This handbook provides you with information that you will need on your course. You should find it helpful when you first start, when you are preparing for assessment and at any time that you need help or advice in connection with your studies here. You will also receive a Module Handbook for each module you study on your course.
The course team is looking forward to working with you this year and we hope that your time studying with us at Leeds Beckett University is both enjoyable and successful.
On behalf of our University and the whole course team, I would like to wish you well in your studies.

Michael Ward
Course Director, BSc (hons) Audio Engineering

Welcome to The Leeds School of Arts.

With a history that spans over 170 years, Leeds School of Arts is united by a common goal: to encourage individuality, to inspire creativity, and to create impact. Arts at Leeds Beckett University is an inspired laboratory where ideas are piloted, risks are taken, and equal emphasis is placed on the navigation of nourishing creative journeys and the realisation of formidable art works. There are around 3000 students in the Leeds School of the Arts, spread across over 40 courses, in subjects ranging from Architecture and Landscape, Creative Technology, Art, Design and Fashion, through to Film, Music and Performing Arts. Our aim is to instil in you the confidence, curiosity and commitment to thrive at University and beyond, and to give you the freedom and independence to both think, and to make.

We have an exciting and experimental approach to contemporary, creative practice - set in the heart of a culturally energised city. We draw artistic inspiration from the innumerable sources of university culture, including the research of our extraordinary academics and the energy, open-mindedness and intellect of our students. This is more than a School, it is a community of creators and collaborators; a united, artistic family, pushing boundaries with a variety of courses.

Our School's principle of learning through theory and practice is enabled by deep and meaningful links with industry, community and the professions. We have Leeds based, national and international partnerships to enable students learning to be enriched by industry collaboration. Our new Leeds School of Arts £80m building, state-of-the-art technical equipment, workshop support and studio spaces will allow you to immerse yourself in live design and development projects, supported by a team of experienced staff on hand to challenge, listen and encourage.

I wish you well and hope you have a rewarding, enjoyable and highly creative year with us.

Dr Lisa Stansbie, Dean of School

Leeds Beckett Students' Union (LBSU) is led by students for students! Their mission is to make your uni life better! Your Student Officer Team is elected by you to lead the Students' Union into the academic year. They represent all Leeds Beckett students and campaign for the changes you want to see in the university and beyond. They do this by representing your interests, giving you the chance to socialise and meet new people, hosting CV-boosting opportunities, and providing advice and support when you need it most. Shape your own experience by submitting your thoughts through your Course Rep, or if you'd like to influence the Students' Union's policy stance on particular issues or share ideas for improving the student experience across the University, submit your ideas on the Have Your Say platform, which is designed to make change happen! Below you'll find information on a few of their services but if you've any questions, please feel free to get in touch.

Silas Ozoya, your Academic Experience Officer, also wanted to say a few words to introduce himself: "Hey There! I'm Silas, your Academic Experience Officer. It's my job to ensure your academic experience at Leeds Beckett is the best it can be! We're a friendly and open-minded bunch at LBSU, so don't hesitate to get in touch with us! I'm looking forward to meeting you very soon!"

Contact LBSU at:

Email: lbsu-welcome@leedsbeckett.ac.uk

Phone: 0113 812 8400

Website: www.leedsbeckettsu.co.uk

1. Following the lifting of all pandemic restrictions and advice from the Department for Education, we currently anticipate that no social distancing measures will be in place on campus during the 2023/24 academic year, enabling a normal on-campus experience. Our aim is to ensure that our students experience Leeds Beckett University, our courses, campuses, facilities and services to the fullest extent possible, while maintaining an environment where students and staff feel safe.
2. In all cases, the health and safety of students and staff is our priority and we will continue to follow guidance from the UK Health Security Agency, the Department for Education and all other recognised government agencies (such as the Office for Students) in full and keep matters under close review at all times. The advice and restrictions may change before and/or during the academic year, either nationally or in response to local conditions and rates of infection and include the need for social distancing measures and other restrictions. Our flexible delivery model allows us to revert to a blended and/or remote delivery model if this becomes necessary. In a worst case scenario it is possible our campuses may need to close.
3. In the event that delivery is restricted as a consequence of pandemic restrictions, we will keep you informed of planned changes as they arise, to ensure you are provided with accurate information.

Michael Ward

M.J.Ward@leedsbeckett.ac.uk

0113 81 23826

Your Course Administrator is

Bethwyn Osborne,

MusicCourseAdmin@leedsbeckett.ac.uk

Tel: 8124799

The Academic Librarians for this course are Karen Fisher, Catherine Parkin, Jennifer Winterburn, Maria Simoes and Ellie Clement

Please contact them at: lsalibrary@leedsbeckett.ac.uk

Or complete their online Get Help form for help with academic and research skills.

The contact details of other key services, such as Student Advice, Disability Advice, Student Wellbeing, the Library, Student Money, Careers, Students' Union Advice Service and Students' Union Student Voice Team can be found on the Students web page.

Academic and administrative staff at our University use your student email address to contact you. It is important that you check this account regularly. You can forward emails from your student email address to a preferred personal email address, however, quarantine and spam filters needed by our University mean that emails sent from external email addresses may be delayed, blocked or deleted. It is therefore important that your student email address is the only email address that you use to contact University staff. Information on how to access your student email address can be found on the Library Student IT Support page (http://libguides.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/it_support/office365/outlook)

Please make sure that you inform your Course Administration team whenever you change your address and contact details. It is important that you also update your records yourself. You can do this via the My Account/Update my Data tab on MyBeckett. This will ensure we can always contact you in an emergency, and that you receive any important University communications that we may need to send you.

