
Access to Higher Education
The Access to Higher Education DJ & Electronic Music Production course is designed to meet the needs of the contemporary creative industry and to lead into Higher Education.
Music Performance & Production
Access to Higher Education
The Access to HE Music Performance & Production course is designed for creatives that want to be able to write, produce and perform original music.
Build your confidence as a performer, songwriter and producer while developing the skills you need to take your next step in music. This one year Access to HE Diploma will help you strengthen your creative and technical skills, build your portfolio and prepare for progression to university.
No formal entry requirements.
One Year – Full Time.
Level 3 Access to HE Diploma
Build your confidence as a performer, songwriter and producer while developing the skills you need to take your next step in music. This one-year Access to HE Diploma will help you strengthen your creative and technical skills, build your portfolio and prepare for progression to university.
No formal entry requirements.
One Year – Full Time.
Level 3 Access to HE Diploma
Our Music Performance & Production course gives you the practical, creative and technical skills to develop as a musician, performer and producer. You’ll explore the different sides of music-making, from writing and performing your own material to recording and producing music in the studio.
Throughout the course, you’ll build your skills in:
You’ll learn through practical, hands-on sessions led by tutors with industry experience. Working in professional recording studios and music technology suites, you’ll get the chance to develop your sound using industry-standard equipment and software.
Alongside your creative and technical skills, you’ll develop the communication, teamwork, research and independent working skills you’ll need to take your next steps in music. You’ll also have opportunities to reflect on your work, collaborate with other creatives and explore where your skills could take you within the industry.
By the end of the course, you’ll have built a strong foundation in both music performance and production, preparing you to progress to degree-level study and continue developing your creative career.
This course is taught and delivered by Access Creative College at dBs Institute campuses.
Over the course of the year, you will refine your skills as a music performer and producer as you explore a wide range of creative techniques and approaches. You’ll deepen your understanding of key industry software, develop as a solo and collaborative practitioner, and culminate your studies with a final project.
You’ll receive access to:
During your course, you will have access to a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), where you can:
Get hands on with music production and recording, building your confidence using industry standard Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) including Logic Pro and Ableton Live. You’ll develop practical skills in audio recording, MIDI and sequencing while learning how to turn your creative ideas into finished productions.
Develop your own sound as you explore songwriting, composition and music theory. You’ll experiment with chords, scales, modes, rhythm and lyrics, using your growing production skills to create, develop and refine your own music.
Build your confidence as a performer through practical solo and group sessions. You’ll develop your performance techniques, work with other musicians and build a collection of songs and material to perform. You’ll also explore how music technology can be used to support and enhance live performance.
Get prepared for your next step into Higher Education while developing the academic and independent study skills you’ll need at university. You’ll build confidence in research, critical thinking, essay writing, presentations and reflection, while also planning and developing your final project.
With creative and professional development at its core, this Music Production course will see you grow and refine your skills in studio and computer-based recording, production and mixing.
You’ll be introduced to the industry-standard DAWs, Logic Pro X and Ableton Live, working with a suite of software plugins as well as hardware mixing consoles and effects in our cutting-edge recording studios.
You will develop your understanding of a series of core skills including:
Alongside these practice-based sessions, you will expand your academic and entrepreneurial skills through a mixture of research, study skills, presentation, independent study and self-reflection. All of this experience will provide the perfect platform to progress onto an undergraduate degree, where you can continue to specialise in music production or explore more niche study areas in sound design or music and sound for screen.
This course is taught and delivered by Access Creative College on dBs Institute campuses.
Over the course of the year, you will refine your skills as a music performer and producer as you explore a wide range of creative techniques and approaches. You’ll deepen your understanding of key industry software, develop as a solo and collaborative practitioner, and culminate your studies with a final project.
You’ll receive access to:
During your course, you will have access to a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), where you can:
For this study area, you’ll be working ‘in-the-box’, building your proficiency with Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) such as Logic Pro and Ableton Live, developing your techniques with audio recording, MIDI and sequencing.
Here you will explore the world of music theory and develop your compositional and songwriting skills. You’ll study chords, scales and modes, rhythm and lyrics, and further develop your music production skills through creating and refining the music you have written.
In this strand you’ll study individual and group performance techniques, develop a repertoire of material and learn how to integrate music technology into performances.
This final study area is all about developing your academic skills, preparing you for university and supporting the creation of your final project. With the support of your tutors, you’ll create a personal statement and UCAS application at the start of the academic year. You’ll turn your attention to essay planning and writing, grow your understanding of academic conventions, as well as developing presentation and independent study skills.
Applying to study with us takes less than two minutes, and we have interviewers ready and waiting to speak to you. Find out more about the application journey and apply now below.
With all the transferable skills you’ll learn on this course, the world really is your oyster.
You can head off to University, study a Level 4/5 course or go straight into the world of work.

