BAFTA UK as an eligible course for the BAFTA UK Scholarship Programme.

Find out more about the content of this course.

For September 2022 entry: In order to take advantage of new approaches to learning and teaching, as well as developments in industry to benefit our students we regularly review all of our courses. This course is currently going through this process and we will update this page to give you full information about what we will be offering once the review process has concluded.

Graduate with an accredited degree

Graduate from an International Moving Image Society (IMIS) accredited degree, awarded to practice-based courses that best prepare students for a career in the industry.

See what its like to study on this course

Next start date:

September 2021, September 2022

Location:

Bournemouth University, Talbot Campus

Duration:

1 year full-time

Accreditations:

The International Moving Image Society (IMIS)

Entry requirements:

A Bachelors Honours degree with 2:2 in any subject, or equivalent. For more information check out our full entry requirements.

International entry requirements:

If English is not your first language you'll need IELTS (Academic) 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in all other components, or above. For more information check out our full entry requirements.

Course details

On this course you will be taught by a range of staff with relevant expertise and knowledge appropriate to the content of the unit. This will include senior academic staff, qualified professional practitioners, demonstrators, technicians and research students. You will also benefit from regular guest lectures from industry.

Download the programme specification (pdf 679kb)

Core units

Sound Design & Theory: An introduction to specific sound design techniques. You'll develop a critical understanding of theoretical causes alongside your production work, gain an understanding of industry-standard technology for sound production and post-production environments.
Storytelling: This unit aims to examine concepts of storytelling across audio visual formats, cultures and production industries. You’ll engage with practice research methodologies to critically engage with a diverse range of narrative forms and approaches.
Extended Sound Design Project: Develop your understanding of a range of film and television genres. You'll engage in the development, planning and execution of a complex production project, while expanding the skills and knowledge you gained in the Sound Design & Theory unit.
Professional Practice: An introduction to key concepts, skills and knowledge you'll need for employment in the media industries.

Option units (choose one)

Master’s Production Project: You’ll develop a significant production-based project. The specific nature and duration of this will be decided through a discussion with your appointed tutor. You'll encounter a range of learning and teaching methods, including individual tutorials with an academic tutor and seminars to share approaches and project development.
Master’s Research Project: You can produce a practice-based research artefact supported by a written analysis, or an individually or collaboratively written paper. The latter consists of a written investigation into an aspect of practice, supported by media artefacts. Both of these will be the basis of a presentation of research findings at a final exhibition.

Please note that option units require minimum numbers in order to run and may only be available on a semester by semester basis. They may also change from year to year.

Skills covered

You’ll gain basic skills in post-production sound work. This includes:

Dialogue editing
Sound effects editing
Music editing
Foley
Voice and sound effects recording
Location sound recording
Track laying
Mixing.

You’ll also learn about the aesthetics of sound and film. This includes:

How the two affect each other and work together
How to use sound effectively in a film
How to communicate with directors
How to make judgements about film sound.

You’ll create integrated sound tracks for different types of film including animation, drama and documentary. These are all included in your coursework and encouraged in extra-curricular collaborations.

Programme specification

Programme specifications provide definitive records of the university's taught degrees in line with Quality Assurance Agency requirements. Every taught course leading to a BU Award has a programme specification which describes its aims, structure, content and learning outcomes, plus the teaching, learning and assessment methods used.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the programme specification, the information is liable to change to take advantage of exciting new approaches to teaching and learning as well as developments in industry. If you have been unable to locate the programme specification for the course you are interested in, it will be available as soon as the latest version is ready. Alternatively please contact us for assistance.

Your application

What we're looking for

Selection methods

The admissions team will look at your online application including your qualifications, personal statement and any work experience. All applicants will be asked to provide a showreel and/ or take part in an online interview if you do not meet our entry requirements.

Your showreel should demonstrate some engagement with moving image from the sound perspective. This could include an independent short film to which you provided the sound or a re-worked soundtrack for a feature film section.

