Music Tech, Production and DJ Level 3


  • Start Date: 01/09/2025
  • Course is for: School Leaver
  • Course Length: 1 Year
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Ever wanted to produce your own music, be a successful music promoter or sound engineer? If yes then this is the course for you.

This course offers a hands-on practical curriculum enabling you to make music using modern software, technology and instruments.

You will develop your skills in the fundamentals of studio recording, composition and acoustic, learning all aspects of music production including mixing, mastering, sound design and engineering. While studying the course you can specialise in electronic music production, song writing, live sound, music performance, event management, sound engineering, music promotion and digital marketing.

You will work alongside the music performance and production arts students, our expert staff and industry professionals in a vibrant student community to create your own musical masterpieces. You will learn how to turn simple music ideas into finished work ready for digital distribution or live performance.

Study this course with us and you will be surrounded by internationally acclaimed artists, world class music practitioners, a skilled technical team and expert teachers. You will live and breathe what it is like to be a professional musician or producer, enjoying a learning experience that will put you at the top of any employer’s list and give you the best opportunities to kick start your career.

To compliment your learning you will also have opportunity throughout the course to work on live events in front of audiences across multiple local venues, developing your skills in the real working environment exposing you to the industry and giving you the employment edge. You will do this in collaboration with the Music Performance students.

We aim to make you ‘work and HE ready’, so you are as comfortable jumping into a career in music as you would be going to Higher Education. So as well as developing your practical vocation skills you will work on strengthening vital personal skills like problem solving, research, planning, presentation and reflection/evaluation.

The course is a two year, full-time vocational course, equivalent to 3 A-levels. You will work on the following practical projects:

  • Creativity and song writing
  • Live sound
  • Studio production
  • Project management
  • Instrument skills development
  • Language of music
  • Sequencing
  • Enterprise
  • Live venue performance

Required Entry Qualifications

Four GCSE grades at 4 or above, including English and preferably maths.

You’ll be assessed through contunual observation of your practical work, projects, assignments, oral and written questions and portfolio of evidence.

Real work experience is key to all of our courses. Every learner will take part in placement or work inspiration including performances at The Cluny. Event management projects allow you to take the reins and steer the direction of your future. 

Previous learners have successful undertaken placements in local recording studios and community music organisations. Our students also get opportunities to undertake work experience behind the scenes at Leeds Festival and at venues such as the Royal Albert Hall.

We are also proud to have been chosen as a founder college of the National Skills Academy Creative and Cultural (NSACC), a national network of colleges, companies and venues around the country that aim to improve the skill level within the Creative Industries.

We were the only college in the region to be chosen for the network, which includes the Royal Albert Hall and companies behind some of the world’s biggest music festivals.

Our fantastic Baltic Campus is equipped with an industry standard recording studio, rehearsal spaces and a custom built 200 capacity performance theatre, so that all our music courses are well catered for.

We were chosen as a founder college of the National Skills Academy Creative and Cultural (NSACC), a national network of colleges, companies and venues around the country that aim to improve the skill level within the Creative Industries.

We were the only college in the region to be chosen for the network which includes the Royal Albert Hall, and companies behind some of the world’s biggest music festivals.

Our status as a founder college means our students get exclusive opportunities such as:

  • Work experience behind the scenes at Leeds Festival
  • Workshop days and tours of venues such as the Royal Albert Hall

School Leaver Course Guide 2025/2026

View or download our course guide for 16-18 year olds.

Gateshead College School Leavers guide for 2025 - 2026