SAE Institute is the world’s largest audio and creative media educator with over 48 campuses across 22 countries on four continents.

SAE Byron Bay, SAE’s World Headquaters, is a private Australian Government accredited higher education institution that offers a range of certificate, diploma and degree courses in audio engineering and filmmaking. These courses are hands-on practically oriented and complemented by foremost academic curriculum and is taught by leading industry professionals.

SAE’s Byron Bay studio complex, known as ‘The World’s Largest Recording Studio’ (Apple Computer, 2003), is part of SAE’s multi-million dollar university-style campus, located only minutes walk from Byron Bay’s picturesque beaches.

SAE offers international students an accelerated degree that is completed in two full calendar years. Students receive individual access to the Institute’s extensive studio facilities, including professional recording and digital film studios, enabling them to develop the practical skills required for the dynamic digital media industry.

Start dates occur throughout the year – March, July and November.

Degree Course details

Bachelor of Digital media with a major in Audio Engineering: this course provides students with the practical skills necessary to work in the entertainment and music industries. Students learn the technical and creative aspects of the recording process by working on complex projects in various professional studio environments. The program covers all aspects of audio production, studio recording and live sound techniques, mixing, mastering, MIDI and modern music creation, music business, studio acoustics and the application of current technology to the music production process. It also provides expertise in music and business management, marketing, communications, and knowledge of the contemporary infotainment industry.

Bachelor of Digital Media with a major in Film: this course is designed to provide students with experience in all facets of digital filmmaking and production; it fosters creative confidence and artistic independence in a hands-on learning environment. The program covers the technical and creative components of filmmaking including: concept development, screen writing, camera operation, production management, directing, editing and sound design. Students create their own projects to develop skills as directors, producers and editors with the aim to become proficient filmmakers. Typical projects include the production of a documentary, a narrative film, a sketch comedy segment and a music video clip. Students also gain expertise in digital film production, business management, marketing, communications and knowledge of the contemporary infotainment industry

Studio Facilities

SAE Byron Bay boasts extensive recording and mixing facilities outfitted with professional equipment that meets and exceeds industry standards.

Audio Studios include:

• SSL XL9000K studio: Studer 24 track and 48i/o HD3 accel ProTools System

• SSL 4000G Studio: Sony 48 track ATR and ProTools HD2

• TL Audio 24 track studio with ProTools HD2

• Digidesign Icon, ProControl and Control 24 with 5.1 Surround Sound Monitoring

• Additional Mackie, Eurodesk and O2R studios

Film Facilities include:

• Panasonic HDP2 and Sony HDV cameras

• High Definition editing suites with Final Cut Pro, After Effects, and other industry- standard motion graphics systems

• A full-scale blue screen studio and lighting equipment

• Steadicam, portable track, dolly, and an extensive range of other film making equipment

All students have access to computer labs that host many multimedia applications to compliment their studies, including: Complete Adobe and Macromedia application suites, DVD authoring applications, and Dynamic web developing software, including PHP and MySQL servers

Accommodation

SAE Byron Bay provides a variety of on and off-campus student accommodation options. Visit our website for further details and to download the Accommodation Handbook.

Location

Byron Bay is one of Australia’s most famous coastal towns, renowned for its alternative culture, exceptional beaches and lifestyle, vibrant energy, wide choice of restaurants, cafés and bars, rainforest walks and pristine environment.

As a cultural and artistic centre, Byron Bay is the ideal location to achieve your potential and focus on your studies. With the relaxed lifestyle of a town, but the variety and choice of a much larger city, students at SAE Byron Bay, whilst completing their internationally recognized training in Audio Engineering or Digital Film Making, enjoy a whole new life experience. In Byron Bay you can learn to surf, dive in the ocean or just enjoy the spectacular beaches and Byron Bay culture, before attending lectures at Australia’s most advanced creative media college.