Level 2 Diploma in Music Performance and Production

This course is suitable for students who have achieved a 4/C grade in English and Maths. A positive recommendation or reference from your school/tutor will be needed for you to be eligible for this course.

Once your application is submitted, you will be invited in to attend an application day in which you will be required to complete a music task to show us your practical and creative skills. You will also be required to present your portfolio/audition. This helps us to determine the right course for you.

If you have not yet achieved 4/C grade in English and/or Maths, you will need to complete the course over two years. This will give you time to develop skills in your chosen area and improve your English and Maths skills. Reaching this level will help you have more opportunities in the future, like getting a skilled job, an apprenticeship, or moving on to a Level 3 course.

All assessment is completed through coursework. You’ll complete a series of creative projects across the year, developing your skills while meeting UAL qualification criteria.

There are no written exams – instead you’ll produce practical outcomes, research, experiments, reflections and a final major project.

The course focuses on building your foundation skills, confidence and creativity, preparing you to progress into the music industry.

You can finish with a Level 2 qualification and get an entry-level job however, this programme is designed to help you move toward a Level 3 qualification, which can lead to advanced jobs or apprenticeships.

Many of our learners have progressed to our Level 3 Music Performance and Production course and from there have enrolled at university or entered the industry.

Once he completed his course, Level 3 learner, Jack, headed to the specialist music production school, The Abbey Road Institute. He commented: “College has been an incredible experience, and I’m looking forward to what’s next. The studio access has been a huge advantage. I’ve grown so much during my time at Ashford. My Tutors have always been helpful, supportive and always on hand to talk so I owe them a lot of gratitude.”

On this course, you’ll work with industry experts on creative projects and gain hands-on experience within the music industry. Our links with top musicians and producers mean that you can develop the skills you need to succeed.

You can look forward to performing in a variety of internal and external events, such as local music festivals and providing entertaining during College events.

You can also look forward to hearing from experts working in the industry during guest speaker workshops. These are a unique opportunity to build your professional connections and find out what it is really like to work in the industry.

You will also be encouraged to take part in local and national skills competitions. These competitions put your production and performance skill to the test whist helping you feel more confident working in a new environment

We recommend that students have:

• A pair of wired Headphones
• A portable hard drive or large USB for project storage
• Optional instruments or performance equipment

Having access to an Apple Mac is beneficial but is not required. All essential College equipment, including the studio and iMac suites, is provided.

There are no fees for this course if you are under 18 and bursaries to help with equipment can be applied for. If you are aged 19 or above, please contact us for more information about fees and funding.

English and Maths are an important part of the course. If you do not yet have a grade 4/C in GCSE English and Maths, you’ll be supported to study these subjects alongside your main course – this pathway will take 2 years.