MUSIC PERFORMANCE & PRODUCTION Level 3 Extended Diploma

Level 3
Further Education
Armagh Campus
UAL

Overview

Today’s musician needs a broad range of skills. Music performance and production is at the centre of all activity. If you are a performer, you need to understand live sound systems and microphones. As a composer you will use software to notate and create. The music producer, of course, uses a wide range of technology in the realisation of work in the recording studio.

This course is designed to introduce students to all these elements and guide them towards whatever aspect of the music industry they are interested in.

The course will be taught in the state-of-the-art performance and recording studios in the new Armagh Campus. Learners will delve into software such as Avid Pro Tools, Reason & Ableton Live and use hardware such as Focusrite Rednet, Audient ASP8024 and much more.

The course is awarded through the University of the Arts, London (UAL) and is equivalent to three A-Levels. It will introduce students to a range of skills needed to start their career in the music industry. Learners will be taken through the creative process of composing, performing, and recording music. Emphasis is placed on individual development as a music professional using industry relevant projects.

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Applicants must be at least 16 years of age on or before 1st July 2024 and have recently been in education to key stage 4 (completion of compulsory education).
The College will review the qualifications and/or experience held by applicants and will consider whether this profile shows an ability to progress towards a level 3 qualification.
Applicants must have achieved the following:

15 points or greater at GCSE, consisting of at least 4 GCSE at Grade C (or equivalent qualification profile from the Register of Regulated Qualifications). In certain circumstances the College may reduce this requirement if it is deemed that the candidate has demonstrated the commitment, understanding and knowledge of the subject.
A BTEC Level 2 Diploma or equivalent at Pass or above with an overall profile equating to 15 points.
A NVQ Level 2 (in relevant subject area).
Leaving Certificate – a profile equivalent to 12 points (of which 3 subjects must be achieved at Grade C3 or better at Ordinary Level) pre-2017. From 2017 onwards, 3 subjects must be achieved at 04 or better at Ordinary Level.

Applicants may be required to undertake a listening test to ensure their suitability for undertaking the technical requirements of the course.
Attendance at Individual or Group Pre-Entry Advice Sessions (IPEAS and GPEAS) may be required. These interviews may take place either on campus, via telephone or video call (Microsoft teams) and will play an important role in the selection of all courses.
Applicants who do not possess GCSE English Language at Grade C or higher (or equivalent) must be able to demonstrate as part of their application they can communicate in written and spoken English language to an acceptable level to succeed in the course. The College reserves the right to refer any applicant to appropriate English language or literacy classes until their level of fluency in written and spoken English is sufficient to allow participation in other areas of study.
Students entering a full time Level 3 programme are expected to have already achieved a minimum of GCSE Grade C in English Language and Mathematics (or equivalent qualification). Applicants admitted to a full-time programme of study without these qualifications in will be required to undertake an Essential Skills course in Literacy and Numeracy. Applicants with a Grade D will also have the opportunity to undertake repeat classes in GCSE English Language and/or Mathematics.

The course is project based with innovative creative industry projects at its core. The 10 projects over the two years are:

First Year

Studio Skills 101 - Live Recording, Studio Recording, Podcasting, Critical Listening
Live Skills 102 - Performance, Event Management, Critical Listening
Composition Skills 103 - Composing for TV & FILM, Sound Design, Foley, Sequenced Music
Production Skills 104 - Song writing, Music Production, Music Industry
Final Major Project 105 - Collaborative student devised project - Live Gig Showcase

Second Year

In Your Element 201- Song writing, Sound Design, Performance, Composition, Professional Practice
Explorations 202 - Music Contextualisation, Research
Pathways 203 - Music Business, Music Industry , Preparing for progression
Final Major Project - Extended Student Devised Project

Assessment for the Music Performance and Production Level 3 Extended Diploma is ongoing by coursework for each module. Students will showcase their musical abilities through live performances, recordings, and portfolio building.

Upon successful completion of the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Music Performance & Production, students will have developed a strong foundation in musical performance, production, and industry knowledge. Graduates may choose to pursue higher education in music including the Foundation Degree in Creative Music & Audio Production progressing to the BA (Hons) Degree in Creative Music & Audio Production offered at SRC.

Upon successful completion of the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Music Performance & Production, students may enter the professional music industry, or work as freelance musicians, session players, music producers, sound engineers, or music directors.