Music Production
Over 2 years, music production students work in studios to engineer music, live sound, audio, digital sound recording & music technology.
| Award Name | BTEC Higher National Diploma at UK Level 5 |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | |
| Awarding Body | Pearson |
| NFQ Level | |
| Award Name | BTEC Higher National Certificate at UK Level 4 |
| NFQ Classification | |
| Awarding Body | Pearson |
| NFQ Level |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| BTEC Higher National Diploma at UK Level 5 | Pearson | ||
| BTEC Higher National Certificate at UK Level 4 | Pearson |
Duration
2 years full-time.
Entry Requirements
Standard minimum entry requirements for all courses in BCFE:
• Minimum statutory school leaving age (16+)
• CERFL proficiency at B2 for access to Level 5 and Level 6 courses for those whose first language is not English.
• Additional requirements may apply to non-EU/EA Applicants and may be subject to full international fees. Please refer to Information for international students.
• A PPS number is required for registration. Please refer to How to get a Personal Public Service (PPS) Number.
• The academic entry requirements may be waived for mature applicants (21+)
Minimum entry requirements for all level 6 courses
• QQI Level 5 award in a relevant or equivalent
• Leaving Certificate/LCVP with a minimum of two O1/H5 and three O6/H7 grades or equivalent.
What Do You Need To Apply?
In addition to the Entry Requirements, please note for this course you will also need to provide a portfolio of your recent work. Please see the Portfolio field above for details.
Year 1 Higher National Certificate
• Suitable BCFE QQI Level 5 awards, with a merit profile, that satisfy the entry requirements include:
o Music Performance (PMCp)
o Sound Production (PMCe)
• The academic entry requirements may be waived for mature applicants (21+).
Year 2 Higher National Diploma
• Students who have successfully completed year 1 and have achieved a Higher National Certificate in Music (Technology), can progress automatically to year 2.
• Applicants with an equivalent Higher National Certificate, and subject to module compatibility may also apply directly to Year 2, Higher National Diploma in Music (Production).
Careers / Further progression
Progression Opportunities
• Graduates who achieve a Merit/Distinction profile may apply for entry to the BA (Hons) in Media Production Management in BCFE, and then on completion, apply to the Masters programme in Music and Media Technologies in Trinity College Dublin.
• Graduates of this course may also apply through the CAO and/or the Higher Education Links Scheme for entry to higher and advanced certificate and degree programmes at national Institutes of Technology, Technological Universities and Universities, where graduates gain exemption of one or two years from music degree courses in Ireland, (applicants should confirm linked awards and eligibility requirements with the relevant Higher Education Institution).
• Graduates may also gain exemption of one or two years from other Music degree courses in the UK.
Career Opportunities
Successful students can expect to find employment in the media, entertainment and music industries in any of the following roles: Sound Engineers, Stage Managers, Production Managers, Event Production Crew and Managers, Sound Designers, Acoustic Engineers and Consultants, Foley Artists, Recording Engineers, Sound Technicians, Location Sound Engineers, Further Study (Masters/Ph.D.), Professional Musicians / DJs, Sound Editors.
Further information
Commencing September 2024.
• International Applicants
• Mature Students
• VTOS (Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme) funded applicants
• BTEA (Back to Education Allowance) funded applicants
Sources of Funding:
- PLC Maintenance Grant Scheme Refer to www.susi.ie
- VTOS (Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme) Refer to www.gov.ie/vtos
- BTEA (Back to Education Allowance) Refer to www.welfare.ie
- SOLAS Fund for Students with Disabilities Refer to www.solas.ie and guidance notes on www.bcfe.ie
Portfolio Guidelines
• Applicants are required to provide two pieces audio/ music that they had an involvement in creating, preferably self-recorded/produced. Links to your audio examples can be added within the work experience section of the online application form. A copy of a CV and any references should also be available for the interview. Musicians / DJs, Sound Editors.
Applications and Admissions Process 2024/25:
All applications to Ballyfermot Campus will be accepted after the 6th November 2023 and the closing date for receipt of applications directly to Ballyfermot Campus is the 27th of September 2024. Applications received after this date will be processed as late applications in accordance with the Admissions Policy of Ballyfermot Campus.
Apply Online (see "Application Weblink").
For further details on admissions:
Tel: (01) 6269421
Email: info@bcfe.cdetb.ie
Why Choose Music Production?
This course will introduce you to the rudiments involved in producing music in live sound recording and/or static settings, either in a home studio or in a large recording studio.
You will learn from musicians who have worked in the industry and who will impart to you their knowledge of the performance and technical perspectives involved in creating high quality recordings.
On this course you will study the technical operation of sound recording equipment and the related industry standard software techniques necessary to complete a recording. This you will record in our newly refurbished recording studio, and you can practice your techniques in our large performance studio. In addition, you will study project management and develop business skills that will give you the skillset to allow you to gain employment in this area or advance to further and higher education.
Year 1
• The Music Industry
• Marketing and Promotion for Musicians
• Professional Development
• Applied Sound Principles
• Recording Technology
• Creative Software Techniques
• Live Sound Techniques
• Fundamentals of Composition
End of Year 1 Certification Higher National Certificate in Music (Technology).
Year 2
• Creative Research Project
• Advanced Music Production
• Music Systems Programming
• Advanced Synthesis and Processing
• Live Mixing
• Composing to a Brief
• Sound for Media Products
End of Year 2 Certification Higher National Diploma in Music (Production).
Award Year 1: Pearson BTEC Higher National Certificate in Music (Technology)
Award Year 2: Pearson BTEC Higher National Diploma in Music (Production)
* The Higher National Diploma is recognised by the QQI as being comparable to the Higher Certificate at NFQ Level 6.
Course Facilities
• Classroom Lab with 25 workstations and Midi controller keyboards
• Analog Recording Studio
• SSL Origin Recording Console
• RADAR and Universal Audio interfaces
• Digital Recording Studio
• State of the Art D+B PA System in Purpose Built Venue with 4-way monitors
• Software includes: Pro-tools, Logic Pro, Propellerheads, Reason, Cubase, Adobe Audition, Fruity Loops, Soundforge, Ableton Live, Pure Data, Max 8, Reaper and Sony Vegas
• Extensive Studio and Live microphone locker: Barkley / Coles / AEA / DPA / Neumann / Audio-Technica / Soyuz / Sennheiser / Beyerdynamic / AKG
• High End Microphone Preamps: TL Audio / Neve / AEA / Urei / SSL / Focusrite / Audient / Tascam
Course Features
• Students can apply to participate in the annual International Band and Business Camp hosted in Hammelburg, Germany by the Popakademie.
• Students have the possibility of being involved in an Erasmus+ exchange programme.
• Students will complete a Stage Pass training course certified by the Association of Irish Stage Technicians (AIST).
• Annual guest lectures and workshops from industry professionals.
Ballyfermot College of Further Education,
Ballyfermot Road,
Ballyfermot,
Dublin 10
Phone: +353-1-6298500
Email: info@bcfe.cdetb.ie