Music Production - HNC*
Fine tune your skills for a career in music technology
Explore the fast‑moving world of music production and sound with our HNC Music Technology course at Blackpool & The Fylde College University Centre. Accredited by Pearson at Level 4, this course builds the technical, creative and industry knowledge you need to take your first steps into a career in music technology.
What you’ll study
You’ll gain hands‑on experience across the core areas of the modern music industry, including:
- The Music Industry
Understand how the industry works, from its history to current trends, roles and professional practices. - Recording Technology
Learn essential studio techniques and audio production skills using our state‑of‑the‑art Audient‑equipped recording studio. - Live Sound
Develop practical skills in sound engineering and system management for live music and events. - Marketing & Promotion
Learn how to promote music effectively, from grassroots campaigns to wider industry‑led strategies, while building valuable networking skills. - Creative Software Techniques
Use industry‑standard software to compose, produce and manipulate audio, unlocking new creative possibilities.
Industry‑focused learning
You’ll study in specialist facilities and benefit from expert support from tutors with industry experience. The course is designed to develop both your technical confidence and creative potential, helping you progress to further study or entry‑level roles within the music and audio industries.
Take the next step
If you’re ready to develop practical skills for a career in music technology, audio production or live sound, join us at Blackpool School of Arts, part of Blackpool & The Fylde College University Centre.
*This course is currently Subject to Validation. For more information please visit our Subject to Validation, Revalidation and Approval page.
Entry Requirements
A minimum of 48 UCAS points (excluding Functional Skills) in an appropriate discipline:
- A BTEC Level 3 qualification in Music
- A GCE Advanced Level profile that demonstrates strong performance in a relevant subject or adequate performance in more than one GCE subject. This profile is likely to be supported by GCSE grades A* to C (or equivalent), and/or 9 to 4 (or equivalent) in subjects such as maths and English
- Other related Level 3 qualifications
- An Access to Higher Education Diploma in Music
Entry Requirements(Non-traditional entry route)
For non-traditional applicants, the following will also be considered on a case by case basis
- Related work experience
- An international equivalent of the above.
Recognised Prior Learning may also be considered in accordance with the awarding body’s regulations
Where can this subject lead?
Career progression
The experience and expertise you will gain on this Level 4 HNC qualification provides a strong platform to secure industry-based employment in either performance or production related fields of the music industry.
The Level 4 Higher National Certificate also provides a solid grounding in music, which the students can build on, should they decide to continue their studies beyond the Certificate stage.
Next steps at B&FC
Having successfully completed the HNC, you are ideally placed to progress on to the Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Music Technology.
Employment Opportunities
Examples of the kinds of roles available after completing the Level 4 qualification include:
- Studio session musician £25,000
- Live session musician £25,000
- Sound design assistant £25,000
- Music producer £20,500
- Music promoter £17,000
Key information
Qualification obtained
BTEC Higher National Certificate in Music ProductionFees and funding
Visit our Tuition Fees page and Financial Support for Degrees page for more information about fees and funding.
Extra costs and equipment
There are no direct additional costs for this programme other than the provision of stationery, photocopying and so forth. However, students may wish to purchase a laptop to allow them to do coursework more flexibly. It is possible to borrow a laptop or to get help with financing one if you are eligible for additional financial support.
Regulation and Accreditation
Accrediting Institution: N/A
Awarding Body: Pearson
Regulatory Body: Office for Students (OfS)
Terms and conditions
Please visit our Student Terms and Conditions page for more information.
What will I learn?
Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers
In addition to the expertise of the curriculum team, experts from industry will be used to present a lecture/seminar, a workshop or to contribute to assessment brief scenarios. Blackpool and the Fylde’s vibrant events and music scene provides great opportunities to schedule field trips which have direct relevance to the syllabus and which would add value to the learning experience.
Through these trips students could relate theory to practice, have an opportunity to experience organisations in action, and potentially open their minds to career routes.
How will I learn?
Scheduled Learning
Scheduled time relates to the time you spend in directed study with the guidance and support of our academic tutors. Scheduled learning can take a variety of forms and will vary from one course to the next, but may include lectures, seminars, tutorials, project supervision, demonstrations, studio or workshop time, fieldwork and external visits.
Independent Study
Higher education courses rely on students undertaking work outside of formal, scheduled sessions and this is generally categorised as independent study. Independent study might include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks and revision.
Placement
Many of the degree programmes at B&FC incorporate opportunities for work placements to provide you with the opportunity to link your studies to relevant professional practice in a real work environment. Our programme teams are able to offer support in securing an appropriate work placement where it forms part of your programme, and will work closely with you during the placement to ensure that the opportunity allows you to develop personally, professionally and academically.
Expert tutors
All tutors involved in the delivery of higher education courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.
The approval process ensures that staff delivering a given programme are appropriately qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice.
Learning Methods
| Learning Method | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled | 480 | 0 | 0 |
| Independent | 720 | 0 | 0 |
| Placement | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 1200 | 0 | 0 |
How will I be assessed?
| Assessment Method | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Exam | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Practical | 0% | 0% | 0% |