My First Semester Studying Music and Sound Recording at York

2 February 2026 by Alex
3 minute read

Starting university in a different country was a big step for me, and I remember being really worried about how it would all turn out. After my first semester studying Music and Sound Recording York, all those worries fell away. These are some of the reasons why studying BA Music and Sound Recording has been one of the best decisions I have ever made:

The School of Arts and Creative Technologies

The staff in the School are unbelievably friendly and approachable. If I have any questions, they are always very quick to respond. One of the benefits of having a smaller cohort is a more personal learning experience. Since moving to York, I have always felt looked after both by the lecturers and the technicians. Everyone works so hard to make sure that the studios are kept in top shape.

Entrance to The Sir Jack Lyons Music Research Centre. Large brick wall with a metal sign displaying the name of the building.

Modules

I particularly enjoyed a module last semester called ‘Listen to This!’. This module allowed us to train our critical listening skills and encouraged us to broaden our knowledge of music genres. We had a different lecturer every couple of weeks, introducing and discussing a body of work they feel passionate about. I think it’s easy to lose sight of how many different aspects music has. This module really encourages us to keep an open mind. It’s an important attribute for any audio engineer to have.

A highlight for many of us is the practical project in the first teaching week. It’s a great opportunity to get to know each other, as well as the BA Music students. We were told that we would be performing at the end of the week. We needed to organise, compile, and rehearse a set for our performance!

I got to play the piano in a couple of numbers, but really enjoyed working on the lighting for many of the other acts. There is no pressure for anyone to perform anything if they don’t want to. We are allowed to cover whatever aspect of the event we wanted to be involved in, including marketing and promotion. It has motivated me to apply to become a student technician!

View of the lighting desk from the booth above the Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall. A group is performing on stage.

There is a wide variety of optional modules that you can pick throughout your degree. It gives you the freedom to focus on a career path of your choice or simply to widen your knowledge in a specific field. There is bound to be something for everyone that will surely be a great help for a future career in the music industry.

Gear & Facilities

We are so lucky to have access to some really awesome gear here at York, spread across multiple studios. My favourite studio on Campus West is the Trevor Jones Studio. The TJ has an awesome-sounding SSL console, a range of outboard gear, and a large live room. I really value the fact that we have access to such great facilities. It allows us to get to know the equipment we are likely to find in professional environments later on in our careers.

As a musician, it is really important for me to have access to practice rooms. Whether you’re on Campus West or Campus East, there are countless spaces you can book to practice your instrument around the clock.

View of the sound desk from the booth above the Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall.

Extracurricular Activities

The range of societies at York has allowed me to expand on my learning within the bounds of the course. Through being a member of the Central Hall Musical Society, I managed to land a position as the assistant musical director for Beauty and the Beast. It’s going to be showcased at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre later this month. I’m also playing keys, which I am super glad about, as I was really nervous about performing when I first came here.

I am also lucky enough to be the student representative for my cohort. I have been able to attend some meetings with the teaching staff at the ACT department. The feedback that I collected from my peers was seriously taken into consideration, with noticeable changes being made immediately. The School is always looking to improve, and that’s something that I really value as a student.

Wide shot from the far corner of the Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall. Chairs and music stands are set up on stage, and the pipe organ is lit with blue and green lighting.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my blog on my first semester studying Music and Sound Recording at York. These are only a few of the reasons why I believe York is a great place to be as a Music and Sound Recording student!