Event Production BSc (Hons)
- Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
- Typical Offer: 104 - 112 UCAS tariff points
- UCAS Code(s): N823
- Start Date(s): September
- Duration: Three years, full-time
- Study Mode(s): Full-time
- Campus: Confetti Nottingham
Introduction:
On this three-year degree, you’ll learn and explore the technology that goes into live event production. This course is delivered at our contemporary music hub - Metronome - which houses a 300-capacity live event space and a 93m2 live events production workshop space.
You’ll be taught by well-connected industry professionals with extensive experience of live sound, lighting, video technology installation and operation and production management. During the course, all students will have the opportunity to undertake real event work experience, which supports the modules being studied.
You’ll develop technical skills, knowledge and experience essential to the live production industry that will set you on a path for a career in live events.
This course is taught at Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies in Nottingham.
What you’ll study
You’ll learn about a broad range of disciplines in the live and technical events sector, including lighting design and operation, live sound reinforcement, sound theory and acoustics, electrical principles, equipment maintenance and repair, live video technology including LED video walls and projection mapping, pyrotechnics safety, live broadcast technology, emerging technologies in the industry and live event planning. Industry and work-related opportunities will be gained through live projects, Confetti’s Industry Week, guest lectures and short work placements.
Lighting Technology (40 credit points)
Stage lighting is one of the most fundamental technologies in use to enhance the audience experience and support the performance of live events. This module will introduce you to the application of a diverse range of technologies in use, and their underlying scientific principles.
You will study the use of generic and intelligent lighting fixtures from a range of manufacturers, whilst also developing a working knowledge of distribution, dimming and control hardware and software. You will investigate current health and safety legislation and implement practical skills during industry practice focused workshops and live events. You will also gain knowledge of the historical developments in lighting technology and how that informs current industry standards and working practices.
Sound Technology (40 credit points)
This module aims to develop your understanding of sound reinforcement through the study of the theoretical and practical aspects of live sound. You will study the physical properties of sound and how they relate to sound reinforcement and will explore analogue and digital technologies. You'll put your knowledge into practice in practical live sound settings throughout the year.
Equipment, Maintenance and Repair (20 credit points)
An understanding of the principles of electrical systems is fundamental to anyone working within technical roles within the live event sector. It is of paramount importance that work in industry is carried out with electrical safety at the forefront. This module aims to equip you with a range of practical skills for fault finding, maintenance and repair of event technology. You will learn the fundamental principles of electronics, practical soldering techniques and investigate recognised industry standards and practices.
The Live Events Industry (20 credit points)
Working in the live event industry requires an awareness of the various types of job roles and career paths, and the historical, cultural and legislative changes that have helped shape the live event sector. This module encourages you to carry out research into the live event industry and analyse current trends and legislation, in order to gain a thorough understanding of your chosen sector. You will also develop your future employment prospects by engaging in basic work-related activities.
Production Design and Technology (60 credit points)
Production design focuses on all visual elements of an event, incorporating lighting and video technology, and often set design. With the continuous development of lighting and video technology, the roles of lighting or video designer often merge and the requirement to have skills in both areas of the industry is expected. In this module you will explore all aspects of production design and technology.
You will develop skills in lighting programming, video distribution systems, use of projection and LED screen technology, as well as looking at the design process, skills in 3D visualisation and the socio economic responsibilities of a designer.
You will also explore advanced lighting skills included the use of rigging and lifting equipment and calculating safe working practice when designing systems. You will develop a portfolio of skills in various different lighting and video design and operation software, which will then be put into practice in a final design project.
Advanced Sound Technology (40 credit points)
You will further your knowledge of sound theory and audio technology through the application of the design of different sound reinforcement systems. You will look at the connection between mathematical data to study the behaviour of sound in live venues, investigate loudspeaker designs and carry out sound measurements and calculations.
This module also has a strong emphasis on practical live sound engineering skills, and you will have the opportunity to develop and hone your skills in the live sound environment using industry-standard software and hardware.
Future You (20 credit points)
You are are the key to your own success! In this module you will investigate and develop your professional identity in terms of attributes, beliefs, values, motives, and experiences. You will develop professional integrity and a career identity.
This module encourages you to carry out research into employability and entrepreneurship and analyse current industry practices, job roles and technical skills required in order to gain a thorough understanding of the events sector. Throughout and during the assessment process you will actively partake in transformative practice, effective review and evaluation of yourself.
