Music Performance and Production - Level 3 (UAL)
Summary
The Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma in Music Performance and Production has been designed for aspiring musicians who have an interest in performance and production who wish to explore their passion via a full-time, immersive learning experience. You'll get the knowledge, skills and understanding necessary to access and progress to degree level study or employment in the music industry.
Students can look forward to taught sessions, workshops, independent study, online learning and work experience, developing a wide range of skills in music performance and production while exploring the music business, music theory, songwriting and recording.
This 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
|
2 Years
|
Where can this subject lead?
Career progression
On successfully completing this course you can 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 and video games, musical arranger or performer.
Key information
Entry Requirements
4 GCSEs grade 4 or above in English and Maths, along with the following:
- A successful interview with a tutor
- The ability to study independently
- A genuine interest in the subject
- Good communication skills
- Hardworking approach towards the industry
Qualification obtained
Extended Diploma in Music Performance and ProductionFees 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 and pianos are provided for use at college. You’ll need a USB3 portable hard drive to store your musical data from recording production and song writing sessions.
Optional one-day field trips cost between £10 and £25.
Regulation and Accreditation
Accrediting Institution: N/A
Awarding Body: UAL
Regulatory Body: Ofsted
Terms and conditions
Read our full terms and conditions.
What will I learn?
You will study the following units:
Year 1
- Principles of music performance and production
- Critical listening and music composition
- Music industry and professional practice
- Critical and contextual awareness for music performance and production
- Music production in context
- Music performance in context
- Preparation for specialist study in music performance and production
- Collaborative music performance project
Some of the units are delivered in projects that will encompass multiple unit content.
Year 2
- Developing music performance and production skills
- Exploration of specialist study in music performance and production
- Preparing for progression in music performance and production
- Project proposal for extended project in music performance and production
- Extended project in music performance and production
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
There is no formal placement assessment but you must complete a minimum of 20 hours' work experience in a related studio/performance venue or digital recording space.
Field trips to local places of interest are used to embrace learning outside the classroom. Trips are optional and funded by students.
How will I learn?
This full-time course is delivered in workshops that encourage practical application of skills developed.
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.
Whilst on the course you will be able to work with staff for external clients in response to live briefs, giving you a greater understanding of the music industry.
A typical timetable will consist of session and workshops over a four-day week with the fifth being used for independent research or production.
You will have access to specialist equipment for independent study time and rehearsal time.
In addition to traditional learning environments you’ll spend time in industry-standard work spaces including:
- 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.
Expect up to 12 hours a week in a studio or classroom setting.
You will also have access to specialist equipment for independent study time and this could be up to an additional six 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?
This course is marked wholly on coursework – there are no exams.
Coursework includes your participation in a range of music projects which includes gigs, live performances and recording projects where you will have an opportunity to release your music through B&FC’s record label.
The course is made up of 15 units that students must successfully complete. All units relate to the music performance and production sector, all are delivered through vocational learning.
The units focus on the underpinning skills, knowledge and understanding that support all music performance and production activity. Students are assessed via projects and a final major project taking place at the end of the course.
This large project allows students to demonstrate all the learning that has taken place through completion of the other units.
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.