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Professional Music Production

UAL Level 4 Diploma

students working with music tech equipment

Availability & Details

Professional Music Production - UAL Level 4 Diploma SF-MUTE4D-D(0000)000

Venue
South Downs Campus

Type of study
Adult Learning, Full Time, Higher Education

Dates
Academic Year 2023-24 (1 years)

Examination board
UAL

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Overview

This one-year UAL Level 4 Professional Music Production course is an excellent gap year opportunity to extend your existing skills and knowledge in order to prepare you for Higher Education or entry into the technical and production side of the music industry.

You will be working with collaborators both creatively and technically. You will work with industry professionals to become a professional yourself.

It will give you the opportunity to become a practising professional in your chosen pathway.

The course is accredited by University Arts London (UAL).

Cost: £5,421 (free if under 19 years old).

To study on this course you will need a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Music, Media or similar qualification or an A Level programme equivalent. You will also need to display a passion for this field. Mature students can apply with a relevant portfolio of work.

On this one-year course, you will study the following:

  • Unit 1 – Establishing Principles of Technical and Production Practice
  • Unit 2 – Applied Professional Practice
  • Unit 3 – Professional Development Project

Units 1 and 2 are Pass only. The overall qualification is graded on Unit 3 and is Pass, Merit or Distinction.

The following areas are included in the module delivery but are not exclusive and can be tailored to your needs:

  • Recording skills
  • Mixing skills
  • Mastering
  • Live sound and recording
  • Audio synthesis
  • In-the-box electronic music production
  • Music for film, TV & gaming
  • Foley and broadcast audio

 

You will attend the South Downs Campus two to three days a week for 32 weeks for lectures and practical work with some learning taking place remotely via demonstrations/webinars and online lectures.

A balance between practical and research/ lecture-based learning will help guide you with a well-balanced programme. In most cases in order to capture the essence of the programme, you will declare yourself as a professional trader.

All of your lecturers on the programme are fully qualified and are all continuously working in the industry in their specialist fields.

Resources include access to Higher Education-only study areas and a nationally recognised music department with resources including:

  • 5 x Apple Mac suites running Logic Pro X, Ableton
  • 2 x industry-standard recording studios (Genelec, AKG, UAD, Native Instruments, PMC, Motu, Rhode, Roland, Mackie, Yamaha, Alesis) – we are always developing partnerships with manufacturers and brands, so great discounts on equipment are always available to you
  • Podcast rooms
  • 4 x production hot rooms
  • 4 x production rehearsal rooms fully kitted out with Backline
  • 2 x theory rooms, acoustically tuneable recital, performance/production room
  • Technical Team support

 

You will be continuously assessed through a range of assessments, technical and creative projects and collaborations.

Through working as a professional in your chosen specialism, opportunities for learners and assessors are gained to achieve your goals.

Progression can include employment (including self-employment) and/or progression to Higher Education. In some circumstances, this year’s study/qualification can act as the first year of a full three-year degree programme at an alternative Higher Education provider.

The course has been designed to provide you with the skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to develop your career as a creative professional. This qualification will provide you with an opportunity to cultivate your employability by developing your creative, technical and production skills in your specialist field.

Alumni from HSDC Higher Education music courses include BBC National Radio broadcasters, Victorious Festival owners and employees, Asgard Tour Management, Stevie Wonder Road technicians, to name a few.

All of your lecturers on the programme are fully qualified and are all continuously working in the industry in their specialist fields. We also have a partnership agreement with The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea, for regular student performances. Expect a variety of guest talks and lectures from industry professionals, for example, Andy Schepps – Producer for Adele and Red Hot Chilli Peppers.


My experience at the college was enjoyable and productive, with thoroughly helpful people surrounding you, an excellent experience. I wasn’t expecting it to be as good as it was, with the work shop time and experience I had, it was a great two years preparing me for the next stage.

Edward Smith, BTEC student

My courses were all especially interesting, I thoroughly enjoyed all of them. All of my lecturers were extremely knowledgeable and I have learnt a lot from them.

Lottie Warren, A Level student

There are lots of people at the college, each studying a diverse range of courses, people from all different areas come to study here, it creates a sense of community, there is a huge social aspect to college life across all courses.

Lee Backhouse, BTEC student