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Five reasons to study a course in politics or international relations at ��ý

m11822 — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 14:06:42 +0000

Five reasons to study a course in politics or international relations at ��ý m11822 Mon, 06/07/2026 - 15:06 Feature

We spoke to subject leaders for our politics and international relations degree programmes about what makes our degrees different, and the secret behind our graduates’ success.

1. Innovative teaching

Within our dynamic community of staff and students, we provide seminar-focused teaching based on a combination of study and lively debate, promoting your critical thinking, decision-making and communication skills.

You will have the opportunity to get involved in:

Organising an election campaign
Running political scenarios through social media
Debates.

2. Local and international collaboration

We reflect the ever-changing political environment by participating with politics at a local, national and international level. The department holds events around the year, including

Hustings
Round table discussions
Regular events on current and topical political issues. Recent examples include presentations featuring the Catalonian Independence Referendum and Hong Kong democracy activists.

Guest speakers in the past have included the Australian High Commissioner, the UN special envoy to Somalia, and political activists such as Gina Miller, as well as live link up events with residents of #NotInMyName activists from Kabul.

3. Professional Training placements

��ý’s renowned Professional Training placement enables you to get first-hand experience of how politics operates in the real world, in environments such as the voluntary sector, local authorities, or an international organisation. Many of our students also use our international network of placement providers to work or study overseas, from Brazil to Singapore.

Staff in Politics and International Relations will give you plenty of support in securing the right placement and during your time there. Many of our students also go on to receive a graduate job offer from their placement. Our recent students have undertaken placements at organisations including:

The House of Commons
Metropolitan Police
British Embassy
The Walt Disney Company
Virgin Media
British Airways.

4. Cutting-edge research in the classroom

All members of Politics and International Relations are research-active, and bring cutting edge expertise into the classroom. Our wide selection of modules reflects not only current affairs, but also the current research projects of our staff. You’ll learn from internationally-recognised academics who are at the forefront of their respective fields and who are passionate about what they teach.

In your final year, you’ll also have the opportunity to get first-hand experience of the political research sphere by taking part in research labs and presenting your findings at our international seminars.

5. Graduate destinations

Studying Politics and International Relations at ��ý opens up a huge range of career opportunities, not only for government agencies, but also in areas such as journalism, market research and public opinion research, banking, law and policy analysis for international, private sector organisations.

Our graduates have gone on to work for organisations such as:

The House of Commons
Deutsche Bank
Department for Education
GfK Global
Menzies Corporate Finance
Ipsos Mori.

You’ll also benefit from the support of our Employability and Careers team throughout your time at ��ý. The team regularly hosts workshops, careers fairs and networking events for you to develop the skills you need to stand out from the crowd in the job market.

Politics and international relations

Politics and International Relations

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Five reasons to study economics at ��ý

m11822 — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 12:49:58 +0000

Five reasons to study economics at ��ý m11822 Mon, 06/07/2026 - 13:49 Feature

Subject leaders for our economics programmes reveal what makes our degrees in economics different, and the secret behind our graduates’ success.

1. Taught by world-leading experts

Economics at ��ý consists of an international community of world-leading researchers. You will be taught by academics who are research active, and some who are advisers to world-renowned organisations. Our research is at the forefront of the field and informs our teaching, ensuring that what you learn is topical, relevant and has practical implications. Economics was ranked in the UK’s top 10 for world-leading research in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.

2. Employability and a Professional Training placement

An impressive 95% of our undergraduates are in employment or further study 15 months after they leave ��ý (Graduate Outcomes HESA, 2026). Our economics courses provide you with a wide range of valuable transferable skills to prepare you for your future career. You will develop analytical, problem-solving and critical thinking skills, and acquire proficiency in quantitative and data analysis.

Our students can also choose to take part in ��ý's renowned Professional Training placements, through which many students go on to receive a graduate job. We draw from a large network of placement organisations, and our students have done placements in places such as:

Morgan Stanley
The Bank of England
Hewlett Packard Enterprise
Microsoft
Ericsson.

The skills you will receive on our courses, along with experiences gained from your Professional Training placement means that our graduates are highly employable across a range of industries and organisations. Recent graduates have gone on to work for:

The Bank of England
Ernst & Young
Deloitte
The Home Office
Morgan Stanley.

3. A friendly community

Studying with us puts you at the heart of a friendly, international community of staff and students. We hold annual events such as Malthus Dinner, a black-tie event co-organised by society students and staff as a way to celebrate your hard work and to network with your peers.

We encourage a two-way dialogue, and really value your input to help shape the way our courses are delivered. You will receive excellent support and a warm and dynamic environment in which to study. You’ll benefit from a personal tutor, providing one-on-one academic and pastoral support whilst studying here. Students and staff are also connected remotely via a virtual learning environments and Microsoft teams, so any course questions and problems you have can be addressed quickly, even when you’re not on campus.

