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CertHE Music Production & Sound Engineering

Take your first steps to becoming a music producer

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Point Blank Open Days & Studio Tours - Register Now!

Come and visit one of our Open Days to meet our expert staff and find out more about our courses, industry connections, and state-of-the-art studios!

Overview

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, Lilly 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.

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 contininue studying our 3-year degree programme.

Key Info

Duration 9 Months
Available start dates 2023 2024
  • 10 April (Limited availability)
  • 2 October (Limited availability)
  • 8 January (Limited availability)
  • 8 April (Limited availability)
  • 30 September (Limited availability)
Weekly timetable 2 classes per week. Please check the FAQs below for more details.
UCAS code WW11
Download Undergraduate Prospectus
Have questions? Check the FAQ's for quick answers.

Track breakdown of 'Feel the Love' with Rudimental

Find out what life is like at Point Blank from our students

Learn more about our approach to blended learning

Try One of Our Courses for Free

Modules

Teaching & Learning

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.

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

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.

Expert Lecturers

Bridget Amofah Music Industry

Lead vocalist with Rudimental, played Glastonbury and Jools Holland. Replaced KT Tunstall in Oi Va Voi, also worked with The Nextmen, Basement Jaxx & The Earlies.

Max Heyes Sound Engineering/Mixing

Credits include Paul Weller, Oasis, Primal Scream, Jamiroquai and Massive Attack. Co-produced The Doves #1 album 'The Last Broadcast'. Mixed Primal Scream's 'XTRMNTR'. Helped develop La Roux.

Linton Bennett Music Composition

Linton aka Stepz composes/produces for Dido, Warren G, All Saints, Jamelia & Imogen Heap to name a few. He’s been active in the music industry for 3 decades and signed to Motown in the US.

Ellie Lawson Music Industry

Championed by Ellen Degeneres once she signed to Atlantic Records in the USA, Ellie has had a 5-year sponsorship with Quicksilver, as well as achieving many top-10 Beatport Trance releases.

Julian Peake Intro to Production

Julian has scored global hit records as one half of Stretch & Vern and Reflekt & has written for Kylie Minogue, Little Boots & Dirty Vegas as a Sony/ATV-signed writer.

Nick Hunt Sound Engineering

Producer/Engineer/Sound Designer with over 30 years of experience. Worked with Dave Stewart at The Church. Credits include Gary Barlow, Gene, Warm Jets, Placebo, Boy George, D’Influence amongst many others.

Career Opportunities

  • Music Producer
  • Recording Engineer
  • Mix Engineer
  • Sound Designer
  • Sound Editor
  • Music Arranger
  • Film/TV Music Composer
  • Remixer
  • Artist/Performer
  • Singer/Songwriter
  • Studio Manager
  • A&R/Label Manager

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

 

Entry Requirements

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


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.

Global Alumni

Aluna Francis

Aluna Francis is half of AlunaGeorge. She studied production at PB before taking off to chart success with 'You Know You Like It' & No.1 hit 'White Noise' with Disclosure. Check out her awesome video.

Claude VonStroke

Dirtybird boss Claude says: "I took a class with Point Blank in Ableton Live. It was awesome learning bass production!" The bass don was recently voted the No.1 DJ in USA! Watch him review PB above.

Leona Lewis

Everyone knows Leona from X Factor. Before she won it, Leona wowed her fellow students on our Singing Course. "Her talent was obvious" said her instructor, "and her success thoroughly deserved."

Pete Tong

Godfather of Dance Music and long-time friend of Point Blank Pete Tong, founder of BBC Radio 1's Essential Mix and worldwide DJ superstar, learned Native Instruments Maschine with the team here in London.

Goldie

We taught Goldie something he didn't know already - Ableton Live! The legend drops in from time to time & recently invited PB students to a VIP drum recording session at Assault & Battery studios.

Patrick Topping

'The World's Biggest Tech House Producer!' Secured three Beatport #1s: ‘Get Beasty’, ‘Forget’ & ‘Voicemail’. Also owns two DJ Awards & DJ Mag’s ‘Best Tune’. Championed by Pete Tong & Annie Mac.

Madam X

DJ, label head, club impresario. Mixing grime, techno, bass, garage, Madam X is adept at playing huge crowds or 100-cap basements. Hosts shows on Radio 1, Rinse & NTS. She is multi-faceted and unique.

Arjun

With 1,500,000 Facebook followers, Sri-Lankan born Arjun is a South Asian pop superstar. His single ‘I’ll Be Waiting” charted at #1 on iTunes India and spent 30 weeks on the BBC Asian Download Chart.

Spoony

Spoony is a legend in UK dance music having brought garage to the masses in 2000 as part of the Dreem Team. He's since gone on to become a staple on Five Live but proved he's always learning by enrolling at PB!

Fees & Funding

Fees (UK) Fees (non-UK)
Balance of £9,250 Balance of £12,250
£3,083 per term
See details during the enrolment process.

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. 

Scholarships & Bursaries

Point Blank is committed to making music education accessible to people of all backgrounds. We are delighted to offer our scholarships, bursaries and funds to support this commitment. These include a range of awards that aim to nurture talent as well as provide access to higher education for specific under-represented groups in higher education.

You can find a range of scholarships, bursaries and funds on offer by accessing our dedicated scholarships page.

Learn More

discounts

  • Point Blank students enjoy a range of exclusive discounts including but not limited to: 
  • 50% off Native Instruments Komplete 12
  • 30% off NI Kontrol, Maschine MK2 & Maschine Studio
  • 50% off Ableton Live Suite
  • Special discount on Ableton Push 2 Controller
  • Over 50% off Roland Cloud
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