How and when to apply

There is no application deadline for this course. However, if you will need a visa to come to the UK to study, think carefully about the length of time it will take for your visa application to be processed and make sure your visa will be ready in time for the beginning of your course.

Click the green ‘Apply now’ button to submit your application free of charge online through myHub, our application portal. You will create your own myHub account so that you can track the progress of your application. Don’t forget to save your application as you go; you can return to it at as many times as you want before you submit it. For more information visit our How to apply section.

Supporting your study

This course has compulsory elements involving practical production activities. When required, students must complete a health and safety risk assessment to take part in these activities, for their safety and that of others. As part of that assessment students provide information about any conditions or disabilities that might affect their ability to undertake these activities fully or safely.

If you have such a condition or disability, please let us know as soon as possible. You can contact our Additional Learning Support (ALS) service about this before or after making an application. We will then work with you to identify any support or adjustments you would need. Our ALS team works with the Faculty to seek to put in place reasonable adjustments and health and safety plans.

Exceptionally, it may not be possible to arrange for a student to access these courses without either over-riding their core standards or competencies or creating unacceptable risks to health and safety. If that is the case we will help you explore alternative course choices.

Technical requirements

You are required to have your own laptop with Avid Pro Tools. The Faculty of Media & Communication provides further technical tools to aid your development, including location sound recording kit, Foley / ADR Studio and Pro Tools Ultimate equipped mixing facilities. We’re also proud to announce our Learning Partnership with AVID, a collaboration that will ensure graduates of this course carry even greater relevance and credibility when it comes to finding employment.

Laptop

Software

Entry requirements

General entry requirements

A Bachelors Honours degree with 2:2 in any subject, or equivalent.

In some cases industry experience may compensate for the omission of this qualification. Applicants are encouraged to provide details of relevant work experience.

The admissions team will look at your online application including your qualifications, personal statement and any work experience. We may ask you to provide a showreel and/or take part in an online interview if you do not meet our entry requirements.

International entry requirements

You can find details of the international qualifications we accept, and what level of study they apply to, on our entry requirements for non-UK students' page.

Please see below some examples of the qualifications for entry:

China: 学士学位 (Bachelor degree) with a minimum of 65% overall
Nigeria: Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution in Nigeria
Thailand: Thai Bachelor's (Honours) degree from a recognised higher education institution.
Vietnam: Bachelor's degree/Bang tot nghiep dai hoc with an average score of at least 7.0, or a Master’s degree/Thac si.
Turkey: Bachelor’s Degree (Lisans Diplomasi -four years) to be considered for a postgraduate course at BU.

All applications will be subject to a minimum grade and your degree may need to be in a relevant subject area.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence that you understand English to a satisfactory level. English language requirements for this course are normally:

IELTS (Academic) 6.5 with minimum 6.0 in writing, speaking, listening and reading, or equivalent.

View further information about our English language requirements.

Bournemouth University International College offers a number of pre-sessional English and preparatory programmes to prepare international students for postgraduate study at BU. Admission to the degree is guaranteed on successful completion of your course to the required level.

RedBalloon opportunities

RedBalloon Productions is an award-winning professional production unit based in the Media and Communication Faculty at BU. RedBalloon offers paid work to second and final year students and graduates, including opportunities for editors, production managers, sound assistants and runners, a great way to enhance your CV with professional credits and networking. Students work alongside professional crew and for a wide range of clients from local charities to national organisations such as The National Trust, Exeter Cathedral and Bournemouth Courts of Justice.

Read about some recent projects our students have been working on.

Visit the RedBalloon website to find out more

Read about Sam's experience

Sam Drake BA (Hons) Television Production student worked with RedBalloon on the Body Parts Exhibition, London.

"I joined RedBalloon in the summer of 2019 and was able to get involved with the Body Parts Exhibition, London. RedBalloon had created a documentary looking at the reality of living life as a Paralympian, to be showcased in London. I was a runner at the exhibition and got some hands-on experience liaising with clients and conducting interviews with some of the artists. Executive Producer, Stephanie Farmer, was aware I wanted to pursue the career of a Television Producer and gave me the opportunity to get involved with the filming of the event, discussing narrative points with me. Once back from London, I worked in the RedBalloon office editing suite to create a cut of the exhibition film. This was a challenging task, working under the guidance of Stephanie and the client to ensure the film accurately showcased the event.