4. Flexibility throughout your course

Choosing the right economics degree can be difficult, and sometimes things become clearer once you've started your studies. Whether you opt for Economics BSc (Hons), Business Economics and Data Analytics BSc (Hons) or Economics and Finance BSc (Hons), you'll study a common first year, building up a broad foundation of economic theory.

This means that after your first year, you can still switch between these degrees ensuring that you're specialising in the areas that best suit you.* If you opt for the Economics and Mathematics BSc (Hons) you will be able to transfer to another Economics programme at the end of the first year.

There is also flexibility with your placement year. You can decline your placement or apply for one until very late in your second year, so there’s no need to worry about making last-minute decisions.

*Please be aware that due to the large number of core mathematics subjects taught in the first year, you will not be able to transfer to the BSc Economics and Mathematics programme from another economics programme.

5. Modules to suit your ambitions

Our academics are engaged in a wide range of research areas, offering you access to a variety of modules. These cover a full range of academic expertise and current topics, helping you shape both your studies and your expertise for industry. Whatever programme you are on in your third year, you will choose at least five optional modules in order to tailor your degree to your interests.

The list of options is updated regularly to reflect the research interests of our staff and currently includes modules* such as:

Behavioural Economics
Family Economics and Policy
Economics of Corruption.

* We continually review our modules so please refer to the modules list on the individual course page.

Economics

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Economics

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Five reasons to study accounting and finance at ��ý Business School

ss0122 — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 12:12:11 +0000

Five reasons to study accounting and finance at ��ý Business School ss0122 Mon, 06/07/2026 - 13:12 Feature

The world always needs financiers and accountants who are experts in their field. We reveal what makes ��ý Business School accounting and finance degrees different and the secret behind our graduates’ success.

My course has been challenging and engaging; however, when I finish my degree I’ll have eight exemptions from the professional ACA exams run by the ICAEW, which aids employability.

Emma, Accounting and Finance BSc student

1. Professional accreditation

Our finance and accounting degrees are accredited by five major financial bodies:

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA)
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland (ICAS)

This means you can fast-track your career with exemptions from some professional accountancy exams.

I find my course very interesting and useful due to the broad range of opportunities open to me both at university and as career options. I look forward to the prospect of choosing my own modules in the second and third years, allowing me to tailor my course to my own interests.

Matthew, Accounting and Finance BSc student

2. Enhancing your employability

We’ll equip you with the knowledge, soft skills and mindset for employment within the finance sector.

As well as your employability being built into our curriculum, we’ll offer you opportunities beyond the classroom to gain insight into the many financial careers available in the private and public sectors. You’ll get to participate in consulting projects and join workshops and masterclasses led by high-quality speakers and businesses from the industry.

Many of our students choose to take a Professional Training placement year and students have recently spent their placements at:

Baker Tilly TFW (Singapore)
Ericsson
Kerry Logistics (Hong Kong) Ltd
Microsoft
Morgan Stanley
PepsiCo
Roffe Swayne
The Walt Disney Company.

An impressive 93 per cent of our undergraduate students are in employment or further studies (Graduate Outcomes 2026, HESA).

3. Student satisfaction

Our students are happy when they’re here. The ��ý is ranked 11th out of all UK universities for overall student satisfaction in the 2024 National Student Survey* and, in ��ý Business School, we achieved a 96% satisfaction-score for academic support (NSS 2024).

*Measured by % positivity based on Q1-24 for all institutions listed in the Guardian University Guide league tables

4. Global approach

��ý Business School has a truly global approach, with students, staff and alumni from over 140 countries contributing to our welcoming and friendly community.

We partner with over 45 universities around the world and work with thousands of different companies. You’ll benefit from ��ý Business School’s partnerships with 2,300+ business/industry/research institutions.

We believe that the joy of university life comes with the opportunities to meet and work with people from different cultures, to develop an understanding of something you are genuinely passionate about and to take your ideas and put them into action.

You can take part in our Study and Work Abroad programme to give you the opportunity to gain international experience during your studies. 

I highly recommend Accounting and Finance at ��ý. It is a great, well-rounded course where you can learn so much and are surrounded by so many supportive people. The support in ��ý Business School is amazing.

Sitara, Accounting and Finance BSc

5. Expert teaching

Our academics are at the forefront of research in corporate finance, FinTech, financial markets and risk, banking and corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions. They work with governments to develop digital strategies and trade policies. With a wealth of experience across the Big Four, the four biggest professional services networks in the world, our academics deliver teaching excellence in the classroom.

Discover more about our degree programmes in ��ý Business School.

Accounting and finance

��ý Business School

Finance and Accounting

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Five reasons to study a course in criminology at ��ý

ss0122 — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 11:47:49 +0000

Five reasons to study a course in criminology at ��ý ss0122 Mon, 06/07/2026 - 12:47 Feature

Subject leaders from criminology reveal what makes our degrees different, and the secret behind our graduates’ success....