We will inform you of class activities and course notifications, including any cancellations. This will be via your student email address and announcements on MyBeckett.

For each module, the Module Handbook will include the preferred method of communicating general information about that module to you.

MS Teams is part of the Office 365 suite used by staff and students for communication and collaboration:

• Access via MyBeckett on University devices as well as on personal mobiles via a free downloadable app.
• Participate in online meetings and video conferencing in groups or one-to-one.
• Work on shared content, ideas, projects and online learning.
• Utilise breakout rooms to create more dynamic sessions

Further information is available on the Library's MS Teams FAQ web page.

Your course team will advise how Microsoft Teams will be used on your course and make guidance available as required.

The University’s standard term dates are available on our Academic Calendars web page.

Taught sessions, both mandatory and optional, will be scheduled and included in your online timetable. Depending on your course, this may also include scheduled online teaching and learning sessions where student engagement is required at a specified time or tutor pre-recorded lectures.

Normally, timetables will be made available to continuing students on 31^st July and during induction week for new students via:

1. The Student Portal (MyBeckett)
2. The Leeds Beckett app

You should discuss any difficulties relating to your engagement with timetabled sessions with your Course Administrator.

The course aims to develop student's skills in six broad subject areas: Audio Engineering, Audio Electronics, Acoustics, Audio Recording, Audio Programming and Professional Practice. Graduates will be capable problem solvers and designers in these subject areas and will be reflective and professional in their work. The course addresses the requirement of the professional audio industries for technically adept graduates who are capable of solving complex audio engineering problems. This need is highlighted by some of the latest research from Creative and Cultural Skills, feedback from our current accreditation body for the music courses, JAMES, and discussions with visiting lecturers and employers. Graduates will be able to design audio systems for a wide variety of purposes, solve acoustic problems through systematic measurement, analysis and design and create software and hardware tools for music recording and reproduction. Graduates will have a systematic understanding of audio in the digital, analogue and acoustic domains.
As well as addressing some of the specific needs of the professional audio market, the course will address the needs of the UK marketplace for graduates with wide skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. This course will have a strong engineering and mathematical focus applied within creative contexts such as the recording studio and performance venues.
Alongside the engineering focus, the course will allow students to work with creative practitioners from the Leeds School of Arts and also the wider creative network in the Leeds area. Audio Engineering students will mix with musicians, producers, filmmakers, composers and performers, providing valuable engineering and technical skills and knowledge and developing strong professional links for the future. Leeds has an exciting and vibrant arts and music scene for our undergraduates and graduates to involve themselves in.

1Use a systematic understanding of the factors affecting sound recording and reproduction to solve complex audio engineering problems and critically evaluate these solutions.
2Apply a conceptual understanding to the critical analysis, critical evaluation and design of signals, circuits and devices used for audio.
3Apply a synthesis of appropriate software and interfacing tools in order to design music production, performance and processing tools in creative and technical contexts.
4Demonstrate an applied understanding of the physical nature and behaviour of sound and select and apply appropriate techniques to devise solutions to acoustical issues and problems.
5Record and manipulate audio using analogue and digital tools to produce high quality musical and audio artefacts and be able to critically evaluate these recordings.
6Demonstrate a level of professional practice and enterprise relevant to the subject area and be able to critically reflect on this practice with reference to a global context.

On successful completion of this level students will be expected to be able to:

L4 is assessed predominantly by coursework.

L5 is assessed predominantly by coursework. L6 is assessed predominantly by coursework.

Please note the exam/assessment periods in the academic calendar and make sure that you are available during those periods. Further details of your schedule of examinations can be found on your timetable once the examination schedule is released. Coursework submission deadlines can normally be found on MyBeckett, on course noticeboards or in individual Module Handbooks/other module guides.

Disabled students requiring adjustments to assessments/examinations should contact Disability Advice as soon as possible. We can only guarantee that adjustments can be put in place if students have contacted us by the following deadlines:

Semester 1 - 10th November 2023

Semester 2 - 8th March 2024

Contact us:

Email: disabilityadvice@leedsbeckett.ac.uk

Tel: 0113 812 5831

Website: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/student-information/disability-advice/

It is important for your progression and achievement that you submit all work for all assignments in a timely manner. It is also important that you keep copies of all work submitted until after you have graduated. You should also keep any receipts confirming the submission of assignments. In the event of your submitted work being lost you may be required to produce a copy of the work and submission receipt. If you are unable to do so, your work will not be marked.

It is important to note that submitting all assignments is a requirement of your course. Should you experience extenuating circumstances which prevent you from submitting on time please make yourself aware of the Mitigation and Extenuating Circumstances process. Without any form of extenuating circumstances, standard penalties apply for late submission of assessed work. Full details of the penalties for late submission of course work are available in section 3 of the Academic Regulations at https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/our-university/public-information/academic-regulations/. Please check the penalties that apply to this course as some Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body requirements may mean that different penalties apply.

If you have been recommended 'flexibility around deadlines' as a reasonable adjustment in a Reasonable Adjustment Plan, your Course Administrator will be able to advise you of the process.