A Film Composer writes the score for a film, demoing for the film’s creative team, fitting music into scenes and leading recording sessions.

Session musicians are professional instrumentalists or vocalists hired to perform on a recording or during a live show, usually on a freelance or contract basis, lending their skills to a project without being a permanent member of the band.

DJs perform at clubs, festivals and on the radio, playing music across a wide range of genres that may or may not be theirs. They select tracks for their set, ‘mix’ (transition between tracks seamlessly to provide gapless music), add effects or use techniques like scratching to manipulate their sound.

Producers plan and coordinate various aspects of film production. They select the script, source funding, coordinate writing, approve locations, hire staff, work with the director, and help edit/arrange the film.

Music teachers instruct students in playing instruments, singing, music theory or composition, working one-to-one or in group settings across schools, colleges or private practice.

Solo artists and band members write, perform and release their own music, either independently or as part of a group. They may play instruments, sing, write lyrics, and collaborate with producers or other musicians,.

Foley artists create everyday sounds for film and tv productions, intended to fill in the background of scenes and enhance the auditory experience for the viewer. Typical sounds created can include footsteps, doors opening and breaking glass.
With all the transferable skills you’ll learn on this course, the world really is your oyster.
You can head off to University, study a Level 4/5 course or go straight into the world of work.

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This course is designed to be as practical as possible and all your submissions will be coursework-based. You will learn hands-on in recording studios and iMac suites, with access to hardware instruments and effects, Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) such as Logic Pro and software-based instruments and tools, as well as practical skills through interactive workshops.
You will learn to evaluate and improve your work through group tutorials, 1-2-1 reviews and self-evaluation. Regular learning will come from lectures and seminars.
On average, you should allow for between 35 – 40 hours per week for your studies, 11.5 hours of which will be delivered onsite. The remaining time is allotted to self-study.
In addition, your learning will be supported by:
No formal entry requirements.
This course is internally assessed, with coursework delivered and evaluated by your teachers. Assignments include practical tasks such as performances, compositions, and audio recordings, visual media, alongside written reports and presentations. The year consists of 8 assignments, culminating in a Final Project, where you will create a professional portfolio showcasing your development and work for future progression.
Our bespoke professional development programme aims to empower you to take your next steps into your future career. We achieve this by providing you with a three phase programme of lessons, projects and experiences designed to give you as much exposure to industry as possible.
All campuses (18 years old at enrollment)
All campuses 19+
Free
£4,835*
*Free with Advanced Learner Loan from the UK Government
Three or more GCSEs at grade 3 or above, including English (Language or Literature).
This course is internally assessed, meaning your teachers deliver and assess all of your coursework. The year is currently made up of 7 assignment submissions. Projects are a balance of practical work like compositions, audio recordings and videoed performances; reports and presentations.
We will work with you to build your skills from the ground up, and we can provide you with all the gear you need, but before you start with us, it would be beneficial for you to do the following:
Your course benefits from an enrichment programme planned out by your local campus. Activities we’ve done in the past are guest talks from industry practitioners, opportunities to play at local or national events, field trips and visits, and collaborative projects between students from different courses.
Our bespoke professional development programme aims to empower you to take your next steps into your future career. We achieve this by providing you with a three phase programme of lessons, projects and experiences designed to give you as much exposure to industry as possible.
If you are 16-18 and don’t already have GCSE Grades 4 or above in mathematics and/or English Literature or Language, it will be compulsory for you to do a GCSE level maths and/or English course alongside your studies with us. Learn more here.
All campuses 16-18*
FREE
All campuses 19+ (FIRST YEARS ONLY)
£4,425
A range of student-friendly offers are available in partnership with WEX. These vary by store so check in with your local branch to see what support they can provide you as an ACC learner.
Your learning journey doesn’t just stop with this course! Take a look at next steps via courses at Access Creative College, Access Industry and dBs Institute!
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The best way to find out what it's like to study at Access Creative College is to come and see us at an open day. We have open days throughout the year. Book your place below.
BOOK NOWApplying is quick and easy, and can be done in less than two minutes. Just click the button below and fill in a quick form and we'll do the rest. We have interviewers ready to speak to you.
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