8th in the UK

We're ranked 8th in the UK for sociology
'Guardian University Guide 2026'

5th in the UK 

For our sociology-based degrees, we're 5th in the UK for overall student satisfaction* in the 2025 National Student Survey (NSS)

* Measured by % positivity based on Q1-24 for all institutions listed in the Guardian University Guide League Tables

1. Boost your career prospects

Ninety-three per cent of our graduates are in employment or further study within 15 months of graduating (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2026, HESA). Our graduates go on to work in areas that have a vital role in society, from government to criminal justice. You’ll also benefit from the support of our Employability and Careers team throughout your time at ��ý. The team regularly hosts workshops, careers fairs and networking events for you to develop the skills you need to stand out from the crowd in the job market.

Where do our graduates go on to work?

British Transport Police
Cynergy Bank
HM’s Prison Service
Independent Office for Police Conduct
Ipsos MORI
Metropolitan Police
Ministry of Defence
Norfolk Youth Offending Team
Prison Advice and Care Trust
Serious Fraud Office.

And what jobs do they do?

Compliances administrator
Custody case manager
Detective constable
Digital forensics assistant
Family engagement worker
Financial crime investigator
Police officer
Prison officer
Security analyst
Youth justice worker.

2. Network with industry leaders

Our students build their professional networks right from the start. We link our degree programmes to a wide range of organisations, including central and local government (e.g. Home Office), criminal justice agencies (��ý Police, the Met, the National Serious Organised Crime Team), the NHS, and charities.  

We regularly invite experts to talk to our students about their work and the career opportunities available in their industry. Recently we've hosted speakers from Force Hate Crime Lead, ��ý Police and the Press Justice Project, as well as the Diversity and Community Relations Magistrate for ��ý.

3. Learn from our experts

Our academics conduct research directly in criminal justice settings and use examples from their own research to teach skills such as:

develop and design a research project
collect and analyse primary data
write up and communicate findings to a range of audiences.

These transferable skills will enable you to work in a wide range of industries after graduation.

All of our teaching incorporates both theory and practice and many of our modules focus on some of the most pressing and important contemporary issues. For example:

Environmental crime
Youth crime
Hate crime
Cybercrime and cybersecurity.

This broad range of optional modules in your second and third years gives you the flexibility to shape your degree to your interests and develop specialist knowledge on a range of topics.

4. Find your team

We’re a tight knit and friendly community, enabling you to share ideas with confidence. 

We offer bespoke study and career support. You’ll have personal tutors and a peer support network who are always here to help. The School and the fun Sociology Society (SocSoc) for Criminology, Media and Communication, and Sociology students organise regular socials, such as our annual Sociology Christmas Quiz, to help you build a strong support network alongside your assignments.

5. Learn real-world solutions

One of the benefits of studying with us is that your studies really do have real-world application and impact. 

Our teaching focuses on some of the most pressing contemporary issues including:

Mental health
Drugs
Hate crime
Prisons and punishment
Policing.

We have a strong presence in the community and work closely with local government and criminal justice organisations. We have excellent links to criminal justice organisations through our work on with ��ý Police on reducing harmful sexual behaviour in schools and with reviewing food provision in women’s prisons.

Find out more about our sociology, criminology and media communication courses.

Criminology

School of Social Sciences

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Unintended consequences of AI and ethical considerations

ss0122 — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 11:20:24 +0000

Unintended consequences of AI and ethical considerations ss0122 Mon, 06/07/2026 - 12:20 News

Dr Birgit Altrichter, Lecturer in Digital Economy within the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Discipline at ��ý Business School (SBS), and Professor Glenn Parry, Professor of Digital Transformation and Associate Dean Research, Faculty of Arts, Business & Social Sciences, recently presented a proposal on unintended consequences of artificial intelligence (AI) and ethical considerations at the International Conference on AI and the Digital Economy, held in Venice, Italy.

While emerging technologies offer transformative benefits across various domains, leading to increased levels of automation, organisational efficiency, and convenience, technological advancements frequently lead to unintended negative outcomes. In the extended abstract, the authors discuss how AI can create sustainability and ethical challenges. For example, the emergence and increasingly widespread use of AI are leading to environmental challenges due to significant water usage caused by water-based cooling systems to enable the operation of data centres.

Ethical challenges

In addition to sustainability challenges, AI can also give rise to significant ethical challenges. Generative AI has facilitated the ease of creating and augmenting digital content, which can easily be copied and shared online; creators’ control over content is often lost. Beyond copyright complexities, recently, further challenges have emerged as technology advanced. Generative AI is being increasingly misused to create, amplify, and distribute abusive content, such as non-consensual images. Particularly women and children are at risk, with significant implications for affected individuals.