You may be required to submit your written work via Turnitin; further information on Turnitin is available here: http://libguides.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/mybeckett/turnitin

Assessed work will normally be returned with appropriate feedback within four weeks of your submission. Each Module Handbook will provide you with specific guidelines on how and when you will receive feedback on your assessments. Assessment is through a mix of practical tasks, technical reports, essays, phase tests and products as appropriate to the particular subject area. Assessment points are staggered through the year to help to manage the student workload and formative tasks are used to lead up to summative assessments, giving students valuable feedback and structure to their work. Presentations and draft reports are used widely on the course as formative tasks as a valuable opportunity to provide developmental feedback and develop student's communication skills.

There are clear pathways through the course related to the key subject areas and it is made clear to students where module content and assessments feed into following modules. An example of this is 'Analogue and Digital Audio Systems' feeding into 'Audio System Design' and then into 'Sound Reproduction Systems'. Each module covers a similar subject area and each require development of technical report writing skills and practical audio analysis skills. The feedback from previous years can be used to develop work in the following years. This is also the case in the acoustics thread.

In the final year, assignment briefs are more open and students will be expected to initiate their own work. The assessment in this level takes the form of a proposal followed by a product/portfolio/report after completion of the work for the module. Many of the modules at this level allow for off-site activities which engage with external clients, the local community and local music industry.

Consistency in approach and grading is maintained through tight marking criteria and clear expectations laid out in the assignment briefs. At level 6 support is more individualised which allows tutors and students to maintain a clear dialogue with regards to aims, objectives and expectations for assessed work.

The VLE is heavily utilised as a vehicle for summative feedback. Many assessments are submitted via the VLE and written feedback is returned on this submission through standard proformas and rubrics. Where submissions are physical, feedback sheets will be made available to the students within the University agreed period. Some modules will use audio feedback.

Formative and developmental feedback in the recording studio and laboratory environments is provided through regular tutor critique and peer discussion sessions. This is a valuable part of the developmental process and students will be encouraged to engage in this process in order to understand how to put their feedback into practice. In many of these sessions, students will be working reasonably independently and tutors can move between individuals and groups providing feedback on a rolling basis. It is expected that students will receive weekly formative feedback on their work.

Feedback on project work in Level 6 is provided on a one-to-one basis through regular meetings with the project supervisor. However, students can access a wide range of specialist staff in the Music and Sound team for specific subject guidance and advice.

Results from module assessments and decisions on progression to the next level of study (e.g., from Level 4 to Level 5 of an undergraduate degree) or awards (if you are in the final level) are available on the Results Online system: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/student-information/exams-assessments-and-awards/results-online/.

Results will appear in Results Online within five working days of the date of the Progression and Award Board meeting (the meeting where your end of level outcome will be decided) or the Module Board meeting (the meeting where modular outcomes are decided).

If you are unsure about when you might receive your results or have queries relating to your results, you should contact your Course Administrator.

The University recognises that, from time to time, students may encounter issues which may prevent them from being able to submit or take assessment. Where this is the case, students may be able to submit their 'extenuating circumstances' for consideration. Please see the Mitigation and Extenuating Circumstances web page for further information.

If you have not passed a module at the first attempt you will be eligible for re-assessment. See your Module Handbook for details of the relevant re-assessment process (e.g., whether it is coursework, an examination, a presentation or other form of assessment/when it will take place/what the deadline is). You will be advised via Results Online of your options for re-assessment. You are advised to contact your Course Director, Course Administrator or Academic Advisor for any necessary clarification.

Details about our Appeals process can be found on the appeals web page.

Academic integrity means intellectual honesty and is part of good academic practice. Further information can be found on our academic integrity web page.

The course delivery is based around a core of laboratory, practical and seminar tuition supported by lectures. Guest lecturers from industry and academia help emphasise professional and intellectual developments and ensure that practical studies are underpinned by a contextual and theoretical understanding. Demonstrations of equipment, techniques and concepts will take place in seminar sessions in order to contextualise and illustrate some of the theory covered in lectures. Students will also be required to carry out their own investigations in both supervised and non-supervised environments.
Learning and teaching takes place in an appropriate range of industry standard recording studios, laboratories and computer facilities. Many modules make use of the dedicated Audio Lab, the anechoic chamber and the reverberation room. These provide a challenging and professional learning environment, which usefully mirrors the context of professional practice. In the higher levels of the course students will be expected to work on location and engage with local companys for some of their practical work. This work asks them to undertake the measurements typically undertaken in industry using equipment, methods, standards and practice used in those industries.
Students will be expected to produce artefacts as part of the assessment for the course and this may take the form of software, hardware, recordings or installations. Clear longitudinal themes through the course allow students to revisit subject areas and build on previous learning. These themes are clearly related to industry skills, QAA benchmarks and UK-SPEC guidelines. Group work engages students in developing their interpersonal and professional skills. Through employing interpersonal skills and working as members of teams students develop their understanding of project management and enterprise.

Level 4 Core Modules

The University expects you to attend and contribute fully to all mandatory sessions on your timetable as set out in your student contract. Engagement in your lectures, seminars and practicals is an important part of your learning - contributing both to the University community and the learning experience of your fellow students on the course. This includes engagement in scheduled virtual learning and activities and meetings in online environments related to your studies.

We monitor your engagement at the University as regular attendance and academic achievement are closely linked. Moreover, by monitoring your engagement and attendance we can identify students who may need our guidance or support at an early stage to help them progress in their studies. This is part of our commitment to ensuring an excellent education and experience and supporting your success at Leeds Beckett.