Broadcast for Live Events (20 Credit Points)
Live broadcast is an essential way for events to reach audiences in new and innovative ways. From low budget streaming applications that enable content creators to reach a wider audience base instantly, through to high quality, large scale live broadcasts of global events that require detailed logistical and technical planning; the market and consumer expectation of live broadcast is huge! Consequently, this challenging working environment requires technical staff who have the ability to create solutions that meet stringent technical requirements, as well as reacting and adapting to changing conditions as they arise.
As a successful engineer, your creative use of technology in this context should ultimately meet or go beyond the expectations of the audience, consumer and client. Throughout the module you will assume relevant roles to meet client, audience, performer and broadcast expectations of live events.
There is an emphasis on understanding technology to creatively compliment an event and the aim of this module is for you to research, design and implement technical solutions relating to the live broadcast environment culminating in a broadcast event.
Event Production Investigation (40 Credit Points)
This module provides you with the opportunity to undertake sustained investigation into a specific area of creative technology that builds on your previous knowledge, experience and skills acquired during levels 4 and 5. This module will allow you to explore critically a specific issue or area of personal interest within your chosen field allowing you to explore individual lines of enquiry connected to your career goals.
You will achieve this by undertaking a self initiated practical research project supported by tutor supervision. As part of this investigation, you will also enhance your abilities to communicate your findings with an audience and consolidate your skills in project management and self-directed work, both of which are vital for a career within the creative media industries.
The module serves to acquaint you with the key skills and practices required to undertake and complete an independent research project. The module will also enable you to understand the role of Intellectual Property (IP) in supporting the creative economy and how you can identify and legally protect your ideas and innovations. The module will offer an insight into how you can manage and license your IP and
what you do if someone else uses your ideas or without your permission.
Emerging Technology (40 Credit Points)
The live events industry is a fast paced, ever-changing world and your success in industry is dependent on your ability to not only adapt to changing commercial and consumer priorities, but also to develop innovative approaches to staging live events. Therefore, this module challenges you to research, design and implement a range of emerging technologies within the live events sector in order to develop an innovative solution in response to a client brief.
Developing the Practitioner (20 Credit Points)
The aim of this module is for you to examine the range and variety of creative working methodologies in order to develop your role as an evolving practitioner. Through research and theory you will gain a highly developed conceptual understanding of contemporary live event practice.
You will attend a series of practical workshops and seminars, the purpose of which will be to expand and challenge pre-existing ideas and perspectives. The brief will be initially offered by the ‘client’ and through practical application, the work will evolve collaboratively to produce an original and imaginative event or series of events. At specific points during the process you will be expected to present your evolving concept with the justification of theoretical research which will inform the assessment procedure.
Do It For Real at Splendour
How you’re taught
At Confetti our classrooms are unique. As part of their course, our students get the chance to go out into industry and Do It For Real at locations across the UK!
Teaching and learning will take place in a custom-built live events production space and a range of bespoke IT suites and classrooms. You’ll learn on industry-standard equipment with training from experts in the field of live audio, lighting and live video production.
The aim is to further develop your practical, technical and critical thinking skills and to work on the appropriate deployment of analysis and enquiry techniques associated with the live events industry, whilst working on a combination of controlled, in-house activities and real-world client projects.
Classes will be a mixture of technical lectures and practical workshops where you’ll explore the core scientific and mathematical principles of the module subject areas. In addition to the theoretical underpinning of the subject area, the teaching and learning activities will predominantly focus on developing your practical skills associated with live events. You’ll gain knowledge of lighting and sound systems to develop productions that utilise these skills in innovative ways.
Industry Week
As a live events degree student, you’ll take part in Confetti’s Industry Week – a unique event that brings top names from the creative industries to Confetti for workshops, masterclasses, lectures and seminars. From event organisers to stage managers, Industry Week is your chance to be inspired, make contacts and learn from the pros. Our students have had the opportunity to meet and receive advice from established names, such as Glastonbury organiser Michael Eavis and artists, such as Professor Green and Will Kennard.
Our live events students not only get to attend the talks, but they’re also running all of the lights, sound and staging for all of the events throughout Industry Week, adding a list of production credits to their CV.
