Level 2 Creative Music Industry

Qualification

RSL Level 2 Certificate / Diploma in the Creative Music Industry

Duration of programme

1 or 2 years

Entry requirements

A passion for creating and producing music using industry standard hardware and software.

Level 2 needs a good level of literacy for written material.

The ability to play a musical instrument and have basic music knowledge is not essential, but helps when completing and understanding projects for all units.

You can learn a musical instrument at RNC via external music teaching.

What does the course involve?

Built on the underpinning knowledge and skills needed to successfully pursue a career in the audio music industry, the courses on offer are designed to provide vocationally relevant music industry qualifications which will equip you with the skills needed for employment in audio and music production and/or progression to a higher level of study. We aim to develop creative thinkers who are prepared for new challenges in future employment and understand how your initiative and skills can help you to achieve.

In addition to learning the principles of audio recording, you will gain knowledge of many aspects of working in the audio and music industry and of the specific skills and working practices of roles such as music producer, recording engineer, composer, session musician and mixing engineer. Many of these skills are transferable to other types of employment, particularly IT and digital skills, communication, working with others, project planning, evaluation of your own work and working to deadlines.

Courses are delivered by a small teaching team who are experienced subject teachers and have experience of working in creative roles within the music industry. This knowledge and experience informs the planning of the courses, including unit selection and project/assessment design.

How you’ll learn

All learning sessions are delivered in a purpose-built recording studio and/or classroom environment equipped with individual audio workstations. The feel of the learning area is intended to reflect a professional music creation environment as much as possible and the intention is for you to feel, on entering the spaces, that you are in a creative zone where you are expected to behave in a professional way, taking responsibility for your own learning, being supportive of others and always with support from your teachers.

How you’ll be assessed

You’ll be assessed through practical tasks in the classroom and studio, using industry standard equipment with minimal adaptation. This gives everything a real-world feel, focused on how you’d actually work in the industry. Written tasks, witness statements, essays and production diaries record the work you’ve done.

Work-based learning

The RSL courses are built around employment, so work-based sessions are an essential part of your development.

Where will it take me?

Progression is an important element of development in this subject. Level 2 students can progress to Year 2 of the course, or if progress has been strong and is evident College-wide, Level 2 students can progress to Level 3. This is the intended path to retain and further develop your creative aspirations.

The nature of the creative industry and its ‘freelance’ employment paths clearly link with other departments within RNC. Many students have combined Business and ICT with an Audio Music Production qualification to give students an opportunity to broaden their skills and widen their future HE/employment opportunities.