"My time at RedBalloon was both enjoyable and challenging. I felt like I was getting involved in the production thoroughly, as opposed to being used to do menial tasks. I enjoyed the production of the Body Parts event in London as I got to try a selection of roles and work alongside talented professionals.

"RedBalloon has equipped me with invaluable practical skills and experience I can apply to future productions. Having an award-winning production agency enhances my CV, showing potential employers a strong work ethic with a reputable company. RedBalloon allows students to work with a professional production company to experience what working in the industry will be like. It is a great feature of the Media and Communications faculty at Bournemouth University, equipping students with skills beyond graduation."

Read about Dimitra’s experience

Dimitra Margaritidou MA Sound Design for Film and Television student worked with RedBalloon as a sound designer.

"I worked in RedBalloon as a sound designer in two different projects. The first one was an animation with a battle scene taking place in a medieval castle. The second one was an augmented reality project in a tin mine with a focus on ambient sounds. My main role was to help source sound FX, record some additional Foley sounds, edit them and work with the professional RedBalloon editor to lay down the final mix.

"Working with RedBalloon was a great experience. I enjoyed being part of a professional team and developing my skills at sound design. Also, combining studying with a work placement helped me develop my time management skills. Furthermore, working in collaborative projects with students from other departments is a good way of having new contacts for future projects.

"While working for RedBalloon I developed my professional and communication skills as I was part of a professional project. Moreover, apart from the skills that I acquired, my CV is more enhanced.

"I believe that having RedBalloon in the faculty is very beneficial as it provides students with an insight of how the media industry works before they graduate. Also, it gives them the chance to actively participate in the field and get hands-on experience with working conditions.

"I would highly advise other students to look for opportunities offered by RedBalloon as they can gain relevant experience on their filed of interest whilst studying, work under a professional environment and enhance their CV at their same time."

Read about Jemma's experience

Jemma Wood BA (Hons) Television Production had the opportunity to work as a mentor on the Breda University of Applied Science project (BUAS) as part of RedBalloon Productions.

‘The BUAS project involved mentoring a group of 40 Dutch students from the University of Breda, completing one of their university units in BU’s live television studio. My role was to facilitate the students in any way I could as most of them hadn't been in a studio environment before. I supported them to source contributors and locations, assisted with paperwork in order to film field segments, helped them to buy props and advised in the studio.

I really enjoy working for RedBalloon, it’s a great way to be able to get some really valuable experience and meet some amazing people at the entry level I am currently at. I enjoy being able to share my passion with other like-minded individuals. Throughout the project, I found taking a step back most challenging and letting the students learn from their mistakes. It was great after to help them understand why they made that mistake and how to prevent doing it again. It is also great making contacts with students from other countries, I have many of them on LinkedIn so we can stay in touch for the future.

Jemma has also worked for RedBalloon as a Producer, creating a charity promo film for children who have survived brain tumour.

RedBalloon is a great thing to have in the faculty, often in this industry getting work experience is very difficult as you have to have experience to be able to get experience. RedBalloon gave me the chance I needed to get some real experience and enhance my CV to help me stand out from the crowd. It's an amazing thing to get involved with at university, it could be the first ‘real‘ (production) experience you get which can lead onto further opportunities.'

Careers

Our graduates are highly sought after in the film and TV sector. This course has been awarded accreditation by the International Moving Image Society (IMIS) in recognition of its professionalism and industry relevance in moving image education and training.

Some of our alumni have worked on high-profile projects, such as the video game LittleBigPlanet, and with well-known TV channels such as Discovery, Disney Interactive and DC Comics.

Typical starting job roles

Industries worked in

Further study

Costs and fees

You can find full information about the deposits required and how to pay your fees in our postgraduate fees and funding section, including details of the Postgraduate Loan (subject to fee status).

