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Music Production

PLC Post Leaving Cert
MJ MH

BIFE’s Music Production Course fuses art and science to ensure students become fluent in the language and culture of music technology. An advanced program developed for those who want to hone and refine their skills.

Award Name BTEC Higher National Certificate at UK Level 4
NFQ Classification
Awarding Body Pearson
NFQ Level
Award Name BTEC Higher National Diploma at UK Level 5
NFQ Classification
Awarding Body Pearson
NFQ Level
Award Name NFQ Classification Awarding Body NFQ Level
BTEC Higher National Certificate at UK Level 4 Pearson
BTEC Higher National Diploma at UK Level 5 Pearson
Alternate Provider:
Location:
Bray
Attendance Options:
Full time, Daytime
Qualification Letters:
BTEC Cert/Dip
Apply to:
Course provider

Duration

2 Years

Entry Requirements

One of the following:
• Leaving Certificate with some higher papers. Extenuating circumstances may be considered
• Full QQI Level 5 Award with relevant experience
• BTEC National Diploma in Sound Engineering with a merit profile
• BTEC National Diploma in Music Technology (Sound Engineering) with a merit profile
• Mature Applicants – experience will be considered in lieu of formal qualifications

Places are offered following successful interview. For a successful interview, it is recommended that students bring in evidence of prior experience in sound recording/music production.

Careers / Further progression

Career Opportunities
• Studio Engineer
• Location Sound
• Interactive Media
• Post Sound for TV & Film
• Production/Recording Artist
• Live Sound Engineer
• Gaming Audio

Higher Education Progression*
Examples of potential courses include:
• Queens University Belfast:
BA in Music and Audio Production UCAS: W374 (Second Year)
• Griffith College/Pulse College Dublin:
BA Hons in Music Production (Final Year)
Apply directly to Griffith College

• IADT:
Creative Music Production (Second Year) DL838

• Manchester Metropolitan University:
Music and Sound Design (Second Year)
UCAS: WMS1

*Places are not guaranteed in these Institutes and are subject to students meeting certain criteria. Please consult the individual college websites for more information on application. Information available also at www.cao.ie

QQI FET Links to CAO Courses

Course Web Page

Further information

Course commences in September 2024.

Enrolment Procedure

Step 1:
Applicants must apply online at www.bife.ie.

Step 2:
In some cases, applicants may be invited to attend for interview at the Institute. Applicants will be selected on suitability and a first come/first served basis. You should bring the following to the interview:
• A copy of Leaving Certificate results (if applicable)
• A brief Curriculum Vitae
• A Portfolio of Work (where necessary)
• References (where necessary)

Step 3:
Successful applicants will be offered a place by post, subject to them achieving the basic entry requirements laid out in the prospectus/website and must secure their place by paying an acceptance fee of €50. All fees must be paid by Friday 30th August 2024. The €50 acceptance fee is non refundable. All other fees will be refunded if the applicant subsequently decides not to take their place before Friday 27th September 2024. Failure to pay the relevant fees may result in a lapse of your offer. All candidates who accept an offer agree to abide by the policies and procedures of the Institute.

Step 4:
All learners must register at the Institute or on-line by the designated registration date.

International Applicants
The Institute welcomes applications from International Learners. Non EA applicants (applicants outside the European Area, i.e. outside EU & Iceland, Norway and Switzerland) must comply with Irish immigration requirements. Such applicants will have to secure a visa from the Immigration Section of the Department of Justice. As all courses are delivered in English, International students will be required to provide a certified qualification of proficiency in English where English is not the applicants first language.

Non-EU students will be required to pay the economic cost of the course as determined by the Department of Education.

International applicants should apply directly to the Institute office for further information.

Mature students are welcome to apply

Fees
Courses at Bray Institute of Further Education are funded largely by the European Social Fund. Tuition costs are covered for Irish or EU citizens undertaking PLC courses. There is no application fee, however all learners are required to pay the following:

• An Acceptance Fee of €50, to be paid when offered a place on a course.
• A Resource contribution fee of €150 for learner services*, paid annually.

There is also a cost of registration with professional bodies for a small number of courses such as Accounting Technicians Ireland (ATI).

*Resource fees are used as a general fund to provide learner resources for PLC courses including library services

Maintenance Grant
Learners on full-time approved courses at the Institute are entitled to apply for Maintenance Grants. The Grant is means tested. Learners should apply to SUSI, the online grant application system, through www.studentfinance.ie.
Learners in receipt of the maintenance grant must pay all the usual costs of the course.

Back to Education Initiative & VTOS
The Department of Social Welfare and The Department of Education and Skills administer these two schemes. In 2024, these schemes will become fully integrated into the college. These schemes offer unemployed adults an opportunity to return to full-time education while retaining their full social welfare entitlements and in some cases to receive extra benefits. Payments from DEASP normally establish eligibility. Previous educational level can also contribute.
To check your eligibility log onto www.studentfinance.ie or talk to the VTOS Co-ordinator. Some extra benefits may apply.

Yes

You can only apply online on the BIFE website by clicking on the "Apply Now 2024/2025" button at the top of any page on the college website Or
Click on the Application Weblink above.

Applications usually begin in mid December of the proceeding year of application. Early applications are always advisable to avoid classes filling up and increase your chances of getting a position.

We focus on getting you ready to enter the competitive audio industry, and able to express yourself both technically and artistically. We go in-depth into recording techniques used in the studio, live and on location. We explore emerging trends in audio technology, synthesis and sound design to make sure that your technique is fresh, vibrant and state-of-the-art. We encourage you to work towards your own artistic and professional goals with tutors providing constant support, professional coaching and individual guidance. If you want to go deep into the craft enrol at the Bray Institute of Further Education.

Programme of Study
HNC - Year One
• The Music Industry
• Marketing & Promotion for Musicians
• Professional Development
• Applied Sound Principles
• Recording Technology
• Creative Software Techniques
• Creative Synthesis Techniques
• Applied Music Theory

HND - Year Two
• Creative Research Project
• Advanced Music Production
• Advanced Sound Engineering
• Sound for Media Products
• Mixing and Mastering
• Advanced Synthesis and Processing
• Advanced Composition Techniques
• Advanced Composing Using Technology

Components subject to change

Certification:
BTEC Higher National Certificate in Music (Production) Level 6+ will be achieved after year 1

BTEC Higher National Diploma in Music (Production) Level 6+ will be achieved after year 2 (603/2274/3)

Head of Department:
Seán Cryan

Course Co-ordinator:
Philip Dobie

Bray Institute of Further Education,
Tel: 01 282 9668
Email: bifeenquiries@kwetb.ie
Web: www.bife.ie

Alternate Provider:
Location:
Bray
Attendance Options:
Full time, Daytime
Qualification Letters:
BTEC Cert/Dip
Apply to:
Course provider