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private school

dBs Institute Manchester

Occupies the basement of New Century, a 1,300-capacity NOMA venue, with fibre links up to the stage so students can record and broadcast live sets in real time. Originally founded in Plymouth, degrees are validated through Falmouth University.

A 1-year Access to HE Diploma (Music Production, DJ & Electronic Music Production, or Music Performance & Production) is £4,835/yr for UK students; eleven separate BA (Hons) routes run £9,790/yr; a postgraduate MA is £10,500/yr full-time or £5,250/yr part-time.

Unlike its Bristol and Plymouth sister campuses, Manchester isn't in Ableton's certified-training directory, and dBs holds no TEF rating from the Office for Students at all: it simply hasn't been assessed.

Falmouth University: Validating partner for degreesOfS: Registered provider; does not hold a current TEF awardMusic productionSound engineeringDegreeDiploma

At a glance

Price
From £4,835/yr
Location
Basement Level, New Century, 34 Hanover Street, Manchester M4 4AH
Subjects
Music production, Sound engineering
Formats
Degree, Diploma
Accreditation
Falmouth University, OfS

Course structure

The formats dBs Institute Manchester sells, and how long each one runs.

Access to HE Diploma1 year, £4,835/yr
BA (Hons), 11 routes including Music Production & Sound Engineering, Electronic Music Production3 years, or 1-year top-up
MA Music Production / Innovation in Sound1 year full-time, 2 years part-time

Worth knowing

  • Fibre-linked to New Century's 1,300-capacity venue above via optic cable, letting students broadcast and record live performances from the stage in real time.
  • Course Leader Hans Hess won Best Sonic Branding at the Music + Sound Awards 2025.

Notable teaching staff

David Pemberton

Module Leader, Music Production & Sound Engineering

Described by dBs as a Grammy-nominated sound engineer and producer with credits across the last 40 years.

Dom Kane

Head of Centre, Manchester

Credited as instrumental in the sonic character of Moog's Slim Phatty; decades of experience as DJ, producer, composer and sound designer.

Frequently asked

What does dBs Institute Manchester cost?

dBs Institute Manchester's prices start from £4,835/yr, correct as of our last check.

Where is dBs Institute Manchester based?

dBs Institute Manchester is based at Basement Level, New Century, 34 Hanover Street, Manchester M4 4AH.

What does dBs Institute Manchester teach?

dBs Institute Manchester teaches Music production, Sound engineering, in these formats: Degree, Diploma.

Is dBs Institute Manchester accredited?

Yes. Falmouth University: Validating partner for degrees. OfS: Registered provider; does not hold a current TEF award.

Sources

Every detail on this page is re-sourced from the school's own site, not copied from a register or aggregator. See the methodology for how that works.

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