Level: Further Education (Level 3)
Study Mode: Full-time
Duration: 2 years
Minimum Age: 16 years
Entry Requirements:
5 GCSEs grade C or above
or a combination of equivalent qualifications (in subjects relevant to the course you are applying to)
or Level 2 Diploma in Performing Arts (Merit or above)
Interview and audition
Applicants will also be required to complete a short piece of written work
How to Apply: Direct to College
Click here to view our students performing 'Live at the Chapel'
This popular, two year course provides a fantastic opportunity to develop your musical skills across the entire popular music spectrum; from Metal to Hip-Hop, from Folk to Grunge, from Jazz-Funk to Classic Rock.
It allows you to develop and build on your existing interest and knowledge of popular music, such as playing and singing techniques, music technology, songwriting and composition, sound recording and performing, alongside a team of experienced tutors and fellow students from a wide range of backgrounds. If you want to be a committed musician, what better way could you find to spend your time ‘doing music’ every day and gain a substantial qualification at the same time?
The Extended Diploma is equivalent to three A Levels and is recognised as such by all Universities and specialist Music Colleges. We believe it is important to make students feel valued, so whatever you bring to the course in terms of prior ability and experience, we will help you to build and develop it, to realise your full, creative potential.
The course is practical and work-related covering all aspects of modern popular music including Rock, Jazz, Pop and World.
It is designed to give students a broad-based foundation from which to progress to either Higher Education or directly into employment. All of our tutors have experience or currently work in a related area of the Music Industry e.g. performance, composing, recording and are able to pass on to students a wealth of practical and professional experience.
The course is based in a brand new Music Suite located at our main campus at Folly Lane, which includes: sound-proof rehearsal/recording studios each containing a PA system, back-line amplifiers (Marshall, Fender, Ampeg), keyboards and drum kit, alongside a fully-equipped Music Technology suite (Cubase & Sibelius), and classrooms for more formal lessons. Each studio, together with the Folly Arts Theatre, are digitally linked to enable recording from and to any of these spaces via a brand new Yamaha Digital mixing desk
There are many regular opportunities to perform and record both formally and informally throughout the course - a unique aspect of the course being the weekly ‘Performance Clinics’ where students can perform to each other and receive constructive feedback.
A wide range of trips are arranged to gigs, workshops and music fairs, and we also regularly host visits from music industry professionals, including former students. Students also have the opportunity to work at the Royal National College for the Blind where they can take advantage of excellent video and audio recording facilities.
The course comprises 17 Units, one of which is a ‘double’ Unit making a total of 18 Units.
There are 4 Mandatory Units:
The Sound And Music Industry
Aural Perception Skills
Major Music Project (double)
Music and Society
The remaining Units include options such as:
Popular Music in Practice
Music Sequencing
Working and Developing as an Ensemble
Music Theory and Harmony
Sound Recording Techniques
Improvisation
Composing
Keyboard Skills
Singing Techniques
World Music Performance Techniques
Generally, students study 9 Units each year. Some Units e.g. Music Theory run the entire duration of the course, while other Units are completed within a Term. Functional Skills are integrated into the course and students also study the Key Skills: Working With Others and Improving Own Learning And Performance Advice and guidance is given throughout the UCAS application process, enabling students to make an informed decision in order to progress successfully to degree level study at University or College.
On successful completion of the course, students usually go on to Higher Education or straight into the Music Industry. In the past our students have gone on to study at: Academy of Contemporary Music, Guitar Tech, Bath Spa University, Bristol Institute of Modern Music, Brighton Institute of Modern Music, Cardiff University, Buckingham University, De Montfort University, British Academy of New Music, Glamorgan University and Westminster University.