Music Technology National Foundation Diploma level 3

This course is designed to give you, the modern music producer, the skills, and knowledge you need to pursue a career in the music industry in a variety of roles. The course is delivered as a one year plus one year programme. You start by studying towards the National Foundation Diploma in the first year and then top up into year two to complete the Extended Diploma. You must pass the Diploma to be able to top up to the Extended Diploma. Both years carry UCAS points and universities recognise the qualification as a method of progressing to relevant degree courses. If you are aged 16 to 18, you will be enrolled on a study programme, which will include activities that help you to develop your personal skills, such as building your character and confidence. This will help you to live well and move into your chosen career. These activities will be timetabled as will work experience. For other age groups, activities will be tailored to your needs.

Over the year, you will work towards two Modules (Music Production Skills Development and The Music Industry) with four units in the modules (Studio recording; Creating musical material through production; Music technology and live events and Planning a Career in the Industry). Through these modules and units, you will study programming (covering Digital Audio Workstation use with synthesis, sampling and audio sequencing on Ableton and Logic Pro); music business (careers and the flow of money around the industry); composition (genre specific and to brief); recording (microphone techniques, use of hardware and software, mixing and mastering). You will work in our high-spec mac suites and recording studios and at the Sue Townsend Theatre. You'll be able to collaborate with music performance and performing arts students to enhance your professional network. Over the year, you will work towards two Modules (Music Production Skills Development and The Music Industry) with four units in the modules (Studio recording; Creating musical material through production; Music technology and live events and Planning a Career in the Industry). Through these modules and units, you will study programming (covering Digital Audio Workstation use with synthesis, sampling and audio sequencing on Ableton and Logic Pro); music business (careers and the flow of money around the industry); composition (genre specific and to brief); recording (microphone techniques, use of hardware and software, mixing and mastering). You will work in our high-spec mac suites and recording studios and at the Sue Townsend Theatre. You'll be able to collaborate with music performance and performing arts students to enhance your professional network.

Assessment is completed through coursework over the two years. This course is highly practical, with an emphasis on doing and reflecting, often in a working blog format. Other assessment methods include presentations, recordings, video submissions and reports. All areas of the course contribute to your final grade, however, there is opportunities to focus on areas of specialism too.

Entry to this course requires five GCSEs at grade 4 (C) including English (essential) and maths (desirable). You will be required to provide one reference and it is desirable that you can demonstrate a minimum of a 90% attendance rate from your last place of work or study. You will be invited to attend a welcome event where you will participate in an audition to show you have a suitable level of experience in either recording, live sound or using computers to make music, this is to support your careers choice and ensure that we place you on the right programme for you. Consideration will be given to all applicants over the age of 19 who do not hold formal English and maths qualifications.

On completion of the two-year extended diploma, you may decide to study for a foundation or undergraduate degree in an area related to Music Technology and production. The Extended Diploma will award you with UCAS points which you may use to apply to our Higher Education provision or other universities across the UK.