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BSc (Hons)

Sound, Lighting and Live Event Technology

Modern live events require technical operators who not only deliver solid engineering solutions but have a creative spark as well. Our course integrates science with art, helping you enter the industry as a valued freelancer or graduate employee straight away. Our graduates are well regarded in industry due to the course’s established industry links and experienced course teaching team.

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Key Course Details

  • Start Date

    September

  • Location

    Cardiff

  • Campus Code

    B

Fees

  • Home students

    £9,000*

  • International students

    £14,950*

  • Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits.

  • UCAS Code

    J995

  • Start Date

    September

  • Location

    Cardiff

  • Campus Code

    B

Fees

  • Home students

    £9,000*

  • International students

    £14,950*

  • Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits.

Learn how to deliver high-quality, safe, reliable systems that make performances technically amazing.

Designed for

If you can't watch a live performance without fixating on the sound, lighting or video content - and wondering how they are produced, this course is for you. Ideally suited for those who are already on a career path into the events industry – or those who are looking to broaden their skill set. We will work with you to find your areas of specific interest, and ensure you are networking with the right people while gaining knowledge through your studies.

Career paths

  • Lighting / Sound Engineer
  • Video Designer and Programmer
  • Networking or Power systems Technician
  • Technical Project Manager
  • Technical Sales Specialist

Skills taught

  • Digital literacy
  • Problem solving through design
  • Creativity with adaptability
  • Professional collaboration
  • Business structure and financial literacy

We make a difference in practice, not just on paper. Our courses are designed by people who offer jobs - and taught by people who have real work experience.

Students with headphones on using sound equipment
Staff sat in front of a red backdrop smiling
A stage with blue and green lights
Final year sound, lighting and live event technology students smiling at the camera
A student in a dark room working the lighting and sound for an event

Course Highlights

Location

Based in the heart of Cardiff a vibrant hub of music, media and cultural entertainment, you'll find endless voluntary and employment opportunities to get involved with.

Teaching

Industry-active lecturers are supported by alumni, manufacturers, industry production companies and broadcasters.

Outstanding prospects

USW graduates are well recognised within the technical events sector, not only in South Wales but across the UK and beyond.

Industry partnerships

Our industry links with production houses, manufacturers and other organisations mean you train on the very latest events gear.

Module Overview

Develop key skills and knowledge around safe and effective practice before refining your craft and creativity through live projects and work experience. Gain knowledge that is practically experienced, before choosing your specialisms and preparing for the world of work.

Year One
Stagecraft and Working Professionally
Electrical and Technical Fundamentals 
Sound, Lighting, and Video for Theatrical Performances 
Sound and Lighting for Live Music 
Computer-aided design and conveying ideas 
Audio Visual System Design 

Year Two
Sound and Lighting for TV and Film
Event Data Networks and Wireless Systems 
Event Rigging 
Audio Visual Systems for Recording, Broadcast and Streaming 
Power Systems for Live Events
Sound System Engineering
Lighting Control Techniques
Industry Placement

Year Three
Installed Technology Design
Project Management and Negotiation 
Sound, Lighting and Video Within Festivals and Touring 
Singleton Project 
Visual Media and Integration 
Advanced Broadcast Technology 
Advanced Audio Systems 
Advanced Lighting Systems 

Build the foundational skills, knowledge and professional habits that support your future development and get some experience working for real clients, with plenty of opportunities for work experience alongside your study.

Stagecraft and Working Professionally
Get used to safety as a culture, learn the industry language and get rid of any bad habits you may have picked up previously.

Electrical and Technical Fundamentals 
Get to grips with the electrical systems that underpin everything you’ll do, as well as the visual and auditory concepts involved in the live event experience. 

Sound, Lighting, and Video for Theatrical Performances 
A simple but comprehensive introduction to modern theatre technology and techniques, as well as a looking at history and developments over time. 

Sound and Lighting for Live Music 
Experiment with light and sound solutions to support a live music performance. You’ll also learn some of the business skills required to be a successful freelancer.

Computer-aided design and conveying ideas 
Explore the software packages available to bring artistic and logistic ideas to life and solve technical problems.

Audio Visual System Design 
Analyse and build systems to solve audiovisual (AV) problems, working in groups as you understand their fundamental and practical operation. 

Learn how to work collaboratively with other departments – key to delivering safe and profitable events. Build confidence in the critical areas of rigging, power and networking, and refine your sound and lighting craftsmanship so you can take a holistic approach to system design.

Sound and Lighting for TV and Film
Explore the unique challenges and solutions of recording for the screen, covering various techniques and installation options for lighting and sound.

