Music Technology Level 3

Take greater control of your creative work as you develop advanced production, recording and composition skills.

You will work on practical projects that reflect the way music is created and produced professionally. As your skills develop, you will have opportunities to specialise in areas that match your interests and career ambitions while building a broad understanding of the contemporary music industry.

You will explore:

• Music production
• Studio recording
• Microphone techniques
• Live sound
• Composition and songwriting
• Developing original music
• Mixing and production techniques
• The history and development of music technology
• The contemporary music industry
• Marketing and promoting music
• Building a professional portfolio
• Career development within the music industry

Projects will challenge you to combine technical ability with creativity. You will be expected to experiment with ideas, solve production problems and make increasingly independent decisions about the sound and direction of your work.

You will also explore how music reaches an audience, helping you understand the business and promotional skills that sit alongside creative production.

Alongside your specialist skills, you will develop wider abilities such as collaboration, communication, organisation, entrepreneurship, problem solving and managing creative projects.

You will normally need:

• Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and Maths
• Or an appropriate Level 2 vocational qualification, together with equivalent English and Maths qualifications

If you have not yet achieved grade 4 in GCSE English and/or Maths, you will continue to study these alongside your main programme.

Previous experience of producing, composing, performing or creating music will be useful, although you do not need to be an expert before starting the programme.

You will get the most from this programme if you:

• Have a strong interest in music and the creative industries
• Want to develop your production, recording or composition skills
• Enjoy experimenting with sound and creative ideas
• Are willing to develop your technical skills through regular practice
• Can work independently as well as collaboratively
• Can listen to feedback and use it to refine your work
• Are willing to take creative risks and try different approaches
• Can organise projects and meet deadlines
• Want to build a professional creative portfolio
• Are interested in how music is promoted and developed as a business
• Can be flexible, as some activities may take place outside normal College hours

At Level 3, you will be expected to take increasing responsibility for your creative development, workload and professional standards.

RSL Level 3 Contemporary Music Industry Extended Diploma

After completing the Level 3 Extended Diploma, you can progress into higher education, specialist training, an apprenticeship or employment within the music and wider creative industries.

Depending on the area you choose to specialise in, possible next steps include:

• A degree or higher education programme in music production
• Sound engineering
• Music technology
• Composition or songwriting
• Live sound and event production
• Creative media or audio production
• A creative industries apprenticeship
• Music production and sound engineering roles
• Songwriting and arranging
• Event management and promotion
• Music business and artist management
• Freelance creative work

Your skills can also open routes beyond traditional music production. If you develop a strong interest in audio for film, video, games or online content, you could move towards sound design, post-production or wider creative media.

If you are particularly interested in promoting artists, building audiences or developing music brands, higher education or employment in marketing, events and music business may also be relevant.

With further training and experience, you could progress towards careers such as producer, sound engineer, songwriter, composer, live sound engineer, sound designer, artist manager or other roles across music and the creative industries.

You will be assessed through practical tasks and projects that reflect real creative and music industry scenarios.

Assessment may include:

• Recording and producing original music
• Composition and songwriting projects
• Studio and production work
• Creating and presenting a professional portfolio
• Written or digital assignments
• Projects exploring the music business and career development

Assignments will have agreed deadlines that you will need to meet as part of the awarding body's requirements.

Some units may also include externally marked assessment material completed under controlled conditions.

Your tutors will provide feedback throughout your projects to help you refine your creative ideas, strengthen your technical skills and develop work suitable for your professional portfolio.

You should expect to complete around 6 to 10 hours of independent work each week.

This may include:

• Developing music productions
• Practising production or performance skills
• Songwriting and composition
• Editing and mixing
• Researching music and production techniques
• Completing written or digital assignments
• Developing your portfolio
• Preparing for assessments
• Responding to tutor feedback

At Level 3, independent creative work is particularly important. You will be expected to continue developing projects outside College and take responsibility for ensuring your portfolio demonstrates your progress and capabilities as a music practitioner.

You will have opportunities to gain practical experience and explore how music professionals work within the industry.

Depending on the opportunities available during your programme, you may:

• Take part in work experience with an appropriate organisation
• Meet producers, engineers, musicians and other creative professionals
• Hear from industry speakers about their careers
• Visit studios, venues or creative workplaces
• Observe professionals working in the music industry
• Take part in industry-inspired projects
• Develop contacts and experience that can support your next step

These experiences will help you connect your creative projects with professional practice, understand the different roles available within the industry and begin developing your own professional network and identity.

• All full-time students are asked to contribute £15 towards the College Subscription Fund
• Optional trips to performances, studios, exhibitions, workplaces or other industry activities may have additional entrance or travel costs
• You may be advised to purchase textbooks or other subject-specific resources, and details will be provided during induction