The University does understand that from time to time there is good reason why you cannot attend a class, and in this instance you must contact your School office to let them know. This may then be recorded as an 'authorised absence'.

Please note that any attendance reports can be shared with you and your Course team. You might be asked to contact your School office so that appropriate academic or pastoral support can be offered, should your attendance record give cause for concern.

Our most important aim is to support your studies, but we are also required to report attendance to various external bodies such as the Student Loan Company and the Home Office. There are measures in place for students who seek to falsely register either their own or fellow students' attendance.

Our Academic Engagement Policy is available under 'Student Contract' on the Student Regulations web page.

Please note that if your course carries professional accreditation or recognition, there may be additional course-specific attendance requirements detailed elsewhere in this handbook.

You must notify your Course Administrator if you are absent (for example for an interview, emergency unforeseen circumstances, or for compassionate leave). If you are going to apply for mitigation you will need to provide written evidence of the reason for your absence.

Please note that if your course carries professional accreditation or recognition, there may be additional course-specific absence reporting requirements detailed elsewhere in this handbook.

If you are unable to study due to Covid-19 (coronavirus) symptoms, please see the guidance available on our Covid-19 web page.

If you are unable to study because of another illness for more than 14 consecutive days (including weekends), you must provide us with a Fit Note.

You can send a digital copy of your Fit Note to your Course Administrator, and then send the original by post.

If you are absent through illness on the day of an examination or assignment deadline and you intend to apply for mitigation, you must also provide us with details as possible. Your submission for mitigation may be made online and the circumstances surrounding it may be self-certified unless your period of absence is prolonged. Generally, all absences of 2 weeks or more will require the submission of verifiable documentary evidence.

For more information on 'fit to sit' and mitigation please visit our Mitigation web page.

Please note that if your course carries professional accreditation or recognition, there may be additional course-specific absence reporting requirements detailed elsewhere in this handbook.

Any Leeds Beckett student who suspects they may have, or have been diagnosed as having a serious infectious disease such as coronavirus, Mumps, TB, measles, meningitis or chicken pox should not attend campus. For notifiable diseases, students should notify their Course Director or Course Administrator as soon as possible giving information regarding which groups of students (and/or colleagues and clients on placements) you have been in contact with and when. For some diseases, such as TB and meningitis, your doctor and our Student Wellbeing Team have a responsibility to notify the West Yorkshire Public Health Protection Team who may also wish to speak to you (or your family) to determine if others require screening or medication. You should follow advice given by the hospital or your GP about when it is safe to return to University. Further information is available on the Student Wellbeing web page.

For guidance on what to do if you have symptoms of Covid-19 (coronavirus), please visit our Covid-19 web page.

If you are thinking about changing course or withdrawing from your course, further information can be found on our Student web pages.

Please be aware that our University fully complies with United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) policy at all times. There are legal reporting requirements for all students in the UK on a Student visa, and full attendance is mandatory for all students who have a Student visa. Failure to meet UKVI attendance and engagement requirements could lead to your academic sponsorship being withdrawn and your visa being revoked.Students who hold a Student visa need to be aware of their responsibilities whilst in the UK, please see www.ukcisa.org.uk or our Student Immigration Advice and Compliance web page for full information.

For up-to-date information about visas, immigration issues and other matters relating to international students, please visit the International Students' web pages on the Students website or email the Student Immigration Advice and Compliance Team on siac@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.

You should have been enrolled on the International Student's Academic Introduction module in MyBeckett when you began your studies - if you missed this you can self-enrol and explore the content which introduces you to making the academic transition to a UK university. Please refer to Library page supporting international students

JAMES (Joint Audio Media Education Support)

The Institute of Acoustics (IoA)

JAMES

A number of music courses in the Leeds School of Arts are accredited by JAMES who are backed by the Music Producers Guild, Association of Professional Recording Services and UK Screen Association. JAMES accreditation ensures that the curriculum is up to date and relevant for the industry and equips graduates with a strong and appropriate range of skills. Leeds Beckett is the first JAMES Integrated Learning Centre in England. The course holds the accreditation and students sign up to the JAMES database after graduation.

IOA

The IOA has recognised the BSc (Hons) Audio Engineering degree course and therefore it is on the list of those accepted by the Membership Committee for Associate Membership of the IOA (AMIOA) grade. The course itself is not accredited in any way but applicants for AMIOA membership with this qualification will be accepted

Leeds Beckett is dedicated to improving the employability of our students and one of the ways in which we do this is to support our students to gain valuable work experience through work based placements. Our placement teams have developed strong links with companies, many of whom repeatedly recruit our students into excellent placement roles. Our teams are dedicated to supporting students through every stage of the placement process. For further information, contact our placement teams via our Placement Information web page.

1000 hours, undertaken between year 2 and year 3 (Level 5 and Level 6)

Students are responsible for obtaining their own placement, with assistance from the University. The locations will vary, dependant on the opportunity.

One of the aims of this course is enable students to develop qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment such as communication skills, teamwork skills and professional attributes such as being highly motivated and competitive but also collaborative and inclusive. You will have the opportunity to develop such skills and attributes via a number of work-related or work-like opportunities during your studies

Throughout you time with us we shall help you to develop our three Graduate Attributes: Enterprise, Digital Literacy and Global Outlook. These attributes cover important skills including team-working, research, critical thinking and evaluation, presentation and independent learning.

You will have opportunities to gain recognition during your time at Leeds Beckett University for the extra activities you do in addition to your studies, including volunteering, student societies, playing in our University sports teams and being a Course Representative.

