BA (Hons) Audio Production & Music Project Management

  • Overview
  • Course Content
  • Structure
  • Career Opportunities
  • Fees
  • Next Steps

Overview

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The degree in Audio Production and Music Project Management is delivered in collaboration with our partners Sound Training College (STC). Located at Rory Gallagher Corner and the Temple Bar Music Centre (The Button Factory), Sound Training College has been setting standards in audio education for over 30 years.

The Audio Production and Music Project Management course offers students the unique opportunity to develop their skills in the field through real-world, industry-based, professional projects, greatly broadening their employability. The recording and production company, Sound Training Productions, is led by graduates and students of STC and offers unrivalled, unique opportunities and links with key contacts in the music industry.

This focus on ‘real world’ projects and professional development is key to success, paving the way for graduates to lead the music industry both nationally and internationally.

Aims and Objectives 

The objectives of the BA (Honours) in Audio Production & Music Project Management programme are to: 

  • Develop learners’ technical knowledge of audio production principles and practice, along with the creative, innovative and business skills required in the audio industries.

  • Cultivate learners’ advanced creative and technical abilities for audio recording and production.

  • Equip learners with an understanding of the application of existing and emerging technologies and creative practices within the music industry in order to design and deliver creative products and services.

  • Develop learners’ interpersonal and soft skills, to enable effective communication with colleagues across technical, creative and business backgrounds.

  • Develop learners’ understanding and application of business concepts, project management and marketing in audio production.

  • Develop responsible skills for project planning and management together with some responsibility for leading and developing others.

  • Facilitate the development of applied skills that are directly complementary and relevant to both the workplace and a production setting.

  • Identify and develop autonomous learning skills for the learner.

  • Provide learners with the academic skills to engage in self-learning, experimentation and critical analysis.

  • Provide the learner with a comprehensive platform for career development, innovation and further study.

  • Develop a professional awareness in learners of the dynamics (cultural, economic, ethical, legal, political, social or affective) which shape working environments in the audio production industries.

Delivery

All learners are expected to attend in person in class.
Online Access: Enrolled students will receive access to both DBS and Sound Training Online platforms and resources.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements for this programme are:
- Leaving Certificate – Applicants must obtain a minimum of 2H5s and 4 O6s/H7s, to include Maths and English or another language, or
- FETAC/QQI – A full Level 5 FETAC/QQI Award (i.e. 8 modules) with at least 3 distinctions, or
- A-Levels / GCSE – Applicants must obtain a minimum of 4 GCSE passes at grade C to include Mathematics and English or another language, plus 2 A-Level passes at grade C or higher, or
- BTEC – Applicants must obtain a minimum of a BTEC National Diploma in a cognate area.
- For applicants whose first language is not English and who have not previously undertaken a degree taught through English, evidence must be provided of proficiency in English language equivalent to B2+ or above on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL). This must be evidenced through a recognised English Language test such as IELTS, Cambridge Certificate, PTE or DBS English Assessment. Test certificates should be dated within the last two years to be considered valid.

Course Content

The BA (Hons) in Audio Production & Music Project Management programme has the following content.

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Core Modules

Studio Production

Studio Recording

Acoustics and Psychoacoustics for Production

Critical Listening and DAW Skills

Electronic Music Composition

Music Writings

Marketing Essentials and Business Planning

Core Modules

Commercial Studio Production

Creative Recording and Mixing

Practical Composition

Software Post-Production and Mixing

Sound Reinforcement

Performance Technologies

Digital Marketing for Music

Creativity in the Music Business

Core Modules

Event Operations

Entrepreneurial Pursuits in Music

Audio Programming

Game Audio

Capstone Project


Elective Modules:

Professional Studio Production

Professional Live Production

Assessment

Course work is broken down into the following components, some of which are used in each module:

  • Lectures

  • Hands-on small group tutorials

  • Group Discussion

  • Practical analysis and evaluative exercises

  • Case Study

  • Practical skills sessions

Working with clients and artists throughout the programme in studio and live sessions is key to the success of the programme learning and teaching strategy. Live recording projects bring a unique set of challenges which allow students to experience relevant industry demands. Here the specific challenges revolve around teamwork, project planning and dealing with unpredictable events. In many cases of music technology education, the opportunities to experience live recording projects are limited, because they are reliant on events being accessible for students to become involved in.

Structure

This is a three-year full-time programme.

Students can look forward to abundant access to studio facilities, both in class time and on project work, as well as real-world project experience, examples of which can be seen on the Sound Training Productions website.

Software used in the course includes Pro Tools, Logic and Ableton.

Key themes

Key themes include:

  • Studio and Recording Techniques

  • Music Technology and Digital audio workstations

  • Live Sound Reinforcement and Production

  • Electronic Music Production

  • Client based Audio Production across mixed media

  • Acoustics and Psychoacoustics

  • Pre-production, Artist Development and all aspects of Client Work

  • Composition

  • Project management

  • Event Operations

  • Digital Marketing and Marketing Essentials

Content is complemented by a vast array of seminars from industry professionals, all contributing to the creative and technical development of the student.

Career Opportunities

Audio Production and Music Project Management graduates will be able to pursue a career as producers, studio engineers, live sound engineers, sound designers, production assistants, composers and studio managers.

