Professional Radio course

Program Overview

The Radio Pro Certificate is an intensive nine-month program designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the radio and podcasting industry. It covers technical, creative, and administrative skills needed for radio broadcasting, including podcasting and audio production. Students will gain practical experience in presenting, producing, and branding radio and audio content, preparing them for successful careers in the radio and audio industry.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Radio Pro Certificate is an intensive nine-month program designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the radio and podcasting industry. The program expands upon the Radio Certificate course with additional modules focused on the radio and audio industry, podcasting, and production. It aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to launch a successful career in radio or podcasting.

Objectives:

The program is designed to help students:

• Develop a broader understanding of the radio and podcasting industry.
• Learn the technical, creative, and administrative skills required for radio broadcasting.
• Gain practical experience in presenting, producing, and branding radio and audio content.
• Master the art of podcasting and understand its role in the evolving audio landscape.
• Prepare for a successful career as a radio producer, audio producer, radio/podcast presenter, or music/podcast curator.

Outline:

Term 1:

• Module 1: Radio Broadcasting: This module introduces students to the fundamentals of radio broadcasting, covering technical aspects, creative elements, and administrative practices.
Students will learn how to operate broadcast and recording equipment, edit audio using software, understand radio landscape, plan and produce shows, and develop research and presentation skills.
• Key skills: Operating a Broadcast Desk, Operating Recording Equipment, Editing Vox Pops and Interviews, Developing and Producing Radio Features, Planning and Producing a Radio Show, Operating the Playout System.
Students will gain in-depth knowledge of the sector, both in the UK and globally, including rules, regulations, economics, audience building, social media engagement, and developing and pitching original content.
• Key skills: The Radio & Audio Sectors in the UK and Around the World, Rules, Regulations, and the Economics of the Radio & Audio Industry, Understanding and Building an Audience, Social Media and Interactivity, Developing and Pitching Ideas, Career Routes, Writing a CV, and Interviewing for a Job.

Term 2:

• Module 3: Presenting: This module focuses on the practical and creative aspects of radio and audio presenting.
Students will learn to develop original ideas, experiment with different presenting styles (daytime, specialist music, speech, podcasts), gain practical experience in presenting live and pre-recorded shows, conduct interviews, operate radio and audio equipment in a live broadcast setting, and produce a demo.
• Key skills: Presenting on Daytime and Specialist Music Radio, Presenting on Speech Radio, Writing and Improvising Links, Interviewing, News and Reporting, Producing a Demo.
• Module 4: Radio & Audio Production: This module delves into the role of the radio/audio producer, equipping students with the skills to produce a variety of content.
It covers technical aspects of production like advanced audio editing, sound engineering, live mixing, and storytelling through sound. It also emphasizes administrative and project management responsibilities like scripting, creating radio clocks and running orders, collaborating with presenters, and maintaining broadcast standards. Students will learn about audio branding components, their creation, and their use in radio and audio.
• Key skills: Audio Processing and Sound Effects, Producing Audio Imaging, Producing adverts & trails/promos, Managing voice over artists, Brands & Monetisation, Producing Visual Content.
• Module 6: Podcasting: This module explores the ever-evolving world of podcasting, teaching students how to create, produce, and market podcasts.
It covers developing podcast concepts, interviewing techniques, planning long-form conversations, writing scripts, growing podcast audiences, and mastering hosting and distribution.
• Key skills: Developing a Podcast Concept, Interviewing for Podcasts, Planning Long-Form Conversations, Podcast Scripts & Running Orders, Growing a Podcast Audience, Hosting and Distributing a Podcast.

Teaching:

• Lecturers: The program features a team of expert lecturers with extensive experience in the radio and audio industry.
Notable lecturers include Lindsay Wesker (Music Industry), Mark Brocklesby (Advanced Recording & Mixing), John Farley (J-Fresh) (Radio), Michael Bailey (Radio), and Frank McWeeny (Radio).
• Small Class Sizes: Point Blank classes are kept small to ensure ample 1-2-1 time with lecturers.
• Industry-Standard Studios: The studios are located in Shoreditch, London, and equipped with industry-standard, state-of-the-art technology, including microphones, mixing desks, and other audio production tools.

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths: Graduates of the Radio Pro Certificate are well-prepared for careers as:
• Radio producer
• Audio producer
• Technical producer
• Social & digital producer
• Radio presenter
• Podcast presenter
• Music curator
• Podcast curator
• Assistant producer
• Content assistant
• Production assistant
• Researcher
• Industry Success: Point Blank boasts a roster of successful alumni who have gone on to work in prominent radio stations like BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 1Xtra, Capital FM, Rinse FM, and many more.

Other:

• Facilities and Practice Time: Students have access to Point Blank's studios seven days a week during term time for practice and independent work.
• Equipment: Point Blank provides all necessary equipment for classes and studio practice.
Students are recommended to have their own equipment at home for assignments and independent work.
• Discounts: Point Blank students receive exclusive discounts on industry-leading software and equipment from companies like Native Instruments, Ableton, Roland Cloud, Adam Audio, and Focusrite.
• Global Alumni: The course features numerous successful alumni from diverse musical backgrounds, including DJ and producer Patrick Topping, South Asian pop superstar Arjun, UK dance music legend Spoony, radio host Madam X, dance music legend Pete Tong, drum and bass artist Goldie, house music producer Claude VonStroke, musician Aluna Francis, and singer Leona Lewis.