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University of Glasgow: Creative Sound Design and Audiovisual Media
| Institution | University of Glasgow View institution profile |
|---|---|
| Department | College of Arts and Humanities |
| Web | glasgow.ac.uk |
| Study type | Taught |
Summary
This Masters programme provides advanced training in creative practice with sound and audiovisual technologies. The programme offers topics relevant to practising musicians and sound designers, digital artists, and the creative industries, including sound shaping and design, audiovisual composition, creative sound recording, creative sound and media performance, and sound and media aesthetics. Later in the programme, you will develop an individual portfolio of creative practice based on your particular skills and interests.
WHY THIS PROGRAMME
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We are a leading research centre for Music in Scotland, with a supportive and welcoming community of scholars and practitioners. 95% of our research was rated as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent' in the UK’s most recent Research Excellence Framework exercise (REF2021).
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You are supported in developing your own distinctive creative identity through experimentation and risk-taking in your sound and audiovisual work. Most courses are assessed through creative, practice-based projects.
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You will benefit from studying in the city of Glasgow, the UK’s first UNESCO city of music, with its vibrant and exciting music scene; this includes festivals such as Sonica, Counterflows, Radiophrenia and Tectonics as well as a host of grass-roots sonic activity. There is a wide range of venues providing programmes of creative sound work, including The Old Hairdressers, Tramway, Mono, SWG3, CCA and City Halls, all of which have hosted our students’ work. The presence of music-performing organisations such as the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, RSNO, Scottish Opera, and the Scottish Ensemble, as well as experimental music ensembles such as the Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra, provides a rich musical context for your studies.
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We work with the city’s cultural programme (Glasgow Life), and in collaboration with local arts houses and organisations such as Cryptic, to bring leading sonic artists to Glasgow, with associated workshops and collaborative opportunities for our students.
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Your work can be showcased in our annual postgraduate event Sound Thought, which takes place at the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) and also at the Glasgow Electronic and Audiovisual Media (GLEAM) Festival.
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You will have access to high-quality facilities, including a Mac-equipped audio lab and media lab; three studios, one of which features an ambisonic surround sound space; a Concert Hall with a Genelec and D&B sound diffusion system; as well as seminar and practice rooms.
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You will be supported by award-winning technical staff.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
You will take four core courses and one optional course. You will also produce a creative portfolio.
Semester 1 Core Courses - Sound Shaping and Design
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Creative Sound Recording
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Thinking Through Sound and Media
Semester 2 Core Courses - Audiovisual Composition
- Creative Sound and Media Performance
Optional Course One optional course, typical choices are listed below. However, other courses from across the College of Arts & Humanities can be taken with the approval of the programme convener and subject to availability.
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Sonic Arts: Sound for Narrative Film
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Art, Embodiment, Transgression
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Experimental Art and Media
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Festivals
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Genders
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Making Time: performing and thinking temporalities in the creative arts
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Music Cities
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Music Research Seminar (A)
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Music Research Seminar (B)
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Popular Music History
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The Global Music Industries
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Working in the Screen Industries (MCS)
Please note that not all optional courses may be available every year.
Summer You will produce an individual creative sound and media portfolio over the summer
MSc
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | 2.1 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in Music or Audio; we also accept degrees in other relevant subjects such as other areas of arts & humanities, fine arts, art & design, performance, electronics, computing or acoustics. We may also accept degrees in Arts or Humanities subjects. We may sometimes accept degrees at 2.2 Hons or non-UK equivalent. Work experience may be considered in lieu of qualifications. A personal statement is required for this programme. Applicants should have some experience of working creatively with sound, audiovisual media, digital media or music technology and submit a portfolio for entry including examples of your prior work in this areas. This can be done through common streaming services such as SoundCloud, Vimeo or YouTube, or through a file sharing or transfer service. Normally applicants should provide two or three examples of their work in audio or video format as appropriate. Applicants should include links to their work in a document uploaded with the online application. |
| Location | Gilmorehill (Main) Campus University Of Glasgow University Avenue Glasgow G12 8QQ |
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | 2.1 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in Music or Audio; we also accept degrees in other relevant subjects such as other areas of arts & humanities, fine arts, art & design, performance, electronics, computing or acoustics. We may also accept degrees in Arts or Humanities subjects. We may sometimes accept degrees at 2.2 Hons or non-UK equivalent. Work experience may be considered in lieu of qualifications. A personal statement is required for this programme. Applicants should have some experience of working creatively with sound, audiovisual media, digital media or music technology and submit a portfolio for entry including examples of your prior work in this areas. This can be done through common streaming services such as SoundCloud, Vimeo or YouTube, or through a file sharing or transfer service. Normally applicants should provide two or three examples of their work in audio or video format as appropriate. Applicants should include links to their work in a document uploaded with the online application. |
| Location | Gilmorehill (Main) Campus University Of Glasgow University Avenue Glasgow G12 8QQ |
The University of Glasgow is one of the UK’s most prestigious seats of learning, and the fourth oldest university in the English speaking world. Established in 1451 and recognised for its world-changing research and teaching, our people have always been at the forefront of innovation, including eight Nobel Laureates, two UK Prime Ministers, three First Ministers of Scotland, 10 Fellows of the Royal Society and 11 Fellows of the British Academy. Our past achievements inspire our current world changers.
Rankings
The University:
- is ranked 79th in the world: QS World University Rankings 2025
- is …
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