By joining a society with Leeds Beckett Students' Union, you can make new friends, have fun, try something new and enhance your CV - societies provide a great opportunity to learn new skills and improve your existing ones. It can be difficult to get to know new people at university but don't worry, everyone is in the same boat! Our Leeds Beckett Students' Union believe that joining a student-led society is the best way to meet new people and make lifelong friends. There are so many societies out there - from course-based to hobby-based to religious to political and campaigning. Whether you're just starting out at Leeds Beckett or working on your last year of study, it is never too late to find the right society for you - or start one yourself!

Course-based societies are a great way to meet people on your course, expand your networks and celebrate your achievements together such as end of year Society Balls. If you have a great idea for a society, we can help you get it up and running. There are resources and support available for all societies - including funding to help make your society goals a reality. For more information on starting your own society, visit: leedsbeckettsu.co.uk/societies/create.

There are three Graduate Attributes for Leeds Beckett University and these are tailored to suit your course. The three attributes you should achieve by the end of the course are for you to be digitally literate, have a global outlook and for you to be enterprising. Learning about these attributes and being assessed on them as part of your modules will provide you with capabilities which are essential for your future career and wider life as you move on from your studies here. You will be formally assessed on all the attributes in some of your modules at each academic level in each year of your course. For more information on graduate attributes please visit https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/student-information/academic-skills-and-advice/graduate-attributes/. Information on your assessment is included in your Module Handbooks.

Students will be enterprising, digitally literate and have a global outlook.

Digital literacy is embedded in all areas of the course. The professional audio industry predominately employ digital solutions for the recording, manipulation and distribution of music and students will gain extensive experience with a range of digital tools. Students will design and build their own digital tools for audio generation and processing in modules such as 'Creative Audio Technologies', 'Audio Engineering Skills' and 'Digital Signal Processing'. This gives them a unique insight into the inner workings of the digital tools that can be used in creative and technical contexts. The course will explore the history and context of the professional audio industry and look at how the digital age has had an impact on practices and technologies within the industry. Students will explore their own practice within a digital context. Strong digital presentation and communication skills are developed during the course through technical reports, presentations and essays.

Software engineering skills are embedded at each level of the course and are contextualised where appropriate in other modules. The course has a strong industry focus and students will explore the nature of the industry and how various areas can be explored. Students are exposed to guest lectures and workshops with industry practitioners who have been enterprising and successful in the industry. The course encourages creativity and innovative problem solving which is essential for enterprise. Students will work with external clients and practitioners from the wider creative industries, developing a strong professional network from which to build a successful and enterprising career. A collaborations forum allows students to reach out and to take advantage of collaborative opportunities with students across the building.
The course features strong contextual threads throughout which consider the student's own professional practice within a national and global context. The professional audio industry is a global one and students will be made aware of how music is distributed and exploited in a global market. Specific topics such as speech intelligibility for different languages, international differences in acoustics standards and content delivery for different global markets are used to engage students in global issues. International journals, conferences and publications are used throughout the course as teaching and learning material. In the higher levels of the course are opportunities for community volunteering and working on a wide array of audio projects throughout the local area. Students also have the opportunity to study abroad for a semester in Level 5.

Industry style projects occur throughout the course. These are informed by industry practitioners, staff industry experience and input from JAMES accreditation.
Examples include:
Game Audio - Development and implementation of a game level in an industry standard game engine.
Live Sound - Range of real life live audio projects at gigs and performances.
Audio Engineering Project - Students can work with external clients or other students in the faculty on a live project. This project develops students independence, professionalism, project management and industry understanding.
Audio Design Project - Students respond to an industry style design brief, developing teamwork, time management and design skills.
Acoustics and Psychoacoustics - A lab task which involves the use of personal dosimeters to analyse noise exposure in a real music industry environment.
Digital Signal Processing - Software design project with extensive consideration for the software design lifecycle and project management.
Creative Studio Engineering - Creation of a series of plugins that can be used within an industry standard DAW.

The Music and Audio industry in the Leeds area is extremely strong and provides many opportunities for students to gain experience and engage with industry, particularly in terms of live events and music performance. Many of our students are active practitioners throughout the area and closely involved in the industry.

An optional placement year is available between Levels 5 and 6. Where students choose to go on a placement year they are supported through this process by a dedicated placement academic and placement administrator officer. Students are required to find their own placement but are provided with contacts for establishments where students have previously been on placement. Placement students are visited by a placement academic during their placement and are required to write a reflective journal on their experience.

Possible career progression from this course includes audio equipment design, system design and installation, acoustics, studio and live sound engineering, music production, game audio, recording industry work, both as employees and freelance practitioners. 36% of the music industry is self-employed (CCSkills, 2011) and many graduates go onto freelance careers. The course provides the guidance and confidence to do this.
The course leads naturally onto the Leeds Beckett Postgraduate courses in Audio and Acoustics, Sound Design and Sound and Music for Interactive Games. The Institute of Acoustics Postgraduate Diploma in Acoustics and Noise Control delivered here at Leeds Beckett (and several other institutions) is also a natural progression option for students wishing to specialise in acoustics.

The course allows students to network with engineers, musicians, producers, games designers, filmmakers and performing artists in order to develop a wide network of contacts which may lead to further collaborations and partnerships upon graduation.

