Music Level 3

Write it, play it, record it, release it. You’ll explore music performance and production, writing and recording your own tracks in our industry-standard studio and rehearsing covers and original music.

You’ll learn how to use equipment including speakers and mixing desks, while developing your understanding of music theory and the skills used by professional musicians.

You’ll also have opportunities to perform at professional venues, from local venues such as Billington’s and Whittles to Manchester stages including Band on the Wall and 53two.

You’ll load in, soundcheck with venue engineers, work to set times and perform to real audiences, helping you develop the skills and professional habits used by bands and artists.

You’ll be assessed continuously throughout each project. For every project, you’ll keep a digital portfolio of research, rehearsals and recordings that leads to a final piece, which is assessed through performance.

Feedback is recorded on the College’s digital assessment platform, and one-to-one tutorials will review your progress and set targets.

Your final grade comes from your Final Major Project, a performance or production project of your own choosing in a professional venue. This is assessed by tutors and peers and externally moderated by University of the Arts London (UAL).

You could progress to degree-level study, with previous students progressing to institutions including the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA).

You could also progress towards employment in music performance and production, with support to find the right route for you. Career opportunities include:

• Performer
• Session musician
• Songwriter
• Music producer
• Sound engineer
• Live sound engineer
• Music teacher

The creative industries are one of the UK’s fastest-growing sectors, with key creative jobs projected to grow by 416,000 (27%) between 2025 and 2035 (Skills England, 2026).

Around 28% of people working in the creative industries are self-employed, twice the UK average, so you’ll also develop the business skills needed to work freelance.