BA (Hons)
Professional Music (Electronic Music)
- Duration3 years
- LocationOn-site
- Start DateSeptember 2026
- UCAS CodesBrighton W374, Sheffield W380
Electronic Music Degree for Producers, DJs & Artists
The BA (Hons) Professional Music (Electronic Music) degree at WaterBear is for electronic music producers, DJs, and artists ready to develop their sound, creative identity, and career strategy. You’ll study electronic music production, sound design, DJ performance, and composition whilst building the business knowledge needed for sustainable careers in today’s music industry.
You’ll be taught by industry-active producers and electronic music professionals in small classes, typically 8–12, and receive structured 1-1 mentoring per term covering musical development, technical skills, and career planning. With access to professional recording studios, Pioneer DJ equipment, vintage and modern synthesizers, and DAWs including Ableton Live, Logic Pro, and Pro Tools, this Falmouth University validated degree delivers hands-on learning through real gigs, studio projects, and live electronic performance opportunities.
Whether your goal is to become an independent artist, professional musician, entrepreneur, or build a diverse portfolio career, you’ll engage in a comprehensive and flexible learning experience designed to support your strengths, interests, and your professional, artistic, and academic development.
Join us September 2026 in Brighton or Sheffield. To find out more, apply today.
Course Modules
Your learning journey is structured across three levels, each building on creative experimentation, technical mastery, and industry strategy. Modules combine weekly classes, 1-1 mentoring, and hands-on project work to support your development as an electronic artist and music professional. Individual study modules cover a wide range of areas. Module titles and linked weekly classes are as follows:
Level 4
Making innovative music is the lifeblood of this course. This module is about creating music that represents you as an individual. Music that tells your story and shows the world who you are. This is me today, and this is where I am going.
Weekly timetabled classes include Composition in Electronic Music, Electronic Music Performance, Electronic Music Production Tools and The Art of Production. This module is assessed via the submission of an electronic music arrangement that showcases your best work, with supporting narrative to reflect on the process and result.
This module deals with the music industry, past and present. Exciting case studies of artists that have made an important contribution to music. How did they do it? And how can you employ these insights into your own music projects, right now?
Weekly timetabled classes include Project Management and Navigating the Music Industry. Assessment is a case study of contrasting business models within the music industry.
Building on the Your Electronic Music module, this is all about expanding your skills and abilities. Pushing the boundaries of composition, performance and production techniques, and producing experimental, original work. The direction you take your music is controlled by you.
Weekly timetabled classes include Electronic Music Creation, Production Techniques, The Art of the Remix and Advanced Electronic Music Performance. This module is assessed via the submission of demo recordings that showcase your best contrasting work, with supporting narrative to reflect on the process and result.
Creating your individual career plan, with careful design and thorough testing. You will develop knowledge of current music industry practice to create career plans that are a). realistic and b). achievable.
Weekly timetabled classes include Project Management and Your Strategy. Assessment is via a report to identify a viable, personalised career model.
Level 5
Time to Stop, reflect and consider: Who exactly are you? Competent producers can create and produce music to a decent standard, but a real electronic music artist stands for so much more. Lots more in terms of music creation, performance and production in this module.
Weekly timetabled classes include Sonic Art, Sound Design, Stylistic Development and Electronic Music Workshop. This module is assessed via the submission of studio or live recordings, with supporting case study analysis to illustrate your key influences.
Your Events
Now’s the time for the rehearsal and practice to stop and for you to show the world what you’re made of. Working to put on shows and events. From live streams, gigs, conferences, performances and music events, to a fully-fledged national tour. It’s all fair game.
Weekly timetabled classes include Project Management and Your Events. Assessment is via a live event that you will curate. The scale and scope of the event is up to you.
This module will push you to expand your music and creativity into new and ground-breaking environments. Different methods of recording and performing, innovative production techniques, new ways of creating. You’ll use this as inspiration to create a wide range of new and original material.
Weekly timetabled classes include Pre-Production and Performance & Realisation. There will also be optional advanced songwriting and production classes for those wanting to push their ability to the next level.
This module is assessed via the submission of studio or live recordings that showcase your innovation, with accompanying programme notes, innovation pitch and press release.
In this business-focussed module, you’ll bring all your creative faculties to the table to create innovative new business models for the future music industry.
