Bachelor of Audio
MAKE SERIOUS NOISE IN THE AUDIO INDUSTRY
Campuses
Brisbane,
Byron Bay,
Melbourne,
Perth,
Sydney
Fees
Bachelor of Audio
International Fees
Indicative Total Course Fees*
$77,452 AUD
* The Indicative Total Course Fee reflects the students are charged fees on a per unit basis and the fee for a unit may increase.
Duration(s)
6 Trimesters Full Time (Fast Track)
Complete your course faster by studying units across 2 years (6 trimesters).
Bachelor of Audio
Course Durations
6 Trimesters Full Time (Fast Track)
Complete your course faster by studying units across 2 years (6 trimesters).
8 Trimesters Full Time
Complete the study units across 2.5 years. (8 trimesters).
9 Trimesters Full Time
Whilst still classified as a full-time study load, you will complete course units over a 3 year period (9 trimesters).
Part-time option available
If you want to take a little longer, that’s ok too. We’ll help you work out the best study load to suit your needs.
Note: Part-time is not available for international students.
We understand that things can change, so you'll have the flexibility to change your study load throughout your course if you need to.
Start Date(s)
May 2023
Bachelor of Audio
Start Dates
Brisbane
May 2023
September 2023
February 2024
Byron Bay
May 2023
September 2023
February 2024
Melbourne
May 2023
September 2023
February 2024
Perth
May 2023
September 2023
February 2024
Sydney
May 2023
September 2023
February 2024
Entry Requirements
Bachelor of Audio
Domestic Entry Requirements
Domestic students must meet one of the following criteria:
Completion of a Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (QCE, WACE, HSC, SACE, etc) (like your Year 12 certificate or equivalent); OR
Completion of a Diploma level qualification issued under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF); OR
Completion of a Certificate IV level qualification issued under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF); OR
Bachelor of Audio
International Entry Requirements
International Entry Requirements
Minimum age requirements
International students seeking admission to SAE must be at least 18 years of age prior to the commencement of their study.
Academic requirements
Successful completion of secondary school studies (assessed as an equivalent of Australian Year 12 secondary studies). Minimum overall pass is required.
English language requirements
International English Language Testing Sydney (IELTS): An overall score of 6.0 or higher with no individual band lower than 5.5 (only the Academic Test is accepted), OR
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 73 overall (internet-based test), OR
Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic score of 46 or higher, OR
Completion of Year 12 English in an Australian secondary school or college or equivalent with a minimum result of “Satisfactory” or equivalent.
BACHELOR OF AUDIO
At SAE we can offer small classes and one-on-one mentoring opportunities you may not find in a larger university. You’ll apply theoretical knowledge and best practices while accessing studios to amplify your talents on cutting-edge equipment like the Neve, or an SSL, or an Audient console. All the while you will gain proficiencies on software like Pro Tools, Logic Pro X, and Ableton Live.
Your growth and development as a creative practitioner will be assessed through the completion of industry-based projects. This will ultimately help you build up a body of work and portfolio to share with potential employers or your first client.
In preparation for an industry that commands agility and adaptability, you’ll cut your creative teeth on projects initially in partnership with your course peers. As your skills develop and you work on more dynamic projects, you’ll apply your capabilities to cross-discipline projects in games, film, music, and animation. By the end of your course, you could be collaborating with fellow students across all SAE disciplines.
Ultimately, this is all about a qualification that will expand your career. There is work placement as part of your course, to provide practical experience and build your network. We’ll also equip you with employability skills, giving you professional strategies in communication and self-promotion.
With a Bachelor of Audio, you’ll be ready for cutting-edge industry roles using modern creative business concepts and strategies. Career options include Studio Producer, Sound Designer, Sound Editor in film, live music, broadcast media, or games development.
Enjoy the benefits of being SAE trained – our audio students have achieved great success in the creative industries. SAE graduates are known within the industry for their high-level skills and are in demand.
SAE Bachelor of Audio offers:
A chance to master your craft on small and large format consoles and record the music genres you're interested in.
Practical experience in live sound, electronic music, audio post-production and audio for the big screen.
A range of approaches to learning and teaching - virtual and on-campus - to provide flexibility and real-world application.
