Foundation Degree in Commercial Music Production and Sound Recording

Duration
2 years full-time
4 years part-time

UCAS Institution Code
L30

UCAS Course Code
WJ39

Validated by
The Open University
more information

Apply online at
www.ucas.ac.uk

The Foundation Degree in Commercial Music Production and Recording is a two-year full-time or four-year part-time vocational programme of study, developed and delivered in partnership with a range of leading industry practitioners. It aims to provide you with the specialist practical and industry skills required for a career in commercial music production and recording.

The programme has three broad integrated strands of study:

Work-based learning and business

In addition to acquiring project management and industry skills, this strand enables you to apply the skills necessary to undertake work-based learning projects within the College’s facilities along with opportunities to work with Industry Partners. Work-based learning will be implemented through the successful acquisition of a ‘live’ brief, presented in association with industry partners.

Music Production theory and analysis

The Music Production theory and analysis strand aims to provide you with a historical, analytical and critical context for your creative work and an understanding of the working practices and technological developments that are essential for a career in commercial music production and recording.

Practical skills

This strand enables you to acquire the technical and creative skills, using industry-standard hardware and software that is integral to commercial music production and recording. Areas of study include composition, music production, studio and live recording.

Facilities

Practical aspects of the course are delivered in the College’s Music Production Suite, comprising 18 Apple Macintosh workstations. You will also have access to the College’s recording studios and a range of specialist portable recording equipment.

Digital Audio Editing Suite 1

A suite of 18 Apple Macintosh ProTools/Logic digital audio workstations designed for production work and equipped with commercial audio editing, sampling, synthesis and sound manipulation software.

Recording Studio 2

A multi-track digital studio with a medium-sized performance space. The studio is equipped with a Sony DMX R-100 digital mixing desk and an Apple Macintosh G5 ProTools/Logic recording system.

Recording Studio 3

A multi-track digital studio with a medium-sized performance space. The studio is equipped with a Sony DMX R-100 digital mixing desk and an Apple Macintosh G4 ProTools/Logic recording system.

Recording Studio 4

A multi-track digital studio with a small performance space. The studio is equipped with a Sony DMX R-100 digital mixing desk and an Apple Macintosh G4 ProTools/Logic recording system.

Recording Studio 5

A multi-track recording studio with a medium-sized performance space. The studio control rooms are equipped with 16 channel analogue mixing desks and Apple G4 ProTools/Logic recording systems.

Mixing and Mastering Studio

A multi-track digital post-production studio equipped with a Sony DMX R-100 digital mixing desk and an Apple Macintosh G4 ProTools/Logic recording system.

Progression to BA (Hons) Music Production

Upon successful completion of the Foundation Degree in Commercial Music Production and Recording, students may apply to undertake an additional one year full-time or two years part-time study to achieve a BA (Hons) Music Production, validated by the Open University. You will continue to develop the practical skills acquired on the Foundation Degree in Commercial Music Production and Recording, but in the context of more focused academic and creative study. You will undertake a substantial independent project, supported by a written critical evaluation and analysis of the final product.

Admission Requirements

The normal entry requirement for the programme is 160 UCAS tariff points.

160 points is equivalent to grades of C, C at A2 Level or MPP for the BTEC National Diploma or MM for the BTEC National Certificate.  Applicants will be required to achieve a C grade in Music Technology if taking A2 Levels.  Applicants will also need a minimum of 3 GCSE’s at grade C or above including English Language.

UCAS course code WJ39 (View the Entry Profile for this course on the UCAS website here) Closing date: 15/01/2010

The College particularly welcomes applications from mature students and from applicants currently working in a related industry who wish to study the course in part-time mode (4 years). The structure of the part-time mode will enable students to undertake the programme during a consolidated period, thus facilitating learning whilst continuing to work. The College aims to provide a flexible delivery pattern for part-time students.

Applicants from a non-traditional educational background will be able to sit a mature matriculation examination in lieu of formal qualifications. The admissions process will also take account of prior experiential learning, which will be accredited as appropriate in accordance with the matriculation requirements of the Open University.

Interview Process

Candidates called for interview will be asked to prepare prior to the interview an oral structured commentary. The structured commentary should be based on an original piece (composition and/or production). The piece must be the students own work. The structured commentary should include comments relating to all of the following areas:

Composition
Production
Industry Relevance
Social Context

Candidates are welcome to include an audio example of the piece. This example must be presented in Audio CD Only. Candidates are advised that the Department use only Mac systems.

Candidates are also advised to reflect on reasons for choosing to study this subject area at Leeds College of Music.

When can I start applying?

For entry in September 2010, submit your online application form to UCAS after 1 September 2009 and before 15 January 2010.

Please note we only accept applications for the current year of entry. If you have exceptional circumstances that support a request for deferred entry, please contact the Admissions team