Preventing negative outcomes

The proposed research suggests to investigate common pathways responsible for these unintended consequences in the empirical context of AI. By fostering a deeper understanding of these dynamics, the study seeks to develop strategies to mitigate or prevent negative outcomes, contributing to more responsible and sustainable technology development.

This research aims to develop recommendations, so that UN Sustainable Development Goals can be adequately considered in technology design, business models, and relevant policies. Drawing on insights from our empirical context of AI, this research aims to clearly conceptualise unintended consequences and develop recommendations for guardrails to address or avoid such unintended consequences, counteracting negative outcomes for individuals, society, and the environment.

Developing guardrails

This research has the potential to provide valuable insights for industry leaders, policymakers, and technology developers seeking to balance innovation with societal and environmental responsibility. By identifying the pathways through which unintended consequences emerge, the study aims to support the development of practical guardrails, governance frameworks, and business strategies that promote sustainable innovation. The findings could help organisations reduce risks, enhance public trust, inform policy development, and ensure that emerging technologies contribute more effectively to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The conference presentation sparked lively discussions and was awarded as runner-up for the Conference Best Paper Award.

Prof Glenn Parry

Professor of Digital Transformation; Associate Dean Research, Faculty of Arts, Business & Social Sciences; CoDirector DECaDE: EPSRC Centre for the Decentralised Digital Economy

Dr Birgit Altrichter

Lecturer in Digital Economy

Business, marketing and management

��ý Business School

Entrepreneurship and Innovation

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FABSS

Five reasons to study Film Production and Broadcast Engineering at ��ý

ss0122 — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 10:43:45 +0000

Five reasons to study Film Production and Broadcast Engineering at ��ý ss0122 Mon, 06/07/2026 - 11:43 Feature

What makes our Film Production and Broadcast Engineering degree different from the rest? Subject leaders and students reveal the secret behind our graduates' success and why you should put ��ý at the top of your UCAS form..

1. Ranking and our reputation

We’ve got rankings to be really proud of:

‘Cinematics and photography’ is ranked 7th in the UK for overall student satisfaction* in the National Student Survey (NSS) 2025
Ranked 3rd in the UK for drama, dance and cinematics in The Complete University Guide 2027
Top 10 for Cinematics in The Times and the Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026
After winning the Bill Vinten University award in 2023, ��ý had the honour of hosting the annual Guild of Television Camera professionals (GTC) student film award ceremony for 2024. At the awards, our Film Production and Broadcast Engineering students won the University award for the second time (two years running).
Nomination for the Royal Television Society Young Technologist of the year, for placement work at ITN.

*Measured by % positivity across all questions for all providers listed in the Guardian University Guide league tables.

2. Employability

95% of our music and media undergraduates are in employment or further study within 15 months of graduating (Graduate Outcomes 2026, HESA*).
92% of those who did placements are in graduate-level employment. This is 22% higher than students who didn’t go on placement (Graduate Outcomes 2026, HESA*).
81% of our Film Production and Broadcast Engineering graduates are in film or TV industry roles, with 4% in other graduate jobs, 6% enrolled in Masters degrees and 7% undertaking postgraduate research.
A huge part of our employability success lies in the strength of our third-year professional placement connections and we have excellent employment prospects in film, TV, streaming and related industries. These are not your regular run of the mill experiences. We’re talking working as a post-production engineer at Pinewood Studios. An audio post-production engineer at Sky. Field assistants and trainee engineers at ITN – working calmly in fast paced ever-changing environments of General Elections and live broadcast satellite trucks. Making promotional videos as a Creative Producer for the National Geographic TV channels at the Walt Disney Company. You’ll struggle to find credits like ours anywhere else. We can shout about over 70% employability with companies including Sky, Disney, Techex and NEP.
The course is also CEng accredited for partial chartered engineer status, by the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET).**

** Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.

# Graduate Outcomes survey results based on 2023-24 data, published in 2026.

3. Facilities

Our new £1.2-million facilities upgrade was completed in 2023, including a new studio floor and sound stage with an operational height of 4m and over 120m2 in size in total.
The acoustics have been designed for the sound stage with a floating concrete floor, acoustic treatment on all walls and ceiling and correctly specified acoustic doors.
Our newly installed lighting grid houses the latest lighting technology from Arri.
The production gallery is furnished with talkback and monitoring from all gallery positions and the latest Sound Control Room and Vision Engineering Control Room are well equipped to teach all the professional skills required for broadcast operation. The gallery areas have the function to remotely control productions across the campus, with fibre connections extending to the Performing Arts Technology Studios (PATS), University Hall, the PATS Field marquee and many other areas.
You'll have access to engineering labs and lectures, to give you the maths, physics and computing knowledge which sits behind our modern media systems, plus hands-on studio and location work - you'll spend a lot of time using cameras, sound, lighting and control rooms.