Event Data Networks and Wireless Systems 
A look under the hood of familiar network environments, seeing how they apply to live events and exploring the challenges of wireless systems at live events.

Event Rigging 
The events industry relies on safe and effective rigging to create impressive production designs, and this module teaches you best-practice rigging skills.

Audio Visual Systems for Recording, Broadcast and Streaming 
Learn to effectively manage the complex workflow and systems involved in an as-live recorded, streamed or live broadcasted event.

Power Systems for Live Events
Learn how to design, set up and operate large-scale power systems, covering key features such as safety, redundancy and sustainability.

Sound System Engineering
Develop the craft of designing and deploying audio systems and sound reproduction solutions to suit different venues, audiences and artist profiles.

Lighting Control Techniques
Experiment with various hardware and software lighting control systems in different contexts, as you develop your own preferences and methodology.

Industry Placement
An optional sandwich year placement where you can spend time working in the live events industry – an opportunity to build your skills, experience and network.

Choose your specialisms, complete projects in your areas of interest and showcase your technical prowess and creativity. You will play a key role in supporting many University and external real-client events, focussing on developing the soft skills and business knowledge that helps you thrive as an employee or freelancer.

Installed Technology Design
Build on your previous knowledge as you develop the high-level planning and testing skills required to successfully install permanent AV systems.

Project Management and Negotiation 
Reflect on and develop the practical and ‘soft’ skills required to manage projects, ensure strong client and peer relationships and become a high-value contractor.

Sound, Lighting and Video Within Festivals and Touring 
Play a key role in USW's very own established Immersed Festival as you showcase your skills and solve real technical challenges in a live environment.

Singleton Project 
Work on an industry-related project, either research-based or practical, following a line of your interest and showcasing your in-depth knowledge.

Visual Media and Integration 
Use media servers, live-generated content, LED screens and projection to create and evaluate an integrated visual media piece supporting a live performance.

Advanced Broadcast Technology 
Develop specialist skills and solve complex problems as you work with advanced elements such as augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), motion capture and UHD2.

Advanced Audio Systems 
Research and design immersive and innovative audio solutions using advanced technologies such as wireless (RF) and digital (IP) audio signal integration.

Advanced Lighting Systems 
Explore complex and futuristic lighting technology used in increasingly innovative displays, including IP integration, multi-protocol and multi-control interface setups.

Course Highlights

How you’ll learn

The course makes you ‘work-ready’, arming you with the skills to make a real impact in the industry from day one. As such, roughly half of your learning will be practical. You’ll learn the key concepts in interactive lectures, tutorials and seminars, with visiting industry professionals. Your practical sessions and workshops take place in various labs, studios and practice rooms appropriate to the skills you’re learning. You’ll spend plenty of time in Cardiff’s many performance spaces. With no formal exams, we assess you through industry-relevant assignments such as project work, reports and of course the technical delivery of live events.

Teaching staff

Our staff are all active in the industry – they know what employers are looking for and can help you increase your value in the employment marketplace.  Rather than being pure academics, they also have the technical expertise to provide second-to-none training. Their industry experience includes working in broadcasting, event lighting operation, event production management and running their own technical production businesses. Outside of term time, they regularly lead and support major projects around the UK and beyond. They can give you tailored support to pursue your chosen role and continue to support you after graduation.

Placements and work experience

Everything you learn is directly linked to industry requirements and practices. Our partnership with Stage Sound Services enables regular live projects and guest lectures, which give you real-world experience. A course highlight is the Immersed Festival, where you’ll deliver all the technical support as USW’s creative sectors converge in one spectacular event. You also have the option of a placement after the second year, where our staff and careers team can support you in finding a year-long industry opportunity. Many of our students also enjoy seasonal work experience from the very beginning of the course in Cardiff based venues and beyond.

Facilities

We’re proud of the opportunities we provide for you to train with industry-standard equipment. Our partnerships with organisations like course partner Stage Sound Services enable demos and training on the very latest gear, meaning you’re ready to enter the industry at a high level. You’ll have access to an experimentation and networking lab, TV studio, theatre, live music spaces, 3D printing and general workshop and high-spec PC labs for rendering lighting and sound designs. We partner with specialist companies for power systems and ‘big build’ training, and we regularly invest in our facilities, such as our recently refurbished theatre and TV control rooms.

