Sound and Music Design

Sound and Music Design at the University of Technology Sydney offers a comprehensive education in the art and science of sound, blending creative practice with technical expertise. This program is designed for students passionate about exploring the diverse roles sound plays in media, entertainment, and technology. Throughout the course, students engage with a wide range of topics including sound recording, sound design for film and video games, music production, audio engineering, acoustic design, and immersive sound technologies. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning, providing access to state-of-the-art studios, recording equipment, and digital audio workstations, allowing students to develop their skills in realistic settings. Collaborative projects with peers from different disciplines foster innovative thinking and prepare graduates for multidisciplinary industries. The program also covers the theoretical foundations of sound, including acoustics, psychoacoustics, and sound perception, alongside emerging trends such as virtual reality and spatial audio. Students have opportunities to participate in industry placements, internships, and live projects, facilitating professional networks and employment readiness. Graduates of the Sound and Music Design program are equipped to pursue careers in various fields such as film and television sound design, video game audio, music composition, post-production audio, acoustic consultancy, and digital media production. The program aims to cultivate creative and critical thinking, technical proficiency, and an understanding of the social and cultural implications of sound. With access to UTS's collaborative learning environment, students are encouraged to experiment, innovate, and push the boundaries of contemporary sound design. The program prepares graduates for leadership roles in a rapidly evolving industry where audio technology continually advances and expands. By fostering a blend of artistic creativity and technical skill, UTS’s Sound and Music Design degree ensures students are well-equipped to shape the future of sound in media and entertainment industries worldwide.

Year 1

• Citizenship and Communication
• Audio Culture
• Sub-major choice
• Digital Literacies
• Electronic Music Composition

Year 2

• Communicating Difference
• Live Sound
• Speech, Music, Sound
• Audio Production
• Sonology
• Sub-major choice

Year 3

• Sound for Time-based Media
• Media Arts Specialist Modules
• Electives
• Media Arts Project
• Electives

Sub-major choice

• Aboriginal Studies
• Media Studies
• Reading Australia

Electives

• Aboriginal Political History: Ideas, Action and Agency
• Academic English: Communication Fundamentals
• Academic English: Individual Project
• Arguments, Evidence and Intuition
• Audiences, Users, Publics, Communities
• Becoming Australia

• Online application    
• A non-refundable A$100 application fee is payable with all applications for study as an international student at UTS.
• Applicants must have completed an Australian Year 12 qualification, Australian Qualifications Framework Diploma, or equivalent Australian or overseas qualification at the required level.
• The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: Academic IELTS: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL: paper based: 550-583 overall with TWE of 4.5, internet based: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64; or CAE: 176-184
• Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.
• Documents that are not in English must be officially translated and submitted together with certified copies of supporting documents.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Academic Excellence Awards

grants valued at A$10,000 will be awarded to commencing international students enrolling in undergraduate coursework programs. The awards will be credited as two separate A$5000 instalments for a total of two sessions.

UTS:INSEARCH Graduate Scholarship 

 grants will be awarded to high-achieving UTS:INSEARCH graduates commencing at UTS.

Full Tuition Scholarships 

 the first full degree scholarships to be offered at undergraduate level (for up to four years of study at UTS). 

Sound and Music Design at the University of Technology Sydney is an innovative program that combines creative artistry with technical expertise to prepare students for careers in the dynamic field of sound and music production. The program emphasizes hands-on experience, blending theoretical knowledge with practical application to develop skills in sound design, audio engineering, composition, and multimedia production. Students explore a wide range of topics including sound recording, mixing, editing, synthesis, and the use of industry-standard software and hardware. The curriculum is designed to foster both the artistic and technical aspects of sound creation, encouraging students to experiment with diverse genres and styles in music and sound design.

Throughout the course, students have the opportunity to work on real-world projects, collaborating with peers and industry professionals to gain valuable insight into current industry practices. The program also emphasizes the importance of innovation and emerging technologies, such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and interactive media, reflecting the evolving landscape of sound and music design. Students are trained to adapt to various contexts, including film, television, video games, advertising, and live performance, ensuring a versatile skill set upon graduation.

The faculty members are experienced professionals with backgrounds in music production, sound engineering, and multimedia arts, providing mentorship and industry connections that support students’ career development. Facilities include state-of-the-art recording studios, editing suites, and sound design labs, enabling students to experiment and refine their craft. Upon completion of the program, graduates are equipped to pursue careers as sound designers, music producers, audio engineers, and multimedia artists, or to continue their education through postgraduate studies.

The program also encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, allowing students to work with students from related disciplines such as film, animation, and computer science, fostering a comprehensive understanding of media production processes. UTS’s strategic location offers proximity to a vibrant creative scene in Sydney, providing further opportunities for internships, industry engagement, and showcasing student work. Overall, the Sound and Music Design program at UTS aims to cultivate innovative, technically proficient, and industry-ready professionals capable of shaping the future of sound and music in various media through creative expression and technological mastery.