Sound Design BSc (Hons)



Specialise in a range of Sound Design disciplines including: Art, VR/AR/MR, Film, Products, Radio, Television, Theatre and Games

Overview

If you have a passion for sound, and would like to learn how to design it so that it is seamlessly integrated into media, products or environments, then this degree will help you develop an in-depth understanding and the practical skills needed to design and evaluate effective sound for listeners.

This course will teach you the techniques to create new sounds that coexist with dialogue and music to support a wide variety of media and applications. The underlying principles of linear and interactive media are also addressed, as well as products and environments to maximise potential employment.

Throughout your studies you can specialise in your chosen discipline, and then work towards creating an appropriate portfolio, whilst gaining valuable contacts who could help you during your transition from study to a professional career.

A mix of assignments and projects will give you the chance to collaborate with students on Acting, Digital Media, Film, Games Development and Television degrees.

Studying sound design will open up career opportunities in a diverse range of fields such as animation, audio books, augmented/mixed reality, computing, environments, food, film, radio, robotics, television, theatre, vehicles, video games and virtual reality.

We also have an extensive range of online guest lectures from internationally recognised Sound Designers.

Student wearing VR headset | Edinburgh Napier University

Mode of Study:

Full-time

Duration:

4 years

Start date:

Sep

UCAS code:

5G7B

Course details

  • calendar

    How you’ll be taught

    Lectures, practical sessions and tutorials

  • note and pen

    Assessments

    Coursework 95%, exams 5%.

  • library

    Facilities

    We have a dedicated Digital Media Lab, and students have access to borrow our Portable Audio Equipment.

Popular modules


Year 1

 

  • Being digital
  • Experiencing the Digital City
  • Introduction to interactive audio
  • Introduction to Human Computer Interaction
  • Sonic culture
  • Sound theory

Year 2

 

  • Digital video development
  • Intermediate interactive audio
  • Playful interaction
  • Practical interaction design
  • Sound production 1 
  • Sound production 2

Year 3

 

  • Advanced interactive audio
  • Creative technology
  • Group project
  • Sound design 1 
  • Sound design 2
  • Technoculture and society

Year 4

 

  • Honours project
  • Professional internship/Digital storytelling
  • Professional identity through portfolio development
  • Soundscapes

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

What are the entry requirements for Sound Design?

Our entry requirements indicate both Standard and Minimum qualifications with which we normally accept students. Competition for places varies from year to year and you aren't guaranteed a place if you meet the minimum qualifications.

Can you go straight into second year of university?

Advanced entry into Year 2 or Year 3 of this course is possible for students with suitable qualifications. See the individual year tabs for more information.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the undergraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

Minimum Year 1

SQA Higher

  • Standard Entry Requirement: BBBB to include one of the following subjects: Art & Design, Design, Media, Photography, Music, Music Technology, Graphic Communication or Design and Manufacture. National 5 Grade C in Maths OR Applications of Maths and English.
  • Minimum Offer Entry Requirement: BBCC to include one of the following subjects: Art & Design, Design, Media, Photography, Music or Graphic Communication at grade B. National 5 grade C in Maths OR Applications of Maths and English.

You may be given an adjusted offer of entry if you meet our specified minimum entry requirements within our widening participation criteria, and outlined in our Contextual Admissions Policy. Click here for further information about our entry requirements and admissions policies.

A Level

  • BCC to include one of the following subjects: Design & Technology: Product Design, Art & Design, Fine Art, Music, Music Technology or Performing Arts
  • GCSE Grade C/4 in Maths and English.

HNC

  • HNC in Sound Production, Television, Music or Radio may be considered at C

Irish Leaving Certificate

  • H2, H2, H3, H3 at Higher Level to include one of the following subjects: Art or Music
  • Ordinary Level Maths and English at O4.

BTEC (QCF) Extended Diploma Level 3

  • Minimum grades DMM (Distinction, Merit, Merit) in a related subject: Art & Design, Creative Digital Media Production, Music, Music Technology or Performing Arts.
  • GCSE Grade C/4 in Maths and English.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

  • Award of Diploma with 28 points overall with three HL subjects at grades 6, 5, 4 to include one of the following subjects: Film, Music, Theatre or Visual Arts at minimum grade 5.
  • Grade 4 in SL Maths and English.

T Levels

  • Merit - T Level with additional A Level  in: Art and Design, Fine Art, Music, Music Technology or Performing Arts grade B 
  • GCSE Maths and English grade C/4

 

Minimum Year 2

HNC

SQA Advanced Higher

  • BBC to include at least one of the following at Advanced Higher: Art & Design (Design or Expressive), Drama or Music.     
  • SQA Advanced Higher BB plus SQA Higher BB to include at least one of the following at Advanced Higher: Art & Design (Design or Expressive), Drama or Music.
  • National 5 grade C in Maths and English.

A Level

  • AAB to include at least one from: Art and Design, Fine Art, Music, Music Technology or Performing Arts.
  • GCSE grade C/4 in Maths and English.

BTEC (QCF) Extended Diploma Level 3

  • Minimum grades DDD (Distinction, Distinction, Distinction) in Music Technology or Audio and Music Production.
  • Places are limited and students should anticipate a rigorous selection process, including interview.

Minimum Year 3

HND

  • Pass HND in a relevant subject at B- please email Undergraduate Admissions (ugadmissions@napier.ac.uk).
  • Places are limited and students should anticipate a rigorous selection process, including interview.

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English. Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.


We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2023/24 2024/25
Scotland £1,820 £1,820
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £9,250 £9,250
Overseas and EU £17,580 £19,340
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland will be invoiced the tuition fees for 3 years of their 4 years of study. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.
Please note tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other Tuition Fee matters please see Frequently Asked Questions about Fees Click this link for Information of Bursaries and Scholarships
If additional compulsory costs other than the tuition fees are applicable, these will be detailed in the course details.
Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Careers

Close up of audio recording and mixing equipment

Career opportunities include:

  • Audio Programmer
  • Boom Operator
  • Dialogue Editor
  • Dubbing/Rerecording Mixer
  • Film and Television Sound Designer
  • Foley Artist/Editor
  • Production Sound Mixer
  • Radio Sound Designer
  • Sound Archivist/Cataloguer/Librarian
  • Sound Artist
  • Sound Designer
  • Sound Editor
  • Sound Engineer
  • Sound Lecturer
  • Sound Recordist
  • Sound Researcher
  • Sound Supervisor
  • Sound Technician
  • Video Game Sound Designer
Girls wearing headphones watching something to the right of the camera