Sound Design & Production Program (Postgraduate) (P409)
Program Description
Program Overview
Amidst a thriving mobile entertainment and gaming industry in North America, the demand for sound designers is rising. The Sound Design & Production one-year postgraduate certificate program caters to this need by immersing you in sound creation for film, television and games. By following established industry workflows, this program will equip you with the skills to craft audio experiences that captivate. Working collaboratively with other media programs, you'll gain hands-on experience creating sound for short films, animations and games.
The School of Media is ranked as one of Canada’s best film schools by both CourseCompare and Degrees & Careers.
Full Description
As a Sound Design & Production student, you'll learn to master technical skills and refine your artistic style, whether recording audio in the studio or the field.
Without a sound designer to create the perfect soundscape, the film, television and game industries are incomplete. Applying the technical and conceptual aspects of sound, you’ll become an audio storyteller, working alongside visual production artists to re-create the real world in a digital context.
Learn how to create sound from scratch by capturing real-environment sounds and Foley creation. At our studio production facilities, you'll learn mixing, video game audio, dialogue editing and ADR, sound design and recording to re-create audio landscapes.
Program Requirements
You’ll need to have access to a personal computer with the following minimum specifications:
- laptop or desktop
- CPU: Intel Core i5 – i7
- graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620 or equivalent
- RAM: 4GB – 8GB (the most you can afford, the better)
- screen: 13.3-inch – 15inch
- storage: 500GB – 1TB SSD
- additional storage: 2-4TB Portable HD
- personal recorders: Zoom H1n or higher; Tascam DR-05X or higher
Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities
Industry
With an established grounding in the film/television industry and the growing strength of the gaming industry in Ontario, sound designers have a respected place and fulfill a vital role in both industries. Graduates will be prepared to work with production companies and sound studios as Toronto continues to create and supply the world with quality sound content.
Alumni Impact
We are immensely proud of the contributions of our alumni in Toronto and around the globe.
From Michelin-starred restaurants to major construction, entertainment, community and financial organizations, our graduates truly impact various industries.
Courses
Required Courses
Semester 1
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| SDES1001 | Sound Design |
| SDES1002 | Auditory Cultures |
| SDES1003 | Sound Design Theory |
| SDES1005 | Postproduction ADR and Foley Mixing |
| SDES1012 | Applied Postproduction |
| SDES1016 | Game Sound Design I |
Semester 2
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| SDES1004 | Scoring and Music Editorial |
| SDES1006 | Game Sound Design II |
| SDES1011 | Advanced Sound Design |
| SDES1013 | Sound Art |
| SDES1014 | Production and Location Sound |
| SDES1015 | Advanced Postproduction ADR and Foley |
Semester 3
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| SDES2010 | Workplace Preparation and Entrepreneurship |
| SDES2020 | Experiential Thesis |
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate demonstrates the ability to:
- Create sound files for live-action dramatic short films, animated short films, video games and interactive media
- Produce a score recording session and arrange a provided composition to fit a given visual sequence.
- Collaborate with key principals and production personnel to create complementary sound design for a storytelling environment.
- Design sound for the appropriate medium and genres, considering the cultural and social significance of those designs.
- Plan audio design and production projects that reflect the scope and vision for pre-production, production, and postproduction.
- Apply entrepreneurial strategies relevant to sound design to develop a viable business plan for freelance sound design professionals.
- Assess existing and emerging market trends in sound design products and services for production projects.
- Adhere to legal principles, government legislation and regulations, copyright and contract requirements and professional and industry codes of conduct.
Tuition & Fees
Domestic Tuition
International Tuition
Additional Costs
* Amounts listed are the estimated total of tuition, materials (non-refundable), student service and ancillary fees for the three semesters of programs starting in Fall 2024. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2025 and at later dates. This fee does not include books, which are to be purchased by the student separately.
** Amounts listed are the estimated total of tuition, materials (non-refundable), student service and ancillary fees for the first three semesters of programs starting in Fall 2025. Tuition fees are subject to board approval. Material, student service and ancillary fees are estimated based on prior years. All fees are subject to change without notice. This fee does not include books, which are to be purchased by the student separately.
International Students
Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information.
Financial Assistance
This program is approved for OSAP funding, provided the applicant meets OSAP eligibility criteria.
