INTERNATIONAL / Music Production & Songwriting

Start date: August 26, 2025
End date: June 19, 2027
Application deadline: June 15, 2025
Type of education: Diploma

Duration: 2 years (1 year is possible, contact us)
Cost: 167 600 SEK
Location: Stockholm
Language of instruction: English

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APPLICATION DEADLINE: JUNE 15th, 2025

Music Production & Songwriting is a two-year full-time diploma program based in Stockholm, Sweden, designed for international students who want to immerse themselves in music, songwriting and sound creation. This project-based program gives you the tools to launch your career or create your own professional path right after graduation. By placing you at the heart of the creative industries, we prepare you to become part of the content-driven future.

About the program

Throughout the program, you will gain hands-on experience through our learning-by-doing approach. You’ll explore your creative potential through practical projects and real-world assignments from the music and media industries. You'll also develop the professional competencies needed to shape your future career—whether you aim to become an independent entrepreneur in music production or songwriting, or work with one of Sweden’s dynamic music and audio companies.

Career opportunities

With strong industry connections, this program gives you direct access to valuable contacts and the chance to start building your career as a music producer, sound designer, music entrepreneur, and more. The wide variety of projects you'll complete will prepare you for roles across the music, game, film, and media industries—sectors where sound and music play a central and growing role. Our contemporary teaching methods and course content will give you a competitive edge in the market. We also provide you with the tools necessary to create your own opportunities and navigate challenges in your professional journey.

Studying in Stockholm

Stockholm is one of the world’s top music cities—home to some of the biggest producers, songwriters, and music companies globally. With a rich history in shaping modern pop and electronic music, the city offers a creative atmosphere and vibrant industry ecosystem that few places in the world can match. As a student here, you’ll be surrounded by inspiration, talent, and real opportunities to connect with professionals and studios that influence the global sound.

Program Structure & Courses

The two-year program consists of the following courses:

  • This course provides you with theoretical and practical knowledge of all the components required to create song projects from idea to finished song, as well as analyze and evaluate your own and others' productions. You will be able to handle samples, midi, recording techniques, various mixing techniques and various DAW functions, as well as learn about third-party plugins. You will work on producing and creating music in different genres, and learn to manage, take responsibility for and professionally edit recordings. You will also learn vocal recording and vocal mixing.

  • This course gives you an understanding of and skills in arrangement, composition, and songwriting. You will gain knowledge of music theory from a producer's perspective and learn to write and compose music and lyrics for your own or others' productions.

  • During this course, you will work with the soundscape and workflow within music production, as well as develop your skills in advanced sound design and production mixing. You will build up your workflow effectively and work with analog, digital, and sample-based sound design, as well as processing and nuance within your mixing work.

  • During this course, you will get an overview of your potential professional fields and their fundamental building blocks. You will gain insight into the music industry, sound design for the game industry, sound editing/design for the film industry, as well as the advertising and media industry. This will enable you to focus on the area within the market that interests you most.

  • This course covers how sound is edited and applied in various formats for digital media. It also provides an understanding of the different types of media available, the interplay between them, and the work process within each respective medium.

  • During this course, you will learn how to start your own company and the meaning/implications of writing a business plan and running your own business. You will learn to handle relevant business finances, accounting, and laws that are important for your specific business ideas and ambissions.

  • In this course, you will learn about mixing, mastering, analog mixing, adaptive sound design, as well as vocal recording and vocal production. You will work hands-on with projects involving sound design/editing for film, radio, podcasts, and video games. This course provides an in-depth exploration of advanced finishing techniques for your audio and music creation.

  • During this course, you will learn how brands are built, communicated and marketed, as well as the tools and methods you can use to market yourself and other brands. You will learn about project planning for artist profiling, and how to build strategies to cut through the noise using communication and presence in social and digital media.

  • During this course, you will gain an understanding of copyright and contractual situations between companies, publishers, composers, and musicians. You will learn to understand the terminology of music law, and to be able to independently sign your own national and international agreements.

