Duration:
2 years full-time | Top-up available

Location:
Confetti Nottingham Campus, NTU

UCAS course code:
J910

Institution code:
N91

This cutting-edge Event Production foundation degree will give you the opportunity to study in a real-world live event venue, training with professionals and working with industry-standard hardware and software. By the end of the course you’ll have gained the technical, organisational, creative and professional skills you need to work successfully within the technical events industry.

You’ll learn the fundamentals of working with industry relevant live event technology, as well as how to build and operate lighting and sound reinforcement systems, from the basics in year 1 to more advanced skills in year 2.

You’ll learn in our music and live events hub, Metronome, designed by world-renowned audio architects White Mark Ltd – who have designed studios for clients including Jay-Z and Damon Albarn. You’ll also have access to a 400-capacity live venue, and a 93m2 events production workshop space, as well as PA systems from manufacturers, including Nexo, Martin Audio and L’Acoustics and a range of generic and moving lighting technology from Robe, Clay Paky and Martin.

Your tutors are all industry professionals still out there working in the industry whilst also being qualified lecturers – so you’re learning from people that live it! We have cross-collaborations with other course disciplines such as Music Performance, Film Production, Television Production and Content Creation students to give you a broad and exciting experience. We even have our own Events Society where independently produced events are created and executed.

This course is for you if:

  • you enjoy enjoy live events, music, festivals, community and open air events, club nights, VIP experiences and fashion shows
  • you are good at working with others, collaborating and being a strong team player, creating plans, working documents and marketing content
  • you are great at managing your own time and are proactive 
  • you are excited by event experiences and performance

Progression route

Top-up your degree to a full BSc (Hons) qualification in Event Production at Confetti in Nottingham or London.

2025 entry

  • 64 UCAS Tariff points; and
  • GCSE – English and Maths Grade C / 4

To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.

Other qualifications and experience

We may also consider credits achieved at other universities and your work/life experience through an assessment of prior learning. This may be for year one entry, or beyond the beginning of a course where applicable, for example, into year 2. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route.

Meeting our entry requirements

Hundreds of qualifications in the UK have UCAS tariff points attached to specific grades, including A levels, BTECs, T Levels and many more. You can use your grades and points from up to four different qualifications to meet our criteria. Enter your predicted or achieved grades into our tariff calculator to find out how many points your qualifications are worth.

How to apply

This degree is validated by Nottingham Trent University. You can apply through UCAS.

Apply now

Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there’s no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.

Fees & funding

Lighting Technology (40 Credit Points)

Stage lighting is one of the most fundamental technologies in use to enhance the audience experience and support the performance of live events. This module will introduce you to the application of a diverse range of technologies in use, and their underlying scientific principles.

You will study the use of generic and intelligent lighting fixtures from a range of manufacturers, whilst also developing a working knowledge of distribution, dimming and control hardware and software. You will investigate current health and safety legislation and implement practical skills during industry practice focused workshops and live events. You will also gain knowledge of the historical developments in lighting technology and how that informs current industry standards and working practices.

Sound Technology (40 Credit Points)

Develop your understanding of sound reinforcement through the study of the theoretical and practical aspects of live sound. You’ll study the physical properties of sound and how they relate to sound reinforcement and will explore analogue and digital technologies. You’ll put your knowledge into practice in practical live sound settings throughout the year.

Equipment Maintenance and Repair (20 Credit Points)

Understanding the principles of electrical systems is fundamental to anyone working within technical roles in the live event sector. This module aims to equip you with a range of practical skills for fault finding, maintenance and repair of event technology. You will learn the fundamental principles of electronics, practical soldering techniques and investigate recognised industry standards and practices.

The Live Event Industry (20 Credit Points)

Working in the live event industry requires an awareness of the various types of job roles and career paths, and the historical, cultural and legislative changes that have helped shape the sector. This module encourages you to carry out research into the industry and analyse current trends and legislation, in order to gain a thorough understanding of your chosen sector. You will also develop your future employment prospects by engaging in work-related activities.

Production Design and Technology (60 Credit Points)

Production design focuses on all visual elements of an event, incorporating lighting and video technology, and often set design. With the continuous development of lighting and video technology, the roles of lighting or video designer often merge and the requirement to have skills in both areas of the industry is expected. In this module you will explore all aspects of production design and technology.

You will develop skills in lighting programming, video distribution systems, use of projection and LED screen technology, as well as looking at the design process, skills in 3D visualisation and the socio economic responsibilities of a designer.

You will also explore advanced lighting skills included the use of rigging and lifting equipment and calculating safe working practice when designing systems. You will develop a portfolio of skills in various different lighting and video design, and operation software, which will then be put into practice in a final design project.

Advanced Sound Technology (40 Credit Points)

You will further your knowledge of sound theory and audio technology through the application of different sound reinforcement systems. You will look at the connection between mathematical data to study the behaviour of sound in live venues, investigate loudspeaker designs and carry out sound measurements and calculations.

This module also has a strong emphasis on practical live sound engineering skills, and you will have the opportunity to develop and hone your skills in the live sound environment using industry-standard software and hardware.

Future You (20 Credit Points)

You are the key to your own success! In this module you will investigate and develop your professional identity in terms of attributes, beliefs, values, motives, and experiences. You will develop professional integrity and a career identity.

This module encourages you to carry out research into employability and entrepreneurship and analyse current industry practices, job roles and technical skills required in order to gain a thorough understanding of the events sector. Throughout the assessment process you will actively partake in transformative practice, effective review and evaluation of yourself.

Do It For Real

Industry Week

Studying at Confetti you’ll take part in Industry Week where you’ll be able to meet a range of professionals within your field of interest as well as other areas of the creative industries. 

Past guests include Bloodstock Festival, Michael Eavis CBE (Glastonbury Festival), Arcadia, and John Martin (tour manager for INXS, The Clash and Mark Ronson).

Student work

Our Talent Development team works closely with course leaders to link students with opportunities across the industry. Event Production students have previously worked with and visited leading companies, such as:

  • Rock City
  • Rescue Rooms
  • Bodega
  • Royal Concert Hall
  • Nottingham Playhouse

At Confetti, you’ll get to learn your trade in facilities that operate public-facing events every week of the year.

In Metronome you’ll find some amazing facilities, jam packed with recording studios, rehearsal rooms, performances spaces, and a 400-capacity venue.  You will be using industry standard equipment, the kind of equipment you’re going to see the professionals using. That’s audio equipment from Allen & Heath, L’Acoustics, Digico, Martin Audio, Nexo, Shure and Audix. Lighting from Avolites, MA, Martin, Robe and Clay Paky.

Providing more event experience opportunities is Confetti X; a 14,000 sqft complex on the Confetti campus kitted out with world-class facilities and technology for esports and other emerging technologies. It’s here where you’ll have the chance to work on esports tournaments and a range of corporate events.

Courses

Each case will be considered individually, but upon successful completion you’re automatically entitled to enter into the final year of our BSc (Hons) Event Production at either our Nottingham or London campus to gain a full BSc qualification.

Career options

What roles do our graduates go on to?

  • Live sound engineer
  • Lighting designer
  • Live broadcast engineer 
  • Live video technician
  • Producer
  • Production manager

NTU Employability support

Our support doesn’t end when you graduate. As a Confetti and NTU student you will be entitled to dedicated graduate employability support for up to three years after you complete your studies. You’ll have access to exclusive events, initiatives and work experience opportunities to support you in the early stages of your graduate career.

NTU Employability support

Apply Now

Open Days

Saturday 30 November
Book your place
Saturday 18 January
Book your place