Each year we award over $2 million dollars in scholarships, awards and bursaries to first-year students. Check out our financial aid web pages for ways to pay for college and the full list of available scholarships, awards and bursaries.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this website is subject to change without notice. It should not be viewed as a representation, offer or warranty. Students are responsible for verifying George Brown College fee requirements.
Admission Requirements
- diploma, advanced diploma or bachelor’s degree in digital animation, game development, theatre production or film/video production or related field
- portfolio
- online interview*
OR
- diploma, advanced diploma or bachelor’s degree in another discipline with a minimum of two years of experience in sound-related work (resumé and references required)
- portfolio
- online interview*
* Please note that only the top-ranked applicants (based on their portfolio) will be invited to attend an online interview.
Please note that domestic applicants who are submitting international transcripts require a Canadian equivalency evaluation. This can be obtained through ICAS (International Credential Assessment Service) at icascanada.ca or WES (World Education Services) at wes.org/ca.
English Language Proficiency
Applicants with international transcripts who do not provide English language proficiency test results must test at the College level in the George Brown College English assessment to be considered for admission.
Please visit English Proficiency for more details.
International Students
Visit the International Admissions page for more information regarding country specific admission requirements.
How to Apply
Domestic students should apply through Ontario Colleges.
International Students
Visit the How to Apply page for more information on how and when to apply.
International students should apply through the George Brown College Online Application System.
Contact Us
School of Media & Performing Arts
Phone: 416-415-5000, ext. 2015
Email: media@georgebrown.ca
For more information about George Brown College, you may also call the Contact Centre at 416-415-2000 or long distance 1-800-265-2002.
Contact one of our international recruitment representatives specializing by country of origin by either booking a virtual meeting or submitting an inquiry. For more information visit the International Contact Us page
Visit Our Campus
This program is offered through our School of Media and Performing Arts and classes take place at our St. James Campus, located at 230 Richmond Street East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
On-campus information sessions are available. Come and have your questions answered. Learn about the program content and career options, meet your friendly professors and staff, and experience what it is like to be in a George Brown College classroom. Sign up for an information session.
Campus tours are offered on a regular basis. Sign up for a campus tour. You can also check out our virtual tour.
Sound Design & Production Program (Postgraduate) (P409)
Program Description
Program Overview
Amidst a thriving mobile entertainment and gaming industry in North America, the demand for sound designers is on the rise. The Sound Design & Production one-year postgraduate certificate program caters to this need by immersing you in the world of sound creation for film, television, and games. By following established industry workflows, this program will equip you with the skills to craft audio experiences that captivate. Working collaboratively with other media programs, you'll gain hands-on experience creating sound for short films, animations, and games.
The School of Media is ranked as one of Canada’s best film schools by both CourseCompare and Degrees & Careers.
Full Description
Whether recording audio in-studio or in the field, as a Sound Design & Production student, you'll learn to master technical skills and refine your artistic style.
Without a sound designer to create the perfect soundscape, the film, television, and game industries are incomplete. Applying the technical and conceptual aspects of sound, you'll become an audio storyteller, working alongside visual production artists to re-create the real world in a digital context.
Learn how to create sound from scratch through capturing real-environment sounds and Foley creation. At our studio production facilities, you'll learn mixing, video game audio, dialogue editing and ADR, sound design, and recording to re-create audio landscapes.
Program Requirements
You'll need to have access to a personal computer with the following minimum specifications:
- laptop or desktop
- CPU: Intel Core i5 – i7
- graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620 or equivalent
- RAM: 4GB – 8GB (the most you can afford. the better)
- screen: 13.3-inch – 15inch
- storage: 500GB – 1TB SSD
- additional Storage: 2-4TB Portable HD
- personal recorders: Zoom H1n or higher; Tascam DR-05X or higher
Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities
Industry
With an established grounding in the film/television industry and the growing strength of the gaming industry in Ontario, sound designers have a respected place and fulfil a vital role in both industries. Graduates will be prepared to work with production companies and sound studios as Toronto continues to create and supply the world with quality sound content.
Alumni Impact
We are immensely proud of the contributions of our alumni in Toronto and around the globe.
From Michelin-starred restaurants to major construction, entertainment, community and financial organizations, our graduates are truly making an impact across a range of industries.
