Pearson BTEC HND in Music

In addition to expert tuition from staff, key industry figures will offer advice both on campus and site specific, for example at a recording studio. 

You will undertake several projects during your studies to give experiences of delivering industry realistic situations and equip you with employable skills.

Some of them are: concert production events, musical theatre, site specific experimental composition and original music album. 

There are two pathways to follow including music performance and music production. Due to the nature of the qualification suite several of the modules delivered are common to both pathways.

Music Performance Pathway Year 1 Modules (Level 4):

Creative Software Techniques - This unit explores the creative possibilities within different DAWs. It assumes a basic level of knowledge but will build on this in areas such as MIDI sequencing and virtual instruments, Audio recording and editing, software synths and ‘mixing within the box’ using software mixers. 

Marketing and Promotion for Musicians - This unit will provide you with knowledge that will form a ‘toolkit’ of information about freelancing and marketing activities that you can use to further your career in the music industry. 

Media Composition - This unit introduces the skills needed to compose for media and the moving image within a framework of current studio and industry practice.  

Music Event Management - This unit explores the world of live music and common industry practices associated with it. 

The Music Industry - This unit will introduce you to the structure of the industry, focusing on revenue flows, employment opportunities, business activities and growth potential. 

Professional Development - You will explore the many potential avenues of employment that relate to your specialism, build an awareness of how to present yourself to the market place and embark on the journey of professional development. 

Fundamentals of Composition - The unit will introduce you to the fundamental aspects of western music theory, wherever possible through practical work. 

Performance - This unit encourages you to investigate all of the aspects involved in staging a musical performance to showcase your skills. 

Music Performance Pathway Year 2 Modules (Level 5):

Creative Portfolio - This unit provides you with an opportunity to create a unique portfolio of work relating to launching a product in your chosen field – such as a record label, a service, a cutting-edge piece of software 

Creative Research Project - This core unit will equip you with core research skills, alongside learning qualitative and quantitative research methods, you will have the opportunity to apply these methods in the completion of a mini dissertation.

Advanced Composition Techniques - The aim of this unit is to introduce you to advanced aspects of western music theory, wherever possible through practical work. 

Advanced Performance Skills - You will investigate performance health issues, create virtuosic and stylistically authentic vocabulary for their own instrument, employ music technology to enhance group and solo performance, as well as explore own artistic influences. 

Experimental Composition - You will be introduced to a range of approaches to composition that challenge conventional values, greatly expanding musical horizons and leading to exciting new discoveries beyond common practice. 

Live Arrangement Skills – The aim of this unit is to explore the techniques and processes surrounding the arrangement of contemporary music for a live band. These techniques will explore through studies pre-existing material as well as creating new and original arrangements for a group context. 

Musical Direction in Practice - In this unit you will explore the various performance scenarios and modes in which musical direction might take place. 

Music Production Pathway Year 1 Modules (Level 4):

Creative Software Techniques - This unit explores the creative possibilities within different DAWs. It assumes a basic level of knowledge but will build on this in areas such as MIDI sequencing and virtual instruments, Audio recording and editing, software synths and ‘mixing within the box’ using software mixers.  

Marketing and Promotion for Musicians - This unit will provide you with knowledge that will form a ‘toolkit’ of information about freelancing and marketing activities that you can use to further your career in the music industry.  

Media Composition - This unit introduces the skills needed to compose for media and the moving image within a framework of current studio and industry practice.   

Music Event Management - This unit explores the world of live music and common industry practices associated with it.  

The Music Industry - This unit will introduce you to the structure of the industry, focusing on revenue flows, employment opportunities, business activities and growth potential.  

Professional Development - You will explore the many potential avenues of employment that relate to your specialism, build an awareness of how to present yourself to the market place and embark on the journey of professional development. 

Applied Sound Principles - This unit explores the characteristics and underlying physics of sound waves, wave propagation and how sound is interpreted by human beings. 

Recording Technology - This unit will provide you with knowledge of the techniques used by sound engineers and music producers when using technology to record audio sources. 

Live Sound Techniques - The unit will provide knowledge of the practicalities involved in setting up and operating a sound reinforcement system for live music. 

Music Production Pathway Year 2 Modules (Level 5):

Creative Portfolio - This unit provides you with an opportunity to create a unique portfolio of work relating to launching a product in your chosen field – such as a record label, a service, a cutting-edge piece of software 

Creative Research Project - This core unit will equip you with core research skills, alongside learning qualitative and quantitative research methods, you will have the opportunity to apply these methods in the completion of a mini dissertation.

Advanced Composition using Technology - This unit explores the finer points of composition with technology, with a focus on greater control and manipulation of musical ideas throughout the creative process. 

Advanced Music Production - This unit explores the finer points of music production, with a focus on greater control and manipulation of material throughout the creative process. 

Advanced Sound Engineering - The aim of this unit is to develop the skill set in planning, setting up, problem solving and delivery capabilities of the sound engineer, to produce two high-quality productions in contrasting situations and environments. 

Mixing and Mastering - This unit will provide you with the knowledge and understanding of the techniques used by sound engineers and music producers to combine/mix multiple layers of audio together to make one final track.  

Musical Programming Techniques - This unit will provide you with an understanding of the skills practiced by music technologists when using programming techniques in the development of interactive musical performances. 

This course will provide you with a stimulating and challenging programme of study that will be both engaging and memorable, delivering the essential subject knowledge that you will need to progress successfully into further study or the world of work. You will undertake a substantial core of learning in the Higher National Certificate in year one, and can build on this in the Higher National Diploma, in year two with optional units linked to your specialist area of study. Content is continually refreshed so that it is closely aligned with Professional Body, employer and higher education needs. We provide a varied approach to assessment that supports progression and we offer assessment relevant to the local economy, thereby accommodating and enhancing different learning styles. We deliver a qualification designed to meet the needs and expectations of students aspiring to work in an International Music environment.

UCAS Information