HNC Music Production
In Partnership with Theatre Royal Wakefield and Long Division
Course Overview
This is a two-year full-time programme at Levels 4 and 5.
In year one you will complete a Higher National Certificate in Music (Production) at Level 4.
The HNC in Music Production is designed for aspiring music producers, artists, songwriters and audio engineers looking to develop the creative, technical and professional skills required for a career in the music industry.
The HNC also offers a clear progression route for students wishing to continue their studies. Upon successful completion of the HNC, students can progress onto the HND in Music Production. Following completion of the HND, students can progress onto the BA (Hons) Creative Industries Top-Up Degree at Wakefield College, enabling them to achieve a full honours degree while continuing their studies locally.Throughout the course, you will investigate how music is created, recorded, produced, promoted and distributed while developing your own creative identity as a producer and practitioner. You will work with industry-standard software and equipment to create original music, develop recording, mixing and mastering skills, explore songwriting techniques and build an understanding of marketing, promotion and professional practice within the music industry.
The programme combines practical production work with research, analysis and professional development, preparing you for progression into employment, freelance creative practice or higher-level study.
On completion of your Higher National Certificate, you will complete a Higher National Diploma in Music (Production) at Level 5.
What You Will Study
Course Modules
A1: Concept and Development
This module focuses on the development of creative, technical and professional skills through a portfolio of practical and research-based activities.
DAW Production and Composition
Explore modern music production styles such as:
- Hip Hop
- UK Garage
- Drum & Bass
- Rock and Metal
Topics include:
- Genre history and analysis
- Drum programming
- Synthesis and sound design
- Sampling techniques
- MIDI composition
- Arrangement
- Reflective practice
Recording, Mixing and Mastering
Develop practical recording and audio engineering skills through:
- Recording technology
- Digital audio fundamentals
- Microphones and signal flow
- Recording drums, bass, guitar and vocals
- Audio editing
- Mixing fundamentals
- Mastering fundamentals
Songwriting
Develop songwriting skills through:
- Lyric writing
- Melody creation
- Harmony and chord progressions
- Song structure
- Arrangement
- Creative songwriting techniques
Marketing and Promotion
Explore how music is marketed and promoted through:
- Artist branding
- Audience development
- Social media
- Content creation
- Digital marketing
- Promotion strategies
Contextual Studies
Investigate the historical, cultural and technological influences that shape music and creative industries through:
- Music history
- Genre development
- Contextual analysis
- Key technologies
- Professional working practices
- Copyright and AI
A2: Creative Project
The A2 project allows you to apply the knowledge and skills developed during A1 within a substantial creative production project.
You will:
- Develop and complete three music productions
- Complete a professionally mixed and mastered recording project
- Refine songwriting work created during A1
- Create promotional and marketing materials
- Present your work through a professional portfolio
- Evaluate your project and identify future development opportunities
- The project is designed to simulate a professional music industry brief and culminates in a showcase portfolio of completed creative work
3 days per week.
Assessment is based entirely on coursework and portfolio evidence.
You will be assessed through a combination of:
- Music productions
- Audio recordings
- Mixing and mastering projects
- Songwriting portfolios
- Research blogs
- Track analyses
- Presentations
- Project planning documentation
- Social media and marketing materials
- Reflective journals
- Peer feedback
- Evaluations
There are no formal written examinations.
Assessment is designed to reflect real-world music industry practice and emphasises creative development, technical skills and professional working methods.
Applicants will normally have one of the following:
- 64 UCAS Tariff Points from relevant qualifications.
- Access to Higher Education Diploma in a relevant subject area.
- BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Music, Music Technology, Creative Media Production or a related discipline.
- An equivalent Level 3 qualification.
Applicants with relevant industry experience and non-standard qualifications may be considered on an individual basis following interview and portfolio review.
Upon successful completion of the HNC, students may progress to:
- HND Music Production
- BA (Hons) Music Production
- BA (Hons) Music Technology
- BA (Hons) Audio Engineering
- BA (Hons) Music Business
- Employment within the music and creative industries
- Freelance music production and audio engineering
- Independent artist, producer or content creator careers
The course is very engaging and the tutors are always there for you, encouraging you to achieve your best even when things get tough.
Music