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A student at a desk in a recording studio explores music production, utilising a keyboard alongside advanced technology.

Music Performance and Production - Level 2

Summary

Music moves, inspires and heals. If you're fascinated by the transformative effect of music and the industry that makes it happen, this is the course for you. The full-time Level 2 Diploma in Music Performance and Production course has been developed to provide students with an understanding of music performance and production as a collaborative activity and prepare them for a career in related industries.

The course is designed for aspiring musicians who want to develop a career in the music industry. Students will explore their passion through a full-time, immersive learning experience, developing a wide range of skills in music performance and production alongside exploring the music business, music theory, song writing and recording. The course supports the development of your individual creative portfolio and provides the opportunity to develop your music for commercial release.  

Next course dates

Start date Location Duration
02 Sep 2026
University Centre
1 Year

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

Following successful completion of the Music Performance and Production Diploma you will be able to progress to the Level 3 Diploma, where you will develop major live music and recording projects.

You will then have the option to progress to higher education to study in a wide range of subjects, including music production, composing, popular music and recording, music performance, music industry management and live sound.

Career options are varied and include working as a live sound engineer, recording studio engineer, music producer, artist manager, session musician, recording artist, composer for film, TV & video games, musical arranger or performer.

Students have progressed onto a variety of different higher education courses at a wide range of universities.

Key information

Entry Requirements

4 GCSEs grade 3 - 1 including English and maths, along with the following:

  • A successful interview with a tutor
  • The ability to study independently
  • A genuine interest in the subject
  • Hardworking approach towards the industry

Qualification obtained

Diploma in Music Performance and Production

Fees and funding

Courses for learners who are 16-18 years old at the start of their course and resident in the UK are fully funded. You may also be entitled to further financial help to support your studies depending on your personal circumstances. For more details of these, please visit our page on Finance Support for School Leavers. 

If you are not a UK resident, we will confirm whether funding is available when we process your application. If not, you may be liable for course fees.

Extra costs and equipment

You will need to bring your first instrument if you play guitar, bass or other easily portable instrument. Drummers should bring their own drumsticks.

Keyboards/pianos are available to use at College. You will need your own USB3 portable hard drive to store your musical data from recording, production and songwriting sessions. 

Field trips are funded by students and are optional. The cost of a local one-day field trip can range from £10 to £25.

Regulation and Accreditation

Accrediting Institution: N/A

Awarding Body: UAL

Regulatory Body: Ofsted

Terms and conditions

Read our full terms and conditions for more information.

What will I learn?

The course is made up of eight units relating to the music performance and production:

  • Introduction to music performance
  • Introduction to music production
  • Listening skills for music performance and production
  • Exploring music composition
  • Contexual research for music performance and production
  • Music performance skills and practice
  • Music production skills and practice
  • Music performance and production project

All units are delivered through vocational learning.

The units focus on the underpinning skills, knowledge and understanding that support all music performance and production activity.

Some of the units are delivered in projects that will encompass multiple unit content.

Essential skills: English and Maths

All school leavers at B&FC are encouraged to continue developing their English and maths skills as higher ability in both these subjects is linked to long-term career success and increased earning potential - irrespective of how well you performed at GCSE. If, however, you achieve a GCSE Grade 3 or less in either subject, you will also have the opportunity to work towards re-sitting these to enhance your paper-based qualifications. This won’t delay your career journey because you will be undertaking this programme of study at the same time as your chosen subject.

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

Field trips to local places of interest are used to embrace learning outside of the classroom environment.

Students will also gain experience of work by engaging with external companies and by working on location and live events.

There is no assessed work placement on this course but you will be required to complete a minimum of 20 hours' work experience in a related music industry, studio/performance venue or digital recording space.

How will I learn?

This course combines taught sessions, workshops, independent study, online learning and work experience.

Students will work in group production tasks and also independently.

All the tutors on the course are working or have worked in the industry and can share a wealth of experience and have higher levels of education in media specific areas.

A typical timetable will consist of session and workshops over a 4-day week and the fifth day being used for independent research or practical production days.

You will have access to specialist equipment for independent study time and rehearsal time.

In addition to some work in the traditional learning environment you will experience a range of industry-standard work spaces which may include:

  • The Recording Studio - Pro Tools 12 HD and 24 Channel Analogue Mixing Desk
  • The Mixing Suite - Acoustic treated for professional level mixing in both Pro Tools and Logic Pro X software
  • Music Performance Room - Versatile space for acoustic and band performances which also functions as a live sound venue including a PreSonus live Digital mixing desk
  • Music Production Suite - Fully equipped with iMacs running Logic Pro X software. Space accommodates: Music Sequencing, Sound for Moving Image, Music Theory and Music Production work
  • Rehearsal Rooms - Fully equipped with mixing desks, guitar and bass amp emulation, electronic drum kits and microphones for extended rehearsals and performance preparations. Each room also has an iMac with a sound card for additional songwriting and recording activities
  • University Centre Theatre - Provides an excellent performance space for live gigs

It is normal to expect up to 12 hours a week in a studio or classroom setting.

You will have access to specialist equipment for independent study time and this could be up to an additional 6 hours a week.

Expert tutors

All tutors involved in the delivery of courses and apprenticeships within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.

Our recruitment process ensures that tutors delivering a given programme are suitably qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and a familiarity with professional practice. The aim of this is to enrich students’ learning experience, giving them an insight into what working in the industry is really like.

How will I be assessed?

There is no exam on this course. You will be assessed through coursework (100%) and a range of music projects including gigs, live performances and recording projects where you will have an opportunity to release your music through B&FC's record label.

The range of assessment methods include essays, reports, presentations, filmed rehearsals and practical recording sessions and performances.  

There is no formal assessment through work experience but you will conclude a minimum of 20 hours work experience.

Students are assessed via projects and a final major project which takes place at the end of the course when they are at their best. This large project allows students to demonstrate all the learning that has taken place through completion of the other units.