All fees are quoted in pounds sterling and are per year. Fees quoted are for tuition only unless stated otherwise. Your tuition fees will be the same for each year of your course.

Find out more about living expenses for postgraduate students

No hidden extras

What’s included in your tuition fee?

Your tuition fee covers expenses associated with your course including tuition materials, access to facilities, mandatory field trips and the following:

Materials for laboratory and field-based teaching activity
Support for finding placements (UK or abroad) and fieldwork, and non-financial support whilst on placement
A range of student services – advisors, help desks, counsellors, placement support and careers service
The Library – access to a wide range of electronic resources (databases, e-journals and e-books), print and multimedia collections, subject librarians and study spaces
Access to Brightspace, our virtual learning environment, which offers a responsive and personalised learning experience with powerful learning analytics capabilities, integrated social media and advanced video features.
IT labs (some open 24/7), wireless network, AV equipment to borrow
Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) scheme
Disability and additional learning support
The BU Language Centre to help you develop/improve foreign or English language skills
24 hours a day, 365 days a year security team.

Costs of living and other expenses you need to consider

Additional costs

We are committed to offering you value for money and ensuring there are no hidden costs while you are studying with us, therefore we have listed below any additional costs you may incur that are not covered by your tuition fee:

Laptops, tablets and mobile devices
Accommodation and living costs. Our accommodation price guide can be found on our website.
Travel costs, outdoor wear and footwear for optional field trips (where applicable)
Text books, general stationery and other supplies. Our award-winning library is stocked with a large range of text books and online resources, free of charge. The Students’ Union shops stock a wide range of stationery supplies on both campuses
Travel costs to and from your placement (both in the UK and overseas). Information about funding your placement year can be found on our placement year funding page
SportBU membership.

Repeat units

Financial help available from BU

Deposits

International (not Rep. of Ireland) students need to pay a non-refundable £3,000 deposit to secure their place on a postgraduate course. You will need to pay your deposit by the date stated in your offer letter. The remainder of your fee will be payable on registration/enrolment. There are two exceptions to the non-refundable rule on the deposit:

You fail to meet the academic or English requirements of your offer
You are refused a visa to enter the UK, provided the reason for the refusal is not a fraudulent application.

Our staff

On this course you will be taught by staff with relevant expertise and knowledge appropriate to the content of the unit. This could include senior academic staff, qualified professional practitioners and research students, many of whom are actively engaged in research and/or professional practice which is integrated into the teaching of this course. Please note that staff can change.

Stephen Rafter – Programme Leader

Steve is a Sound Designer & Lecturer whose work spans a number of creative fields including film, TV, theatre, live events, sound installation, advertising, music and education. Steve joined BU in 2014 and teaches sound design and audio post-production across undergraduate and post graduate programmes in the Faculty of Media & Communication. He is also the Programme Leader of the MA in Sound Design for Film & Television course at BU.

After studying Audio / Visual Design at art college, Steve began his Sound Design career in theatre and worked on many shows and live events in London, the Edinburgh Festival and across the UK and Europe. Including designing shows for The Old Vic, The Lyric Theatre and The Pleasance.

After moving into the area of sound design for screen, Steve relocated to Dubai, UAE in order to work at one of the leading audio post production studios in the Middle East. During this time, he worked on a range of high-profile projects for the world’s leading brands including Pepsi, HSBC, Emirates, Visa, Unilever, Panasonic, Sony, and international agencies such as; Saatchi & Saatchi, Leo Burnett, JWT, FITCH, BBDO & DDB as well as many landmark projects for the Dubai Government.

On returning to the UK after six years in the Middle East, Steve set up a boutique sound design studio based in Bournemouth, which he runs alongside his teaching, and continues to provide sound design for film, TV and advertising for a range of local, national and international clients.

Steve has an MA in Post Production: Sound Design with distinction, a PGCert in Education Practice and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Authority.

View Stephen Rafter’s staff profile

Gary Hayton – Demonstrator/Lecturer in Post Production Sound

Gary Hayton is a member of the Association of Sound Designers and has worked at BU for many years. He teaches music production and post-production sound for television, film and audio drama.

