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BEng (Hons) Electronic Engineering with Music Technology Systems

Join the next generation of audio engineers

Year of entry: 2025/26
Show year of entry: 2024

UCAS code

H667

Institution code

Y50

Length

3 years full-time (plus optional placement year)

Typical offer

ABB (full entry requirements)

Start date

September 2025 (semester dates)

UK (home) fees

£9,250 per year

International and EU fees

£31,100 per year

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Gain the practical experience, scientific knowledge and engineering skills you'll need to launch your career in music technology or audio engineering.

With access to the latest computer design labs, multi-speaker surround sound systems, multimedia studios and an anechoic chamber you’ll be able to explore synthesiser technology, MIDI, audio recording, sampling and digital audio signal processing. You’ll not just learn how this technology is applied in making and recording music, but also use your engineering expertise to design and build the next generation of audio technology.

With individual and group projects at every stage of the degree designed to develop practical, organisational, management and business skills, you'll graduate with the knowledge and skills you’ll need to operate with confidence – as an audio engineer, expert designer, researcher or engineering manager in the exciting field of audio and music technology.

The BEng is a fully-accredited engineering course which combines professional electronics with audio and music technology, and draws on the expertise of researchers in the University of York AudioLab.

This course is identical to our BEng Music Technology Systems. You can choose which title you graduate with, based on your own career interests.

Year in industry

All of our courses are available with a year in industry, which gives you the opportunity to gain vital experience in the workplace and find out more about your career options. The year in industry is generally taken in the year prior to your final year of study.

The School will help you to find a suitable placement. You will be fully supported by an academic member of staff who will visit you in the workplace and meet you regularly to discuss your placement work.

Accreditation

This course is fully accredited by the IET and counts towards the training requirements for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.  Our courses have been continually accredited for 25 years.

York was the only place I found that offered the perfect mix between an Electronic Engineering course and the specialisation of Music Technology Systems
Crispin, BEng Electronic Engineering with Music Technology Systems

What our students say about us.

Flexible courses

You may be able to change course, add a year in industry or change between MEng and BEng. Just ask us for more details.

Course content

Our modules are geared to meet the rigorous needs of the electronics industry. You'll study the principles and practicalities of electronic engineering, as well as honing essential skills in mathematics and computer programming. Alongside electronic engineering, you will study specialist music technology modules from your very first week in areas such as audio programming, recording studio techniques and acoustics.

As you progress, you'll cover topics such as electronic hardware design, software programming, signal processing and analysis, microprocessor interfacing, engineering construction and design, feedback and computer control. In your final year you'll specialise further in music technology, but also have the option other modules to further your knowledge in other areas of electronics.

Throughout your course you'll have opportunities to apply your learning in our well-equipped labs. Individual and group projects will see you design, build and test products using state-of-the-art hardware, software and fabrication facilities.

Study abroad

There are opportunities for you to spend time abroad during your course:

Placements

There are opportunities to spend time in industry as part of this course.

Year 1

In Year 1, you will gain fluency in a wide range of engineering skills fundamental for a career in music and audio technology, as well as the wider engineering world, giving you flexibility in your career path. This includes programming, analogue and digital electronics, engineering principles, and maths. In addition, you will be introduced to the music technology facilities and studios and will work in a team to design and produce an audio gaming product using all the above techniques and audio synthesis software. At the end of the year, you will be grounded in the fundamentals of audio systems, engineering, electronics, and computing.

Core modules

Academic integrity module

In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.

Elective modules

You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject, a language or an interdisciplinary topic.

Year 2

In Year 2, you will experience a deep dive into the tools, techniques, and practicalities associated with audio and music technology. You will work in the studio to learn the art and science of recording and will learn all about how sound travels (acoustics) and is perceived (psychoacoustics). You will learn about audio and visual synthesis and undertake several practical exercises, including a team/company-based research and development project to create a novel synthesiser, building everything from first principles. In addition, you will continue to deepen your engineering skills by learning the maths and science associated with signals, sensors, and software design. At the end of the year, you will have significant experience in the theory and practical applications of music and audio technology and will have broadened your knowledge and skills in teamwork, solo research and design, and industrial applications. At this point, many students take a year in industry, which takes advantage of your two years of study and gives you invaluable practical experience in the workplace.

Core modules

Year 3

In Year 3, you will learn about multimedia systems and work on a group project to engineer and create a complete soundtrack for a film or game. You'll learn how to produce and market your own audiovisual apps for mobile devices and continue learning about modern communication systems. You have the choice to broaden your experience by studying an optional module, and you will work with a supervisor on a major final project in music and audio technology. At the end of this year, you have everything you need to enter the workplace, specialising in music and audio technology or branching out to mainstream computing, electronics, or engineering work. Alternatively, you may choose to continue in further study at the Master's level.

