What does it include?

This course offers you an introduction to developing your skills in the areas of Sound Recording & Music Production and Technology. You will learn to widen your understanding of Music Technology related to sound equipment and its uses across a range of audio products and industry. The course will also give you an insight into several music related areas of opportunity and develop your technical understanding and skills in the following areas:

• Sound Recording Technique
• Introduction to Music Technology
• Music Awareness and Industry

You will be taught by experienced and dedicated lecturers and technicians in our purpose built sound studios at our new Paddington Campus. Your projects will involve working individually and as part of a team using professional mixing consoles, microphones, and multi-track sound recorders. Apple computers running software such as Logic are also available for your Music Technology project work.

We believe that it is important to support you so that you can pursue a future in sound and music technology, so the course will include helping you to improve and develop your communication skills with additional GCSE English and Maths where appropriate if you have progressed from a lower level vocational course. If you are coming directly from school you must have GCSE English language at grade C. You will receive group and individual tutorial support to keep you on track and if needed additional learning support is available.

What do I need to get on to it?

To be a successful applicant to our programmes in Media and Sonic Arts you should have the following qualifications:

• Be aged 16-19
• Have minimum achievement 4 GCSEs at grade D or above, including English Language or equivalent Functional Skills Literacy qualification

Or

• Level 1 qualification at Merit or above with Functional Skills literacy Level E3 or L1
• You will take an initial assessment at the interview and will need to achieve a score of Level 1 in order to gain access to the course.

All courses are subject to a successful and positive reference from a previous tutor or employer.

The Application & Interview Process

After your application is received, you will be invited to the college for an interview and expected to demonstrate yourself as an enthusiastic, professional member of the student group.

We will write to you before the interview, requesting anything that you may be required to bring with you. This could be some previous work or projects you have been involved in.

You must provide a positive reference from either your school teacher/form tutor or a previous employer.

You must also bring your grade certificates for completed qualifications and any predicted grades that you have for pending qualifications.

You should also bring a pen and have some questions prepared about the course you are applying for.

Remember you are applying for a place on a competitive course and should be displaying the skills required to impress and succeed in achieving a place on that course.

How is the Course assessed?

You will be assessed continually through practical project work, coursework, written assignments and through giving presentations.

A commitment to high attendance and punctuality is essential to completing the course successfully. You will be subject to a performance review with your tutor if your attendance drops below 90%.

You must keep your attendance high and submitting work within deadlines is a condition of the course.

You will be provided with feedback and support on how to improve grades from your lecturer as long as you meet your submission deadlines. You will receive a grade and supportive feedback within 3 weeks of a successful deadline submission.

Assignments are planned at the beginning of each year to avoid deadlines clashing however sometimes there are busier times of the year. You are however given more than a sufficient amount of time to complete projects/assignments and providing you meet your deadlines you will not be overworked.

If you fall behind you will be subject to performance tutorials with your tutor and be given a plan to support you to getting back on track however completion of work is your own responsibility and meeting deadlines is a compulsory part of your achievement. If you miss deadlines you will not have feedback and grades returned within a short time frame, as your tutors will have other assignments from the course schedule needing marked.

Where does it lead?

Progression onto a Level 3 qualification such as the BTEC Level 3 Diploma Creative Media Production TV & Film or Music Technology. Level 3 courses provide a transferrable skills base for preparation for university or working within the creative media industries.

Facilities

All of our courses have access to the same facilities however you will use them in different capacities throughout your experience.

Level 2 will be building on low-level skills and exploring ways of expanding your ability to be reflective and evaluative against own progress.

The school of Media & Sonic Arts has a variety of resources and facilities exclusive to its courses including;

• Analogue & Digital Audio Recording Studio
• Multi-camera TV studio
• Various DV CAM, DV and DSLR Digital and Video Cameras
• Apple iMac with Final Cut Studio, Logic Studio, Pro-Tools and Adobe CS5 Production Package
• Radio Booth and Dialogue Recording Facilities
• Various Portable Lighting Options for Film & Video Recording
• Various appropriate musical instruments and source recording options

Awarding Body

EdExcel

You can find all programme details with the following link:

http://www.edexcel.com/quals/firsts10/music/Pages/default.aspx 

For further information and to apply

If you wish to apply for this course, please complete a College application form.

If you need help before choosing your course, please contact our Information & Advice Centre or come along to one of our Open days.