HNC in Music Production (Part-time)

Music Production is a fantastic subject to study at SCG. Our staff are active in the music industry and use their industry knowledge and skills to inform their teaching and prepare students for the realities of working in the music business. 

We have three dedicated recording studios and two production suites that have been upgraded recently to professional standards with the latest analogue and digital hardware. We operate with industry
standard software including Pro Tools and Logic Pro X. These exciting facilities are backed by expert and experienced teaching staff.

There are several options for entry to this course:

•   64 UCAS points in a related qualification
•   Level 3 qualification in Music Technology or related subject

We would expect you to have a portfolio of work to showcase your work to date.

This course is an opportunity for you to enhance the practical and theoretical skills that are required in the ever-changing music industry. You will undertake a number of creative production projects and practical exercises. Other methods of assessment will include written assignments and presentations. Your final grades will depend on the portfolio of evidence you produce to demonstrate your achievements. Your learning experience is enhanced by workshops with professional practitioners and regular performance visits and study trips, in previous years students have had trips to Berlin and Barcelona.

The first year of the course will include the following units:

• The Music Industry
• Marketing and Promotion for Musicians
• Sound Design Fundamentals
• Music Production Fundamentals
  
  

The second year of the course will include the following units:

• Professional Development
• Compositional Techniques
• Creative Software Techniques
• Recording Technology 
  
  

This course is validated by Edexcel (Pearson).

Your work will be continually assessed throughout the course through assignments. The assessment will depend upon the module being studied. Typical assessment methods include assignments, developing portfolios, practical work, and presentations.

For equipment, we highly recommend that you have closed-back headphones with a quarter-inch jack adaptor, a memory stick or hard drive with a high capacity and a journal or notepad.

During the course you will develop your recording and sound production skills as you explore the finer details of professional audio. You will gain experience of running recording sessions and creating music through technology. Alongside the production aspects of the course, you will complete coursework which explores the music industry, marketing and professional development. You will also complete two specialist practical - based units. This broad qualification is a great starting point for anyone wishing to pursue a career in the music industry as well as those that wish to progress to university. Many have a natural progression route to the third and final year of a degree course. The variety of units offered on the course will help you to develop your independent study as well as your team work and communication skills.

On successful completion of this course, you can progress onto the HND in Music Production or progress into a career in the music industry. If you continue to complete the HND you can top this up at university by completing the third year of a full honours degree. This vast industry has many exciting and varied roles including working behind the scenes in film and television; radio production; theatre or live music. You could become a composer, songwriter, music producer, sound engineer, session musician or event organiser. You could work in the business at a record label or even run your own.

You could work in A&R seeking out the next Adele, Ed Sheeran or Coldplay. Other record label roles include pluggers, marketing, sales and merchandise. Fight for the rights of musicians with a job at the Musicians Union or help support artists by working at a royalty collection agency. There are around 150,000 people working full-time in the music industry in the UK with over a million working part-time. This course will give you a solid understanding of many of these professions and give you the skills you need to succeed.

To join this course you will first have to register with UCAS at www.ucas.com and then apply through UCAS. (Choose: Sign In–Students–Undergraduate–Apply–Register and follow the instructions.) You will then receive a confirmation email from UCAS and the College will be in contact with an interview date. Current Shrewsbury Colleges Group students should seek support from their tutor before applying.

If after reading this fact sheet, you are still undecided about the programme most suitable for you, please drop in to one of our Advice Events, ring Course Advice on 01743 342333 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.