Core modules

Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.

Learning by design

Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.

Students who complete this course will be able to:

  • Subject Knowledge: Assess electronic engineering and audio technology designs by applying detailed knowledge of algorithms, devices and systems and by consulting relevant documentation and research.
  • Engineering Analysis: Analyse system & component performance through computational methods and modelling.
  • Engineering Design: Create designs to address real-world problems involving audio hardware and software by synthesising ideas into engineering specifications.
  • Practical Skills: Solve technical problems through employing skills in programming, CAD, construction and measurement and by using safe laboratory techniques.
  • Technical Communication: Clearly communicate and explain audio and electronic engineering issues and practice in a technically accurate manner to a variety of audiences, verbally, in writing and using multimedia.
  • Management & Personal Development: Coordinate and execute complex projects in electronics, computing and music technology, with effective time management, team working, and ethical decision-making.

Strong links with industry

We will help you to become an employment-ready, motivated graduate, with skills in the latest developments in engineering such as robotics, artificial intelligence, virtual reality and immersive technology.

Group work to prepare you for your career

Our programme involves group work to allow you to experience the management, coordination and decision-making processes required by engineers. We structure this throughout the programme so that you develop key transferable and managerial skills.

Free membership

We offer all students free membership of the York Engineering Society (our student engineering society) and student membership of the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) while you are at York.

Fees and funding

Annual tuition fees

UK (home) International and EU
£9,250 £31,100

Fees for students starting in the 2025/26 academic year.

UK (home) or international fees?

The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.

Fees for subsequent years

  • UK (home) fees may increase within the government fee cap in subsequent academic years. We will notify you of any increase as soon as we can.
  • International fees are subject to increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).

More information

For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.

Additional costs

There is no compulsory purchase of equipment or books necessary for this course. Lecture notes will be provided by staff, and you will be given a generous printing allowance.

Funding

We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2025/26 throughout the year.

Subject-specific Funding

We have a range of subject-specific funding open to all Year 1 students, including “Academic Excellence”, “Widening Participation”, “Engaging in Engineering” and “International Academic Excellence” scholarships.

You'll be automatically considered for a scholarship if York is your firm choice. £500 is paid during Autumn Term and the other £500 is paid at the end of Summer Term, providing you successfully progress to Year 2.

Living costs

You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.

Teaching Excellence Framework Gold Award

Gold-standard education

Our teaching, learning and student experience is outstanding, recognised by a Gold rating from the Office for Students in the 2023 national assessment (Teaching Excellence Framework).

Why we’re gold-rated

Teaching and assessment

You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.

Teaching format

Our courses are highly intensive. Your timetabled activities each week will include:

  • Lectures
  • Practical work (including projects every year)
  • Workshops and tutorials
  • Computer laboratories
  • Supervisions

You'll also be expected to spend time studying independently. As you progress through the course you'll take on more independent study, guiding your own learning and developing your project management skills.

An academic member of staff will help guide you through your final-year individual project, ensuring that you are able to combine the knowledge and skills you have learned throughout the course to successfully undertake an engineering project tailored to your interests and career goals.

Timetabled activities

In your first year, you can expect:

Lectures10-11 hours per week
Tutorials2 hours per week
Practicals9-10 hours per week
Optional activities0-2 hours per week

These figures are representative of a typical week. Your contact hours will vary throughout the year due to your module choices, non-compulsory classes, exam periods and changes to scheduled activities.

Outside your timetabled hours, you'll study independently. This may include preparation for classes, follow-up work, wider reading, practice completion of assessment tasks, or revision.

In the UK, full-time students are expected to spend 1,200 hours a year learning. That's about 40 hours of classes and independent study each week during semesters. Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours you spend on independent study will be different to other students on your course.

Facilities

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAtTsM6R1R0

You can find detailed descriptions of our facilities on our website, including laboratory space, recording studios, clean room and computing classrooms. Take a virtual tour of our music technology labs.

Teaching location

You will be based in the School of Physics, Engineering & Technology, on Campus West.

Most of your contact hours will be in the School of Physics, Engineering & Technology, with some additional teaching on Campus West.

About our campus

Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can use the fast and frequent bus service. Take a campus tour.

Assessment and feedback

Your assignments will be designed not just to test you but for you to creatively apply what you've learned, and to stretch you to supply novel solutions. We use a variety of assessment styles, including exams, coursework and practical engineering tasks. You'll encounter all of them during your course, but the exact balance will depend on the modules you choose:

  • Closed-book and open-book exams
  • Short technical reports
  • Electronic portfolios, including programming exercises, video reports or blogs
  • Presentations and demonstrations
  • Major technical reports

You'll receive written feedback on work you hand in to help you understand your grade and develop your skills. For your individual project you'll produce a written report, have a viva (a presentation and question/answer session) and also show your project on our demo day, which our external advisory board attend.