Weekly timetabled classes include Innovation in Project Management and Innovation in Music Business. Assessment is via a business plan submission designed to illustrate an innovative and viable new business idea.
level 6
Having thought about what to do for that final project, you’ll now need to prepare for it. This is where that work will be done, and the process documented. You’ll be getting plenty of mentoring and guidance too, so don’t worry.
There will be Digital Presence classes alongside special focus practical development workshops to help you further your project. There is one weekly timetabled class common to all pathways associated with this module – Project Portfolio Management. There will also be optional Songwriting & Production classes for those wanting to push their ability to the next level.
Assessment in this module is via the submission of Preparation Portfolio, including proposals, timeline and rationale.
In creating this specialist report as a dissertation, you’ll be honing your academic chops as you undertake formal research. You’ll also be preparing the ground for your ambitious final project in the Professional Project module.
There is one weekly timetabled class common to all pathways associated with this module entitled Specialist Report. The Specialist Report assessment will take the form of a research project paper focussed on a specific area relevant to today’s music scene.
Your final major project is the springboard into your creative future. You are encouraged to be practical and realistic, but also ambitious and to challenge yourself. There is no limit to where you can take this or what you can do. Anything is possible.
Weekly class time to support this module will take the form of regular group tutorials, to monitor progress against deadline. There will also be optional advanced production classes that continue for those wanting further time developing their instrumental or vocal technique. Assessment in this module is via the submission of a Portfolio of work and project outcomes, contextual presentation of work and next steps career strategy.
*Programme structures and modules can change as part of our curriculum enhancement and review processes. Any changes affecting students’ expected programme delivery are communicated in advance. If a certain module is important to you, please discuss it with the Programme Manager.
FAQs
View the most frequently asked questions about this course below.
Making innovative music is the lifeblood of this course. Every week, you’ll hone your production skills, DJ techniques, compositional skills, and expand your creativity. You’ll be able to showcase your music live on stage in a real music venue, or in the studio. In your business classes, you’ll learn all you need to know about the realities of being a professional in today’s music industry. There are also regular networking events, masterclasses, collaboration and work opportunities so you can build your all-important contacts list.
The BA (Hons) Professional Music (Electronic Music) is approved and awarded by Falmouth University, one of the UK’s leading specialist universities for the creative industries. There’s also the option to study this course over 4 years with an Integrated Foundation Year.
Apply today or book an open day to find out more.
This electronic music degree has been specifically designed for electronic music producers, DJs, sound designers, beatmakers, and electronic artists. Whether you’re focused on becoming an independent artist, professional producer, live electronic performer, DJ, or building a portfolio career that spans production, performance, and sound design, this course provides the support and freedom to develop your own sonic identity. With structured 1-1 mentoring and small class sizes (typically 8-12), you’ll work in a supportive environment where you can experiment with synthesis, create original productions, and develop a tailored career plan aligned with your personal goals.
If you’re one or more of the following, this course is for you:
- Producer
- DJ
- Electronic artist
- Music manager
- Sound designer
- Sound editor
- Songwriter
- Composer
- Multi-instrumentalist
Each academic year of the BA (Hons) 3-year course consists of 2 study blocks of 15 weeks each. The time each week you’ll spend in teaching and learning activities can be broken down as follows:
Timetabled classes:
In each study block, you’ll spend the majority of your structured learning activity in timetabled classes. You’ll also get access to all your module content prior to your timetabled classes via WaterBear’s dedicated Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), so you can prepare for your classes in advance.
1-1 Mentoring sessions:
Alongside your weekly classes, you’ll get access to WaterBear’s 1-1 mentoring programme, your gateway to bespoke expert advice as and when you need it. Bookable meetings with seasoned pros, experts across a wide range of fields, where you’ll receive tailored support and guidance in three key areas: music industries, musical development and academic achievement. What you focus on is entirely up to you — the mentoring programme is designed to support your own personal journey.
Asynchronous online learning:
As well all the digital content linked to your chosen course, you’ll get access to all other content for every other degree course at WaterBear, via our Canvas VLE. That’s a huge library of information you can dive into to expand your own learning experience and gain knowledge in other areas and subjects that may interest you.