Access world class studio environments
Apply your skills using hardware like the Neve, the SSL or an Audient console and audio software packages like Pro Tools and Logic Pro.
Practical, immersive training
Learn as you collaborate on real-world projects and briefs. Build a portfolio to share with an employer or first client.
Creative collaboration
Use your audio skills to work with other students on film, game development, music and animation projects at SAE.
Expand your career
Graduate with a portfolio, work experience, employability and entrepreneurial skills and a network of fellow creatives.
YOUR CAREER IN AUDIO BEGINS NOW
Tools & Software
This Audio Engineering & Sound Production course covers:
Studio Production
Post Production
Mastering
Sound Principles
Working with Artists
Course Structure
The Bachelor of Audio is broken up into three distinct stages, each designed to develop different skills.
Stage 1: Foundations
Develop the essential technical audio skills and the knowledge required to collaborate with other creative media students and professionals.
Credit Points: 10
An essential foundation for your studies and your future career, You'll develop skills to become an independent learner, critical thinker and reflective practitioner
Examine influencers and trends in Audio, to develop an understanding of the learning process, research and nature of creativity and scholarship.
Potential projects:
Research the characteristics of a music or audio ‘genre’ and create a piece of work that demonstrates that knowledge.
Make an experimental mashup, to see if you can reconcile diverse sources (different genres, cultures or time periods) within one creative work.
An essential foundation for your studies and your future career, You'll develop skills to become an independent learner, critical thinker and reflective practitioner
Examine influencers and trends in Audio, to develop an understanding of the learning process, research and nature of creativity and scholarship.
Potential projects:
Research the characteristics of a music or audio ‘genre’ and create a piece of work that demonstrates that knowledge.
Make an experimental mashup, to see if you can reconcile diverse sources (different genres, cultures or time periods) within one creative work.
Credit Points: 10
Establish a basic knowledge of the principles of sound, foundational acoustics, human hearing, perception of sound and the range of technical terms related to audio.
You'll sonically assess a listening environment and be able to communicate your ideas using industry terminology.
Potential projects:
Improve the acoustic properties of a home studio setup.
Using technology analyse the sound of different rooms.
Establish a basic knowledge of the principles of sound, foundational acoustics, human hearing, perception of sound and the range of technical terms related to audio.
You'll sonically assess a listening environment and be able to communicate your ideas using industry terminology.
Potential projects:
Improve the acoustic properties of a home studio setup.
Using technology analyse the sound of different rooms.
Credit Points: 20
Gain the audio recording skills required to operate studio equipment and a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) system by undertaking simple recording and mixing projects.
You'll be able to demonstrate an understanding of session planning, studio etiquette, microphone placement, signal flow, multi-track recording and signal processing (EQ, filters and dynamics processing) and be able to edit your session in preparation for mixdown.
Potential projects:
Develop a plan for a professional recording session.
Analyse sound recordings and create multiple mixes using balance, pan, equalisation, automation and FX processing.
Gain the audio recording skills required to operate studio equipment and a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) system by undertaking simple recording and mixing projects.
You'll be able to demonstrate an understanding of session planning, studio etiquette, microphone placement, signal flow, multi-track recording and signal processing (EQ, filters and dynamics processing) and be able to edit your session in preparation for mixdown.
Potential projects:
Develop a plan for a professional recording session.
Analyse sound recordings and create multiple mixes using balance, pan, equalisation, automation and FX processing.
Credit points: 10
This unit will introduce you to the mindset and skillset of the creative entrepreneur, and transform your approach to problem-solving. You will analyse historical and contemporary models of leadership and best practice in entrepreneurship, and use tools for project design that include ideation, problem framing, and pitching. The skills in this unit will assist you in developing your creative thinking, exploration, and experimentation methods, allowing you to experiment with project design and content for creative media.
This unit will introduce you to the mindset and skillset of the creative entrepreneur, and transform your approach to problem-solving. You will analyse historical and contemporary models of leadership and best practice in entrepreneurship, and use tools for project design that include ideation, problem framing, and pitching. The skills in this unit will assist you in developing your creative thinking, exploration, and experimentation methods, allowing you to experiment with project design and content for creative media.