A Music Technology student with Dr Jude Brereton, a tutor in the Department.
Two students in the Department of Electronic Engineering working in the lab.

Careers and skills

The growth of the electronics industry means demand for new engineers is always high. Our students enter a wide range of jobs, not just in electronic engineering, but in a variety of related fields such as software programming and hardware development

For those wishing to take different career paths, the transferable skills you'll develop are highly valuable. Mathematics, programming, team working and technical management are sought after in a huge range of sectors, from media to financial services. Recent employers have included Jaguar Land Rover, IBM, Qinetiq, ARM, BBC, BT and Network Rail. Find out more about our graduate destinations and graduate profiles.

Career opportunities

  • Avionic systems engineering
  • Design engineering
  • Digital consultancy
  • Software and systems engineering
  • Cyber security
  • Telecommunications design
  • Broadcast engineering
  • Automotive safety
  • Visual effects

Transferable skills

  • Analyse system and component performance through computational methods and modelling
  • Create designs to address real-world problems by synthesising ideas in engineering specifications
  • Solve technical problems through applying skills in programming, CAD, construction and measurement
  • Communicate and explain electronic engineering issues to a variety of audiences verbally, in writing, and using multimedia
  • Assess designs by applying detailed knowledge algorithms, devices and systems, and consulting relevant research
  • Coordinate and execute complex projects
  • Effective time management, teamworking and ethical decision making

Entry requirements

Typical offer
A levels

ABB including Maths.

BTEC National Extended Diploma DDM from the BTEC National Extended Diploma in any subject plus A level Maths grade B

DD from BTEC National Diploma in any subject plus A level Maths grade B.

If you are studying a different combination of A levels and BTEC qualifications please contact us for advice.

Cambridge Pre-U D3, M2, M2 including Mathematics
International Baccalaureate 34 points overall with grade 6 in Higher Level Mathematics - Applications and Interpretation or 6 in Higher Level or Standard Level Mathematics - Analysis and Approaches.
T levels We are currently not accepting T Levels for this course unless an additional A Level (or equivalent qualification) in Mathematics has been taken.
Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers Advanced Highers - B in Mathematics plus Scottish Highers - BBBC

We may also be able to consider three Advanced Highers or a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers, where an applicant does not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone. Please contact us to discuss your qualifications.
International foundation programme Foundation Certificate from our International Pathway College or an appropriate alternative.
Other qualifications We consider a wide range of academic and vocational qualifications as long as Maths is obtained at A level or equivalent and are happy to talk to you about your individual qualifications profile. We also offer a Foundation Year BEng Music Technology Systems with a Foundation Year for those not taking Maths A level which, following successful completion, allows you to progress onto one of our BEng or MEng courses depending on your Foundation Year average marks.
Other international qualifications Equivalent qualifications from your country

Additional requirements

For our Music Technology courses, you should be able to demonstrate a motivation towards making or recording music. You can tell us about your musical interests in your UCAS personal statement. If you are based in the UK and are invited to interview, we will discuss your musical interests and motivation as part of the interview process.

Some examples of how you could demonstrate this would be:

  • That you play an instrument or sing. This could be through formal music qualifications or as a hobby, for example as part of a band, choir or orchestra
  • That you are involved in making music with technology eg you record/mix music or have experience of live sound for events such as theatre or church services.

Alternative offers

Meeting the following additional criteria may qualify you for an alternative offer.

Criteria Adjustment
Widening participation If you successfully complete one of the following programmes, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer: Black Access Programme, Next Step York, Realising Opportunities. More about widening participation.
Contextual offers If you have experience of local authority care or live in an area with low progression to university, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. More about contextual offers.
EPQ If you achieve C or higher at EPQ, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer.

English language

If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:

Minimum requirement
IELTS (Academic) 6.0, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component
Cambridge CEFR 169, with a minimum of 162 in each component
Oxford ELLT 6, with a minimum of 5 in each component
Duolingo Integrated subscores: 105, minimum 95 in each component
GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) Grade C / Grade 4
LanguageCert SELT B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component
LanguageCert Academic B2 Communicator with a minimum score of 25/50 in each component
Kaplan Test of English Language 444 Main Flight score with 410 in each component
Skills for English B2: Pass with Merit overall, with Pass in each component
PTE Academic 55, with a minimum of 51 in each component
TOEFL 79 overall, with a minimum of 17 in Listening, 18 in Reading, 20 in Speaking, 17 in Writing
Trinity ISE III Pass in all components

For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.

If you haven't met our English language requirements

You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.

The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.

After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.

Applying

To apply to York, you will need to complete an online application via UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).

Next steps

Contact us

Get in touch if you have any questions

Admissions Enquiries - Helen Lay

Learn more

School of Physics, Engineering and Technology

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