Graduates completing this programme may be employed in audio and music production, sound recording, multimedia promotions, event management, radio and broadcast in a range of roles such as:

  • Research & Production Assistant

  • Recording & Mixing Engineer

  • Live FOH Engineer

  • Live Monitor Engineer

  • Audio Producer

  • Sound Technician for Games Development

  • Audio Software Programmer

  • Music App Developer

  • Sound Designer

  • Sound Technician for Foley and Sound Effects

  • Sound Editor for Post-Production

  • Stage Manager

  • Production Assistant Live Events

  • DAW Operator

  • Project Management

  • Studio Manager

Graduates will possess the knowledge and skills in the following areas and technologies:

  • Digital Audio Workstations

  • Critical listening and aural recognition

  • Compositional techniques

  • Project management

  • Large format console recording

  • Studio signal flow

  • Outboard signal processors

  • Microphones

  • Recording, mixing and editing

  • Audio mastering

  • Sound reinforcement (front of house monitors)

  • Live performance technologies

  • Digital marketing strategy

  • Studio production

  • Audio post-production

  • Live production

  • Event management

  • Programming skills for audio processors

  • Game audio creation and integration 

The Level 8 BA (Hons) in Audio Production and Music Project Management programme has been designed to flow, and follow on from, the Level 6 Higher Certificate in Sound Engineering and Music Production programme. This allows students who progress from the Level 6 programme, to deepen, widen and advance their skillset and knowledge.

Fees

The fees for Full-time BA (Hons) in Audio Production & Music Project Management are €6,060 per annum for EU students.

International Fees

EU Fees

You can also contact our admissions team who will also be able to advise on the payment options available to you.

Fees quoted cover the annual cost of tuition, registration and examinations and are EU fees only. Non-EU students please refer to the International section of the website. Please note also that tax relief is available on fees for Irish income tax payers at the standard rate of 20% on all fees exceeding €3,000 and up to €7,000.

All QQI accredited programmes of education and training of 3 months or longer duration offered by Dublin Business School (DBS) are covered by arrangements under section 65 (4) (b) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 whereby in the event that DBS ceases to provide the programme, for any reason, after learners have started on that programme, Kaplan Inc., as guarantor, will refund the moneys most recently paid by or for the learner.   More details are included in the terms and conditions of learner admission to DBS (https://www.dbs.ie/terms-and-conditions) and on programme handbooks provided at induction.

Next Steps

Before making an application please ensure you are aware of all our entry requirements.

Visit Us

Open evenings are a great way to help you make your decision about your course of interest. The open evening will give you the opportunity to receive one-on-one advice and direction from leading academics in your chosen subject area, meet current students and also have your questions answered on entry requirements, student support and the admissions process. Find out when our next open event is taking place.

The Admissions Office is located in our Aungier Street campus and you are welcome to visit the college to speak with a member of our admissions team from Monday to Fridays, 8:45am – 5:15pm. Alternatively, you can contact us by email.

Entry Requirements

School Leaver Applicants

Application for first year full-time programmes in the college is through the CAO System. The CAO system applies only to applications for first year admissions to undergraduate full-time day programmes described in the prospectus, which have a CAO Course code www.cao.ie.

Application forms and the CAO Handbook are both supplied by the Central Applications Office (CAO), Tower House, Eglinton Street, Galway or from your Career Guidance Counsellor.

Mature Applicants

If you are over 23 years of age on the 1st of January on the year of admission and do not meet the minimum entry requirements, you may apply as a Mature Student. Mature students should apply directly to the Admissions Office at Dublin Business School. Mature students are assessed on the basis of age, work experience, general education standard, motivation and commitment to the programme for which they are applying. Please forward documentation such as any relevant transcripts, a CV or any other related documentation to the Admissions Office. Proof of age such as a copy of driver’s licence or passport must also be submitted.

Transfer Students

Students holding a relevant Certificate, Diploma or other relevant third level qualification may qualify for entry to the second or third year of degree programme. Transfer applications to the second or third year full-time programmes are to be made directly to the college. Students should send copies of their examination transcripts and other relevant documentation along with their application form (available from the School / College) to the Admissions Office at Dublin Business School.

EU Citizens

A European (EU) Application is one made by a person: 
(a) who is permanently a resident in one of the member states of the European Union and/or 
(b) who will have received full-time second level education, for three of the five years immediately before the date of proposed admission, in member states.

Non-EU Applicants

Non-EU applicants should contact directly the International Admissions Office at Dublin Business School.

Application fee to CAO

Early applicants to CAO can benefit from a reduced fee of €30 for early online applications. There is a standard application fee of €45 made payable to CAO on submitting your CAO application form or online application to www.cao.ie before the normal closing date. Late applicants will be charged €90 for paper applications and €60 for online applications.

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Course overview

Awarding Body: 
Quality & Qualifications Ireland (QQI)
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Award: Honours Bachelor Degree
NFQ Level: 
Level 8
Award Title: 
BA (Hons) Audio Production & Music Project Management
Award Type: Major
Duration: 3 Years
CAO Code: DB510
Next Intake: September 2026

Contact Us

Email: admissions@dbs.ie
Phone: 01 417 7500
Opening times:
Monday to Friday
8:45am to 5:15pm