Music Production (Foundation Degree)

You will develop skills and a specialised understanding of music and audio production techniques relating to commercial trends and current technologies to prepare you for employment in the music production business

Why study Music Production (Foundation Degree)?

The curriculum covers three broad areas of learning - practical/professional skills development; recording and production activities; and core academic skills, incorporating aural awareness, acoustics and music industry studies. Applicants need not be performing musicians, but are expected to demonstrate a high standard of music technology literacy and a body of recorded work that demonstrates their music production skills.

Course structure

The programme aims to equip students with a broad-based set of skills relating to music production, including software literacy, studio production techniques and live sound. These subject-based skills are developed through practical assignments which include studio projects, front-of-house mixing for other students' performances (see the 'Popular Music' sister programme) and work placements with local music industry employers.

Modules

Some modules (#) are shared with Popular Music; here, students will have opportunities to collaborate with performing musicians from this course.

Year 1

• Advanced Audio Software Skills
• Studio Techniques#
• Aural Awareness#
• Advanced Audio Software Skills 2
• Studio Project#
• Acoustics

Year 2

• Sound Design
• Live Sound Techniques#
• Marketing#
• Integrated Media Project
• Live Sound Project#
• Music industry Professional Studies#

Course assessment

Live events, audio/web-based submission, website, written work and seminar presentation. There are no formal examinations.

With this two-year full-time Foundation Degree (FdA) programme you will develop skills and a specialised understanding of music and audio production techniques relating to commercial trends and current technologies.  

Teaching methods

Students have access to industry- standard equipment throughout the course. All the partner colleges provide fully-equipped digital recording studios, running Pro Tools and Logic Pro on Apple Macs. Apple Mac labs support class teaching, including Logic Pro, Pro Tools and Reason. Live sound modules are supported by large-scale PA systems, which for some projects are provided by local employers and venues.

Year 3

After successful completion of this course, you may wish to apply to progress to the third year of an associated honours degree course. In the event of insufficient places being available to accommodate all Foundation Degree students who wish to progress, there will be a selection process based on achievement during the Foundation Degree, supplemented by audition and interview as appropriate, and will be subject to satisfactory academic references. 

Course enquiries

Additional Requirements:

Portfolio of music production recordings (assessed via CD demo and interview).

Music technology experience and hardware / software knowledge.

Entry requirements

180-220 UCAS Tariff points with at least 80 points from a music-related qualification (including BTEC Music Practice/Music Technology Performing Arts.

OR A -level Popular Music, Music Technology or Music.

Candidates who do not have the standard qualifications but who are over 21 and have music industry experience will be considered.

In addition you will need a portfolio of music production recordings (assessed via CD demo and interview), music technology experience and hardware/software knowledge.

Career opportunities

• Music production
• Live sound
• Music industry superstructure
• Events management

What students say...

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