Credit Points: 10
An introduction to the technology used in various audio systems such as recording studios, live, and audio-visual sound reinforcement systems.
Develop basic soldering and electronics fault-finding skills and investigate the connectivity and terminology of small-scale audio systems.
Potential projects:
Safely set up and operate small live sound or audio-visual systems for music or spoken presentations.
An introduction to the technology used in various audio systems such as recording studios, live, and audio-visual sound reinforcement systems.
Develop basic soldering and electronics fault-finding skills and investigate the connectivity and terminology of small-scale audio systems.
Potential projects:
Safely set up and operate small live sound or audio-visual systems for music or spoken presentations.
Credit Points: 20
Apply your acquired production skills in real-life audio, music or sound design projects, one ‘in the box’ and one in the recording studio.
You'll deliver to a brief, using production skills and researching comparable works to create well-rounded products through iterative processes.
Potential projects:
First project: Enhance an audio production using sequencing, sampling and synthesis for music composition or sound design project.
Second project: Working on a collaborative studio production, You'll apply project management skills to demonstrate effective use of time and resources, whilst documenting and reflecting on the production process, identifying areas for improvements and responding to feedback from your your classmates and facilitator.
Apply your acquired production skills in real-life audio, music or sound design projects, one ‘in the box’ and one in the recording studio.
You'll deliver to a brief, using production skills and researching comparable works to create well-rounded products through iterative processes.
Potential projects:
First project: Enhance an audio production using sequencing, sampling and synthesis for music composition or sound design project.
Second project: Working on a collaborative studio production, You'll apply project management skills to demonstrate effective use of time and resources, whilst documenting and reflecting on the production process, identifying areas for improvements and responding to feedback from your your classmates and facilitator.
Stage 2: Refine & Expand
Broaden your scope to work on complex multidisciplinary projects in accordance with industry-standard practices.
Credit Points: 10
In CIM210 you will be working on interdisciplinary projects that relate to some of the most important concepts in contemporary media production. You will learn practical and analytical skills in order to help you develop your creative powers and meet briefs that take you out of your comfort zone. You will need to bring all of the skills you have learned so far: technical skills, research skills, communication skills and a growth mindset, and be prepared to encounter new concepts and new ways of working.
In CIM210 you will be working on interdisciplinary projects that relate to some of the most important concepts in contemporary media production. You will learn practical and analytical skills in order to help you develop your creative powers and meet briefs that take you out of your comfort zone. You will need to bring all of the skills you have learned so far: technical skills, research skills, communication skills and a growth mindset, and be prepared to encounter new concepts and new ways of working.
Credit Points: 30
Work collaboratively on audio and music projects, responding to a brief and led by your facilitator. In collaboration with your your classmates, You'll work towards established project milestones within a recording studio project with your facilitator acting as your project manager, mentor, and colleague.
Further develop your production skills through conceptualising, planning and executing a project, employing recording studio hardware and software. You will adhere to a planned schedule and demonstrate professional practice in pre-production, production, mixing and mastering.
This process includes focusing on the creative, technical and managerial aspects required for a completed music project. Teamwork, interdisciplinary collaborative skills, and engagement with feedback processes are emphasised in this unit, as you further refine and reflect on your transferable skills.
Potential project
4-6 track original EP, recorded, mixed, mastered and ready for release, working closely with the artist to aim for the desired sounds, feels and sonic outcomes.
Work collaboratively on audio and music projects, responding to a brief and led by your facilitator. In collaboration with your your classmates, You'll work towards established project milestones within a recording studio project with your facilitator acting as your project manager, mentor, and colleague.
Further develop your production skills through conceptualising, planning and executing a project, employing recording studio hardware and software. You will adhere to a planned schedule and demonstrate professional practice in pre-production, production, mixing and mastering.
This process includes focusing on the creative, technical and managerial aspects required for a completed music project. Teamwork, interdisciplinary collaborative skills, and engagement with feedback processes are emphasised in this unit, as you further refine and reflect on your transferable skills.
Potential project
4-6 track original EP, recorded, mixed, mastered and ready for release, working closely with the artist to aim for the desired sounds, feels and sonic outcomes.
