Music Technology: Level 3 UAL Diploma

New Students

4 GCSE’s at Grade 4 or above including English*.

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

Progressing Students

A Level 2 Diploma (Merit) with a satisfactory reference for attitude, behavior, attendance and punctuality.

Following your interview you will also be required to submit:

• A 500-word personal statement that explains who you are, why you want to do the music technology course, your previous experiences in music and music technology.
• This should be accompanied by a minute long audio/video recording of yourself talking about a piece of music that is meaningful to you and what genre of music you are passionate about as well as producers, DJs or bands you are listening to at the moment.

You may want to progress to a specialist Level 3 Extended Diploma in Music or Media if you get Merit grade at the end of this qualification. Alternatively, you may progress into work, such as in music shops, or seek work as a music performer, session player, or in the recording industry.

Potential career routes in the Music industry:

• Agent
• Backstage crew
• Box office staff
• Musician
• Composer
• DJ
• Entertainer
• Licensing and royalty collection
• Lighting designer
• Music manager/director
• Music teacher
• Performer, recording artist
• Producer (live events)
• Producer-engineer (music)
• Production manager
• Record label manager
• Record retail manager
• Recording industry producer
• Rigger
• Singing coach
• Songwriter
• Sound engineer
• Sound technician
• Studio management
• Tour manager

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 charged course fees.
• For more information about financial support, please click here.

A range of visits will be arranged and will cost in total for the year about £460.

WHAT TO EXPECT…

• Create - Learn the fundamentals of composing and creating music by learning the skills needed to produce, mix, sample, sequence and capture live recordings. Each classroom is equipped with top of the range Mac computers with the latest audio software installed. We currently use Ableton with Push controllers and Logic Pro in the classrooms and studio.
• Perform – You will be required to organise and set up professional quality music events. This may include band nights featuring live instruments or club nights for DJ and electronic performances. You will be given opportunities to perform at a diverse selection of venues. For instance, on a recent college trip to Berlin students performed at one of the cities leading underground clubs. The students gained valuable experience on setting up and performing on its state of the art Funktion One sound system.
• Produce - Fully equipped professional music studio with a live room, rehearsal space and dedicated vocal booth. A wealth of the latest technology available for students to produce and compose on. The studio and classrooms contain a selection of high-end synthesizers, drum machines and midi controllers as well as more traditional instruments such as acoustic or electric guitars, drum kits and keyboards.
• Relevant Projects – All course projects are based on real world scenarios and are made vocationally relevant. Some recent projects have included: producing radio shows, engineering and recording live music, writing soundtracks for film, producing and releasing an EP that has been mixed and mastered to a professional standard, organising a live event, working as a session musician, producing a music video and sound engineering for live events. Students in our department have also taken part in national competitions and have recently won gold and silver awards.
• Educational Trips - We attend trade exhibitions, gigs and concerts as well as bespoke sessions with industry experts where students can benefit from direct access to music business specialists.
• Staff - Enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff who as well as being highly qualified have a wealth of experience. All of our teachers are still highly connected in the music industry and have worked as musicians, composers, DJs, recording artists, and music producers. Many still produce and perform and this means they are in touch with all the latest developments in both music technology and music business practice.

Work Experience is a part of this course, the hours and dates will be determined by the course tutor. Work experience can be up to a maximum of two weeks on an external placement, you are encouraged to source your own placement with support from the WEX Team and your course tutor. Where external placements are not possible you will be expected to take part in simulated work experience organised by the college.

Disclaimer:

This Nescot College website describes the facilities and courses which the College intends to offer during the academic year commencing Autumn 2024. 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 – 13/10/2023