CertHE Music Courses

You’ll develop and advance your musical and creative ability through technical study and practice of performance, composition, notation and music technology, in a wide range of musical contexts. 

Modules could include:

Composition Studies: Musical Building Blocks 

You’ll be looking at music across a range of styles, establishing theories and techniques that consolidate, challenge and develop an understanding of the main elements of music: melody, lyrics, harmony, rhythm, form and timbre.  

Performance Studies: The Self and Sound 

In this module, you’ll delve into a range of issues pertinent to the performer, from theories of embodiment and authenticity to creative processes of interpretation and critical listening, to skills in stage craft and dealing with anxiety.   

Music Technologies 

Here, you’ll explore a range of music technologies relevant to the contemporary musician. Through lectures and workshops, you’ll learn and develop new skills, while seminars provide an opportunity to explore the role of technology in a range of musical styles. 

Contemporary Techniques 

Focusing on a number of key twentieth-century principles, you’ll question what music can be. A series of miniature projects will explore important techniques/ideas/principles, along with their socio-historical context. 

Here, you’ll explore a range of music technologies relevant to the contemporary musician. Through lectures and workshops, you’ll learn and develop new skills, while seminars provide an opportunity to explore the role of technology in a range of musical styles. 

Modules could include: 

Audio Cultures and Critical Theory 

In an age that's seeing rapid technological changes and huge political, social and financial shifts across the globe, this module explores sound and music practices as they evolve within ever-changing audio cultures. 

Studiocraft 

Studiocraft is about effective working with instruments, spaces, equipment and people, in the context of contemporary, studio-based music recording and production. 

Designing Sound 

This module explores the ways in which recorded sound can be edited, manipulated and mixed. It also introduces the professional workflows involved in putting sound to picture and the ways in which sound can bring new depth and meaning to moving images. 

Electronic Toolkit 

This module focuses on electronic music, covering the fundamentals of sound synthesis and audio signal processing. You'll learn to create your own sounds, developing a systematic understanding of how they were made, and considering how to apply them to your own work. 

Mixcraft 

Mixcraft introduces students to the art and craft of sound mixing, exploring both the technical and aesthetic aspects of the mixing process. The module covers a wide variety of genres and examples from students' work and professional multi-track recordings. 

We consider all applications on their own individual merit and potential. We invite all applicants to an interview day or audition to give them the opportunity to demonstrate this along with what inspires and motivates them in their field. Applicants will also be able to show their portfolio or give a performance depending on the course. We welcome applications from all subject backgrounds, whether you’ve specialised in STEM, the arts or humanities.  

As a guide our typical offer at undergraduate level is 104 – 120 UCAS Tariff points, primarily from Level 3 qualifications such as, but not limited to, A-levels, a BTEC/UAL Extended Diploma or a Foundation Diploma. 

Check how many points your qualifications are worth

If English is your first language we require you to have or be working towards GCSE English Language Grade 4 (C), or equivalent. 

If English isn’t your first language you’ll need to meet the same standard which is equivalent to the IELTS Academic 6.0 overall score, with at least 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. If you don’t require a student visa we accept a range of in country equivalencies and approved tests.

If you need a student visa you will need to take a recognised Secure English Language Test (SELT) to satisfy Home Office requirements as this course is below degree level.

UK/EU applications: 29 January 2021 (for equal consideration) 

Late applications will be considered if there are places available. 

International fee payers can apply throughout the year. But we recommend applying as early as possible, to make time for visa and travel arrangements.