Credit Points: 10
Media and culture are not simply entertainment, but something that affects the “real world”, our everyday lives, and our worldviews. As such, we will not ask whether media accurately reflect the real world but instead ask how media shape, reinforce, and challenge power structures that influence our understanding of the world and ourselves. This unit takes a ‘critical theory’ approach to analyze media and culture. In this unit, you will explore media texts, contexts and meaning, society and subjectivity, pop culture aesthetics, and critical cultural discourses that inform creative media practices.
Drawing on a range of creative content and analytical frameworks, you will be encouraged to develop ways of thinking about media and culture that demonstrate a broad awareness of aesthetic principles and stylistic trends; subjectivity, agency, ethics, and relations of power; contexts, disciplines and discursive formations. In support of this exploration, you will produce a range of media artifacts that explore and contextualize the relationship of media to culture through individual analysis, collaborative and interdisciplinary creative practice, and critical reflection.
Media and culture are not simply entertainment, but something that affects the “real world”, our everyday lives, and our worldviews. As such, we will not ask whether media accurately reflect the real world but instead ask how media shape, reinforce, and challenge power structures that influence our understanding of the world and ourselves. This unit takes a ‘critical theory’ approach to analyze media and culture. In this unit, you will explore media texts, contexts and meaning, society and subjectivity, pop culture aesthetics, and critical cultural discourses that inform creative media practices.
Drawing on a range of creative content and analytical frameworks, you will be encouraged to develop ways of thinking about media and culture that demonstrate a broad awareness of aesthetic principles and stylistic trends; subjectivity, agency, ethics, and relations of power; contexts, disciplines and discursive formations. In support of this exploration, you will produce a range of media artifacts that explore and contextualize the relationship of media to culture through individual analysis, collaborative and interdisciplinary creative practice, and critical reflection.
Credit Points: 30
Collaborating with game design, animation or film students to produce finished original creative works, You'll develop the project management skills You'll need for working in large scale production environments.
You'll be introduced to appropriate session management techniques and project planning where You'll learn how to manage budgets, resources and personnel, along with delivery requirements.
You'll be introduced to the terminology and workflows used for producing audio for narrative in industries such as film, television, games, and multimedia. This unit focuses on the creation of the character-related sounds that are developed using location recording techniques, recording and editing of ADR and foley and the mixing of these elements for a professional outcome.
You will primarily focus on the impact of sounds on audience perception in various media. The application of surround sound mixing, and immersive production techniques will provide new challenges to suit the needs of modern-day listening environments.
Potential main project
Sound design for a short film, animation, game or audio/visual installation mixed in a multi-channel environment, focusing on sonic aesthetics and enhancing the associated emotional response from the audience’s perspective.
Collaborating with game design, animation or film students to produce finished original creative works, You'll develop the project management skills You'll need for working in large scale production environments.
You'll be introduced to appropriate session management techniques and project planning where You'll learn how to manage budgets, resources and personnel, along with delivery requirements.
You'll be introduced to the terminology and workflows used for producing audio for narrative in industries such as film, television, games, and multimedia. This unit focuses on the creation of the character-related sounds that are developed using location recording techniques, recording and editing of ADR and foley and the mixing of these elements for a professional outcome.
You will primarily focus on the impact of sounds on audience perception in various media. The application of surround sound mixing, and immersive production techniques will provide new challenges to suit the needs of modern-day listening environments.
Potential main project
Sound design for a short film, animation, game or audio/visual installation mixed in a multi-channel environment, focusing on sonic aesthetics and enhancing the associated emotional response from the audience’s perspective.
Stage 3: Showcase
Execute a project of your own design which is of a high quality and externally published, with the knowledge to commercialise if you choose. You'll also apply your skills through industry work placement.
Credit Points: 20
This is the first unit in a two-part process of developing a collaborative project, designed to meet professional publication standards. In a group, you'll design and execute a full-scale creative project which will be designed to a specific target audience and market of your team's choosing.
Working closely with SAE Project Supervisors, your project will be guided through formal pre-production and production processes to deliver a creative media project. If you are undertaking a specialisation in your course, you will be required to align it with this capstone project as part of the approval process.
