Program Overview

CertHE Music Production & Songwriting

Overview

The CertHE Music Production & Songwriting is designed for aspiring songwriters, producers, and composers who want to shape their musical identity, refine their craft, and build towards a career in the music industry. This course provides students with a grounding in the skills, confidence, and industry insights needed to find success.

Modules

• Music Production (Ableton)
• Music Production (Logic)
• Songwriting Principles
• Audio Recording
• Music Composition
• Music Industry
• Songwriting Styles

Assessment

Assessment helps students gauge their progress, supports learning, and provides feedback. Students will engage in the following types of assessment during this course:

1. Formative exercises - these are designed to provide feedback on work and help students improve.
2. Summative assignments - these are designed to both assess existing knowledge and deepen learning. They often simulate real industry scenarios, providing valuable experience with professional briefs.

To demonstrate knowledge and skills, students will be asked to produce work in varying formats, depending on the course, including creative projects, compositions, performances, presentations, recordings, and written work.

Expert Lecturers

• Linton Bennett (Music Composition) - composes/produces for Dido, Warren G, All Saints, Jamelia & Imogen Heap to name a few. He’s been active in the music industry for 3 decades and signed to Motown in the US.
• Max Heyes (Sound Engineering) - credits include Paul Weller, Oasis, Primal Scream, Jamiroquai, and Massive Attack. Co-produced The Doves #1 album 'The Last Broadcast'. Mixed Primal Scream's 'XTRMNTR'. Helped develop La Roux.
• Carroll Thompson (Singing) - iconic British reggae singer who's also recorded with Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Sade & more. Signed to Virgin as solo artist. Scored several Top 40 hits & No.1 on UK Reggae Chart with 'I'm So Sorry'.

Career Opportunities

Songwriters have the potential to earn a significant income through royalties, performance rights, and licensing fees. The entertainment industry has never been bigger, with multiple platforms on the lookout for content and music every day. Talented songwriters who consistently produce high-quality work can build lucrative careers over time through artists, movies, theatre, TV shows, commercials, video games, and other media.

• Songwriter
• Music Producer
• Vocalist
• Music Arranger
• Musical Director
• Lyricist
• Rapper
• Music Publisher
• Artist/Performer
• A&R Label Manager

FAQs

• Do I need to buy software & equipment to take the course?
  • Depending on the program, certain hardware and software will be essential throughout studies. To help with independent learning and assessment work, students will need to have access to this equipment outside of the campus. However, if students are able to attend classes on campus, this equipment will be available to use either in class or by booking practice time.
• Do I need a music or music technology qualification to apply?
  • Studying a music or music technology qualification before applying for one of our Higher Education courses would be beneficial, but is not a prerequisite. If students are currently trying to decide which academic subjects to take at school or college (i.e., GCSE, BTECs, or A-Levels, etc.), we would highly recommend choosing music or music technology.
• What is my weekly study schedule?
  • Each module requires attendance at one daytime class, which will be 3 or 4 hours long, depending on the module. 3-hour classes will also have an additional 1-hour virtual seminar each week. Students will also have two 30-minute tutorials with their lecturer per module per term for additional support. The timetable will be confirmed a week before the start of each term. In addition to classes and seminars, students are expected to schedule sufficient independent study and practice time each week. The school facilities are open 7 days a week during term time, allowing students to work on assignments and reinforce the knowledge and skills learned throughout the term.