Program Overview

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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 CertHE 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

Music CertHE

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
  • Composition & Creativity
  • Expanding Musical Vocabularies
  • Specialist Music Practice 1
  • Music and Sound: Context and Cultures
  • Studiocraft

Popular Music CertHE

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.

• Modules could include:
  • Playing Live: Songwriting & Performance
  • Pop Synthesis: Technology, Songwriting & Performance
  • Expanding Musical Vocabularies
  • Specialist Music Practice 1
  • Music and Sound: Context and Cultures
  • Studiocraft

Creative Music Technology CertHE

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.

• Modules could include:
  • Designing Sound
  • Electronic Music
  • Expanding Musical Vocabularies
  • Specialist Music Practice 1
  • Music and Sound: Context and Cultures
  • Studiocraft

How you'll learn & be assessed

How you'll learn

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.

How you'll be assessed

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

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.

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).

Music BA(Hons)

Prepare for a career as a professional musician with this industry-focused music degree. Based within the Academy of Music & Theatre Arts, you'll learn from industry professionals and have access to our cutting-edge facilities and performance spaces.

Popular Music BA(Hons)

Whether it’s underground or mainstream, DIY or commercial, acoustic or electric, this course is for those who want to make music that matters.

Creative Music Technology BA(Hons)

Develop the creative and technical abilities needed to thrive in the music industry. Exploring composition, music production and sound design, you'll learn from industry professionals and have access to our cutting-edge facilities and performance spaces.

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 apply for 2025?

You can apply for our undergraduate degrees via UCAS. You'll need our university UCAS code (F33) as well as your course code (which you'll find on your course page) for your application.

Application advice & interview information

• Deadline: 29 January 2025 (for equal consideration)
• International fee payers can apply throughout the year.
• Entry requirements: 104 – 120 UCAS Tariff points
• Language requirements: GCSE English Language Grade 4 (C), or equivalent.

Fees, costs & funding

Tuition fees

• Annual tuition fee: £9,535 per year (Full-time UK), £17,950 per year (Full-time EU/international)

Typical course costs

• A personal Mac or PC laptop capable of running professional DAW software
• £150 - Recurring annual costs
• £80-£100 - Headphones
• Public Programme season tickets (student rate)

Funding

When you study our CertHE you are eligible for the same student funding as students on any other higher education course. This means that, if you are eligible, you will receive tuition fee and maintenance loans.

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.

Similar courses

• Sound Design BA(Hons)
• Music Business BA(Hons)
• Musical Theatre BA(Hons)
• Theatre & Performance BA(Hons)
• Technical Theatre Arts BA(Hons)
• Acting BA(Hons)
• Music BA(Hons)
• Popular Music BA(Hons)
• Creative Music Technology BA(Hons)
• Dance & Choreography BA(Hons)