UCAS Code: 8H75
Menu
UCAS Code: 8H75
This foundation degree is designed to develop the skills necessary to work in the music for media industry. The industry is going through a huge transitional period, in which music practitioners are having to seek new areas of employment which require new skills-sets and new ways of working.
This course will develop your skills and your understanding of music composition, technology and production techniques and their direct relationship within the evolving world of new media, giving you a wide range of skills needed to successfully find employment in the growing media industry, or progress to further study.
Modules you will study are:
Level 4
Level 5
This course is aimed at students who have a Level 3 qualification in relevant subject areas (e.g. Music, Music Technology, Media) and adults who have experience of music and music production. This course is ideal if you are seeking employment in the music and media industries, in jobs such as sound recording, composition, sound design and audio editing.
This course will support you to become capable of working in a team with other creative practitioners from other disciplines, and to work effectively with others from varied professional backgrounds. You will be supported in the development of a reflective, professional approach to lifelong learning and the creation and maintenance of a personal portfolio to enhance your employability. We offer you the support and a safe environment to develop your personal resilience, in order to prepare you for either work freelance within the Creative Arts or, indeed, to work in other sectors, but utilising the key transferable skills that you have gained.
The project modules are derived from live industry briefs, allowing you to gain real work based practical experience of creating sound and music to a brief and gaining feedback from potential employers, whilst also developing content for your professional portfolio of work, which is a vital tool to gaining future employment.
Start Date
September 2025
Entry Requirements & Interview Process
You will normally require one of the following: BTEC National Certificate or BTEC National Diploma in a related subject, 2 A Level passes or 1 A Level pass with four GCSE grades A-C or 9 – 4 including English and Maths or relevant work experience.
You will be interviewed, where you will be expected to demonstrate enthusiasm and commitment to the course.
Applicants without formal qualifications but with significant amounts of appropriate relevant vocational experience are also welcome to apply.
The University Centre actively supports claims for Recognition of Prior Learning. You must show how the learning you have already completed matches the learning that is required on the programme you are applying for.
If English is not your first language, you will also need a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 or above.
Progression
On successful completion of the foundation degree you will have the opportunity to progress to BA Sound and Music Technology top-up year, to gain a full honours degree.
You may also progress directly into a career, such as: Sound Engineer (live and studio); Mix Engineer; Foley Technician Sound Designer (Film/Television/games/theatre); Producer (production and post-production).
Past graduates have gone on to provide music for Sony Entertainment, set up their own sound design companies and released music on international record labels for worldwide release.
Assessment Methods
You will be assessed throughout the course by completing projects, presentations, written reviews and evaluations and reflective self-evaluations.
Before you hand-in or present a final piece of work there is usually an opportunity for a discussion with your tutor in a one-to-one tutorial. You will be encouraged to submit or present your work-in-progress to your tutor – which will not be graded – to see whether you are on the right lines. There is usually a limit to the amount of feedback that your tutor can give you – please ask them about this.
Your assessed work will go through a process of internal moderation and then will be checked by an externally appointed person called an external examiner. At each stage this means that marking and grading is checked and may be adjusted.
Course Fees
£7950 per year
Eligible to receive the £500 University Centre Bursary in Year 1.
All higher education students must apply to Student Finance England for assistance towards fees. For help or advice with this please contact our Guidance Team on 01422 399367.
The University Centre has a HE Hardship Fund which students may access if they are facing financial difficulties.
Awarding Body
This award is validated by The Open University.
Calderdale College has a set of standard entry requirements. Apply for the course you want to study and we will help you get there.
There are a lot of courses available – work focused, practical and academic so it is important to think about the future and whether you want to proceed to university, move onto another course or get a job. We offer BTECs, Apprenticeships, T Levels, NVQs, VRQs, Degree Level Courses and more.
If you’re still not sure, don’t worry, just speak to a member of our advice and guidance team who will advise you.
Term Dates
Autumn Term
2nd Sept 2024 – 25th Oct 2024
4th Nov 2024 – 20th Dec 2024
Spring Term
6th Jan 2025 – 14th Feb 2025
24th Feb 2025 – 4th Apr 2025
Calderdale College
Francis Street
Halifax
West Yorkshire
HX1 3UZ
United Kingdom
