University degrees: Postgraduate
Course length: 2 years full-time
Course city: Helsinki
Create the soundtracks for the hit films of tomorrow – our sound design programme will equip you with the skills and theory you need as a professional sound designer and sound engineer in all areas of film production. You’ll learn how to think about sound in terms of dramatic composition and to understand sound and space. Students will also gain a deeper appreciation for the dynamics of a full-length film production process and develop management and communication skills. Theory and history lessons lend a deeper knowledge of the traditions and modern trends in film.
Master’s Programme in Film and Television, major in Film Sound Design train artists and professionals to work as sound designers and sound engineers in all areas of film production. The aim of master’s studies is to improve the student’s skills, especially in the area of sound design. The student gains a greater understanding and mastery of the artistic, production and technical content of his/her professional area by means of course modules and practice work that steadily increases in its level of difficulty.
A sound designer and sound engineer gains a comprehensive knowledge of the practices, means of artistic expression, technical equipment and theoretical concepts in his/her own field. A key goal of the education is to further develop the student’s talents and personality, impart additional technical and artistic skills and basic knowledge of the field and its history, and develop management skills and a research work skills.
Essential skills to be learned are audiovisual dramaturgical and content thinking in cinematic expression, the ability to understand sound and space, management skills, communication and cooperation skills, sound design and managing the dramaturgical concept and technical realisation process for a feature-length film, a deeper knowledge of the traditions and modern trends in his/her field, and the ability to think critically and analytically.
After graduating from the master’s programme, a sound designer has a mastery of the overall artistic and technical process of sound design – from preliminary planning to the finished film. During the studies, the student becomes familiar with all phases of recording, sound work and sound design in a feature-length film and artistic and with production cooperation in film and television productions.
The goal of the education is to impart a capacity to pursue further studies.
The language of instruction in the Master’s Programme in Film and Television, major in Film Sound Design is Finnish. However, part of the courses are taught in English. The degree can be completed in English.
A graduate from Film Sound Design is able to work in positions of artistic responsibility in feature-length and documentary films.
The goal of the education is to provide the preconditions needed for further studies in the field and lifelong learning.
Sound engineers and sound designers are mainly employed as freelancers and entrepreneurs in film, television, game, advertising film and other television productions.
Titles
Sound designers and/or specialisation within the film industry as desired
Master’s studies in the major in Film Sound Design emphasise the student’s independent effort in forming his/her study path. The focus is on seminars and workshops investigating special features of film sound. The student learns to different theories of film and its sound design and participates in investigative workshops that often form larger course modules.
Students learn about sound designer and sound engineer work by means of increasingly demanding exercises. The education is mainly based on practical learning by doing, work in small groups, personal guidance and dialogue-based interaction. The aim of teaching is to support the student in developing his/her personal strengths and artistic vision.
The education may contain studies with students from other fields of art. Practice productions provide the opportunity to study sound design and recording practices and practice group work and management skills. Students are encouraged to take minor studies, particularly from teaching offered in the Film Editing and Documentary Film majors and from the courses offered by Sibelius Academy.
Studies in the master’s programme include departments joint courses (30 ECTS) which are obligatory. These courses deal with entrepreneurial and working life skills, analytical skills, and provide research skills.
For further details on the education content, see the curriculum for 2018-2020 in Into.
Students are encouraged to complete part of their studies in international exchange programmes or internships. International visiting teachers and students enrich the teaching and help students network.
Some film sound design teaching is focused on a deeper understanding and learning related to the profession of sound designer by means of participation in film festivals and international symposiums.
We expect the applicant to have a good competence, corresponding to the level of a Bachelor’s degree, in the field of Film Sound Design in relation to the artistic, production and technical implementation of the film. We also expect life experience, education, curiosity, boldness, an open mind and the ability to constantly observe and analyse the surrounding reality.
Skills in the field of Film Sound Design in relation to the artistic, production and technical implementation of the film. In addition, the admission criteria include creativity, boldness, originality, imagination, motivation, communication skills, the ability to work in a group, the ability to understand and organise the relationship between sound and image, and the ability for sound thinking in storytelling.
In the first stage of the evaluation the selection committee evaluates the applications based on the application documents. Study Option’s requirements for the application documents are listed below. Please also note requirements for the application documents presented in the general application instructions. Attach each application document to the electronic application form in PDF form.
The application materials must include a CV that contains your personal details, education, work experience, awards and grants, study trips and positions of trust.
Include in your CV downloadable links to a maximum of three samples of your work (on Vimeo, YouTube or the equivalent) with a combined viewing time of 30 minutes or less.
Write a study plan or letter of motivation of maximum 4000 characters in length explaining your reasons for applying to this area of specialisation and telling of your particular interest(s) in the field as well as your goals and expectations for the studies to be completed at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture. Describe your specific strengths and areas of interest, goals, artistic vision and other aspects of your work.
Additionally, the applicant should write a report on technical, artistic and collaborative process behind one of the films linked to the CV. The report should not exceed 2000 characters.
The application documents must be submitted in Finnish (Swedish) or English.
Some of applicants are invited to the second stage. Those selected for the interview may be given 1-2 assignments to be submitted electronically a couple of days before the interview.The invitation to the second stage is sent to the applicants at latest 7 days in advance.