He works as a sound designer for theatre. Recent Productions include: Iron, Visitors and Look Back In Anger for ImpAct Theatre; and Titus Andronicus, The Tempest and As You Like It for Brownsea Open Air Theatre. He is currently working on the sound for Richard the Third for Brownsea Open Air Theatre and The White Bike for ImpAct Theatre.

Gary also works as a sound designer on multi-cast audio Dramas. Credits for Audible Books include The X-Files: Cold Cases (nominated for an Audie Award), The X-Files: Stolen Lives and Terry Pratchett's Unseen Academicals (dialogue and Foley editor). Credits for BBC Radio 4 Drama include: Low and We’re Backing Britain.

Gary is interested in the effect of sound on audiences when used for storytelling and he is currently researching the use of Dolby Atmos sound delivery in multi-cast audio drama productions.

View Gary Hayton’s staff profile

Hear from our graduates

Alison Gregory

“My experience at Bournemouth was incredible! To this day I find myself relying on skills that I developed during my time on the course. Along with software programmes and technical skills, I was taught the theory behind sound design, why it is we do the things we do! Having this knowledge pushes you past the surface of post sound, and into the creativity realm that makes for an excellent collaborator in film, television, and multi-media.

“Since my time at Bournemouth, I have worked freelance as a sound designer on programmes for WETV, A&E, Discovery, Disney Interactive, DC Comics, and many independent features and projects. I have also branched out into video editing and received my Final Cut Pro Certification as a result of my exposure to other post-production disciplines while at Bournemouth.”

Rob Bridgett, Senior Audio Director, Activision Blizzard

“The MA course at Bournemouth was a crucial stepping stone for me into the professional world of sound design and audio direction. Without the open and collaborative approach with filmmakers and animation students, it is unlikely I would have succeeded at all in the highly competitive world of sound. I not only found world-class practical and technological skills as a bedrock on the MA, but also, and for me more importantly, a focus on how to think about and make decisions regarding the aesthetic direction and meaning of sound in visual media.”

Dr Randall Barnes

“Bournemouth's course in sound deepened my fascination with film sound history, theory and practice, so much so I was encouraged to complete a PhD in film sound there. Both courses not only prepared me with the knowledge necessary for approaching sound creatively, but they also gave me the practical skills needed for collaborating effectively with filmmakers. Since graduating, I've worked as a freelance sound designer, boom operator and mixer on five full-length features and four short films.”

Andrew South

“The Sound Design MA proved to be an invaluable resource to my career progression as it supplied me with an excellent mixture of both academic study and vital practical skills to create a career in audio post-production. I was shortlisted in the 'Best Sound Design' category at the British Animation Awards for collaborative work I undertook while at Bournemouth. This would not have been possible without the guidance and expertise of the lecturers on the course and their true passion for all things audio.

“Since graduating I have worked on some fantastic theatre productions, independent films and documentaries. The course is a hard full-time body of work that requires strong dedication but what you will get out of it will be indispensable to your career.”

Andreas Brandrup Elkjaer

“I became an independent film producer and consultant, and founded my own company, INSP! Media. My experience of the MA Sound Design course was overall positive. I gained advanced skills in the use of Pro Tools through practice, and although I came from a BA in Film and Media Studies, most of the theoretical part of the course was new knowledge to me. As an all-round producer, the sound production course gave me a strong focus on the importance of sound in audiovisual communication which makes my products stand out in the crowd.”

Course changes

Changes for 2022 entry

Date	Changes to this course
02/02/21	Where the change was made: Course overview Change: Course review statement updated Previous text: For September 2021 entry: In order to take advantage of new approaches to learning and teaching, as well as developments in industry to benefit our students we regularly review all of our courses. This course is currently going through this process and we will update this page in January 2021 to give you full information about what we will be offering once the review process has concluded.

