BA SONIC ARTS

Sonic Arts at Middlesex came into existence as a distinct area of study in 1995 with the launch of the BA programme, followed a few years later by the postgraduate MA programme. The BA programme has established itself as a highly regarded course aimed at potential practitioners in sonic art and related areas and has recently been successfully re-validated. This process has given us the opportunity to undertake a major review of what we offer and of the programme structure. In response to feedback from students past and present, we have revisited every aspect of the programme and have created a new and exciting format that we believe will offer future students a stimulating, challenging and supportive environment in which to develop their knowledge and creative practice.

So what is the programme really about ?

It focusses upon the creation of art-works through the agency of sound. These works may take many forms such as audio and DVD recordings, screen-based works, interactive systems, installations, environments and site-specific works, performances and so on. Some of these areas naturally make considerable use of technologies such as computers, sound studios and other technical resources. It's important to note, however, that we don't necessarily look for students who have extensive prior experience in these areas. Nor do we necessarily expect students to have musical knowledge or skills. The early parts of the programme are designed to ensure that everyone has all the skills and background knowledge that they will require later on. Likewise, the programme ensures that at every stage, students encounter the theoretical, critical and culutural considerations that help them to place their own work in a wider context.

BA Sonic Arts is a full-time, three year Honours degree programme and is aimed at anyone who has an interest in exploring creativity through sound, whether by itself or in relation to other media such as film, sculpture, radio, performance or installation art.

We welcome applications from a wide range of subject areas. In the past, these have included fine arts, computing, music, literature, design and many other disciplines. As indicated above, we don’t ask for specific skills such as musicianship or computer programming but we pay special attention to every applicant’s personal statement and, unlike some other similar programmes, we interview every potential student personally (by phone if necessary). What really counts is that students need to have enthusiasm for the subject, a creative flair and, above all, the capacity for hard work and study

Like those from many degree programmes, our graduates often find themselves working in areas that are a little different, but still related to the main topic of their degree. Our recent graduates have gone on to work in a number of areas : broadcasting, post-production, education, sound therapy, games sound design, web design, and especially, postgraduate studies both here at Middlesex and elsewhere. Of course, for many people, sonic art itself is an area of creative activity that doesn’t stop after graduation. Many of our graduates have gone on to continue their work in this subject after leaving Middlesex.

Module details

Download prospectus (96KB - requires Adobe Acrobat)

Download programme handbook 2007/8 (900KB - requires Adobe Acrobat - coming soon)