If you have a question or a problem relating to your course, your Course Administrator is there to help you. Course Administrators work closely with academic staff and can make referrals to teaching staff or to specialist professional services as appropriate. They can give you a confirmation of attendance letter, and a transcript. You may also like to contact your Course Rep or the Students' Union Advice team for additional support with course-related questions.

Your Academic Advisor will be an academic member of staff who teaches you on your course. Your Course Director will make sure that you are given the contact details of your Academic Advisor at the beginning of each year, usually in your course induction. Further details on the role of your Academic Advisor are available on the Academic Advisor web page.

If you need support, but you're not sure where to go, your Student Advice Team are here to help. The team are an essential part of your Student Support Network and are dedicated to ensuring you can access the advice and support you need, when you need it most.

Student Advice can also help in the practical elements of university. The team will produce your first campus card and assist you in replacing your campus card if needed throughout your time at Leeds Beckett. They can provide Confirmation of Enrolment and Bank Letters for our current students and full or partial transcripts for our graduates and fully enrolled students.

If you need help with more complex queries or concerns, our trained Student Life Advisers offer 1-1 appointments, providing a safe, confidential, and non-judgemental space to talk about your circumstances and identify support that you can access both within and outside of the university.

To contact the team, or to arrange an appointment, visit The Student Advice webpage for full details.

The Student Voice & Insight team at LBSU works alongside the elected Academic Experience Officer to effectively represent students' academic interests.

We provide support, training and ongoing development to over 1,000 Course Representatives, Postgraduate Research Reps, Student Community Leaders and Global Majority Student Ambassadors who represent you whilst you study at Leeds Beckett; and facilitate the collection of student feedback on your academic experience.

Unsure who your Course Rep is? Maybe you're interested in becoming a Course Rep or have feedback about your academic experience? Get in touch at:

- Email: studentvoice@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
- Telephone: 0113 812 8400
- Website: leedsbeckettsu.co.uk/your-voice

You can find information and resources online through the Support and Opportunities tabs in MyBeckett. In the Support tab, you can find details of a range of services that provide academic and personal support. These include Student Advice, Library Services, the Students' Union, Student Money, Disability Advice, Student Wellbeing, Student Immigration Advice and Compliance and Accommodation. There is also an A-Z of Support Services, and access to online appointments/registration.

In the Opportunities tab, you can explore the options you have for jobs, work placements, volunteering, and a wide range of other opportunities. For example, you can find out here how to get help with your CV, prepare for an interview, get a part-time job or a voluntary role, take part in an international project, or join societies closer to home.

If you have a disability, long-term physical or mental health condition, or a specific learning difference, we believe this should never be a barrier to studying at our University.

Please get in touch with us as soon as possible so we can ensure everything is in place before your course starts.

What should I do next?

Register with us

• We will ask you to provide evidence of your disability, usually from a health professional or educational psychologist. Don't worry if you haven't got any, we can support you with this.
• Usually, we will arrange an appointment with your Disability Adviser to discuss any adjustments you might need and support you in applying for Disabled Students' Allowances (DSA).
• We will work with you to ensure any adjustments you need are available so you can fully participate on your course.

Please watch this short video about how the Disability Advice Team can work with you.

Disabled students can also access the Disability Resource Areas in each library and the support provided by the Library Learning Support Officer. More information is available on the Library website.

What is Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)?

DSA is government funding to help with the cost of any additional support you might need while studying, such as: one-to-one support, specialist equipment (including useful software) and travel. For more information visit our website.

Contact Us:

Email: disabilityadvice@leedsbeckett.ac.uk

Tel: 0113 812 5831

Website: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/student-information/disability-advice/

The Library

The Library offers 24/7 support for your studies. You can access thousands of resources via MyBeckett or the Library website which also provides full details of all our services.

Library Academic Support

The Library Academic Support Team can help you develop your academic skills such as critical thinking, academic writing and analysing data, and research skills such as how to find, use and evaluate information for your studies. The team liaises with your lecturers to provide the information resources you need for your subject and to arrange academic skills sessions to support you in your studies.

The team maintains a number of websites and modules to support your learning:

• In your Subject guide, you'll find a variety of information resources which have been selected as a good starting point for research in that area. These are available on the Skills and Subject Support web page or via My Beckett.
• On the Skills for Learning website, you'll find online resources covering topics such as essay writing, research and time management, English Language and academic English plus information to help you reference and avoid plagiarism, alongside details of workshops that are designed to help you succeed in your assessments. The Skills for Learning website can be found on the Library website or via My Beckett.
• LBU Study Smart is a module in MyBeckett which introduces you to the key skills and services you'll need to study successfully at Leeds Beckett. There are also additional modules you can take as you move through your course to help you transition between study levels. The Academic Integrity Tutorial is a module in MyBeckett which introduces you to academic integrity at LBU and will help you develop the skills you need to attain good academic practice, including avoiding plagiarism and academic referencing.
• The Academic Integrity Tutorial is a module in MyBeckett which introduces you to academic integrity at LBU and will help you develop the skills you need to attain good academic practice, including avoiding plagiarism and academic referencing.

Library and Student IT Advice Service

The Library and Student IT Advice Service team can answer your queries on borrowing, finding information, passwords, multi-factor authentication (MFA) ,Office 365, online meetings, saving your work, MyBeckett and more:

• online (including 24/7 chat) via the Contact Us web page
• by phone - 0113 812 1000 (24/7 IT support)
• face-to-face in either of our Libraries, check Library opening times for details of when staff are available

They also have a wide range of short tutorials available on the Library's YouTube channel.

