Band on a stage warming up with blue lighting

CertHE Music Courses

Become a skilled creative music artist with one of our three CertHE courses.

Key details
Location
Penryn Campus
Course duration
1 year
Attendance
Full-time
UCAS code
W3W1/ W3W2/ W3W3

Course overview

Whether you’re a vocalist, instrumentalist, songwriter, composer or producer, these programmes are aimed at those looking to eventually become entrepreneurial and creative music professionals with varied and enduring portfolio careers. You’ll be introduced to a range of music practices and contexts and provided with the experience, technical support and industry links to progress your creative ambitions. 

Whichever CertHE course you choose, you’ll find a wealth of teaching experience, technical support and industry links that will provide you with the opportunity to progress your creative ambitions. As part of the Academy of Music & Theatre Arts, you'll learn from industry professionals and have access to our cutting-edge facilities and performance spaces. 

Once you have successfully completed your CertHE you’ll have the option to apply for the second year of the equivalent honours degree: Music BA(Hons), Popular Music BA(Hons) or Creative Music Technology BA(Hons). 

You will:

  • Develop and nurture your specialist practice 
  • Communicate via sound and music in collaboration with others 
  • Gain key insights into the music industry and understand the requirements to succeed in a variety of roles 
  • Explore sound and music practices as they evolve within ever-changing audio cultures 
  • Examine the context and culture in which artists and musicians work, to better understand and critically question the relationship between music, sound, noise and culture 
  • Engage with various theoretical concepts in order to form critical theories and to reflect on your own practice 
  • Acquire the fundamental skills and knowledge needed to work in the sound and music industries 
  • Study modules tailored to your chosen subject as you develop and nurture your specialist practice 

Our CertHE courses at a glance

Music CertHE

Suitable if you are looking to develop your practice and musical identity for a career as a professional musician.

UCAS code: W3W1

Popular Music CertHE

Suitable if you are looking to focus on your unique artistic identity and work creatively in both live and studio environments.  

UCAS code: W3W2

Creative Music Technology CertHE

Suitable if you want to explore composition, music production and sound design while growing as an artist and musician. 

UCAS code: W3W3

Course details

Whichever CertHE course you choose, you'll find a wealth of teaching experience, technical support and industry links that will provide you with the opportunity to progress your creative ambitions. 

Details for each course

You'll develop and advance your musical, technical and creative abilities. Evolving your performance and composition skills, you’ll also examine key cultural concepts around music, learn to mix and record, and have the chance to collaborate with your peers. 

Modules could include:

Musicianship & Performance

This module aims to develop your skills in performance practices and musicianship. You will explore the biomechanical, physiological and psychological demands of musical performance while developing your listening skills, aural skills, creative interpretation and stylistic understanding of music. 

Composition & Creativity

This module offers you a chance to try your hand at three contrasting creative scenarios, each supported by analysis of current and past examples. In doing so, you will develop your analytical, compositional and creative skills. 

Expanding Musical Vocabularies 

This module will introduce you to a range of musical terms, theories, techniques and notations before helping you to apply them in creative and practical scenarios. 

Specialist Music Practice 1 

In this module, you will increase your knowledge and skills in your area of specialist practice and develop co-creation, collaborative and communication skills through collective music making and studio practice sessions.

Music and Sound: Context and Cultures 

You’ll examine key concepts and debates in music and sounds studies whilst thinking critically about the relationship between music, sound, and culture. 

Studiocraft 

You'll learn to record, edit, mix and master audio in a recording studio environment using microphones, audio interfaces, mixing desks and digital audio workstations (DAWs). 

You’ll study improvisation, songwriting, aesthetics, recording, group dynamics, stage presence, visuals, live sound, and listening. We’ll introduce you to electronic instruments, vintage equipment, and the recording studio. Taking inspiration from popular musicians, you’ll develop an original style and approach based on art forms like poetry, film and visual art.   

You’ll focus on improving the quality of your output through a combination of musicianship skills, creative experimentation and by developing an understanding of the contexts in which you wish to work as a creative specialist in popular music.   