Other activities:
You’ll be able to book free time in professional recording and rehearsal studios, attend additional optional classes in areas like music photography, videography, content creation, music theory, self-development, and music management. There are also social events, clubs and societies, live gigs and performances, virtual meetups, networking opportunities, industry development weeks, industry conferences, record label showcases, songwriting camps and various kinds of other activities to explore.
In summary, regular teaching and learning activities include:
- Lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops
- One-to-one mentoring
- Student forums
- Assignments, assessments, and feedback sessions
- Live performances and gigs
- Special events and conferences
- Peer collaboration via Canvas VLE
- Free recording time in professional studios
- Free rehearsal time in professional studios
- Masterclasses and clinics
- Work experience
- Networking
The BA (Hons) Professional Music (Electronic Music) degree prepares you for careers in electronic music production, DJ performance, live electronic shows, sound design for media, music composition, mixing and remixing, music business roles, and digital content creation. Many graduates build portfolio careers combining roles such as producing tracks, performing DJ sets, creating sound design, running their own labels, and managing their own artist projects. With structured 1-1 mentoring focused on your musical, academic and career development and our Music Industries team helping secure gigs, festival slots, and internships, you’ll graduate with a professional portfolio and industry connections. You’ll learn about production workflows, sound design, DJ technique, digital marketing, and building sustainable creative careers.
This course is designed to develop careers in:
- Electronic music composition and performance
- Music production
- DJing
- Sound design and editing
- Games music composition
- Film music composition
- Mixing / remixing
- Digital marketing and PR
- Digital content creation
- Artist, label and publishing services
- Music education
The course tuition fee for the 3-yr BA (Hons) is £9,535 for each year of the programme. UK residents may be eligible for undergraduate tuition fee and maintenance loans.
Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The College may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible. For more information on fees and finance, please visit Falmouth’s tuitions fees page here.
Initial applications for the BA (Bons) 3-yr on-site course can be made via the Apply Now button above.
You can also apply directly via UCAS using the links below.
BA (Hons) Professional Music (Electronic Music) UCAS course codes are as follows:
Brighton
Course code: W374
Institution code: F33
Campus name: WaterBear, Brighton
Campus code: W
Sheffield
Course code: W380
Institution code: F33
Campus name: WaterBear, Sheffield
Campus code: L
UCAS course application page
We consider all applications on their own merit and potential. We’ll invite you to a 1-1 session, either in person or by video conference. This is where you’ll have the opportunity to find out all about WaterBear and talk about your music, achievements and career goals.
Falmouth University Terms and Conditions can be found at https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/student-regulations.
We consider all applications on their own merit and potential. We’ll invite you to a 1-1 applicant session, either in person or by video call. This is where you’ll have the opportunity to find out all about WaterBear and talk about your music, achievements and career goals.
As a guide, we require A Levels (or in combination with AS / EPQ / BTEC / RSL / Cambridge Technical / etc.) equal to a minimum of 104 UCAS Tariff Points (BTEC / Cambridge Technical DMM, RSL Extended Diploma at Merit / Distinction), or international equivalent.
After graduating, you will have a number of routes to further study available, including the MA Music Performance, Production & Business, MA Songwriting, MA Music Education and MA Music Business courses at WaterBear, and other postgraduate specialist programmes.
There is also the option to study this course over 4 years, which includes an integrated foundation year.
We offer various scholarships and bursaries, which can be applied for by anyone studying related courses at WaterBear. Our scholarships are reviewed yearly, with applications generally opening 3-6 months prior to the course starting. Scholarship awards generally cover the cost of all course tuition fees.
This course is available to international applicants if they are based in the UK with a settled status (no restrictions on how long you can stay). This course is not available to those located outside of the UK. Alternative options available to international applicants include our range of online 2-year distance learning degree courses. https://waterbear.org.uk/online/
Language requirements
If English isn’t your first language, you’ll need to achieve equivalent to the IELTS Academic 6.0 overall score, with at least 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. We accept a range of equivalent approved tests too. Visit the English Language Requirements page of the Falmouth University website for more information. https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/study/international/english-language-requirements.
In order to get the most out of the BA (Hons) Professional Music (Electronic Music), we recommend having access to some basic equipment and materials. These are not mandatory and are provided only as examples of items students commonly find useful during the course.
Essential for study
These are general resources that help you participate fully in classes and complete coursework. These items are illustrative and not compulsory.
- Your instrument (instrumentalists)
- Expendables (strings, sticks, picks, leads, etc.)