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi on the University campus is provided by eduroam, a secure wireless network, which also allows you Wi-Fi access if you visit other universities. To connect:

1. Select eduroam from available Wi-Fi
2. Your login details are:

Username followed by @leedsbeckett: e.g. c1234567@leedsbeckett.ac.uk

Password: your normal university password

*Android Users: Select under Phase 2 Authentication - MS-CHAPv2

Help is available on the Library's Wi-Fi web page.

Microsoft Office 365

You are provided with free access to Office 365 and the latest version of Office can be downloaded from the IT tab in MyBeckett or from office.com. All students who are registered for a qualification at Leeds Beckett University are eligible and you can use the subscription for the duration of your course. For instructions and more information, please see the Office 365 support page.

OneDrive

OneDrive Leeds Beckett is your individual file storage with 1TB of storage space. With OneDrive you can access and share your files across your devices. This is accessible on University PCs and off-campus through Office 365 portal. See the Saving your Work pages on the Library website for more information.

Leeds Beckett RemoteApp

The Leeds Beckett RemoteApp gives you access to a range of specialist software for your course on your personal devices. See the RemoteApp page on the Library website for more information.

Media Equipment - free loans

You can borrow high-end Media Equipment for free. Browse, reserve and collect equipment ranging from GoPros to Remote Presenters from the ground floor of the Shelia Silver and Headingley Libraries. Further information is available on the Media Equipment web page.

University life can have its ups and downs, and occasionally you may find yourself in need of advice. That's where we come in. Here at the SU we have a free advice service that is here just for you, the students at Leeds Beckett University.

The Advice Service at LBSU is a confidential, non-judgmental service run by professional advisers.

The service is independent from the University, so if you are having any problems with your course you can talk confidentially with us - although we do work with the University to find the best solutions, we would only contact them with your permission. We can advise on a range of topics including all aspects of the University Regulations and Procedures, housing issues and finance issues. We can guide you through any processes or procedures.

We're here to help you with any questions or problems you might have while you are studying at Leeds Beckett.

Get more information at www.leedsbeckettsu.co.uk/advice.

MyBeckett, the portal and virtual learning environment provides:

• access to your modules and timetables;

• your reading lists and email account;

• your personal storage area on our University IT servers;

• information on where to look for academic or personal support (Support tab);

• information on opportunities such as jobs, careers, part-time work, placements and volunteering (Opportunities tab)

• access to Library and student IT advice

Further information and support for using MyBeckett can be found on the MyBeckett Support Pages.

The course will make extensive use of the LSA Building. This building is a significant investment in Music and Sound education. It is full of cutting-edge technologies to develop your learning in line with the latest innovations in Music and Sound practices. Designed in conjunction with specialist studio designers our spaces provide fantastic, purpose-built environments for rehearsal, sound recording, manipulation and reproduction. All recording studios feature high quality reference loudspeakers, industry standard mixing consoles and a range of high-quality outboard processing. Recording and processing is carried out using computers installed with Logic and Protools, with a suite of plugins available. We have a number of live rooms equipped with drum kits and guitar amplifiers and acoustic pianos ensuring that all of the equipment that you ned for your recordings is available to you. Specialist spaces include: 4 x Recording Studios 5 x Music and Sound Production Suites 1 x Surround Sound Film Dubbing Theatre 1 x Mastering and Surround Sound Ambisonics Room 10 x Rehearsal rooms 5x Music and Sound Computing Labs
Anechoic Chamber and reverb room
Example Studio Specification: SSL mixing consoles Mac Pro computers running Logic Pro , and Pro Tools Monitoring from PMC, ATC, and Dynaudio An extensive range of outboard and plugins

In addition to the recording studio environments, the LSA building also has spaces where the exploration of work in the flowing specialisms can take place; Mastering, Postproduction sound, Surround sound including ambisonics, We also have a range of rehearsal rooms available to all students in Music and Sound. All rehearsal rooms are equipped with the technologies and backline that you need to maximise your rehearsal time. Portable Equipment: The School has a dedicated recording studio helpdesk and Learning Officer team operating within the LSA Building. This team maintains and administers a wide range of specialist equipment available for both onsite use in our practical spaces and offsite use. To help you undertake your coursework, we have sound and video recording devices, microphones including specialist field recording and ambisonics devices, a range of guitars, bass guitars, synths and percussion, controller keyboards and Ableton push devices, NTI Acoustilyser kits, Sound Level Meters, dBadge personal dosimeters, flat response measurement microphones, laptops and recording interfaces.

Audio Engineering Facilities A dedicated Audio Engineering lab as well as a separate project space are available for students studying modules in these areas. The suite of spaces is completed with an anechoic chamber and reverb room for a variety of testing, measurement, and creative applications. We have a lab of National Instruments Elvis development boards and there are oscilloscopes, signal generators and prototyping tools as well as Head and Torso Simulators to support your studies. Students have access to a range of test and measurement equipment through our helpdesk loans system. Computing Labs: The course has access to 5 dedicated music computing labs within the LSA building. These have specific music hardware and software installed and are a mix of Apple and Windows operating systems

We are committed to working in partnership with you and the Students' Union to provide you with an inclusive, safe and engaging learning environment which is conducive to study for all our students and our staff. An important element of your time studying with us is your engagement in developing your learning. Your engagement and attendance on your course enables you to further your learning and supports your achievement, course completion and aspirations for the future. There is an expectation that students will attend, engage in their learning and submit on time for assessment. We provide support for you to maximise your time studying with us and to develop your learning, skills and abilities to support you in your chosen career path.