This unit is designed to support the pre-production process, long term success of the project and the fair and equitable contribution of group members. You'll present to the panel your forward plan for the project, which demonstrates rigourous pre-production processes to mitigate risk to ensure the project can be delivered on time and to specification.
Once you successfully complete this unit the emphasis of the capstone project development will move away from pre-production into full production mode.
This is the first unit in a two-part process of developing a collaborative project, designed to meet professional publication standards. In a group, you'll design and execute a full-scale creative project which will be designed to a specific target audience and market of your team's choosing.
Working closely with SAE Project Supervisors, your project will be guided through formal pre-production and production processes to deliver a creative media project. If you are undertaking a specialisation in your course, you will be required to align it with this capstone project as part of the approval process.
This unit is designed to support the pre-production process, long term success of the project and the fair and equitable contribution of group members. You'll present to the panel your forward plan for the project, which demonstrates rigourous pre-production processes to mitigate risk to ensure the project can be delivered on time and to specification.
Once you successfully complete this unit the emphasis of the capstone project development will move away from pre-production into full production mode.
Credit Points: 20
Plan and execute professional productions with emphasis on an authentic and real audience. You'll develop and pitch projects, clearly establishing your aims and engage in feedback processes with project stakeholders.
You'll be able to autonomously demonstrate commercial industry practices in order to compete as an industry professional. You'll refine your transferable skills such as collaboration, research, interdisciplinary approaches and engagement with specific feedback processes, further preparing you for entry into the audio industry.
You will work autonomously as an audio practitioner within challenging and diverse team environments across all disciplines and will be encouraged to work towards common project goals.
Aesthetic and non-artistic concepts of live sound reinforcement and advanced application of audio such as broadcast and streaming will feature heavily and you are encouraged to look at how emerging technologies and traditional studio environments can potentially intersect.
As with other studio units, Studio 4 covers a range of generalised areas and with the support of your facilitator You'll aim to synthesise and contextualise these areas to your own career interests.
You'll be able to take on a higher level of responsibility which can range from professional portfolio articles, and contribution to your industry through to the delivery of industry-standard artifacts hosted on your own portfolio or in other public domain areas such as published industry media sites, streaming services, sound installations or social media.
Start to develop a clear career direction and build artifacts and relationships that will impact your trajectory towards it positively.
Plan and execute professional productions with emphasis on an authentic and real audience. You'll develop and pitch projects, clearly establishing your aims and engage in feedback processes with project stakeholders.
You'll be able to autonomously demonstrate commercial industry practices in order to compete as an industry professional. You'll refine your transferable skills such as collaboration, research, interdisciplinary approaches and engagement with specific feedback processes, further preparing you for entry into the audio industry.
You will work autonomously as an audio practitioner within challenging and diverse team environments across all disciplines and will be encouraged to work towards common project goals.
Aesthetic and non-artistic concepts of live sound reinforcement and advanced application of audio such as broadcast and streaming will feature heavily and you are encouraged to look at how emerging technologies and traditional studio environments can potentially intersect.
As with other studio units, Studio 4 covers a range of generalised areas and with the support of your facilitator You'll aim to synthesise and contextualise these areas to your own career interests.
You'll be able to take on a higher level of responsibility which can range from professional portfolio articles, and contribution to your industry through to the delivery of industry-standard artifacts hosted on your own portfolio or in other public domain areas such as published industry media sites, streaming services, sound installations or social media.
Start to develop a clear career direction and build artifacts and relationships that will impact your trajectory towards it positively.
Credit Points: 20
Using the project plan and pre-production work that you completed in the Major Project Development Unit, you'll adopt a quality framework that will lead to the publication of a final creative piece.
This quality process will be accountable to multiple, external stakeholders and will test your ability to problem solve, evaluate and synthesise information to the standard that we expect from all SAE graduates. Throughout this journey, you will interact with your classmates and other key stakeholders using the processes and systems and that you would have developed throughout your course.
The publication and subsequent success of the final deliverable will represent the broadening and deepening of your professional practice which has occurred during your journey.
Using the project plan and pre-production work that you completed in the Major Project Development Unit, you'll adopt a quality framework that will lead to the publication of a final creative piece.