Throughout my uni-life, I have been involved with StagTV. It has been an amazing complement to my course, allowing me to experiment and put into practise what I have learned in a more relaxed and carefree environment, while also creating awesome, national-award-winning content. StagTV has helped me learn and network with amazing people and has offered me great opportunities to be involved in productions and award shows I wouldn’t have known of otherwise.

Irene, Film Production and Broadcast Engineering BEng student

4. Lights, camera, action!

Students studying on our course are instrumental in organising, producing and delivering major live streaming events encompassing all areas of the University and beyond. Every year, they put on the UK’s largest student production, Univision; inspired by the Eurovision Song Contest. It aims to bring students together from universities across the country who are passionate about music, live event production, broadcast, and everything in between.

In conjunction with the the student TV station, Stag TV, students also produce and live stream Strictly Come ��ý, where staff members are paired with dancers from the Ballroom and Latin Society.

5. Taught by experts

You’ll be taught by award-winning teaching staff from across the film, streaming, broadcast engineering, computer networking and recording sectors:
- Alan Haigh – responsible for technical support at huge film premieres including 'Spiderman', 'Casino Royale', several from the 'Harry Potter’ series, and 'Mamma Mia'.
- Susan Pratt – worked with all major broadcasters including roles as vision mixer, sound mixer, visual effects operator, assistant producer, lighting director, vision control engineer, floor manager and camera person in a range of departments at the BBC.
You'll work in production teams, mirroring professional practice, in a small cohort, with a supportive teaching team who know your name.
You'll get feedback from industry professionals, with visiting speakers, live briefs and placement supervisors regularly visiting you on site.

Explore our Music and Media programmes in Film and Broadcast Engineering, Music, Music and Sound Recording and Creative Music Technology.

Susan Pratt

Senior Director of Employability, FABSS, Associate Head of Employability, School of Humanities, Arts and Creative Industries. Associate Professor

Alan Haigh

Senior Lecturer in audio and video, Programme Leader Film Production and Broadcast Engineering

Dr Femi Adeyemi-Ejeye

Associate Professor in Video Technology; Director of Postgraduate Research (PGR), School of Arts, Humanities and Creative Industries

Film production Student success

Music and Media

School of Arts, Humanities and Creative Industries

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Five reasons to study sociology at ��ý

ss0122 — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 10:28:21 +0000

Five reasons to study sociology at ��ý ss0122 Mon, 06/07/2026 - 11:28 Feature

Subject leaders from sociology reveal what makes our degrees different, and the secret behind our graduates’ success....

6th in the UK

We're ranked 6th for sociology
'The Daily Mail University Guide 2026'

Top 5 in the UK 

For our sociology-based degrees, we're ranked 5th in the UK for overall student satisfaction*
2025 National Student Survey (NSS)

World-leading

We're in the world's top 100 for sociology in the Shanghai Ranking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025

* Measured by % positivity based on Q1-24 for all institutions listed in the Guardian University Guide League tables

1. Boost your career prospects

Ninety-three per cent of ��ý undergraduates are in work of further education (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2026, HESA). Our graduates go on to work in areas that have a vital role in society, from government to mental health. You’ll also benefit from the support of our Employability and Careers team throughout your time at ��ý. The team regularly hosts workshops, careers fairs and networking events for you to develop the skills you need to stand out from the crowd in the job market.

*UK domiciled graduates of full-time, undergraduate qualifications

Where do our graduates go on to work?

Alzheimer’s Society
British Transport Police
Buttle UK
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Dogs Trust
Ipos Mori
National Centre for Domestic Violence
NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group
Office for National Statistics
Omnicom Media Group.

And what jobs do they do?

Assistant Private Secretary
Census Business Operations Manager
Digital Marketing Officer
Fundraising and Marketing Officer
Human Resources Administrator
Market Researcher
Operations Manager
Social Media Manager
Social Worker
Violence Against Women and Girls Prevention and Engagement Worker.

2. Network with industry leaders

We link our degree programmes to a wide range of organisations, including central and local government, criminal justice agencies, charities and organisations focusing on social justice.

We regularly invite experts to talk to our students about their work and the career opportunities available in their industry.

3. Learn from our experts

We have a great reputation for teaching social research methods. You’ll be taught by research active academics who use examples from their own research to teach you how to:

develop and design a research project
collect and analyse primary data
write up and communicate findings to a range of audiences.

These transferable skills will enable you to work in a wide range of industries after graduation.

All of our teaching incorporates both theory and practice and many of our modules focus on some of the most pressing and important contemporary issues. For example:

De/Constructing Gender
Data, AI and Social Justice
Queer Studies Now
Everyday Consumption and its Consequences
Cultures of Race and Racism
Sociology of Mental Health.

4. Find your team

We offer bespoke study and career support. You’ll have personal tutors and a peer support network who are always here to help. The department and the student-run Sociology Society (SocSoc) for Criminology, Media and Communication and Sociology students organise regular socials, such as the annual Sociology Christmas Quiz, to help you build a strong support network alongside your assignments.

