In the first semester, students are introduced to the technical and theoretical fundamentals through courses in mathematics and physics, recording technology, studio engineering and programming skills.

In addition, there are the first project courses:

• Sprint Project: Linear:

In this course, students explore the subject of sound design. In the theoretical section, they develop an understanding of the perception and impact of sound, as well as the concepts used in sound design for film, games and radio plays. Analytical insight, conceptualisation and hands-on creative work go hand in hand. Practical tasks include creating a sound library from their own field recordings and using these creatively in the form of sound pieces.

• Sprint Project: Interactive –

Sound and dramaturgy are the focus of this course, which, like its linear counterpart, combines theory and practice. The teaching of dramaturgical concepts serves as the foundation for the conscious design of any time-based media and for effective communication across a wide range of professional fields (e.g. film, theatre, radio drama, games). In the practical component, students work in groups to develop a short radio play. From concept to production, they become familiar with all the stages of the process and the various roles and tasks involved.

In the second semester, students will build on their technical and theoretical foundations, focusing on the key concepts of signal processing and digital studio technology, as well as developing their programming skills.

• Workshop Linear 1:

The first major workshop: The central task of this workshop is to produce an audio feature as a group project. The ‘supreme discipline of radio’, with its dual documentary and artistic aspirations, offers students a wealth of learning experiences: from researching a topic, recording original sound bites, writing and narrating the script, and composing original music, right through to bringing all these elements together through sophisticated editing and post-production. The audio feature enables students to apply and build upon what they learnt in both sprint projects during the first semester.

In the third semester, students are taught the fundamentals of digital signal processing (DSP).

The two key areas of focus – Linear and Interactive – take centre stage this semester through large-scale workshop projects. Acoustic music recording, jazz music and live streaming form the linear aspects. A self-built synthesiser based on freely selectable input media is the focus of the interactive workshop.

The electives now play a key role in helping students find their way around the world of sound.

The fourth semester concludes the theoretical lectures with the topics “Physical Simulation and Adaptive Systems”.

The practical component is now being extended to cover:

• a complete band production within the linear key area
• a surround-sound installation from the interactive key area
• a short radio or television programme from the Broadcast key area.

In the fifth semester, you’ll head out into the industry to gain experience at a company or organisation of your choice. The practical semester is coming up. You’ll have the chance to put what you’ve learnt over the first four semesters into practice in a real-world professional setting.

• Workshop specialising in Linear, Interactive and Broadcast

In the 6th semester, the newly designed joint workshop takes place, combining the key areas of Linear, Interactive and Broadcast and giving students the opportunity to specialise in a particular subject area. The Linear section focuses on the design and realisation of a complex, immersive (also known as 3D audio) production, to be carried out both live and in post-production. The interactive section focuses on interactive, three-dimensional topics such as the sound design of video material, games and animations, audio-video interaction, game audio, VR audio or similar. The broadcast component involves producing a more complex TV programme as part of an end-of-semester presentation by the entire workshop, incorporating all disciplines including sound, picture, camera, direction, editing and production.

In the 7th semester, students undertake their thesis on a topic of their own choosing. Support from the supervisors, as well as a research seminar, helps students with their academic and practical thesis.