UAL Level 1 Diploma in Music

New Students

4 GCSE’S at Grade 2*. It is not required to have studied media or music before. Must be working towards Level 1 English.

*The College reserves the right to ask for a school reference if required.

Progressing Students

For progressing students, a good reference for attitude, behaviour, attendance and punctuality is essential.

Please note:

• Students aged 16 to 18, or those aged 16 to 24 who have a valid EHCP, and are studying Further Education courses are not normally charged course fees
• Adults may need to pay a fee depending on their personal circumstances. This will be assessed against the relevant Funding Body eligibility criteria at point of enrolment

If you don't qualify for fee remission, the fees for 2025/26 will be:

£1,200 ( plus registration fee to be advised at enrolment )

Fees are for 2025/26 entry and apply to students eligible for home fee status enrolling to funded programmes. The fees quoted are subject to personal circumstances and will be confirmed at the time of your enrolment, depending on eligibility criteria. For more information about financial support for students, please click here or email studentfinance@nescot.ac.uk

On this Level 1 UAL course, you will develop foundational skills in:

• Electronic Music Production – Exploring basic techniques for creating and arranging music digitally.
• Software Skills – Learning how to use industry-standard software for music and media.
• Music Performance Skills – Gaining confidence in performing and presenting your work.
• DJing – Understanding the basics of mixing and live performance.
• Listening Skills – Developing critical listening skills to analyze music and sound.
• Sound for Moving Image – Learning how to create soundscapes and effects for visual media.

Throughout the course, you will also build essential communication, literacy, and numeracy skills, which are vital for success in the creative industries.

Teaching and Industry Experience

At Nescot, our tutors have extensive industry experience, ensuring that your learning is practical, relevant, and up-to-date. Guest lecturers from media and music industries, including producers, DJs, and sound designers, provide valuable insights into real-world creative careers.

Student Success and Progression

We encourage students to participate in competitions and work experience opportunities to enhance their skills and confidence. Many of our students progress to higher levels of study, including the Level 2 UAL Creative Media course at NESCOT or other creative pathways at top institutions.

Assessment

Your progress will be assessed through coursework, with grades awarded at Pass, Merit, or Distinction for Unit 7 which is the Final Major Project. Units 1-6 are Pass or Fail only.

Work Experience

Work experience is an important part of this course. You will have the opportunity to gain up to two weeks of work placement, working with a client through simulated projects within the college. Support will be provided to help you find a suitable placement.

Disclaimer:

This Nescot College website describes the facilities and courses which the College intends to offer during the academic year commencing Autumn 2026. The web pages are prepared in advance of the academic year to which they relate and every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in these pages is helpful, fair and accurate at the time of printing. However, this information is subject to change over time.

Nescot will take reasonable steps to provide the courses and services as described, however, the College cannot guarantee the provision of any course or facility. Some circumstances, such as staff changes, resource limitations and other factors over which the College has no control, such as industrial action or a change in the law or the level of demand for a particular programme or module (please note that this list is non-exhaustive), may result in the College having to withdraw or change aspects of the programmes, modules and/or student services detailed on the website. This could include, but not necessarily be limited to, programme/module content, staffing, the location where the programme/module is taught or the manner of teaching delivery, and the facilities provided to deliver or support the programme. Where circumstances demand an unavoidable change or where it is necessary for the College to discontinue a programme of study, Nescot will take all reasonable steps to minimise the effect and all proposed changes will be notified to potential applicants who have registered an interest in the relevant programme at the earliest possible opportunity as well as being reflected on the College’s website. In addition, any changes between the website and the proposed course and services will be notified to applicants at the time of making an offer.

All prices quoted may be subject to change and you will be notified of any such change when any offer of a place is made to you by Nescot.

Should you become a student of the College, this notice shall be a term of any contract between you and Nescot. Any offer of a place at the College shall be subject to the student enrolment conditions and the College’s rules and regulations as amended from time to time. A copy of the Nescot’s current terms and conditions can be obtained in writing from Nescot, Quality Office, Reigate Road, Ewell, Epsom, Surrey, KT17 3DS.

Last updated – 08/10/2025