MA Music Production and Artist Development

Why choose Herts?

Why choose this course?

Based in our award-winning School of Creative Arts (The Rookies, Global School Rankings, 2024), you will be studying in the University’s top-class studios, supported by tutors who are experienced industry professionals. 

You will have many opportunities to work on real-world projects with students across all our music programmes – there are loads of vocalists, guitarists, drummers, beat-makers, songwriters and many others actively looking for collaborators. 

All assessment is coursework-based. Relevant, industry-aligned skills lie at the core of all modules. 

You will develop a well-rounded understanding of how to create great-sounding original music and strategies for turning your creations into commercially viable releases and products. 

Whether your interests lie in developing your music as a solo artist or working in the studio with others you will learn the tools of the trade in order to stand-out from the rest. 

With targeted sessions and expert guidance, you’ll develop a showreel demonstrating your talent and expand your creative possibilities and opportunities. 

Situated close to London and with excellent access to industry, our vibrant creative community offers an inspiring and supportive environment in which to build your ideal career. 

Facilities

The programme is delivered from the heart of the School of Creative Arts situated on the College Lane Campus – primarily within the attractive Film, Music and Media Building. 

You will have access to a stunning array of well-maintained resources and facilities aligned to industry standards, including recording studios, dubbing suites, performance spaces, critical listening spaces, high-spec computing labs and a loan store full of free-to-access kit. 

We have a vast selection of top-quality dynamic, condenser and ribbon microphones, including Soundfield, Neumann, AKG, Coles, Shure, Audio-Technica and Beyerdynamic. 

Our studios and labs are equipped with a full range of DAW (Logic, Pro Tools, Ableton Live) plug-in (iZotope, Native Instruments, East West, Universal Audio) and other specialist software. 

Take a further look at our facilities. 

Live projects, guest masterclasses and industry visits and talks are an important part of the way in which we link so much of the teaching to the best professional practice that is so integral to Postgraduate Music at the University of Hertfordshire. 

Recent talks include Paul Thomson (Founder/Composer – Spitfire Audio), Shutter Audio, Barry Grint (Mastering at Air Studios), James Townend (Blackmagic Design). 

Other partners include  UKMusic (Music Academic Partnership, MAP), The Featured Artists Coalition (FAC)and The Independent Society of Musicians (ISM). 

What will I study?

You will receive a mixture of interactive lectures, workshops, one-to-one tutorials, and practical learning. 

Module content is reviewed regularly to remain current and industry relevant. 

You will typically explore cutting-edge production methods, musical sound design, compositional strategies in DAW environments, and cross-genre explorations such as musical form, structure and discourse in Electronica, timbre and texture in Ambient music, and how retro-revivalism embraces analogue sound in the digital age. 

Additionally teaching will include research skills and career development, alongside a final major project in a related area of your choosing – perfect for providing a showcase for your skills and talent. 

Full-time students will commonly attend taught classes across two semesters (120 credits), with a third semester dedicated to completion of a substantial self-directed and tutor-supported project (60 credits). 

All course material is reviewed regularly so you will leave the course with up to date theoretical, practical, and technical knowledge along with a portfolio of work that meets industry standards, required for global employment across a wide range of career options. 

Who will I learn from?

Rob Wright MSc. BEd. BSc. FHEA. 

Head of Music, School of Creative Arts 

Rob is a dual professional; both an experienced academic in higher education and an accomplished musician/composer/technologist. He has worked at the University as an Associate Dean with responsibility for Academic Quality Assurance, and since 2019 as Head of the Music Department. His interests lie in those areas where music and sound creatively interface with other media and his musical and visual works that have won compositional awards and received broadcasts. 

Bruce Aisher MSc. 

Programme Leader for Postgraduate Music. 

Bruce is a music producer, songwriter, composer, remixer, sound designer and technology journalist whose work is to be found on over 100 commercially released tracks (including a US Billboard Club Chart No.1 and platinum-selling album), on TV programmes for the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Netflix and Apple TV, multiple movies, trailers and ads, and products by Apple, BandLab, Splice and Native Instruments. 

Contact Bruce here (email link: b.aisher@herts.ac.uk) 

John Brough MSc. 

John is a freelance producer/engineer who has worked on numerous hit records. John was chief engineer at the world-renowned Metropolis studios and has worked on a long list of productions from major international artists such as Queen. 

John specialises in studio recording, mixing, surround sound and other immersive formats.   

Dr Kyriacos Michael 

Kyriacos is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, performer and musical director. He is a published composer (SATV, Cinephonix, Evolution Media), founder of the band Nova Neon, and has worked on projects for BoohooMan, BBC, EdgeSport and Discovery Channel. 

Kyriacos teaches songwriting, composition and research practice. He is an active researcher in the field of immersive music. 

Further course information

Student experience