Foundation Year
The foundation for your music career
The foundation for your music career
If you don’t quite qualify for one of our online degree courses then don’t worry, you’re in the right place!
If you are interested in enrolling on our online BA (Hons) Online Music Production & Sound Engineering degree and pursuing a career in the music industry, Point Blank’s online Foundation Year is your route to success. During your studies, 1-2-1 Tutorials, weekly Masterclasses and Studio Lab Time all featuring highly interactive teaching will be available to help you reach your full potential—you can view all of our exclusive features here. If you can demonstrate the potential to achieve and determination to succeed, within 12 months, you’ll be ready for our online degree.
This online course will enable you to develop confidence in your abilities whilst acquiring a strong knowledge and skill set needed to complete your chosen degree. Our online Foundation Year has been designed to help you explore the key areas of the music industry, support you in discovering your interests, and help you make informed choices in your career ambitions.
If you need any help or assistance in making the right choice, then please contact us here and we'll be happy to guide you through the process.
You can also study our Foundation Year on campus.
| Duration | 1 Year |
|---|---|
| Available start dates | 2023 |
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| Download Undergraduate Prospectus | |
| Have questions? Check the FAQ's for quick answers. |
As part of your course you will get access to a range of Online Learning features to help you in your studies. We've enhanced our exclusive 1-2-1 sessions in order to provide you with individual time to speak to your lecturers and share your projects. You’ll get advice on your 1-2-1 tutorial exercises, course materials, recap key techniques, gain industry tips, and be able to ask any questions you want. You'll also benefit from our purpose-built Virtual Learning Environment, which allows you to connect with the wider Point Blank community, and study at the time and place that suits you.
On our higher education programmes you will be taught through a variety of masterclasses and regular 1-2-1 sessions. When not attending these sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently. Independent learning is about taking control of your work and deciding what you need to know and deciding how you are going to study.
During this time you can take advantage of:
Each academic level consists of 120 credits, and we expect students to study approximately 10 hours per credit. Modules on this programme are worth either 10 or 20 credits, so students are expected to study the following number of hours per module:
Assessment is an integral part of learning and you may hear it referred to as formative or summative:
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, report, performances, presentations, 1-2-1 discussions, recordings and timed composition briefs. The assessment breakdown for this programme is approximately:
Venetia is a passionate teacher of English for academia, having a M.Ed. in Teaching English and a B.A. in English Language and Literature. She has taught English to students of various levels in the UK and abroad.
Active in the music industry since the 80's with extensive A&R, DJ and broadcast experience with Kiss FM and MTV. Self-published novel about the industry and presents a weekly show on mi-soul.com.
Has worked for leading sound design agencies Replay Heaven and Sample Magic on numerous hit records. Released and produced under various guises and teaches music technology theory across the world.
Stavros has multiple sample pack number 1s and his music has featured on HBO, BBC & other platforms. Runs Inside Out Records.
Worked with Judge Jules, Sonique, Spiller, Marco V & Sophie Ellis Bextor. Remixed Freddie Mercury, Kylie Minogue & Tom Jones. Makes audio for Dreamworks, Reebok, Sony & Premier League.
Aka Mr Dex. DJ'd with Ghostface & Raekwon (Wu-Tang), Omar, Estelle, Sway, Scratch Perverts and DJ Jazzy Jeff. Hosts The DeX Files weekly on itch.fm/live. Member of ‘A Bunch of Deckheads’ DJ agency.
Resident DJ for Goldie's Metalheadz label, presenter at 1Xtra, Radio 1 & Ministry of Sound. Recorded/remixed for Goldie, Roni Size, Guy Called Gerald, Trey Songz, Chipmunk, Nas & Damian Marley.
J-Fresh is a BBC Radio 1Xtra mix resident, Ministry of Sound music curator, DJ, Broadcaster and Producer with support from BBC Radio 1, Mixmag, GRM Daily & Spotify Editorials.
Where conditional offers are made, typical offers will be set from:
If you are interested in enrolling on one of our degree programmes but do not meet the entry requirements, the Foundation Year course could be for you. This course aims to build your confidence and provide you with the necessary transferable skills you need to progress onto one of our undergraduate degrees.
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.
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.
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."
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 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 |
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| £6,000 per year |
| £2,000 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 total tuition fee (please note that Student Finance maintenance funding is not normally available for distance learning courses). 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 in this program enjoy a range of free software and exclusive discounts including but not limited to: