Careers Brief - Creative Music Production FdA
Overview
The Foundation degree in Creative Music Production offers opportunities for progression onto Honours degree courses and direct job entry.
This course is targeted at students aiming for a career in music technology and the recording industry. Although, a degree is not a requirement for employment, opportunities are highly competitive and this course will give you the advantage of a good grounding and proficiency in using music technology, computer skills and knowledge of the software packages used in the music industry, as well as a familiarity with the recording process and industry vocabulary. Business and entrepreneurial skills are essential, as you are more likely to be working freelance than in full-time employment.
To make a success within the music industry, you also need to be a good communicator, negotiator, problem-solver, able to work in a team, be prepared to work long and irregular hours and requires dedication.
Use the web links below in the Resources section, to find out more about the variety of job opportunities open to you and entry routes.
To consider a wider choice of careers, matched to your interests, use Prospects Planner and other tools listed in the Career Planning section of this Guide.
Further Study
Top-up degree programmes are designed as a direct progression from Foundation degree to Honours degree.
Use the Links on the HE Home page, for information on the one-year top-up degree programme for the BA (Hons) Music Design at Bournemouth University.
Other one-year top-up degree courses which could be of interest are available at the following institutions:
Bath Spa University College ‘Commercial Music’; University of Brighton ‘Music Production’; University of Greenwich ‘Creative Music Production & Technology’; Herefordshire College of Art & Design ‘Performing Arts’; University of Hertfordshire ‘Music Performance & Performing Arts’; Hull College ‘Performing Arts Music’ ‘Performing Arts Music (Music Performing)’ ‘Performing Arts Music (Music Production)’;
Neath Port Talbot College ‘Music Performance & Production’; New College Nottingham ‘Sonic Arts’; University of Northampton ‘Music Production’; Northbrook College Sussex ‘Popular Music’ ‘Music Performance’ ‘Music Production’ ‘Music Composition’; Northumbria University ‘Contemporary Popular Music’; University of Plymouth ‘Sound & Music Production’; Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama ‘Popular Music: Performance & Production’; University Campus Suffolk ‘Creative Music’; University of Sunderland ‘Music’.
Foundation degree students can progress into the 2nd or final year of degree courses with similar content. Entry would depend both on your grades, experience and overlap between your course and the initial year(s) you are missing. For courses not sufficiently similar, you would need to apply for year 1, though with the advantage of a higher qualification than previously.
Use www.ucas.com/search (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service for the UK ) - click on ‘Subject Search’ to find a suitable course. Use the university/college links for course details.
You will need to use UCAS (see link above) to apply for courses. Contact the Course Tutor of your chosen course to find out your position, before you make your formal application.
Find out how much this will cost you. Where is the funding coming from? Refer to the university/college website for information on course costs and to www.aimhigher.ac.uk for additional information on student support.
Go to the main section Further Study in this Careers Guide for more information and help.
Resources
www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/onemusic/industry
‘Find out about the many different jobs in the music industry’ - go to ‘Industry jobs Who’s Who’
www.netgain.org.uk
Arts Advice – a website from Metier and Learn Direct to help you pursue a career within the Creative Industries. Useful sections on ‘funding’ and ‘business guidance’ with links. Free careers advice and course information by email or phone.
- Go to ‘industry background’ for ‘jobs in the industry’ – click on ‘Sound Engineer: Recording Industry’ and see ‘related profiles’
www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/helpwithyourcareer/jobprofiles
Learn Direct - national learning advice
www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u
Jobs4U Careers Database - click on ‘Job Families & Articles’ – ‘Performing Arts’ for job profiles in the music industry
www.ukperformingarts.co.uk/music
UKP-Arts the UK performance industry training and careers site
www.recordproduction.com
Record Production – record producer resources:
- Go to ‘Music Jobs’ for ‘Jobs in the recording industry’ + major links. Check out video tours of recording studios and video interviews with record producers.
www.aprs.co.uk
The Association of Professional Recording Services:
- Go to ‘Education and Training’ and click on ‘Careers Advice’ for ‘Careers in Sound Recording’.
www.bbc.co.uk/newtalent
Click on ‘Music’
www.bbc.co.uk/blast/music
BBC careers website
www.channel4.com/4careers
Type ‘music’ and search - check out '4 Talent'
www.yourcreativefuture.org
Click on ‘Music’
www.prospects.ac.uk
Graduate Prospects is the careers website for HE students in the UK
www.bpi.co.uk
British Phonographic Institute - the British record industry’s trade association
www.isce.org.uk
Institute of Sound and Communications Engineers
www.plasa.org
Professional Lighting and Sound Association
www.showcase-music.com
International Showcase – The Music Business Guide
www.bectu.org.uk
BECTU (Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph & Theatre Union) is the UK independent union for those working in broadcasting, film, theatre, entertainment, leisure, interactive media and allied areas. Offers information and support to employed, contract and freelance workers within these sectors.
www.ism.org
Incorporated Society of Musicians - the professional association for UK musicians. See ‘Careers with Music’ (20pps) and Information Sheets. Registers of specialists. Free careers advice to Student members.
www.musiciansunion.org.uk
The Musicians Union membership gives access to a range of support and services: negotiating fees with major employers; advising on appropriate fees; free standard contract forms for various live engagements; information on contracts, copyright, recording; legal advice on all matters relating to musical employment; instrument insurance; public liability insurance; careers advice and many other relevant issues.
www.bmr.org
British Music Rights promotes the interests of music creators and publishers. Member organisations: British Academy of Composers & Songwriters; Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society; Performing Right Society; Music Publishers Association.
www.artscouncil.org.uk
Arts Council England – the national development agency for the arts in England . See ‘funding’.
www.artswales.org.uk Arts Council of Wales
www.scottisharts.org.uk The Scottish Arts Council
www.artscouncil-ni.org Arts Council of Northern Ireland
www.cida.org
CIDA:Creative Industries Development Agency. See Career Advice for Music and DJing.
www.intute.ac.uk/artsandhumanities
Intute is a free online service providing a database and access to web resources for education and research in the Creative Arts and Humanities. Under ‘Arts and Creative Industries’ click on ‘Music and the Performing Arts’ – ‘Music’.
