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Subject · 121 verified programs

Audio Engineering and Recording: degrees, diplomas and programs

Programs on capturing, processing and reproducing sound, from microphones and consoles to mixing, mastering and live sound.

Also called: Sound Engineering, Recording Arts, Audio Production, Sound Recording, Tonmeister, Tontechnik, Ingegneria del suono, Ingénierie du son.

25 BS / BSc · 20 BA / BA (Hons) · 17 BM / BMus · 16 Other bachelor’s award · 11 Other master’s award · 9 Certificate · 7 Other diploma · 6 MS / MSc · 4 MA · 3 MM / MMus · 1 MFA · 1 PhD · 1 Graduate / postgraduate certificate · 81 dedicated degree, 12 official concentration, 6 documented pathway, 22 named major

121 programs

How results are ordered: alphabetically by institution, or by most recently checked when you choose that sort. There is no price ranking, because tuition in different currencies, fee categories and bases (per year, per credit, whole program) is not comparable. A program appears under a subject only through a verified link (dedicated degree, major, concentration or documented pathway). A value we could not verify is shown as “not published”, never as “no”. Items marked Sponsored are paid placements; they never change verification or order. Online programs are not counted as physically located in a state or city, and an institution’s location does not tell you whether it enrols students from your country.

About audio engineering and recording study

Audio engineering is the technical craft of recording and shaping sound. Engineers choose and place microphones, manage signal flow, operate consoles and software, and ensure that recordings and live events sound as intended. Degree study usually grounds this in acoustics and electronics as well as in critical listening, so that decisions are guided by both ears and understanding.

Programs typically offer hands-on time in recording studios and control rooms, plus courses in microphone technique, mixing, editing, mastering and room acoustics. Some also cover live sound reinforcement, broadcast audio, post-production for picture, or immersive and spatial audio. Projects involve recording musicians, and students may work as assistants in sessions.

Audio engineering differs from music production, which is more concerned with creative direction, though the two overlap in many programs. It also differs from music technology, which can include research and software development. Some versions are strongly engineering-based and sit in science or technology faculties, so the structure and prerequisites vary.

What study typically involves

  • Microphone selection and placement
  • Console operation, signal flow and patching
  • Digital audio workstations, editing and mixing
  • Mastering and loudness concepts
  • Acoustics, room design and psychoacoustics
  • Electronics and audio systems fundamentals
  • Live sound and broadcast audio in some programs
  • Critical listening and studio workflow

Award titles. Audio engineering is commonly recognized through the BSc, BEng, BA, BMus or BM at undergraduate level and the MSc, MA, MMus or MM at master's level, along with diplomas and certificates in many countries, some of which are vocational. Doctoral study is typically a research PhD. Names and structure vary by country, and awards are not treated as equivalent here.

A program appears under Audio Engineering and Recording only when it is a dedicated engineering or recording degree, a named major, an official concentration or a documented pathway. A single studio course does not count. Creative production-focused programs appear under Music Production.

Auditions and admissions guidance

Requirements differ for every program and instrument. Always check the official admissions page; this directory cannot guarantee acceptance.

Admission commonly rests on academic records, with some programs requiring mathematics or physics, and others emphasizing musical background. Applicants may be asked to submit samples of recordings they have made, a statement about their interest in sound and an account of equipment and experience.

Some programs interview applicants, run a listening or aural test, or ask for evidence of basic musical ability. Engineering-based routes may focus on technical and scientific prerequisites, while music-based routes may include an audition or musicianship test. Postgraduate applicants are generally expected to show relevant experience or a project plan.

Rules vary by institution and country and are different from performance or composition routes. Check the official admissions page for prerequisites and deadlines. Nothing here guarantees admission.

See also the guide to preparing for auditions.

Funding and costs

Funding may include merit scholarships, tuition waivers, studio assistantships and, at graduate level, research or teaching posts. Public loans or grants and industry or professional society awards may also be available, with eligibility rules that differ by country.

Availability and terms vary by institution and country, and many students receive partial support or none. Contact each program and funding body for current information.

Costs beyond tuition. Possible costs include a computer, headphones and monitors, microphones and an audio interface, software licenses, external drives, textbooks, and fees for studio time or equipment hire beyond what the school supplies.