BA (Hons) Music Production & Sound Engineering Degree (online)

It can be daunting applying for a higher education programme. Please feel free to live chat, email or call us to learn more about our courses and the application process.

For most of our full-time undergraduate degrees you should apply through UCAS. However, if you already know that you want to study at Point Blank, and do not intend to apply to other institutions then you should apply direct to us using our online application form here. If you have copies of your qualifications, please send them to us along with your application form. If you do not have copies of your qualifications or are waiting for your results, you may still submit your application form to be considered.

If you are accepted on the course, you may secure your place on the course by clicking the “Enrol Now” link above.

Please contact our Admissions team if you have any questions about applying for this course.

Yes. If you would like to get a closer look at Point Blank online study then you can try out a free sample course.

• Logic Pro (Logic students can request free copy of Logic with course)
• Ableton Live (Ableton students can request free copy of Ableton with course)
• Pro-Tools (students receive free 3 month subscription in year 3 of degree)
• Over 200 hours of high quality videos 
• 216 Live Group Masterclasses 
• 72 Live 1-2-1 Tutorials 
• 4 years access  
• Comprehensive course notes  
• 24/7 access to forum  
• Exclusive audio resources: downloadable projects, channel strips, racks, bespoke plug ins, samples, acapellas and more  
• Submit your tracks to our record label, Point Blank Music, distributed by beatport, iTunes, Juno Download and Amazon

All HE students

• Web browser: We recommend using Firefox
• Macromedia Flash Player
• Apple QuickTime
• Either Ableton Live 10 Suite or Logic Pro X (students can request a free copy of either Logic Pro X or Ableton Live Suite). Students can also use Ableton Live 9 Suite, please contact us for more details. 
• Native Instruments Komplete (students are eligible for a 50% discount)
• A MIDI keyboard with knobs and faders (not compulsory for CertHE students)
• Waves Grand Master Bundle and C1 Compressor (recommended for DipHE and BA students but not compulsory. Not required for CertHE students)

BA (Hons) students only

• Pro Tools (students can request a free 3 month subscription)
• Unreal Engine (free to download)

Mac Users

• Mac with an Intel Multicore processor
• Mac OS X v10.7 or later
• 4 GB of RAM 

PC Users

• PC with 2 GHz or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) Multicore processor
• Windows 7 (with SP1), Windows 8 or Windows 10
• 4 GB of RAM

We can send you your free software once you have paid the full course fees upon enrolment, or the registration fee and first instalment. The first instalment is due one week before the start of your course.

You can make the payment for your first instalment earlier if you'd like to receive the software in advance. Just contact our Student Services team once the payment has been made. 

Please bear in mind if you withdraw from your course before the course starts, the cost of the software will be taken into account when calculating a refund (if you are eligible for one).

If you are receiving funding for a higher education course from Student Finance, you can receive the free software at the start of the course once your attendance has been confirmed. 

The following guidelines are designed to orientate you through entry on to a Higher Education course at Point Blank.

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.

This will initially be assessed through your personal statement which should include any previous study or relevant experience in music. The Admissions Team will look at the merits of each applicant, taking the following evidence into consideration:

• Personal statement
• Predicted or previously attained grades
• Examples of work
• References
• Relevant work experience

Applicants may also be asked to complete a written exercise and/or attend an interview.

• Where conditional offers are made, typical offers will be set between:
  
  A Level: CCC
  BTEC: MPP
  Equivalent qualifications will also be accepted. For information on equivalency please click here.

• Unconditional offers will be reserved for exceptional applicants who demonstrate their ability through examples of previous work and/or attainment in previous academic study.

• All applicants must be able to demonstrate English language at level B2, equivalent to grade C at GCSE.

• Applicants without formal qualifications or who have achieved academic qualifications lower than the typical conditional offer may be considered on the strength of relevant prior learning and experience, demonstrated through an interview, written exercise and portfolio of work.

• If you have / are going to take an IELTS exam, the minimum level is 6.0 (with 5.5 in every category). Only IELTS Academic tests will be accepted. If you are an international student applying for a Tier 4 visa, you must have an IELTS UKVI Academic test.

• International applicants should check minimum academic requirements for entry by using our partner University’s guide here.

• Successful completion of a CertHE or DipHE programme delivered at Point Blank would precipitate entry at level 5 or 6 on the BA programme. Students who have previously completed a qualification at level 4 or 5 may also be eligible to start the programme at a different entry point.

• Places are limited and offers cannot be made to all applicants.

• If you are unsure whether you qualify for a place on a Point Blank Higher Education programme, please contact our Admissions Team.

You will need to pass all the modules listed above to achieve the Middlesex Award. If you have studied a higher education course elsewhere or have relevant experience, you may be eligible to start the course at a different entry point. Please contact us for more information. 

Students study two modules concurrently. This is a full time distance learning course and during term time we recommend students study for at least 20 hours per week. There are two hour-long masterclass per week and various scheduled 1-2-1 Live Tutorials throughout each term.

Yes. This programme is quality assured by Middlesex University and you receive a Middlesex award on successful completion. Each module is worth 20 credits.

You can also opt out of the accreditation and still take advantage of Point Blank's expert instructors, outstanding course content, innovative online interaction and practical hands on style of teaching without taking the academic route. You will still achieve an in-house Point Blank Diploma on successful completion of the course. For more info please contact a Course Advisor.

You can view Point Blank's accreditation and awards here.

• Freelance Music Producer
• Sound Designer (for music and radio)
• Songwriter
• Solo Artist
• Music Journalist/Historian/Blogger
• Music Publisher
• Label Manager
• A & R
• Studio Assistant
• Music Software
• Trainer/Instructor
• Live Performer/DJ
• Logic and Ableton Live software Trainer/Instructor
• Mixing/Mastering Engineer
• Remixer
• Social Media Consultant/Manager
• Online Marketing Consultant

Throughout your course you will be supported by your Course Advisor who will answer enquiries about your course experience and who will ensure sure you are happy with the service we offer. For your learning pathway you will be in constant contact with your dedicated module leader, a carefully selected and trained professional music producer/instructor. You will be able to contact him 24/7 via the student forum and raise any issues that you may encounter. All of the instructors are highly experienced in making music with Logic, Ableton, Native instruments and other software and/or have in depth knowledge of the music business. We will be able to offer valuable advice and guidance. You will also be able to participate in a weekly online masterclass where you can raise specific questions related to the module you are currently taking. Students also have access to extensive online resources for academic and technical support in addition to the staff (academic and administrative) who will be able to support you throughout your course.

Assessment is an integral part of learning and you may hear it referred to as formative or summative.

Formative assessment (exercise) is designed to give you feedback on your performance and how it can be improved as you study at Point Blank. Formative assessment is an important part of the learning process and has been shown to help students improve both their grades and their learning style.

Summative assessment is designed to measure the extent to which you have achieved the learning outcomes of a module and therefore the grade you will be awarded. Learning outcomes are the specific skills and knowledge that you are expected to demonstrate as a result of taking a module.

Summative Assessment Types

Most students show themselves to be stronger in some assessment types than others. To make it possible for students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills to the best of their abilities, a wide range of assessment types is offered. Students will be asked to produce work in a wide variety of formats including:

• Compositions
• Creative Projects
• Written work
• Reports
• Performances
• Presentations
• One-to-one discussions
• Recordings
• Timed composition briefs

If you have further questions, don't be shy, please contact a Course Advisor who will be happy to help.