Modules could include:

Playing Live: Songwriting & Performance 

Working in an environment that nurtures creativity, critical listening and collaboration, you’ll work in groups to write, arrange and perform new material – developing your skills in live performance, enhanced musicianship and songwriting along the way. 

Pop Synthesis: Technology, Songwriting & Performance

In this module, you’ll explore the possibilities of writing and performing with technology. You'll be encouraged to push the boundaries of your style and sound by integrating hardware and software instruments into your current musical approach. 

Expanding Musical Vocabularies 

This module will introduce you to a range of musical terms, theories, techniques and notations before helping you to apply them in creative and practical scenarios. 

Specialist Music Practice 1 

In this module, you will increase your knowledge and skills in your area of specialist practice and develop co-creation, collaborative and communication skills through collective music making and studio practice sessions. 

Music and Sound: Context and Cultures 

You’ll examine key concepts and debates in music and sounds studies whilst thinking critically about the relationship between music, sound and culture. 

Studiocraft 

You'll learn to record, edit, mix and master audio in a recording studio environment using microphones, audio interfaces, mixing desks and digital audio workstations (DAWs). 

With technical and artistic guidance from staff and specialists, you will become equipped with foundational knowledge, skills and experience in music and sound theory, music production, sound design and electronic music.  

You’ll receive small-group tuition to help you identify and work on your specialist creative practice, while gaining practical experience using industry-standard software and hardware tools and techniques. 

Modules could include: 

Designing Sound 

You’ll be immersed in the creative possibilities of sound design for different visual media, including film, TV, animation and games. Over the course of the module, you will be introduced to new concepts, techniques and workflows and encouraged to explore the ways in which audio can be sculpted to create new sonic forms. 

Electronic Music 

In this module you will develop a theoretical and practical understanding of contemporary electronic music tools, techniques and creative practices. 

Expanding Musical Vocabularies

This module will introduce you to a range of musical terms, theories, techniques and notations before helping you to apply them in creative and practical scenarios. 

Specialist Music Practice 1 

In this module, you will increase your knowledge and skills in your area of specialist practice and develop co-creation, collaborative and communication skills through collective music making and studio practice sessions. 

Music and Sound: Context and Cultures 

You’ll examine key concepts and debates in music and sounds studies whilst thinking critically about the relationship between music, sound, and culture. 

Studiocraft 

You'll learn to record, edit, mix and master audio in a recording studio environment using microphones, audio interfaces, mixing desks and digital audio workstations (DAWs). 

The modules above are those being studied by our students, or proposed new ones. Programme structures and modules can change as part of our curriculum enhancement and review processes. If a certain module is important to you, please discuss it with the Course Leader.

Facilities

The Academy of Music & Theatre Arts sits within a purpose-built professional performance venue on Penryn Campus. It houses an assembly of flexible theatre spaces, performance, rehearsal and recording studios, a box office and exhibition areas. Facilities include:

  • High-spec performance studios for acoustic and amplified music. 
  • Recording studios and practice rooms for bands and solos. 
  • Music practice rooms for bands and solo work. 
  • Industry-standard studio hardware, software and microphones 
  • AMATA is a working professional venue, with performances and events running throughout the year. 
  • A superb collection of analogue and virtual analogue synths and drum machines. 
  • Sound studios featuring SSL AWS and TL Audio Valve desks. 
  • Support for all the industry standard audio software including ProTools, Logic, Ableton Live, etc. 
  • 10 channel Genelec Surround space and 5.1 surround monitoring in all control rooms. 
  • Hire store with thousands of items available to borrow free of charge for off campus use. 
  • Access to over 140,000 books, a comprehensive electronic journal resource and over 17,000 DVD titles. 

How you'll learn & be assessed

Our CertHE music courses are designed to allow you to explore your creativity, collaborate musically and develop your professional identity. You'll be taught through collaborative exercises, workshops and peer evaluations.  

At Falmouth, we use a 'digitally enhanced learning & teaching' approach. Your experience will always be predominantly in-person, including seminars, tutorials and studio teaching, with some, more targeted elements, being online either live (synchronous) or pre-recorded (asynchronous). You can read more here.

Your assessments will be practical exams and coursework.

