Duration:
2 years full-time
Location:
Confetti Nottingham
On this college course in audio and music production you will develop technical and creative music skills through hands-on studio recording, music production, live sound engineering, and personal and collaborative projects, whilst gaining knowledge for future career within the music industry.
Your tutors work in the industry and know what it takes to make it. You’ll also get advice and guidance from industry-leading professionals, giving you a head-start towards your chosen career.
On this course you’ll learn:
- Recording Skills and Techniques
- Managing and operating studio equipment and environments
- Mixing and Mastering Skills
- DAW production skills
- Music creation skills (original production, remixing, music for media)
- Setting up and operating equipment for live events
- Professional practice and critical reflection skills
- Foundations and development of the music industry
- Sectors and employment in the music industry
- Future developments and the contemporary industry
- Creating and presenting self-promotional materials and networking
- Personal and collaborative project management and delivery skills
This course is for you if:
- you love music and want a career in the music industry
- you are good at working hard and meeting deadlines
- you are excited about music and how the industry works
The Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma is a full time two-year course of study which will develop specialist knowledge, practical skills and understanding within a vocational area and will give you a qualification that is the equivalent to three A Levels. In most subjects, students will be awarded the BTEC Extended Diploma at the end of their two years of study. The Extended Diploma is fully recognised by universities and carries UCAS points, enabling you to progress to university or directly into employment. If you want to commit to vocational study in a particular area, then this could be the route for you.
Read our course commitment
- 5 GCSEs grade 9-4 (A*-C)* including English and maths
- An appreciation of and a passion for music with a level of practical experience and/ or a Level 2 qualification in the subject area
Depending on your prior English and Maths attainment, you may need to improve your grade as part of your course.
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
Across Year 1 and 2 you will study a range of teaching and learning modules that are assessed by a series of academic and practical assessments.
Music Production Skills Development
This module offers a comprehensive journey in studio recording, music production, music technology, and live event production. Through hands-on learning, you will gain essential skills, deepen your knowledge, and prepare for diverse careers in the music industry.
You will understand studio recording equipment, apply multi-track recording techniques, and develop mixing skills to produce professional recordings. You will also explore DAW music sequencing, creating musical material for briefs, including remixing and music for media. The module covers planning and using music technology for live events, teaching you to set up and operate equipment effectively.
By the end of this module, you will be proficient in both studio and live music production, equipped to meet the industry’s technical and creative demands. The module includes three assessment units: Studio Recording, Creating Musical Material Through Production, and Music Technology and Live Events.
The Music Industry
This module offers an in-depth understanding of the music industry’s evolution, current sectors, and employment opportunities. You will explore its historical and contemporary development, gaining insights into its dynamic nature and career paths.
You will learn about various industry sectors, from production and distribution to marketing and management, and understand the employment opportunities each offers. The module also helps you identify future opportunities, equipping you with the knowledge to plan a successful career in this evolving field.
Across Year 1 and 2 you will study a range of teaching and learning modules that are assessed by a series of academic and practical assessments.
By the end of this module, you will be prepared to navigate and thrive in the music industry, understanding its past, present, and future landscape. The module includes one assessment unit: Planning a Career in the Music Industry.
Module: Personal Music Profile
This module builds on skills from Year 1, enhancing your understanding of opportunities and promoting independent work essential for the music industry.
You will identify personal opportunities and areas for improvement, create a comprehensive personal development plan, and develop musical and technical skills accordingly. This leads to a personal music project, such as producing an album/E.P. or a performance showreel, demonstrating your skills and aligning with project goals. Additionally, you will define, plan, and create self-promotional material tailored to networking opportunities, presenting it via an EPK, personal website, or social media profiles.
By the end of this module, you will have a clear personal development plan, a completed music project, and professional self-promotional materials for entering the industry. The module includes three assessment units: Using Development Plans to Refine Skills, Producing a Personal Project, and Using Material for Self-Promotion and Networking.
Module: Collaboration Music Project
Like Personal Music Profile, this module also builds on skills from Year 1, focusing on collaborative autonomy and independence. It prepares you for progression by developing essential skills for planning and executing projects, utilising collaboration, and presenting final outcomes, crucial for a music industry career.
You will collaboratively develop an album, planning and preparing for a technical role such as audio engineer, producer, or mix and mastering engineer. You will demonstrate your skills and actively contribute to the project, showing individual responsibility and effective use of your musical and collaborative abilities. This leads to producing an album and presenting the final project.
By the end of this module, you will be well-prepared for the cooperative nature of the music industry. The module includes three assessments: Undertaking a Defined Technical Project Role, Using Creative Collaboration to Develop a Project, and Producing a Collaborative Project.
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 Jason Williamson (Sleaford Mods) and Mistajam (BBC Radio 1).
Celebrate
Every year we welcome family, friends and industry professionals to watch, listen, test and play the fantastic work of our college students.
Student work
Our Talent Development team works closely with course leaders to link students with opportunities across the industry.
You’ll have access to a range of industry standard equipment and software that including:
- Confetti’s contemporary Music & Events Hub, Metronome
- Recording studios and rehearsal rooms
- Production and edit suites
- Mac and PC music labs with MIDI controllers
- Logic Pro X and Ableton Live DAW’s
- Additional equipment includes Pioneer DJ equipment and Rekordbox software, and FL Studio within all FE studio control rooms
Courses
Your creative industry studies don’t have to stop once you finish your college course. Choose to continue your studies on a range of foundation and full honours degrees at Nottingham Trent University that can help you further develop your skills and obtain the experience you need to get a head start in your career:
- FdSc Sound Engineering and Audio Production
- BSc (Hons) Sound Engineering and Audio Production
- BSc (Hons) Sound Engineering and Audio Production – London
- FdA Music Production
- BA (Hons) Music Production
- BA (Hons) Music Production – London
- BA (Hons) Music Business
- BA (Hons) Music Business – London
Future careers
- Audio Engineer
- Composer
- Live Sound FOH Engineer
- Mixing and Mastering Engineer
- Musician
- Producer
- Sound Designer