Check out our talks OnDemand here.
Degree Show
In your final year you will exhibit your work as part of Confetti's Degree Show. This event includes all final year students across Confetti's courses and is a great platform for you to showcase your work to key influencers across the creative industries.
Careers and employability
Your time at Confetti doesn’t have to stop once you finish your undergraduate course. Choose to continue your studies on our postgraduate degrees that can help you further develop your skills and obtain the experience you need to get a head start in your career.
Typical job roles in industry might include:
- Live sound engineer
- Lighting designer/operator for live events
- Production manager
- Live broadcast engineer
- Live video technician/operator
All of the above may find you working in live music, theatre, festivals or corporate events in the UK or touring overseas.
Campus and facilities
Whether you’re a songwriter, performer, producer or someone who wants to get into the live events industry, you’ll study and learn in the heart of a world-class venue – Metronome.
By day, it’s an incredible place to study music performance, live events and audio technology. By night, Metronome transforms into a live events venue, hosting sell-out music gigs, comedy nights, theatre productions, esports tournaments, spoken word – the list goes on!
For our students, we can offer unrivalled facilities which include:
- 400 capacity live music venue
- 14 rehearsal spaces
- 10 recording studios
- Mastering, surround sound and post-production studio
- Critical listening seminar room
- Live events production workspace
- Vinyl cutting room
- 350 capacity live event venue
- A range of PA systems from manufacturers, including Nexo and EV
- Digital and analogue mixing consoles
- A large selection of microphones from leading manufacturers such as Shure, AKG, Neumann, Audio Technica
- Extensive backline equipment including Gretsch and Yamaha drum kits, Vox, Fender and Marshall amplifiers
- Lighting consoles from Avolites and MA
- A range of generic and moving lighting technology from Chauvet
- Avid Pro Tools based mobile recording rigs
Entry requirements
- Standard offer: 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications
- Contextual offer: 104 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
Contextual offers
A lower offer may be made based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer and we get data from UCAS to make these decisions. NTU offers a student experience like no other and this approach helps us to find students who have the potential to succeed here but who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university. Find out how we assess your application.
Other qualifications and experience
We may also consider credits achieved at other universities and your work/life experience through an assessment of prior learning. This may be for year one entry, or beyond the beginning of a course where applicable, for example, into year 2. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form
Meeting our entry requirements
Hundreds of qualifications in the UK have UCAS tariff points attached to specific grades, including A levels, BTECs, T Levels and many more. You can use your grades and points from up to four different qualifications to meet our criteria. Enter your predicted or achieved grades into our tariff calculator to find out how many points your qualifications are worth.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form
- 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications.
International qualifications
We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:
English language entry requirements
You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:
Undergraduate preparation courses (Foundation)
If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Foundation courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:
Advanced standing (starting your undergraduate degree in year 2 or 3)
You may be able to start your undergraduate course in year 2 or 3 based on what you have studied before. This decision would be made in accordance with our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy.
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
Fees and funding
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there's no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there's no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
Scholarships
We offer scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for your scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.
Living costs
Get advice on the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget:
Paying fees
Find out about advanced payments, instalment plan options and how to make payments securely to the University:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
How to apply
Application for this course is through the UCAS application form.
Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can. Just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow the instructions for applying. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.
Selection for this course takes place through UCAS application form.
Application deadline
This course starts in September and applications should be submitted by the UCAS deadline.
Applications received after this date will only be considered if places are still available, after all applications received by the deadline have been assessed.
Mature students
We welcome applications from mature students (over the age of 21) for this course. We will assess applicants of this nature on an individual basis.
If you are a mature student, you will still need to apply to us by UCAS form, but you don't necessarily need to meet our minimum entry requirements.
Writing your application and personal statement
Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. So include all of your qualifications and grades, including resits or predicted grades,
Your personal statement is a really important part of your application. It's your chance to convince us why we should offer you a place! You've got 4,000 characters to impress us. Make sure you use them to show how your skills and qualities are relevant to the course(s) you're applying for. For more hints and tips, take a look at our page on how to write a good personal statement.
Keeping up to date
After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process - so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU on our Your Application page.
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please email our Admissions Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.
You can apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not applying to any other UK universities, you can apply directly to us on our NTU applicant portal.
Application advice
Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example. After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Writing your personal statement
Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
The University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.