Music Production BA (Hons)
Course Overview
This course will equip you with the knowledge and specialist skills to become a versatile, intelligent and employable producer. You will also have the opportunity to engage with other music-industry-related areas such as live music technology, songwriting and composition.
As a production student, you will work with performance students as part of a close-knit, thriving, cooperative and creative music community. Chester has a strong local music scene with which we have close ties. We are also well located for access to bigger cities such as Manchester and Liverpool. You can also attend events such as Creative Futures, where you can gain invaluable insights into the industry from industry professionals, musicians and academics through the delivery of performances, masterclasses and workshops.
In recent years students have undertaken remix work for real club campaigns through one of the UK’s leading club promotion companies, resulting in their work being played in clubs and bars throughout the UK and abroad, which has also led to student work reaching the Music Week Commercial Pop club chart, one of the UK’s biggest club charts.
Live music technology is an important focus, with you having access to many digital and analogue mixing desks, as well as opportunities to mix for live bands both at the university and in the city on a regular basis. We know that this is a crucial employability skill for people working in the industry.
We have impressive studio facilities that are equipped with professional-standard digital and analogue technology, as well as many software packages to provide students with an outstanding learning experience. You will benefit from exceptional recording studios, a huge range of microphones, Apple Mac computer labs, skilled technical staff, and an extensive equipment loan provision.
Integration with the music industry
Industry guests
Real live sound experience
Music at the University of Chester
Study the final year of an undergraduate degree
If you have successfully completed a Level 5 qualification, e.g. a Higher National Diploma (HND) or Foundation Degree in a relevant subject, then we may be able to consider you for the final year (Level 6) of one of our degrees. Topping up your HND or Foundation Degree will typically take one further year of study and will lead to a full BA (Honours) degree.
To apply for the final year of a degree on a full-time basis you will need to submit an application through UCAS.
For international applicants, please refer to the entry requirements listed on the "Your Country/Region" pages. To be considered for advanced entry into relevant degree programmes, you must have completed a qualification equivalent to a Level 5 or Level 6 in the UK, in a related subject area
How we teach at the University of Chester
This course is delivered in three terms of 10 weeks each. In each term students typically study 40 credits comprising one overarching module which may cover a variety of topics. Students can expect to take part in lectures, workshops, studio sessions, other practical sessions and peer-led seminars.
Students should expect to spend approximately 30-34 hours per week on independent study, which might include tutorial time with staff, studio practice time, using the University’s library, working with peers and preparing work for assessment.
If studied, the Foundation Year, as with the following years of study, will be taught in three 10-week blocks across an academic year. Each block will comprise of a large 40-credit subject-specific module that includes a breadth of topics and subject skills. You will have on average 12-14 hours of contact time per week during the Foundation Year. There may be variations to this where subject practical or specialist space teaching is included.
Teaching will be delivered by experienced academics and practitioners in the subject. This is likely to be supplemented by occasional guest lecturers and speakers.
There will be a broad range of assessment methods so that students are exposed to the different types of task they might encounter in the workplace. These are likely to include portfolios of music production and creation work and presentations, amongst other methods of assessment. We continuously review the assessment methods used in order that they adequately prepare students for graduate level employment.
All teaching is delivered by experienced academics and practitioners, with the fundamental principles of the Chester Future Skills Curriculum at its core - building your subject competence, confidence, and key transferable skills to shape you into a world-ready Chester graduate.
Your Future Career
Job Prospects
The programme equips students with skills likely to be useful in a wide range of careers. Graduates of similar provision at the University have gone on to work as recording studio owners, producers, recording engineers, mastering engineers and a variety of other music industry related roles.
Careers service
The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.
Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.
We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.
Ali Reece x Uosee Charity Christmas Hit
I Won't Let Christmas Make Me Cry – this charity Christmas hit (for Women's Aid), created by around two dozen University of Chester students, staff and recent graduates, reached the Top 5 of the Music Week Commercial Pop club chart, one of the UK's leading club charts, compiled by one of the world's most important music industry trade publications, in 2025. Students worked across a whole range of areas including performance, recording, mixing and remixing, to create this very successful package, which was strongly supported by the media, including BBC Radio.
Music Performance Studio
Music Recording Studio Control Room
Music Rehearsal Studio
Music Production Suite
Studio
Common Room
Jim Mason
Senior Lecturer
Ben Broughton
Head of Division
Dr Ruth Dockwray
Associate Professor
Kristian Rozells
Senior Lecturer