We seek active participation by all our students in the continuous enhancement of our courses and through our monitoring, annual review and enhancement processes. These are formal processes used by our University for assuring the academic standards and quality of your course and its continuous improvement. These processes utilise your feedback, External Examiners' reports, feedback from staff and others, data relating to student outcomes on the course and student surveys to reflect on areas of good practice and areas for further enhancement. We invite all students to participate in a range of opportunities to provide us with feedback on your course and modules. This may include discussions with staff, focus groups, and meetings (e.g. with Course Representatives or with staff) and formalised student surveys e.g. mid module reviews, end of module evaluations and specific course or other surveys such as the Student Barometer, National Student Survey and Graduate Outcomes Survey. We utilise the outcomes of these surveys to benchmark our courses nationally and to inform annual course enhancements.

Informal feedback is also welcome at any time either via your Academic Advisor or module tutor or via your Course Representative. Our partnership with you enables us together to make the most of your learning experience with us and to enhance the quality and reputation of your course. You can find out what actions have been taken in response to your feedback through your Course Representative, the Students' Union, your tutors or through the Library.

Course Representatives (Reps) at undergraduate and postgraduate taught levels are student volunteers who represent you in formal and informal meetings with the University, and follow up on actions that have occurred because of student feedback. You can become a Course Rep, volunteering to represent the views of your peers in order to improve students' academic experience.

In the first few weeks of your time at Leeds Beckett, your Course Director will facilitate an opportunity to appoint Course Reps on your course.

LBSU provides support, training and ongoing development for Course Reps and supports their engagement in enhancement activities throughout the academic year.

Being a Course Rep provides you with an opportunity to enhance your own learning and the development of relevant professional and employability skills alongside your studies. As a Course Rep you would play an important role in:

• Acting as a point of contact and advocate for students on your course and in supporting their active engagement.
• Gathering feedback from students on your course to inform enhancements to the quality of your course and the student experience.
• Facilitating good communication between students and staff on the course.
• Working with the Course Director, members of the course team and the Students' Union to enhance your course.
• Facilitating and engaging in meetings about your course; and
• Being an ambassador for your course.

Further information about being a Course Representative is available at:

• The Students web pages
• Leeds Beckett Students' Union
• The University Academic Regulations

We invite all students to participate in a range of opportunities to provide us with feedback on your course and modules. This may include discussions with staff, focus groups, and meetings (e.g. with Course Representatives or with staff) and formalised student surveys e.g. mid module reviews, end of module evaluations and specific course or other surveys such as the Student Barometer, National Student Survey and the Graduate Outcomes Survey.

We are committed to providing a high quality experience for all our students. We welcome comments and compliments from students, and find them valuable for on-going improvements to our provision. Comments and compliments about your course can be raised with your Course Representative or directly with your Course Director or Academic Advisor.

If you have a specific complaint about an act or omission of our University, you may be able to make a complaint under the Student Complaints Procedure. In the first instance, you should raise the matter as soon as possible with the member of staff most directly concerned, or with the person who can best resolve it. If this does not resolve the matter, or if the complaint is too serious to be addressed in this way, then you should make a formal complaint in writing. Information about how to make a complaint, including the student complaints procedure and a complaints form, is available on the Students web pages.

Bachelor of Sciences in Audio Engineering Diploma of Higher Education in Audio Engineering
Certificate of Higher Education in Audio Engineering

Leeds Beckett University

PT students will be supported by the course team to determine an appropriate selection of modules from the level for each year of study. PT delivery is usually at half the intensity of the FT equivalent course, although there may be flexibility to increase your pace of study to shorten the overall course duration. Some modules may be delivered in a different sequence to that defined within this information set but the modules offered within each level are consistent. Please note that the work placement option is not generally available to PT students.

Course fees and additional course costs are confirmed in your offer letter. Course fees are presented to you annually through the online enrolment process. Please visit our Course and Tuition Fees Payment web pages for further information. Ongoing queries relating to additional course costs may be discussed with your Course Administrator.

Alternatively, you can contact any of the following teams:

For Student Finance related fee queries: studentfunding@leedsbeckett.ac.uk

Other fee related queries: fees@leedsbeckett.ac.uk

Payments: incomes@leedsbeckett.ac.uk

Key University regulations and policies can be accessed on the following web pages:

• Academic Regulations (including assessment regulations) are available on our Academic Regulations web page
• The Student Contract is available on our Student Regulations web page
• The Student Charter is available on our Academic Regulations web page (Section 20)

Other Student regulations and University policies, including Safety, Health and Wellbeing policies, are available on our Student Regulations web page

You should also familiarise yourself with Support Report Respect where students and colleagues who are victims of any form of bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct, can access support, advice and guidance.

For advice on University regulations and policies, students should contact the Students' Union Advice Service.

There are no additional or non-standard regulations which relate to your course

The External Examiner assures that you are assessed fairly in relation to other students on the same course and also that the standard of your own award is comparable to similar courses taken by students in other higher education institutions within the UK. The External Examiner(s) provide an annual report for your course. External Examiner reports are available on our External Examiner Reports web page, which is accessible via the Course Information link on the Students home page.

The details of the External Examiner for this course are as follows: -Neil Brooming
-Lecturer
-Solent University