5. Real-world solutions

One of the benefits of studying with us is that your studies really do have real-world application and impact. 

Our teaching focuses on some of the most pressing contemporary issues including:

Mental health
Climate change
Gender and sexualities
Education
Social justice.

We also have excellent links with some of the UK’s key social housing providers and regional government in London through leading work on LGBTQ+ people living in social housing. We have conducted primary research, knowledge exchange and developed the UK’s first LGBTQ+ social housing pledge scheme.

Find out more about our sociology, criminology and media communication courses.

Sociology

School of Social Sciences

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Five reasons to study Creative Music Technology at ��ý

ss0122 — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 09:07:55 +0000

Five reasons to study Creative Music Technology at ��ý ss0122 Mon, 06/07/2026 - 10:07 Feature

What makes our degrees in Creative Music Technology different from the rest? Subject leaders and students reveal the secret behind our graduates' success and why you should put ��ý at the top of your UCAS form.

1. Ranking and reputation

3rd in the UK for music by the Guardian University Guide 2026
10th in the UK for music by the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026
Music is ranked in the top 5 in the UK for overall student satisfaction* in the National Student Survey 2025.

* Measured by % positivity across all questions for all providers listed in the Guardian University Guide league tables.

2. Industry-standard facilities

Music and Media’s Performing Arts Technology Studios (PATS) underwent a £1.7m refurbishment and expansion in 2023. A wide range of facilities and equipment are available for students to use, including edit studios, creative music technology workshop/performance room with multi-system speaker and listening space, a self-study computer room, new mac lab, practice rooms and a multichannel synth studio.

The Synth Lab is a world-class facility containing a unique selection of synthesisers including a vintage Moog modular System 55 and EMS Synthi VCS3, plus brand-new Arp 2600 FS and Expressive E Osmose. The lab was completely refurbished in 2023 and is used predominantly by our Creative Music Technology BA (Hons) students. You will also have access to specialist microphones and mobile recording devices for location recording.

You’ll work in our audio-visual room, with digital and online listening resources, plus an extensive archive collection of scores, LPs and CDs located in the Library.

3. Taught by experts

You’ll be taught by creative music technology experts and creative practitioners on a degree which spans both practical music-making and composition (much of the coursework centres around composition portfolios).

We not only focus on traditional and experimental and electronic music technology, but our students customise their degree with modules from across the department, including sharing music modules which foster and reinforce traditional music skills, creating well-rounded musicians.

4. Employability

Ninety-five per cent of our music and media undergraduates are in employment or further study within 15 months of graduating (Graduate Outcomes 2026, HESA).

��ý has strong industry links with outside organisations including Ableton, Adam Audio, Guildford-based gaming companies and numerous freelance sound designers, artists and composers.

We also offered you the opportunity to undertake a Professional Training placement year in industry as part of their degree. Organisations which have participated in the scheme include the following, many of whom have a long-standing relationship with Music and Media:

Eagle Radio
English National Opera
Faber Music Publishers
London Sinfonietta
London Symphony Orchestra
Manners McDade
Music Nation, Hong Kong
Signum Records
The Control Room Ltd.

We will support you with your placement applications and ensure you are gaining the experience you need in a supportive environment. Our award-winning Careers and Employability team also offer tailored guidance and workshops for our students.

5. A creative community

We have a vibrant creative community full of an enormous range of inspiring musical opportunities and activities that you'll be able to join. Music and Media runs a symphony orchestra, choir and chamber choir, which are supported by many more student ensembles. We hold weekly recitals and regular performances from students and visiting artists, including termly concerts held in Guildford Cathedral and local churches.

We celebrate our students' creativity with prize-givings, awards and showcases, proving the creative talents of our students to our industry partners and beyond.

Explore our Music and Media programmes in Music, Music and Sound Recording, Creative Music Technology, and Film and Broadcast Engineering.

Music and sound recording Student success

Music and Media

School of Arts, Humanities and Creative Industries

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Five reasons to study Music at ��ý

ss0122 — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 08:22:40 +0000

Five reasons to study Music at ��ý ss0122 Mon, 06/07/2026 - 09:22 Feature

What makes our BMus degree in Music different from the rest? Subject leaders and students reveal the secret behind our graduates' success and why you should put ��ý at the top of your UCAS form.

��ý’s unique Music degree combines performance, composition, and musicology. A wide range of traditions are studied, including classical music, popular music, jazz, film music, opera, and musical theatre creates ample opportunities for collaboration both within the programme and with students on other courses.

Dr Chris Wiley, Head of Music and Media

1. Diverse curriculum

Our programme encompasses a wide range of musical styles, including classical music, opera, popular music, jazz, film music, and musical theatre. Our Topic Study and Music Project modules are based on staff research interests and specialisms, and rotate each semester so that we offer an education truly unique to ��ý and with plenty of choice available to students in the assessments.

