Program Overview

Foundation Year (access to our degrees)

Course Overview

At pointblank, our Foundation Year is designed to be your launch pad into one of our following degree programmes:

• BA (Hons) Music Production & Sound Engineering (3 year)
• BA (Hons) Music Production & Sound Engineering (2 year)
• BA (Hons) Music Production & DJ Performance (3 year)
• BA (Hons) Music Production & DJ Performance (2 year)
• BA (Hons) Music Production & Vocal Performance (3 year)
• BA (Hons Music Production & Vocal Performance (2 year)
• BA (Hons) Music Production & Songwriting
• BA (Hons) Music Business

This year is packed with opportunities to explore your passion for music while receiving academic support workshops, wellbeing resources, and equipment guidance to help you thrive. With determination and hard work, you’ll be well-prepared to advance onto your chosen degree pathway and pursue your music career.

Modules

• Introduction to Music Production
• Music Theory & Composition
• Study Skills
• Sound Synthesis
• One of the following modules:
  • DJ Techniques
  • Introduction to Vocal Performance
• Music Business
• Audio Engineering
• Music Genre Studies

Teaching & Learning

On our higher education programmes, you will engage in a variety of sessions (up to 16 students) and seminars. In addition to these, you will be expected to engage in independent study. Independent learning is about conducting your own research, taking control of your work, finding out what you need to know, and directing your own study. During this time, you can take advantage of the following resources:

• Award-winning Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) with bespoke downloadable resources to support your lectures.
• State-of-the-art facilities and private practice spaces across two buildings.
• Tutorials with lecturers to help you focus on your assignments.
• Studio Lab Time with support staff (up to five per week depending on availability) to help you with your technical set up and assignments.
• Extra workshops with music industry professionals.
• Open Mic Nights and pointblank Choir.

Assessment

Assessment helps you gauge your progress, supports learning, and provides feedback. You will engage in the following types of assessment during this course:

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

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

Career Opportunities

Our foundation course sets you on the path to our specialised degrees that equip you with the skills and knowledge to set you up for a successful career.

Our students have made their mark at renowned venues like fabric, Ministry of Sound, and XOYO, and are making waves across the music industry and beyond.

As the global music market is set to reach £52 billion by 2025, and live music continues to grow, the demand for talented professionals is soaring. The film and TV industry’s expansion, alongside the booming gaming sector projected to hit £213 billion, and the explosive growth in virtual reality, all point to a vibrant job market for our graduates. At pointblank, we prepare you to seize these opportunities, thrive in dynamic industries, and shape the future of music and entertainment. Start on the foundation course and become a skilled professional of the future.

Accreditations & Partners

• create.music
• STEP INSIDE THE MUSIC INDUSTRY

FAQs

• Do I need to buy software & equipment to take the course? Depending on your programme, certain hardware and software will be essential throughout your studies. To help with your independent learning and assessment work, you will need to have access to this equipment outside of the campus. However, if you are able to attend classes on campus, this equipment will be available to use either in class or by booking practice time. Note that you have access to our facilities 7 days a week during term time for the length of your course (excluding scheduled breaks). Please visit our Software and Hardware Requirements page which lists the hardware and software you are required to own for each programme. Where you may choose to study online (distance learning), this equipment will be essential to your studies and assignment work. If for any reason you cannot afford to purchase an essential item, you may be eligible for financial support via the Financial Assistance Fund. If you wish to buy equipment or software, pointblank students qualify for discounts from Apple Education, Ableton, Native Instruments, Serato, Pioneer DJ and other leading industry partners.
• 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 you are currently trying to decide which academic subjects to take at school or college (i.e. GCSE, BTECs or A-Levels etc.) we would therefore highly recommend choosing music or music technology. However, if these subjects are not available to you at your school or college, we will still be happy to consider your application. In this instance we would recommend that you undertake personal studies that will equip you with a similar level of musical knowledge, theory and literacy, in addition to your practical studies.
• What is my weekly study schedule? Each module requires your 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. You will also have two 30-minute tutorials with your lecturer per module per term for additional support. Your timetable will be confirmed a week before the start of each term. In addition to your classes and seminars, you 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 you to work on assignments and reinforce the knowledge and skills learned throughout the term.
• Help! My question is not answered here If you have further questions, don't be shy, please contact a course advisor who will be happy to help.