Course summary

Whether you’re a writer–producer wanting to co-write and pitch on other artist’s projects, a skilled beatmaker with an expanding sample library, or a multi-instrumentalist backing-track whiz, the Cert HE Songwriting and Production course will provide you with a thorough introduction to the exhilarating world of music. Through this one-year industry-aligned course, you’ll elevate your songwriting and production skills with tailored support from our expert ICMP songwriting tutors. You’ll explore the wide spectrum of contemporary songwriting from both a theoretical and practical perspective – delving into everything from concepts, chords and track to melody, topline and lyrics. Across the Cert HE, you’ll discover how to confidently produce songs for yourself and others, learning foundational in-the-box production skills across digital audio workstations (DAWs), plus essential recording and mixing skills. Many of your lessons will take place at ICMP’s prestigious Queen’s Park campus in our high-tech industry-standard recording studios, where you’ll be introduced to a wide range of software, plugins and studio equipment. You’ll regularly collaborate with musicians and entrepreneurs across other ICMP programmes, as well as talented peers on this course’s ‘sister’ programme – the Cert HE Songwriting and Artist Development course. Each week, you’ll write a minimum of two songs to brief using a variety of contemporary songwriting approaches, genres and styles – from the vibrant beat making of hip-hop, grime and drill, to the exciting melodies of alternative music and pop. As you build your creative portfolio, you’ll join small group discussions and ‘A&R-style’ feedback sessions to evaluate each other’s work and learn how to critique your own. As a writer–producer, you’ll be encouraged to foster your unique songwriting style and production talents, with the aim of building a successful career in songwriting and music production, however that may look. During your year of study, you’ll build your skills by learning from some of London’s best songwriters, musicians and music producers, with all ICMP tutors having active careers in both music and higher education for you to draw on. They’ll inspire you to establish a distinctive music industry career path where you’ll be in control of where, when and how you advance. You’ll also have opportunities to develop your career portfolio and network connections via songwriting-and-production-specific masterclasses, workshops and visits from esteemed music industry representatives. By the time you graduate from the CertHE Songwriting and Production course, you’ll have developed a strong understanding of music theory, a solid overview of the role songwriting plays in the music business, impressive digital music production and mixing techniques, and the beginnings of a creative portfolio of songs you can take to industry. Or, if you’d like to continue studying, you can head straight into the second year of ICMP’s BA (Hons) Songwriting and Production or BA (Hons) Songwriting and Artist Development degree to keep developing your skills as a talented writer–producer.