Careers and Employability

Graduate careers

As a USW graduate, you’ll be highly regarded in the event production industry and primed for a vast range of events roles. These include lighting designer, sound system engineer, crew chief, camera operator, events electrician, network system designer, rigging engineer, and special effects designer, as well as background roles such as technical sales and project or venue management. Our alumni work at the very top organisations - the BBC, Sky, Wales Millenium Centre, Utilita Arena Cardiff, Kinetic Pixel, Stage Sound Services and Colour Sound Experiment; working in theatres, at festivals, on tours, in theme parks and on cruise ships.

Our impact on industry’s talent is demonstrated by the significant number of technical staff at Glastonbury Festival in 2024 who were alumni or current students of our course, employed by the numerous contractors on site.

Career support

The live events sector is an industry where your interpersonal skills and ability to thrive under pressure is key. We welcome you into this world via live projects alongside established professionals at major organisations, visits to major venues and sites, and networking events where you can get to know the people who’ll hire you one day. We also give you the business and networking skills to thrive in a freelance-based industry. Your work experience and projects like Immersed Festival enable you to build a portfolio that makes you attractive to key employers nationally and globally.

Industry partners

Our partnership with numerous organisations including our strategic link with Stage Sound Services supports our course in the form of equipment supply and training, guest sessions and projects, and promotion within the industry. Through our staff, we also have many links with local organisations and venues, opening up many opportunities for seasonal work experience.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

UCAS points: 96 (or above)

Typical qualification requirements:

  • A Level: CCC to include a relevant subject

  • BTEC: Merit Merit Merit in a relevant subject

  • Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate: C in the Skills Challenge Certificate and CC at A Level with a relevant subject

  • Access to HE: Pass the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 96 UCAS tariff points.

Additional requirements include:

The University normally requires a minimum 5 GCSEs including Mathematics/Numeracy and English at Grade C or Grade 4 or above, or their equivalent, but consideration is given to individual circumstances. 

International applications welcomed:

We welcome international applications with equivalent qualifications of our entry requirements. For more details related to your country of residence please view our dedicated country pages.

English language requirements

International applicants will need to have achieved an overall of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component/TOEFL 72 overall and a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing or equivalent.

Equivalents can be located on our English Language pages.

If you have previously studied through the medium of English IELTS might not be required, please visit our country specific page for further details. If your country is not featured, please contact us.

If you do not meet the English entry criteria please visit our Pre-Sessional course pages.

Contextual offers

We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (where you live and the school or college that you attended for example), your experiences and individual circumstances (as a care leaver, for example). This is referred to as a contextual offer and we receive data from UCAS to support us in making these decisions.

USW prides itself on its student experience and we support our students to achieve their goals and become a successful graduate. This approach helps us to support students who have the potential to succeed and who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university.

 

We're here to help

Whether you a have a question about your course, fees and funding, the application process or anything else, there are plenty of ways you can get in touch and we'd to talk to you. You can contact our friendly admissions team by phone, email or chat to us online.

 

Fees and Funding

UK Full-time Fee

£9,000

per year*
International Full-time Fee

£14,950

per year*
International Full-time Fee

£14,950

per year*

Further Information

Studying at university is one of the most significant investments you'll ever make. Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).

*Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee is anticipated to remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course except as described below.

Please be aware that we may increase the maximum fee for home students on full-time undergraduate courses only where the Welsh Government increases the permitted level of inflation of fees. Fees for all students (including part-time, postgraduate and international students) may be amended in accordance with our applicable Fees and Debt Management Policy.  We will ensure that students are given clear, intelligible, unambiguous and timely information about our courses and costs in good time, ahead of the next academic year.

 

Fees and Funding Scholarships and Bursaries Cost of Living Support

Additional costs  

As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.  

* Obligatory 

Only required where students wish to make use of specialist software packages outside of USW spaces, such as when freelancing. Software package licences used in Event Production range in pricing; all required software packages, their licenses and associated computing to run these are provided to students by USW during their time of study.

Cost: £600-£2000

Study trips vary annually depending on what events are happening or which companies offer to host students for learning days.

Cost: £100-£400

Fieldtrips vary annually and may require students to travel to make their own way to locations.

Cost: £50

THE COURSE TAUGHT US A LOT OF TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE BUT ALSO GAVE US A CHANCE TO LEARN BUSINESS AND HOW THE INDUSTRY OPERATES AS WELL AS A CHANCE TO NETWORK PROFESSIONALLY.

Alistair Brick and Matt Dunford

SR Production Services

IT’S BEEN PIVOTAL IN THE SUCCESS OF OUR COMPANY AND WE CONTINUE TO KEEP STRONG TIES WITH USW.

Alistair Brick and Matt Dunford

SR Production Services

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Next Steps

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