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This two-year course is equivalent to one and a half A Levels and is aimed at students who want to focus on music technology, sound engineering, and music studio production while studying alongside other subjects.The Production Pathway develops your technical skills in recording, sequencing, mixing, and creative sound design, while also covering composition, contextual studies, and industry awareness. You will work with industry-standard software and equipment to explore how music is created and produced in both studio and live environments.Learning is structured through eight units, with the final collaborative project bringing together all of your skills in a professional-style production. You’ll gain experience working both independently and as part of a team, preparing you for further study in music technology or related creative industries.
Five GCSEs at 4 or above, including GCSE Mathematics and English. Ability and enthusiasm to play an instrument, sing, play keyboards or program music, DJ etc. Music grades are an advantage but we will assess each application on merit.
The UAL Diploma consists of eight units. Units 1 – 7 are skill-building units that prepare you for Unit 8, which is your final major project (FMP): Unit 1 – Principles of Music Performance & ProductionIntroduction to the core skills of music creation, production, and collaboration. Unit 2 – Critical Listening & Music CompositionDevelop listening and compositional skills to inform your production work. Unit 3 – Music Industry & Professional PracticeExplore career pathways, roles, and professional expectations in the music industry. Unit 4 – Critical & Contextual AwarenessStudy historical and contemporary influences on music and sound production. Unit 5 – Music Production in ContextApply your technical skills to solve creative production challenges in the studio. Unit 6 – Music Performance in ContextGain experience of working with performers, supporting live and studio projects. Unit 7 – Preparation for Specialist StudyRefine your technical and creative skills, focusing on your own production practice. Unit 8 – Collaborative Music ProjectBring together your skills in a major production project, working as part of a creative team.
You will learn how to record and produce bands, singers and musicians in the studio using high-specification equipment, as well as Logic Pro X. This will foster an understanding of how sound travels and can be captured. Through workshops, tutorials, lessons and student-led activities, you will gain a foundation and advanced skills in how to track, edit, mix and master your music using our control room and iMac suites.To prepare you for digital platforms, you will compose for media as well as songs and elements of sound design. Being a self-starter in the industry is vital, so self-directed learning, research, and planning, as well as your own presentations, will be vital for your learning.
You will be continually assessed on a Pass or Fail basis on Units 1 – 7. The final Unit 8 will be graded on a Pass, Merit, Distinction level. The work towards your final unit will begin towards the end of term 1 in your second year.
A set of closed-cup headphones from £50-200. An external hard drive: £50-75.Optional Logic Pro X for use at home: £139 (approximately).Optional Macbook or iMac for use at home from £799-1000.The last two items are not compulsory as you can use our suites, but it helps to consolidate learning at home.
Students from this course have progressed to Russell Group Universities to attend the prestigious Tonmeister Course, or studied Music Technology at York University, as well as Southampton University. Others have progressed to Sound Engineering or Music Production at Birmingham, Westminster, Bath Spa, Kingston universities as well as ACM, BIMM and WaterBear. Performance and Production students have also progressed to the Royal College and Academy of Music, as well as Guildhall and Trinity Conservatoires and Leeds College of Music. Some have started their own record labels or production careers, as well as two being nominated for the Mercury Prize.