  • During your thesis project, you will conduct a self-chosen music- or sound-related project, where you will plan, structure, and execute your work. You will also document and compile a report on your project, which you will present upon completion.

  • Work-based learning is your internship period, and during this course you will have an internship at a workplace of your choice in the relevant industry. This period gives you professional experience together with your supervisor, and also gives you time and opportunity to gain perspective and experience on how the different professional roles are realized and shaped within professional working environments.

This program requires you to have a high school diploma or equivalent. Read more about the admission process and requirements in the program information. 

Application process FOR INTERNATIONAL PLACES

All our international applications are now open! Read more about the application process below:

  • Follow these steps to apply to our full-time programs (Music Production & Songwriting and Game Audio Producer & Sound Designer):

    Step 1 - Start your application

    Start by filling in the online application form on our website. This is required to access the admission test.

    Step 2 - Complete the admission test

    Once you have submitted your application form, you will receive instructions for the admission test. The test is designed to assess your creative and technical potential.

    Step 3 - Submit the necessary documents

    Prepare and upload the following documents to complete your application:

    • CV - Maximum one page (in English or Swedish).

    • Video presentation - A 3-5 minute video introducing yourself and your motivation for applying.

    • Proof of Education- Upload your diploma from your highest completed education (High school, Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, etc.).

    • Proof of English Language Proficiency - If applicable, provide documentation that meets our English language requirements.

    • Admission Test - Submit your completed admission test according to the instructions in the admission test.

    Step 4 - Digital Admission Day

    If your application and admission test are successful, you will be invited to a Digital Interview Day, where you will conduct three interviews with:

    • Program Manager

    • A current student

    • A representative from the management

    By following these steps and submitting all the necessary materials, you are well on your way to securing your place on one of our exclusive full-time programs.

    We look forward to receiving your application!

  • To be eligible for our full-time programs, applicants must meet the following requirements:

    Educational requirements

    • A high school diploma or equivalent is required.

    • No previous work experience is required.

    Program-specific requirements

    • For Music Production & Songwriting: Previous experience in music production, songwriting or sound design is recommended.

    • For Game Audio Producer & Sound Designer: A solid foundation in music, audio production and sound design is required. Applicants should have experience working with DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations), audio editing and/or game implementation tools.

    Are you still in high school?

    • If you are currently in your final year and expected to graduate in spring, you can still apply.

    • Ask for a certificate of preliminary grades from your school and submit it as part of your application.

    • When you receive your final grades, you must submit them to complete your admission.

    English language requirements

    Applicants must meet at least one of the following requirements:

    • IELTS: Minimum overall score of 5.5, with no section below 5.0.

    • Swedish High School English 6 (or international equivalent).

    • Proof of previous education in English (e.g. high school, vocational school, college or university in an English-speaking environment).

    Applicants from English-speaking countries are exempt from the language requirement but must provide proof of education in English.

    Important: All applicants, regardless of their country of origin or documents submitted, will have their English language skills assessed during the online interview day.

  • Audio Production Academy will provide the necessary documentation for students applying for a student residence permit through the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket).

    To receive this documentation, you must:

    • Be an international, fee-paying student.

    • Have successfully completed the international admissions process with us.

    Our team will guide you through the process to ensure you have the required support for your residence permit application.

  • After submitting your application, you will be notified if you qualify for the next round: the Digital Interview Day (DID).

    On Digital Interview Day, you will:

    • Participate in three individual interviews (approximately 45 minutes each) with the program director, a current student, and a member of management.

    This process helps us get to know you better while giving you a chance learning more about us.

  • If you have successfully completed the entire admissions process, you will receive your final admission decision one week after attending a full Digital Interview Day.

"AP Academy and the Sound and Music Producer program are very professional and organized. The students are passionate and committed, which is very important, and when I heard the students' productions, they have delivered beyond expectations. Already during the training, I have heard students' work that can be worked on further, and got ideas about where I can pitch them!"
- Joy Deb, Northbound Music Group

Education managers

Gustav Horneman
gustav@apacademy.se

Do you want more information about the PROGRAM?

Fill in your email address and we will send you a brochure with more information about the program and how to apply!