Date

Changes to this course

02/02/21

Where the change was made: Course overview
Change: Course review statement updated
Previous text: For September 2021 entry: In order to take advantage of new approaches to learning and teaching, as well as developments in industry to benefit our students we regularly review all of our courses. This course is currently going through this process and we will update this page in January 2021 to give you full information about what we will be offering once the review process has concluded.

Changes for 2021 entry

Date	Changes to this course
15/04/21	Where the change was made: Course title Change: Course title updated to MA Sound Design for Screen Previous text: MA Sound Design for Film & Television
02/02/21	Where the change was made: Course details Change: Narrative Constructions unit replaced with new Storytelling unit Previous text: Narrative Constructions: Establishing a social, cultural and intellectual context for production work on the course, in combination with the other practical and professional skills taught, this unit offers a critical foundation for the effective realisation of production work. You'll collectively engage with narrative theory in a critical and analytical forum.

Date

Changes to this course

15/04/21

Where the change was made: Course title
Change: Course title updated to MA Sound Design for Screen
Previous text: MA Sound Design for Film & Television

02/02/21

Where the change was made: Course details
Change: Narrative Constructions unit replaced with new Storytelling unit
Previous text: Narrative Constructions: Establishing a social, cultural and intellectual context for production work on the course, in combination with the other practical and professional skills taught, this unit offers a critical foundation for the effective realisation of production work. You'll collectively engage with narrative theory in a critical and analytical forum.

Changes in 2019

Date	Changes to this course
19/06/2019	Where the change was made: Key information and Entry requirement Change: Required subject removed for September 2020 entry

Changes in 2018

Date	Changes to this course
13/11/2018	Where the change was made: Your application Change: The showreel is no longer mandatory for all applicants Previous text: We’ll be selecting the candidates for this course by looking at their applications and show-reels. We may also interview applicants, either at the university or over Skype for international students. At the interview, you will be marked on the following criteria: • Potential for further development • Understanding of the role of sound • Portfolio of practical engagement with sound • Interest in film/ television or interactive media • Collaborative potential • Capacity for Master’s level inquiry. If required, international students will be interviewed over Skype.

Date

Changes to this course

13/11/2018

Where the change was made: Your application
Change: The showreel is no longer mandatory for all applicants
Previous text: We’ll be selecting the candidates for this course by looking at their applications and show-reels. We may also interview applicants, either at the university or over Skype for international students.

At the interview, you will be marked on the following criteria:

• Potential for further development

• Understanding of the role of sound

• Portfolio of practical engagement with sound

• Interest in film/ television or interactive media

• Collaborative potential

• Capacity for Master’s level inquiry.

If required, international students will be interviewed over Skype.

Statistics shown throughout this page are taken from Unistats and BU institutional data unless otherwise stated.

MA Sound Design for Screen

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Why study MA Sound Design for Screen at BU?

Graduate with an accredited degree

See what its like to study on this course

Key information

Next start date:

Location:

Duration:

Accreditations:

Entry requirements:

International entry requirements:

Scholarships

Partnerships

Related courses

Working with our partners

BU amongst universities to make BAFTA green pledge

Student success

Italian film festival hosts feature film produced by students

Course details

Core units

Option units (choose one)

Skills covered

Programme specification

Your application

What we're looking for

Selection methods

How and when to apply

Supporting your study

Technical requirements

Laptop

Software

Entry requirements

General entry requirements

International entry requirements

RedBalloon opportunities

Read about Sam's experience

Read about Dimitra’s experience

Read about Jemma's experience

Careers

Typical starting job roles

Industries worked in

Further study

Costs and fees

No hidden extras

Costs of living and other expenses you need to consider

Repeat units

Financial help available from BU

Deposits

Our staff

Stephen Rafter – Programme Leader

Gary Hayton – Demonstrator/Lecturer in Post Production Sound

Hear from our graduates

Alison Gregory

Rob Bridgett, Senior Audio Director, Activision Blizzard

Dr Randall Barnes

Andrew South

Andreas Brandrup Elkjaer

Course changes

Changes for 2022 entry

Changes for 2021 entry

Changes in 2019

Changes in 2018