BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Music Technology

The BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Music Technology course is now full for students aged 16-18 and places are extremely limited for students 19 and over. New applications may be placed on a waiting list.

2 Years: Equivalent to 3 A-Levels

This qualification gives students the opportunity to study a broad music technology curriculum, developing music  and music technology skills for both the workplace and higher education.

Units studied may include:

Music Production Techniques
This will provide you with a fundamental understanding of sound recording technology. It applies theoretical and practical  learning, including hands-on experience in the recording studio.

Planning and Delivering a Music Product
These combined second year units focus on the preparation and delivery of a recorded music product. Students will produce  a  conceptual music package such as a CD to demonstrate recording and production skills, project management, team  working and  product marketing.

Sequencing Systems and Techniques
The unit introduces you to sequencing, sampling, MIDI systems and representative commercial music software.

The Sound and Music Industry/Music Freelance World
These units take an in-depth look at the workings of the music industry. The unit is supported by a wide variety of guest  lecturers  from all aspects of the industry. The unit will also help you develop your career aspirations and understand the  working conditions  within different areas of the music industry.

Pop Music in Practice
You will develop a knowledge of the different periods and styles in popular music, and will learn about these in a historical and  social context.

Composing Music
This unit will teach the skills of composing in popular music styles. Students will be able to expand their creative abilities and  produce a selection of pieces.

Live Sound Techniques
This unit will introduce you to the skills of operation of music technology equipment as used in support of live performance.

Listening Skills for Music Technologists
This unit will help you develop the aural skills needed for effective and critical listening. You will learn to identify musical  structures, timbres, intervals and tonality.

Sound Creation and Manipulation
This unit will develop your understanding of sound creation using computer applications that allow synthesis.

Acoustics for Musicians
This unit explores the science of sound. Topics covered include the physics of sound, instrumental sound, hearing processes  and  room acoustics.

The Functional Music Keyboard
This unit will help you develop your keyboard skills to enable you to use the keyboard as a tool for a variety of musical  applications. This unit is ideal for non-keyboard players who wish to learn these valuable skills.

Music Theory and Harmony
You will have the opportunity to study aspects of music theory that will prove invaluable when working with musicians. This  unit  teaches theory in the context of popular music styles and genres and involves the creative use of sequencing software.

Admission Requirements

Minimum Age
The minimum age at the time of enrolment for Further Education courses is normally 16 as stated in the Edexcel Programme  Specifications. There is no upper age limit on entry.

Qualifications
A minimum of 4 GCSEs (grade A*–C) including English Language and Maths. You should also demonstrate an enthusiasm  for/understanding of music technology, preferably with some experience.

Interview
You will be expected to attend an interview and take a short music technology test.

If English is not your first language then you must have a British Council English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of  5.5.

Functional Skills
Where appropriate students will also undertake Functional Skills qualifications