The course provides advanced theoretical and practical skills, knowledge and experience across all the key areas of music production. This one-year programme follows on directly from our HNC in Music Technology. It will enable you to develop advanced, industry-standard skills in music production, studio and live sound-engineering techniques, mixing & mastering, composition techniques and sound design for interactive media. All students will produce their own professionally mixed and mastered EP or album as a part of this course. In addition to these practical elements you will also complete a research-based dissertation on a topic of your own choice.
Teaching staff all have considerable music industry experience and can guide students, depending on whether they wish to pursue a career as a composer, producer or sound engineer, or further their studies with a top-up degree programme.
Students study 8 units at level 5 (HND) and will be expected to attend all classes. HND music students have exclusive twilight and evening access to the department?s rehearsal booths, venue, recording-studios and computer music suites in order to complete practical work outside of lesson time. Students will also be expected to complete individual research and written work outside of timetabled class times, writing reports or essays to accompany practical work.
Special course features:
- Teaching staff all have extensive music industry experience
- The music dept. has extensive industry-standard facilities including 3 recordings studios, 3 computer music suites, 6 rehearsal booths and a live venue with full PA system
- If you are successful in passing your HND, this can be ?topped-up? to a degree (level 6) at a large number of different UK universities, including the University of Northampton
- HND courses are, on average £3,000 cheaper per year than degree courses
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What will I study?
The units you will study are:
- Creative Research Project
- Advanced Music Production
- Advanced Sound Engineering
- Advanced Sound design for Interactive Media
- Mixing and Mastering
- Advanced Synthesis and Processing
- Advanced Composing Using Technology (EP or Album)
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Who is this course for?
This course is for anybody who wants to gain employment in the production side of the music industry or who wants to progress onto further study at level 6 in a related subject.
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How is the course assessed?
The course is unit-based and assessed through a combination of practical assignments, written reports/essays and presentations. There will be a variety of assessed productions of original pieces of music that you have produced, throughout the programme, including your EP or album.
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Knowledge
You will develop a thorough knowledge and understanding of:
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The professional music industry, learning fundamental production and performance theories including history and context and The development of music theory
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A range of music-based activities and competences through in-depth study, enabling the development of professionally planning and releasing music
- Subject specific context; for example warrens of equality and diversity in music, health and safety in a variety of professional music spaces, roles, responsibilities, characteristics and attributes needed in music.
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Skills
You will have the ability to:
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Explore creative development through practical and research-based study including composing, arranging, performing and producing music in different genres and styles
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Develop core specialist skills at relevant levels including critical listening, communicating ideas, enhancing your musicianship, individually and collaboratively
- Understand and utilise music technology and music equipment and problem solving through application of theoretical and technical learning to a range of settings and vocational scenarios.
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Behaviours
What is required?
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Developing the behaviours and expectations to help you work in the industry that are specific to music and transferable to a wider range of employability skills; such as time keeping, organisation, respect and communication skills
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Taking responsibility in the management of an assignment of personal interest and prepare for progression within a chosen discipline, utilising independent study skills and collaborative working/learning/study
- Demonstrate professional and respectful behaviours that will help you network; including taking initiative, developing resilience, communicating effectively and taking responsibility for self-motivated organisation.
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Progression and Career Opportunities
Progression routes include:
- Music industry employment ? including sound engineering, music production and composition/sound design for media/games
- University progression to a top-up degree course
- Further post-graduate study
- Teaching/training
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Entry Requirements for new students
Successful completion of a HNC in Music Technology or related subject or completion of 120 credits at Level 4 in a related subject.
Students will also need to achieve a grade 4 or above in English and Maths at GCSE level. Applicants aged 21 or older who do not have the entry requirements may be eligible for acceptance based on an interview.
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Admissions Process
We recommend that you attend one of our exciting open events so that you can look around the department, the college and meet the tutors. You are welcome to do this before or after you apply. These events have proved very successful in ensuring students and their families see the best of what the college has to offer such as our inspirational teaching areas, teachers, library facilities and places to eat.
Once you have applied our experienced Enrolment Team will consider your application carefully and will let you know, by email, if the College would like to make you a conditional offer based on you meeting the specified entry requirements. If your predicted grades or career aims suggest that an alternative subject area or course level would be more appropriate for you at this stage, we will contact you either by telephone, email or text. If you have told us that you have some additional support needs we will contact you to find out more so that we can help you.
