8Jan
Undergraduate This course is subject to validation. You can still apply for this course while it is being approved.
Blackpool and the Fylde College has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Open days
Course summary
The live music production industry spans a range of music, events and entertainment contexts. Live events range from local and regional to global settings with audience sizes ranging from small groups to hundreds of thousands. The UK live events and entertainment industry is world class and following the period of inactivity brought about by the pandemic there are significant growth opportunities emerging. Locally, there are many tangible prospects for musicians, music technologists, sound engineers, sound designers and producers that seek to begin or re-establish their careers. At Level 4, students develop a broad knowledge and awareness of key aspects of the music industry through three Core units, which include one unit assessed by a Pearson-set assignment. The units are: Unit 1: The Music Industry Unit 2: Marketing and Promotion for Musicians (Pearson-set unit) Unit 3: Professional Development Unit 12: Applied Sound Principles Unit 13: Recording Technology Unit 14: Creative Software Techniques Unit 16: Music Production Fundamentals Unit 20: Live Sound Techniques
Modules
Unit 1: The Music Industry Introduces students to the structure of the industry, focussing on revenue flows, employment opportunities, business activities and growth potential. Students will analyse various income streams and assess which revenue streams are relevant to their personal career goals. Unit 2: Marketing and Promotion for Musicians (Pearson-set unit) This unit provides students with knowledge that will form a ‘toolkit’ of information about freelancing and marketing activities they can use to further their career in the music industry. These ‘tools’ include offline techniques, such as effective networking, online and social media marketing. Students will investigate and research the relative merits of each of these tools, helping them to evaluate the most suitable marketing activities for their area of practice, as they embark on the journey as an industry professional. Unit 3: Professional Development For employment in the music industry to be successful and sustainable, today’s professional is often versatile and enterprising, maintaining a portfolio career in which they can fully exploit their complete range of skills. Knowledge of professional strengths and identity is the first step towards building a strategy that will inform the student’s route towards professionalism. Students will explore the many avenues of employment that relate to their specialism, build an awareness of how to present themselves to the market place and embark on the journey of professional development. Unit 12: Applied Sound Principles This unit explores the characteristics and underlying physics of sound waves, wave propagation and how sound is interpreted by human beings. Key concepts of acoustic principles will be analysed and creatively applied, to produce a range of samples and reverb responses that can be used in variety of music and sound design projects. Unit 13: Recording Technology This unit aims to provide students with the knowledge of the techniques used by sound engineers and music producers when using technology to record audio sources. While they will learn fundamental recording techniques, they will also learn how to use recording technology in creative ways. Studio setup procedures will be explored as well as the factors that affect the quality that audio is recorded at. Studio techniques will be investigated allowing students to explore the recording equipment used by industry professionals, which can further be developed towards live, studio, location and broadcast sound. Unit 14: Creative Software Techniques This unit explores the creative possibilities within different Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs). It assumes a basic level of knowledge but will build on this in areas such as MIDI sequencing and virtual instruments, Audio recording and editing, software synths and ‘mixing within the box’ using software mixers. It will also start to build an awareness of the strengths of certain DAWs in certain areas such as composing, producing, sequencing, audio production and editing and post-production. Unit 16: Music Production Fundamentals This unit introduces the skills needed to record, produce, mix and master creative ideas within a framework of current studio and industry practice. It will develop a core level of ability across a range of connected fields, providing a platform for progression through self-directed learning or further study. It aims to explore these concepts through practical work as much as possible and encourages a professional approach to technology and workflow. Unit 20: Live Sound Techniques The unit will build students’ knowledge of the practicalities involved in setting up and operating a sound reinforcement system for live music. Students will be assessed on their knowledge of planning, setting up, and operating an appropriate live sound system, as well as their ability to operate the equipment to achieve a distortion and feedback-free front-of- house (FOH) mix for both artist and audience.
Assessment method
The assessment strategy of the course uses multiple different assessment methods and requires students to engage with a variety of assessment tools that are accessible, appropriately challenging, and support the development of student self-efficacy and self-confidence. You will receive support and feedback throughout the programme, enabling you to reach your potential. You will be assessed in the following ways: • Recordings of music/creative outputs • Work-based projects • Written reports, essays • Creation of planning documents • Academic posters, displays, leaflets • PowerPoint (or similar) presentations • Working logbooks, reflective journals • Presentations with assessor questioning • Time-constrained assessment
How to apply
29Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- W390
- Institution code:
- B41
- Campus name:
- University Centre
- Campus code:
- U
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
For applicants who have recently been in education, the entry profile will typically include one of the following: ● A BTEC Level 3 qualification in Music ● A GCE Advanced Level profile that demonstrates strong performance in a relevant subject or adequate performance in more than one GCE subject. This profile is likely to be supported by GCSE grades A* to C (or equivalent), and/or 9 to 4 (or equivalent) in subjects such as maths and English ● Other related Level 3 qualifications ● An Access to Higher Education Diploma in Music For non-traditional applicants, the following will also be considered on a case by case basis ● Related work experience ● An international equivalent of the above. ● RPL may also be considered in accordance with the awarding body’s regulations
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £7000 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £7000 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £7000 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £7000 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
Blackpool and the Fylde College
Ashfield Road
Bispham
Blackpool
FY2 0HB