Assessment methods

Depending on the course option you choose, your assessment methods may consist of the following: 

  • Essays  
  • Performance  
  • Portfolios  
  • Presentations  
  • Individual reports  
  • Practical work 
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Course progression options

Once you have successfully completed your chosen CertHE course, you can apply to join the second year of the equivalent honours degree at Falmouth University on your chosen subject of Music BA(Hons), Popular Music BA(Hons) or Creative Music Technology BA(Hons). 

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Speak to our students

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Staff

During your CertHE course, you'll be taught by lecturers ranging from professional musicians to respected academics in the field. Depending on the course option you choose, you may be taught by the following members of staff. 

Some members of staff only teach on specific modules, and your course might not feature every staff member who teaches on the course.

Samuel Murray

Senior Lecturer in Music

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Samuel Murray

Dr Simon Poole

Course Coordinator & Senior Lecturer: Music, Theatre & Entertainment Management

Simon has been making, selling, collecting, managing and writing about music for 30 years. During th...

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Dr D Ferrett

Associate Professor in Music, Sound and Culture

Dr D Ferrett is Associate Professor of Music, Sound and Culture and the Research Lead for the Academ...

Dr D Ferrett
Dr Antti Saario

Dr Antti Saario

Head of Music

Dr Antti Sakari Saario is an award-winning post-acousmatic composer, sound and audio practitioner, r...

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Andrea Rushton

Lecturer in Music

Andrea Rushton is a lecturer in Music focusing particularly on voice studies and performance.  ...

Andrea Rushton

Dr Chris Best

Senior Lecturer

Dr Christopher Best has been senior lecturer and principal tutor in music composition at Falmouth Un...

Dr Chris Best

Dr Chris Morgan

Lecturer in Formal & Non Formal Music Education

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David Prior

Professor David Prior

Pro Vice-Chancellor Research and Knowledge Exchange

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Dr Johny Lamb

Senior Lecturer, Music

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Jim Aitchison

Instrumental Tutor, Music

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Will Parker

Lecturer in Popular Music

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Dr Simon Waite

Course Co-ordinator & Senior Lecturer

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Simon Waite

Got a question about this course?


If you want to know more about the course structure, our application requirements or what our graduates have gone on to achieve, our friendly course team is here to help.

Chat to Simon

Careers

After completing your CertHE you could continue developing your skills in industry or go on to complete a degree-level qualification in your chosen specialism. You'll be able to join the second year of our equivalent BA(Hons) degree course. 

How to apply

Ready to join us? You can apply for September 2024 through UCAS. You'll need to reference the course and University code (F33).

Apply via UCAS

Course route UCAS code
Music CertHE W3W1
Popular Music CertHE W3W2
Creative Music Technology CertHE W3W3

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.  

Course route Entry requirements
CertHE one year course 104 – 120 UCAS Tariff points

UCAS Tariff points will primarily be from Level 3 qualifications such as but not limited to A-levels, T 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.

For starting your studies in 2024

UK applications: 31 January 2024 (for equal consideration)

Applications after the 31 January will be considered on a first-come, first-served as long as there are places available. Apply for this course now.

International fee payers

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

Fees, costs & funding

Tuition fees for September 2024 entry

Annual tuition fee Student
£9,250 per year Full-time UK
£17,950 per year Full-time EU/international

Tuition fees for September 2025 will be confirmed in summer 2024.

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible. 

The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs

Typical course costs

  • A personal Mac or PC laptop capable of running professional DAW software (Ableton Live, Pro Tools, Reaper, Logic, FL Studio, Cubase etc) 
  • £150 - Recurring annual costs 
  • £80-£100 - Headphones (you can also book headphones from AMATA's Technical Resource Stores). 
  • Public Programme season tickets (student rate) costs found: Live @ AMATA Pass

If you need to bring equipment or materials with you, these will be outlined in your Welcome Letter.

Ask a student

What better way to find out about life at Falmouth University than by asking our current students?

From course details and academic support, to the social scene and settling in, our students are ready and available to answer any questions you might have. Simply set up your account, send them a question and they'll get back to you within 24 hours.

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