Music HND Level 5 FT Millfield Campus

Belfast Metropolitan College

Overview

This HND in Music has been designed for performing musicians in order to equip them with all the tools necessary to develop in this ever increasing digital industry. This two-year course will enable you to develop skills in a wide range of musical areas such as performance, composition, studio engineering, as well as exploring a wide variety of relevant historical and theoretical aspects of music. You will have the opportunity to frequently perform work that is open to the public, in both college facilities and in well-known venues around Belfast. You will undertake student-devised and student-run projects e.g. preparing for and running a series of gigs; setting up and running a record label.

The course will enable you to develop the knowledge and skills required to pursue a career within the music industry. This nationally recognised; vocationally specific qualification can lead to direct employment in the industry or to a BMus/BA Degree. In year one you will study units to develop your understanding of the sector including: The Music Industry, Marketing and Promotion for Musicians, Music Production Fundamentals and Performance.

On successful completion of year one you may progress to year two which completing your Extended Diploma.

Career Prospects

Upon successful achievement of the Higher National Diploma subject to final results, you may progress to study at undergraduate degree level at university. There is a progression route into year two of the BMus (Hons) or BA in Music Performance/Music and Audio Production/Music and Sound Design Degree programmes at Queen’s University Belfast for those attaining the required grades. Successful completion may also lead to direct employment in the music industry. Successful students can pursue a career in the world of live music performance, peripatetic or classroom music teaching, the recording industry, music publishing, music management, radio, television and entertainment.

Possible careers include:

Music Producer - Oversee all aspects of a recording session, from planning the sessions to the finished product. As a music producer, you’ll be responsible for providing instruments, scheduling studio time and handling funding, costs and negotiations. You’ll also work with and coach musicians.

Session Musician - Backs another artist during live performances or in the studio. He or she must be able sight read and to perform several different genres. Session Musicians work with Producers, Bandleaders, Recording Artists and other musicians.