This quality process will be accountable to multiple, external stakeholders and will test your ability to problem solve, evaluate and synthesise information to the standard that we expect from all SAE graduates. Throughout this journey, you will interact with your classmates and other key stakeholders using the processes and systems and that you would have developed throughout your course.
The publication and subsequent success of the final deliverable will represent the broadening and deepening of your professional practice which has occurred during your journey.
Credit Points: 10
Gain an introduction to the principles of entrepreneurship to create and operate your own creative media small business venture. Through analysing the global media landscape, You'll be able to identify and explore start-up opportunities within the creative industries.
This unit is designed to be done in parallel with your capstone project. You'll apply the skills and knowledge from this unit to formulate a rigorous business case to help you commercialise your capstone project and use it as a basis for a creative media start-up.
Gain an introduction to the principles of entrepreneurship to create and operate your own creative media small business venture. Through analysing the global media landscape, You'll be able to identify and explore start-up opportunities within the creative industries.
This unit is designed to be done in parallel with your capstone project. You'll apply the skills and knowledge from this unit to formulate a rigorous business case to help you commercialise your capstone project and use it as a basis for a creative media start-up.
Credit Points: 10
Future jobs will require workers to learn on the job; focus on relationships with people; have strong communication skills; use a range of transferable skills. Research consistently points to the benefits of students being prepared with documents that are required for job applications, such as a Resume, Cover Letter, and E-portfolio.
In addition, the value of a Work Placement which provides you with professional experience and an opportunity to use skills and knowledge gained from study to complement this.
The Work Placement for SAE Bachelor students requires a minimum of 80 hours at one or more host organisation. Both the student and the host are required to complete an SAE Agreement which formalises the placement.
Future jobs will require workers to learn on the job; focus on relationships with people; have strong communication skills; use a range of transferable skills. Research consistently points to the benefits of students being prepared with documents that are required for job applications, such as a Resume, Cover Letter, and E-portfolio.
In addition, the value of a Work Placement which provides you with professional experience and an opportunity to use skills and knowledge gained from study to complement this.
The Work Placement for SAE Bachelor students requires a minimum of 80 hours at one or more host organisation. Both the student and the host are required to complete an SAE Agreement which formalises the placement.
Credit Points: 10
CRICOS Course Codes
105481E (6 TRIMESTERS)
105480F (8 TRIMESTERS)
Australian Qualification Framework
AQF: Level 7
Fully Accredited with TEQSA
We consult closely with industry professionals so you can expect a course that’s highly relevant and equips you with sought-after skills.
What jobs will this course lead me into?
Studio Engineer
Music Producer
Game Audio Specialist
Sound Editor
Staging Crew
Audio/Visual Technician
Sound Designer
Live Sound Engineer/Operator
Radio Broadcasting
Student Spotlight
Course FAQs
All SAE courses have a focus on practical, hands-on delivery. The amount of practical time you experience during your studies does vary, depending on your course. You will also have opportunities to access campus resources and facilities outside of class time, during campus opening hours.
FEE‑HELP* is an Australian Government loan scheme that assists eligible fee paying students pay all or part of their tuition fees. It cannot be used for additional study costs such as accommodation or text books. The total amount of FEE‑HELP a person can use is known as the ‘FEE‑HELP limit’.
Once a person begins using FEE‑HELP, the amount of FEE‑HELP they have left to use is known as their ‘FEE‑HELP balance’.
* Terms and conditions apply. For the latest updates regarding FEE-HELP please refer to sae.edu.au/fees
CREDIT AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING
SAE may recognise your prior learning and may grant credit towards satisfying the requirements for a VET or a higher-level program. This is applied where previous learning is considered equivalent to the content and learning outcomes prescribed for units within the program.
For full details, please refer to SAE's policy on recognition of prior learning and credit transfers.
SAE may recognise your prior learning and may grant credit towards satisfying the requirements for a VET or a higher-level program. This is applied where previous learning is considered equivalent to the content and learning outcomes prescribed for units within the program.
For full details, please refer to SAE's policy on recognition of prior learning and credit transfers.
SAE courses are structured in an integrated course framework.
This means that when you complete an SAE Bachelor Degree you will be awarded the maximum credit points available, providing you with the opportunity to seamlessly transition into the higher-level postgraduate qualification if you choose to do so.