- Note-taking materials (pens, notepad, manuscript paper, etc.) (approx. cost £20)
- Computer (desktop, laptop, tablet, etc.)
- DAW software
- USB memory stick
- Reliable internet connection
Recommended for enhanced learning
Some students choose to invest in additional equipment to support creative projects or independent work. These items are optional examples, not required purchases.
- Computer (laptop / desktop) capable of running DAW, audio interface, plug-ins and A/V processing software (recommended 8-16GB RAM, 7,200 RPM Hard Drive, 8MB buffer, 1TB hard drive
- Reliable, high speed internet connection
- Professional DAW software (ProTools, Logic, Cubase, Ableton, etc.)
- External hard drive
- Dynamic microphone(s) (e.g. Shure SM57 / SM58)
- Audio interface (e.g. Focusrite Scarlett 2i2)
- Headphones (e.g. Sennheiser HD 200, Beyerdynamic DT770)
If you have any questions about equipment, our course team can help you understand what is genuinely needed and what is simply helpful depending on your goals and musical focus.
World-Class Facilities at WaterBear
WaterBear provides professional recording studios, DJ facilities with industry-standard equipment, and free bookable rehearsal and recording spaces across Brighton and Sheffield. You’ll access vintage and modern synthesizers, electronic production suites, and DAWs including Pro Tools, Ableton, and Logic Pro, plus partner studios for extended creative sessions and professional-grade electronic music production.
Why Study Electronic Music at WaterBear
Transformative Learning
- Structured 1-1 mentoring across musical development, production techniques, business strategy, academic support, and artist identity.
- Small class sizes, typically 8-12 students per class, ensuring personalised attention and support.
- Industry-led teaching: electronic music production, sound design, composition, and DJ performance delivered by active producers and DJs.
Music & Industry Experience
- Free bookable access to professional recording studios equipped with Pioneer DJ decks, vintage and modern synthesizers, Pro Tools, Ableton, and Logic Pro.
- Partner studio access: Brighton Electric, Small Pond Studios, Spring Tank Studios, Studio Tecna, and Hybrid3.
- Practical performance opportunities: real gigs, live electronic performances, DJ sets, collaborative projects, and industry networking.
Degree & Career Focus
- 2 x 15-week study blocks with timetabled classes covering production, sound design, composition, performance, and music business.
- Falmouth University validated degree, recognised across the UK music industries and creative sectors.
- Career-ready skills: develop production technique, live electronic performance, DJ skills, sound design, and a professional portfolio suitable for commercial release.
Study Electronic Music in Brighton & Sheffield
Study the BA (Hons) Professional Music (Electronic Music) at WaterBear campuses in Brighton and Sheffield, with access to professional music production and performance facilities. Brighton and Sheffield are two of the UK’s most inspiring music cities. Both campuses provide free, bookable access to professional recording studios, DJ facilities, and electronic production spaces, with connections to clubs, festivals, and live venues across each city. You will engage with industry events, DJ workshops, live electronic performances, masterclasses, and collaborative projects in an environment built for real-world music-making, alongside active producers, DJs, and electronic music professionals.
COURSE OPPORTUNITIES
You’ll perform in WaterBear’s own venues and partner spaces across Brighton and Sheffield, gaining real experience in live electronic performance and DJ sets. Opportunities include masterclasses with industry professionals, A&R panels, work experience in studios and live events, collaboration with artists across performance, songwriting, and production, and showcasing your music at festivals and showcases. We secured 500 performance and work experience opportunities last year, attended over 20 festivals and organised over 45 industry masterclasses and industry guest events. These opportunities connect you directly with the local music scene and help you build the industry contacts essential for a sustainable music career.
Life at WaterBear – Student Experience
WaterBear’s community is built by musicians, for musicians. You’ll connect with like-minded creatives through lunchtime sessions, clubs and societies, and regular live events. Guest masterclasses, networking opportunities, and collaborative projects create a supportive environment where you can experiment, share ideas, and grow your creative network. It’s a place where your artistic identity matters and your ambitions are taken seriously. Below is a collection of some of the best moments submitted by artists and musicians on and off campus.
OUR MUSIC DEPARTMENTS
As a musician and artist, your environment and community are key to your growth. We provide creative learning spaces, expert teaching, and world-class facilities to help you thrive.