Here at ��ý we have a vibrant creative community full of an enormous range of inspiring musical opportunities and activities for all our students. Music and Media runs a symphony orchestra, choir and chamber choir, which are supported by many more student ensembles. We hold weekly recitals and regular performances from students and visiting artists, including termly concerts held in Guildford Cathedral and local churches. Twice a year, we invite the general public to join staff, students and alumni on campus to rehearse and perform a symphony, at our ��ý Orchestra Days.

And, since you’ll be studying alongside students on the Creative Music Technology and Tonmeister degrees, you’ll have no shortage of people to collaborate with on performance, creative practice, and sound recording projects.

The tutors in Music and Media are friendly, approachable and at the top of their field. At ��ý – be prepared to be inspired, work hard and have fun.

Ben, Music BMus student

2. Teaching excellence

All our teaching is research-led, so you’ll be taught by experts who are leaders in their field. These include the musicologists and music historians Dr Christopher Wiley, Dr John McGrath and Dr Georgia Volioti, and the composers Dr Tom Armstrong and Dr Milton Mermikides. ��ý is also home to the International Guitar Research Centre, and the Institute of Austrian and German Music Research.

We host regular lectures from visiting industry professionals and artists, including conductor Russell Keable, the Primrose Piano Quartet, and jazz drummer Asaf Sirkis and composer Michael Price. Our programme of twice-yearly study days has included recent events on musical revision, composing using historical materials, and twentieth-century British song.

We’re recognised for our teaching excellence, too. Dr Chris Wiley, Head of Music and Media, is a National Teaching Fellow who has also a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (the UK’s highest awards for higher education teaching). Several other programme team members are Senior Fellows and Fellows of the Higher Education Academy.

Music at ��ý is ranked 5th for overall student satisfaction* in the National Student Survey 2025.

* Measured by % positivity across all questions for all providers listed in the Guardian University Guide league tables.

3. Outstanding facilities

You'll get to use industry-standard facilities housed in the Performing Arts and Technology Studios (PATS), purpose-built to acoustic specifications and fitted with professional studio equipment.

These include:

PATS Studio 1 – a recently refurbished concert space that hosts our student lunchtime recital series as well as our orchestra and choir rehearsals, and is equipped with state of the art recording facilities
Ten music practice rooms, each with their own piano, with 24/7 access for music students
Rooms for ensemble rehearsal
Two Steinway Concert D Grand Pianos and a Steinway Baby Grand
Bookable PA, guitar amps, stage pianos and drum kits
Five editing suites
Dedicated computer (Mac) lab
Instrument storage facilities
Musical instruments including: baritone sax, bass clarinet, bongos (with stand), four drum kits, chamber organ, Two conga drums (with stands), double bass, glockenspiel, marimba, xylophone, vibraphone, Roland keyboard, tubular bells, various tam-tams (gongs), two timpani drums/kettle drums, two percussion kits, two other grand pianos, six Yamaha upright pianos.

I would 100 per cent recommend a professional training placement to others! The opportunities and networking skills that you acquire during your time on placement really is second to none! I have grown so much on both a personal and professional level.

Teerna, Music BMus (Hons) student

4. Professional training year opportunities

The music programme here at ��ý is distinctive because, for many years, it has offered students the opportunity to undertake a year in industry as part of their degree. Organisations which have participated in the scheme include the following, many of whom have a long-standing relationship with Music and Media:

Eagle Radio
English National Opera
Faber Music Publishers
London Sinfonietta
London Symphony Orchestra
Manners McDade
Music Nation, Hong Kong
Signum Records
The Control Room Ltd.

5. Graduate employment

The ��ý has an outstanding record for graduate employability and setting up our students for successful career prospects. We offer careers information, advice, and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University. Ninety-five per cent of our music and media undergraduates are in employment or further study within 15 months of graduating (Graduate Outcomes 2026, HESA).

Joining Music and Media at ��ý puts you on the same path as our community of highly successful graduates, who have gone on to thrive in the music and media sectors.

Our recent graduates have worked in roles including:

Assistant Producer, Perfect Pitch
Activities and Development Officer, Haringey Music Service
Marketing Officer, English Folk Dance and Song Society
Studio Manager, Spitfire Audio
Concerts and Projects Manager, London Sinfonietta
Commercial Rights Administrator, Faber Music
Assistant Studio Runner, The Crypt Studio
Music Supervisor, PH Media
Digital Marketing Manager, Philharmonia Orchestra
Freelance Composer for TV and Film
Freelance Choral Conducting and Vocal Coaching
Session Guitarist
Touring with Ed O’Brien (Radiohead)
Music Teachers at several prestigious secondary schools
Creative Sync and Licensing Manager, Warner Music UK.

Explore our Music and Media programmes in Music, Music and Sound Recording (Tonmeister), Creative Music Technology, Games Design and Film and Broadcast Engineering.

