This qualification will support students in forming personal and meaningful relationships with music technology through the development of musical knowledge, understanding and skills. These include recording, technology-based composition, listening, analysing and producing. Students will be encouraged to engage with a wide range of music technology techniques and develop an understanding of the historical and cultural contexts of the use of music technology in the creation and production of music. This qualification will also allow students to develop particular strengths and interests and provide access to higher education and university degree courses in music technology and music technology-related subjects, as well as music technology-related and other careers.

GCSE Music is preferable (but not an essential entry requirement). You will need to be enthusiastic about listening to a wide range of popular music and be willing to work with sequencing software and recording technology in your own time. You should have some existing skills as a musician and be willing to develop basic keyboard skills during the course.

Students completing the course successfully will have a thorough understanding of Music Technology, highly honed analytical and creative skills and an ability to communicate effectively with others.

This qualification is good preparation for Music Technology at University or Music College. Music Technology combines well with and complements Mathematics and Science (particularly Physics and Electronics), Media Studies and other Arts subjects. The study of Music Technology offers numerous transferable skills that are valued in Higher Education where it is welcomed as an entrance qualification for a wide range of courses. In addition, it is likely that you will have developed qualities of communication and teamwork which are valued by employers. Students continue their studies further at music colleges, universities or colleges of Higher Education, others simply enjoy making music for pleasure.

There are two pieces of coursework and two exams – all sat in year two

• Component 1 – Recording
• Component 2 – Technology based composition
• Component 3 – Listening and Analysing
• Component 4 – Producing and Analysing

Your own pair of closed back, over ear headphones. Please contact the course leader via email if you would like advice about buying.

1. The arts create independent learners and develop students emotional intelligence. They require the students to set their own agenda from within themselves, rather than follow set topics as in other subjects. They have to make independent decisions all the way, and be self-critical. They also need to be brave in exposing their creations, and accept criticism. Working in teams makes students into effective communicators.

2. The arts are stretching drama, music, and art require long hours of hard work and dedication. Students have to pay great attention to detail, to perfect and re-do. Putting on a play, exhibition or concert takes strong organisational skills.

3. Arts students are highly sought-after by employers. Many employers now actively seek those who have studied the arts. Steve Jobs, founder of Apple, was fond of saying his success was due to his hiring artists and musicians fascinated by technology rather than computer geeks. Top talent management agency, The Curve Group, specialising in financial and business services, concurs: “Employees with an arts degree have developed more quickly in their roles from the start. They have discipline, confidence and can accept criticism.”

4. Arts ‘reach the parts other subjects can’t reach.’ The arts develop the broader dimensions of the human being – mind, body and soul. The arts can express the inexpressible and make sense of things that otherwise do not seem to. This can be very fulfilling and helps us function as human beings – which can only be good for society as a whole.

5. Arts ‘reach the students other subjects can’t reach.’ Teachers find arts subjects particularly beneficial for two groups: those who struggle with traditional subjects and those who are high achieving. Less academic students can become defeatist if they feel they can’t achieve: drama, music or art can be the place they blossom. With studious students, the arts can bring them out of themselves and be a release.