Program Overview
The Popular Music Foundation Degree provides practical training for careers in the music industry. Students develop understanding of the commercial music sector, technical skills, and creativity through workshops, one-on-one instrumental sessions, and industry expert visits. The program includes assessments tailored to real-world industry practices, and graduates have pursued careers as studio engineers, live sound engineers, and session musicians.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Popular Music Foundation Degree course provides the training and skills necessary for a wide range of careers within the music industry. You will develop understanding of the commercial music sector, study musical output and techniques, and improve your creativity, professionalism and practical musicianship to a level needed for music industry employment. This Foundation Degree is focused on developing the practical and transferable skills required to make you industry-ready.
Outline:
Year one
- MAST (MIDI, Audio, Studio Techniques) 20 credits
- Working Live 20 credits
- Understanding Style 20 credits
- Show Me The Money 20 credits
- Technical Development 20 credits
- Creative Portfolio 20 credits
Year two
- Production Cycle 20 credits
- Personal Development Portfolio 20 credits
- Technical Development 2 20 credits
- Final Showcase/Product 20 credits
- Professional Music Practice 40 credits
Teaching:
You will learn through workshops, lectures, recording sessions, seminars and tutorials. All students receive weekly one-to-one instrumental sessions, delivered by our highly qualified visiting instrumental specialists on vocals, guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards. Much of your work will be geared towards the development of professional products, such as performances, tours, album production or radio shows.
Careers:
Graduates from this degree course benefit from a wide range of career opportunities through professional graduate training programmes, and by demonstrating high-level employability through the academic, creative and transferable skills developed during the course. In the music industry itself, SCCB graduates have progressed successfully to work with BBC Radio 1/1Xtra, BBC Introducing, Craig David, Sydney Opera House, X-factor, the Royal Variety Performance, Urban Audio, Blitz Games, music management and a range of ongoing corporate and independent music opportunities. Graduate Opportunities Graduate opportunities include studio engineer, live sound engineer, stage manager/tour staff, session musician, media music composer, independent freelance musician. Also you can progress to graduate placements/training in education, finance, public services etc. utilising the transferable and creative skills developed on the course.
Other:
This is a franchise course at South and City College and applicants are auditioned by the college. You will be asked to prepare two pieces for live performance and/or recorded tracks of music technology work. Awarded by Birmingham City University, this is a high level course with experienced staff and excellent resources. With 3 recording studios, 7 rehearsal rooms, 2 sequencing suites and a 600-capacity working venue on site, you will enjoy the exciting, creative opportunities and supportive environment. Your principal study can be in performance, music technology, live sound or composition. Additionally the course takes a holistic approach to musical study, with every student developing a broad range of skillsets required to become a successful music professional. Assessments are varied and innovative, and often modelled on real industry practice. You will study the theory, wider contexts and contemporary issues surrounding the modern day music industry and there will be regular visits from industry experts and artists. You will also develop the musical and creative skills required by a performer, composer or producer, learn how to work well in teams and demonstrate leadership, organisation and decision-making skills. The course is extremely beneficial both practically and academically. I’ve had a brilliant time and developed relationships with many great people. I feel ready to enter the working world with a confident knowledge of my skill set. James Burgess, drummer South and City College Birmingham’s advanced facilities put you in a professional working environment from day one. The college has Customer Service Excellence status, and is one of only a handful of training providers to achieve the government’s Training Quality Standard in three or more sector areas. With a highly supportive and experienced staff team, excellent levels of contact time and quality resources, you will feel valued, encouraged and stimulated to do your best.
UK students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS. The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament.
Award: FdA
Starting: Sep 2024
Mode
Duration
Fees
Full Time
2 years £9,250 in 2024/25
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament.
Award: FdA
Starting: Sep 2024
Mode
Duration Fees
Full Time
2 years TBC The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.
