Music HND

Edinburgh College

This HND programme makes up the first two years of a full Honours degree in music offered at Edinburgh College. Students may leave after the first year with an HNC, after two years with an HND, and after three years with a BMus Honours degree. Our HND is awarded by SQA (Scottish Qualifications Authority).

We welcome applicants from all musical backgrounds and disciplines, including classical, popular, traditional, and jazz. HN students receive twenty hours of instrumental, vocal or composition lessons over the course of each academic year. A range of classes and activities supports the individual lessons; these depend on students’ first study instruments and interests.

Students have many opportunities to rehearse and perform with other musicians in supervised groups such as bands, ensembles, choirs and orchestras as appropriate; they also gain experience as both performer and engineer in the recording studio. Performance classes for students focusing on popular music involves two-three hours a week of rehearsing and performing in bands, typically involving a singer, two guitars, bass and drums, with regular input from a lecturer; there are also opportunities to rehearse independently. Students work through a wide range of different genres, and there are opportunities for individuals to take increasing ownership of their material as they progress through the years. Classes culminate in gigs in our excellent in-house spaces and in some of Edinburgh’s favourite music venues. Many students also take their learning into bands outside the college.

Performance classes for students focusing on classical music involve regular rehearsal sessions with an accompanist, and numerous opportunities to perform to lecturers and classmates. Many students work towards ABRSM or Trinity grade exams or diplomas alongside their preparation for ambitious end-of-year recitals. There are also frequent solo roles in our larger ensembles.

Jazz improvisation is a real strength at the college. Many students are introduced to elements of improvisation in the earlier years, and the discipline can become a major focus in the later ones. There are dedicated improvisation classes in the second year of the HND programme and in the BMus programme; students work in both small and large groups, learning from each other as well as lecturers. The college big band provides further fantastic opportunities for students to develop their improvisation skills.