Book your open day now!

Dr Christopher Wiley

Head of Music and Media; Associate Professor; Director of Ensemble Performance; Wellbeing Champion; University Deputy TEAL; University Senator; National Teaching Fellow

Dr John McGrath

Associate Professor of Music, Programme Director (BMus Music), Admissions Officer (BMus Music), Deputy Director of the International Guitar Research Centre (IGRC)

Dr Georgia Volioti

Senior Lecturer in Music, MMus Programme Director

Russell Keable

Associate Tutor

Dr Thomas Armstrong

Senior Lecturer in Music, Director of Learning and Teaching, Senior Personal Tutor

Prof Milton Mermikides

Professor of Music, Director of Research (UoA 33) and Deputy Director of the International Guitar Research Centre

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Five reasons to study Music and Sound Recording (Tonmeister) at ��ý

ss0122 — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 07:56:06 +0000

Five reasons to study Music and Sound Recording (Tonmeister) at ��ý ss0122 Mon, 06/07/2026 - 08:56 Feature

What makes our degree in Music and Sound Recording (Tonmeister) different from the rest? We reveal the secret behind our graduates' success and why you should put ��ý at the top of your UCAS form.

1. Industry-standard facilities

You'll get to use some amazing kit! Our outstanding facilities are housed in the Performing Arts and Technology Studios (PATS), purpose-built to acoustic specifications and fitted with professional studio equipment.

Facilities include:

PATS Studio One – large enough for a full orchestra and choir to perform and record. Also equipped with a permanent large-scale projector and screen
Studio 2 control room acoustics have been designed by John Flynn of Acoustics Design Group (who’s other work includes Abbey Road and SARM West Studios). The hub of the studio is a 48-channel Neve 88RS console, (the likes of which you will find in Abbey Road Studio 2, and Sony Music Studios in Japan)
Five edit suites with a range of analogue and digital recorders and digital audio workstations, including, Pro Tools HD, Apple Logic Pro, Pyramix, and SADiE
Extensive range of more than 100 microphones, our ITU BS-1116 standard listening room, 16 Apple Mac Pro workstations, mobile recording vans and an assortment of measurement and test equipment
Ten music practice rooms
Two Steinway Concert D Grand Pianos and a Steinway baby grand piano
Fibre optic cabling connecting PATS Studio ONE, and the TV studio, University Hall and the marquee
Brand new Immersive Mix Studio, fitted with an Avid S6 console and a 9.1.4 immersive audio loudspeaker setup using ATC loudspeakers.

2. Industry links and Professional Training placement opportunities

Ninety-five per cent of our music and media undergraduates are in employment or further study within 15 months of graduating (Graduate Outcomes 2026, HESA).

You'll join regular lectures from visiting industry professionals and artists, including ensemble in residence Trifarious, conductor Russell Keable, Jim Abbiss, Engineer/Producer, and Michael Price, Composer/Producer and Music Editor.

We're focused on equipping you with the creative and technical skills you'll need for your career, including offering a Professional Training placement with links to:

Abbey Road Studios
Air Studios
Arena TV
BBC
Disney
Dolby Laboratories
ITN
Royal Academy of Music
Sky
The ACM.

3. Exceptional training

Music at ��ý is ranked 5th for overall student satisfaction* in the National Student Survey 2025, and 2nd in the UK for Others in Technology (including Tonmeister). We believe in an interdisciplinary approach, delivering a unique combination of technical and scientific study, professional operational knowledge and creative study.

Our staff have industry experience, having recorded with a multitude of record labels including EMI, and Virgin Classics, and co-ordinating large events from Glastonbury to the BBC Proms. Award-winning staff have worked with artists from Stereophonics to Shirley Bassey, and on soundtrack albums including ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Back to Titanic’.

On the media side, we benefit from staff experience in running the Games Department at the National Film and Television School, consultants for Sony and Universal Pictures, and technical support leads at some of the world’s largest film premieres, including 'Spiderman', 'Casino Royale', and the 'Harry Potter’ series.

* Measured by % positivity across all questions for all providers listed in the Guardian University Guide league tables.

4. A collaborative community that celebrates our students

We celebrate our students' creativity with prize-givings, awards and showcases, proving the creative talents of our students to our industry partners and beyond.

5. Award-winning graduate success

Joining Music and Media at ��ý puts you on the same path as our community of highly successful graduates, who have gone on to thrive in the music and media sectors.

��ý’s Music and Media has produced BAFTA, Grammy, EMMY and OSCAR-winning alumni, including Jim Abbiss, Olga FitzRoy, Oli Jacobs, Katie May, Michael Price, and Dom Shaw. Find out more about our graduate successes.

Explore our Music and Media programmes in Music, Music and Sound Recording, Creative Music Technology, and Film and Broadcast Engineering.

Come and find out for yourself and book your place on an open day now!

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