CertHE Music Production & Sound Engineering

The CertHE Music Production and Sound Engineering course is the equivalent of year 1 of our 3-year degree programme. On successful completion of this course, you can continue studying our 3-year degree programme.

If you want a solid introduction to music production and sound engineering, then this course is for you. All modules are designed by industry professionals who’ve worked with Pharrell, Lily Allen, and The Killers. You will cover all the fundamental subjects required to become a music producer, sound engineer, music/TV composer, sound editor, music arranger, artist/performer, studio manager, A&R/label manager and many more exciting vocations.

You will learn: Music Production (Logic or Ableton), Music Composition, Sound Design, The Music Industry, Sound Engineering, and Production Styles.

Point Blank classes are small to ensure you receive ample 1-2-1 time with your lecturers. Our studios are located in Shoreditch—a global hub of London music venues and bars—and include industry-standard, state-of-the-art technology, including a 48-channel SSL Duality Delta and an Audient 8024 mixing console. 

On our higher education programmes, students take part in a variety of intimate lectures (up to 16 students) and workshops. When not attending these sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently. Independent learning is about taking control of your work, finding out what you need to know and deciding how you are going to study.

During this time, you can take advantage of:

• Our award-winning Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) with bespoke downloadable resources to support your lectures.
• Our state-of-the-art facilities and private practice spaces across two buildings.
• 1-2-1 Tutorials with lecturers to help you focus on your assignments.
• Studio Lab Time with support staff (up to five per week depending on availability) to help you with your technical set up and assignments.
• Extra workshops with music industry professionals.
• Our Open Mic Nights and Point Blank Choir.

A degree course consists of academic levels 4, 5 and 6. Each level consists of 120 credits. Each module is worth 20 credits and students are expected to study 10 hours per week per module (4 hours of lectures and 6 hours of independent learning).

Assessment is how we gauge your success on a course. You will be expected to take part in the following types of assessment during this course:

1. Exercises – these are designed to give you feedback on your performance and to help you improve as you study at Point Blank.

2. Assignments - these are designed to measure what you have achieved during a module and therefore the grade you will be awarded.

To make it possible for students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills to the best of their abilities, students will be asked to produce work in varying formats depending on your course including compositions, creative projects, written work, reports, performances, presentations, 1-2-1 discussions, recordings and timed music industry-based briefs.

After completing my programme with Point Blank, I was completely and utterly satisfied with the competency of the staff, their experience and the level of teaching provided. So much so, I was able to do well in the degree, and as a result secure some freelance work with some major label artists, which I completely owe to Point Blank.  - Christian, BA (Hons) graduate

First and foremost, we are looking for people who can demonstrate a) their passion for music and b) an ability to successfully complete a Higher Education programme. Where conditional offers are made, typical offers will be set from:

• A Level: CC
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma: MPP
• We also accept T Levels and do consider a wide range of Level 3 and comparable international qualifications.

If you don't have formal qualifications, don't worry, applicants without formal qualifications may still be considered on the strength of relevant prior learning and experience. We will initially assess your personal statement which should detail any previous study or relevant experience in music. Then the Admissions Team will look at the merits of each application by taking the following evidence into consideration: predicted or previously attained grades, examples of work and relevant work experience. Applicants who do not meet the typical entry requirements may also be asked to attend an interview. Click here for more information on our entry requirements, international qualifications and how to apply.

Being an undergraduate student involves two main expenses: tuition fees and living costs. Students can either choose to pay for their course privately, or alternatively, all of our higher education programmes are eligible for Student Finance loans. Eligible students may be able to apply for a tuition fee loan to cover the full course fees. This will be up to £9,250 per year for courses with standard delivery, or up to £11,100 per year for courses with accelerated delivery. In addition, eligible students may be entitled to a maintenance loan of up to £12,382 per year. The amount of maintenance you can apply for will depend on your circumstances. EU students are not eligible for the maintenance loan. For students wishing to pay privately, we have a number of payment plans available, including annual and termly instalments.  Click here for more information on fees and funding options available. 

Point Blank students enjoy a range of exclusive discounts including but not limited to:

• 50% off NI Komplete, Ableton Live & Roland Cloud
• 30% off NI Kontrol, Maschine 
• 25% off Adam Audio & Focusrite