Duration:
1 year full-time
Entry requirements:
- 4 GCSEs grade 9-3 (A*-D)* including English and maths
- An appreciation of and passion for music with a level of practical experience
Fees & funding:
Visit our fees & funding page for more information
How to apply:
When you're ready to apply, there's a few ways to start the process.
- Apply online - Start your application now!
- Call us on 0115 952 2075 and start your application over the phone or we can post you a paper application form
- Come and visit us at an open day and fill in your application on the day
Introduction to the course
On this college course you’ll develop an all-round understanding of the music industry. You’ll learn how to use the latest audio software to produce your own music. You’ll also spend time in the recording studio developing the skills to plan and carry out recording sessions and work with musicians to achieve your goals. During the year you’ll build a portfolio and gain the skills to promote your work.
100% of students on this course feel the teaching they receive is of a good standard. (QDP Student Survey Results 2022)
You’ll learn:
- Technical skills in music theory, composition and production
- The working practices necessary to operate a recording studio
- The structure of the music industry - professions and organisations
- How to develop your English and maths skills
- How to use ICT hardware, software and music programs
- How to work effectively in a team and individually in preparation for employment or progression into further education
- How to work to briefs, supported by real professionals, giving you real industry experiences
What you'll be studying
You'll be prepared to work in the industry through understanding a wide variety of job roles and organisations within the music industry to develop own skills. You'll produce and mix live recordings in addition to exploring music production software, whilst developing researching skills.
Units studied
- Unit 1: Exploring Music
- Unit 2: Professional Development
- Unit 5: Music Production
- Unit 6: Sound Engineering
- Unit 7: Self-Promotion
You'll explore new technologies to produce select compositions, as well as develop practical skills using vinyl, CDs, DJ software. This will coincide with working to a live client brief to produce a final studio recording of professional musicians in order to build your confidence of working within a professional setting.
Units studied
- Unit 5: Music Production
- Unit 6: Sound Engineering
- Unit 7: Self-Promotion
You'll draw on your own creative abilities to plan, organise and execute the production of a CD (digital productions) alongside performance students. This will run alongside you producing your own compositions and private portfolio to showcase and communicate your achievements to invited guests, next to building self-promotion materials.
Units studied
- Unit 7: Self-Promotion
- Unit 8: Music Project
Maths & English
Depending on your prior English and Maths attainment, you may need to improve your grade as part of your course.
On this course you’ll have access to:
- Confetti's contemporary Music & Events Hub, Metronome
- Sound recording and editing suites
- Mac and PC music labs
- Ableton Live and Logic Pro X DAW's
Celebrate
Every year we welcome family, friends and industry professionals to watch, listen, test and play the fantastic work of our college students.
Industry Week
As a Confetti student, you will also take part in Industry Week where you’ll meet a range of professionals within your field of interest, as well as other areas of the creative industries.
Previous guests include: Michael Eavis, Professor Green, DJ Yoda, Mandy Parnell (Bjork, Aphex Twin, The White Stripes), Jon Kelly (Paul McCartney, Kate Bush), Goetz Botzenhardt (Bjork, Sugarbabes, Faithless, Dido, Pet Shop Boys), Rudimental's Piers Aggett and Easy Life's Murray Matravers.
Check out our OnDemand service here.
Continue your studies
Go on to study our Level 3 courses in Audio & Music Technology, Music Performance & Songwriting or Technical Events.
Your time at Confetti doesn’t have to stop once you finish your college course. Choose to continue your studies on our range of foundation and full honours degrees that can help you further develop your skills and obtain the experience you need to get a head start in your career:
Future careers:
- Sound engineer
- Radio technician
- DJ
- Apprentice sound engineer
- Studio / Live room technician
- Roadie for events
- Trainee sound engineer
- Trainee radio engineer / technician
- Independent producer