Courses
Required Courses
SEMESTER 1
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| SDES 1001 | Sound Design |
| SDES 1002 | Auditory Cultures |
| SDES 1003 | Sound Design Theory |
| SDES 1012 | Applied Postproduction |
| SDES 1005 | Postproduction ADR and Foley Mixing |
| SDES 1016 | Game Sound Design I |
SEMESTER 2
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| SDES 1011 | Advanced Sound Design |
| SDES 1004 | Scoring and Music Editorial |
| SDES 1013 | Sound Art |
| SDES 1014 | Production and Location Sound |
| SDES 1015 | Advanced Postproduction ADR and Foley |
| SDES 1006 | Game Sound Design II |
SEMESTER 3
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| SDES 2010 | Workplace Preparation and Entrepreneurship |
| SDES 2020 | Experiential Thesis |
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate demonstrates the ability to:
- Create sound files for live action dramatic short films, animated short films, video games and interactive media
- Produce a score recording session and arrange a provided composition to fit a given visual sequence.
- Collaborate with key principals and production personnel in the creation of complementary sound design for a storytelling environment.
- Design sound for the appropriate medium and genres considering the cultural and social significance of those designs.
- Plan audio design and production projects that reflect scope and vision for pre-production, production and postproduction.
- Apply entrepreneurial strategies relevant within the field of sound design to develop a viable business plan for freelance sound design professionals.
- Assess existing and emerging market trends in sound design products and services for production project purposes.
- Adhere to legal principles, government legislation and regulations, copyright and contract requirements and professional and industry codes of conduct.
Tuition & Fees
Domestic Tuition
International Tuition
Additional Costs
* Amounts listed are the estimated total of tuition, materials (non-refundable), student service and ancillary fees for the three semesters of programs starting in Fall 2023. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2024 and at later dates. This fee does not include books, which are to be purchased by the student separately.
** Amounts listed are the estimated total of tuition, materials (non-refundable), student service and ancillary fees for the first three semesters of programs starting in Fall 2024. Tuition fees are subject to board approval. Material, student service and ancillary fees are estimated based on prior years. All fees are subject to change without notice. This fee does not include books, which are to be purchased by the student separately.
International Students
Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information.
Financial Assistance
This program is approved for OSAP funding, provided the applicant meets OSAP eligibility criteria.
Each year we award over $2 million dollars in scholarships, awards and bursaries to first-year students. Check out our financial aid webpages for ways to pay for college and the full list of available scholarships, awards and bursaries.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this website is subject to change without notice. It should not be viewed as a representation, offer or warranty. Students are responsible for verifying George Brown College fee requirements.
Admission Requirements
- diploma, advanced diploma or degree in digital animation, game development, theatre production, or film/video production, or related field
- portfolio
- online interview*
OR
- diploma, advanced diploma or degree in another discipline with a minimum of two years of experience in sound-related work (resumé and references required)
- portfolio
- online interview*
* Please note that only the top-ranked applicants (based on their portfolio) will be invited to attend an online interview.
Please note that domestic applicants who are submitting international transcripts require a Canadian equivalency evaluation. This can be obtained through ICAS (International Credential Assessment Service) at icascanada.ca or WES (World Education Services) at wes.org/ca.
English Language Proficiency
Applicants with international transcripts who do not provide English language proficiency test results must test at the College level in the George Brown College English assessment to be considered for admission.
Please visit English Proficiency for more details.
International Students
Visit the International Admissions page for more information regarding country specific admission requirements.
How to Apply
Domestic students should apply through Ontario Colleges.
International Students
Visit the How to Apply page for more information on how and when to apply.
International students should apply through the George Brown College Online Application System.
Contact Us
School of Media & Performing Arts
Phone: 416-415-5000, ext. 2015
Email: media@georgebrown.ca
For more information about George Brown College, you may also call the Contact Centre at 416-415-2000 or long distance 1-800-265-2002.
Contact one of our international recruitment representatives specializing by country of origin by either booking a virtual meeting or submitting an inquiry. For more information visit the International Contact Us page
Visit Our Campus
This program is offered through our School of Media and Performing Arts and classes take place at our St. James Campus, located at 230 Richmond Street East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
On-campus information sessions are available. Come and have your questions answered. Learn about the program content and career options, meet your friendly professors and staff, and experience what it is like to be in a George Brown College classroom. Sign up for an information session.
Campus tours are offered on a regular basis. Sign up for a campus tour. You can also check out our virtual tour.
