Music - Drums: NQ (Level 6)
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Course overview
Kick-start your music career with our exciting new January-start course — a hands-on introduction to modern musicianship, production, and the business of music.
This course is designed for aspiring performers, producers, and creative entrepreneurs eager to explore all sides of today’s music industry. You’ll learn through practical workshops, collaborative projects, and industry-focused study — developing your skills in performance, production, and promotion while building the confidence to take your first professional steps.
Whether you want to perform on stage, work behind the scenes, or create your own brand, this course will help you find your place in the ever-evolving world of music.
This course is ideal if you:
- Have a genuine passion for music, creativity, and performance.
- Are interested in exploring the worlds of music performance, sound production, and music business.
- Want a practical, project-based start to your musical training.
- Are looking for a pathway to further study or your first step into the industry.
What you will learn
You’ll gain experience across performance, sound production, and music business through a range of engaging and practical units, such as
- Introduction to Recording & Editing – develop basic studio skills and recording techniques.
- Sound Production & Engineering – understand live and studio sound environments.
- Appreciation of Music – broaden your understanding of musical styles and contexts.
- Organising a Community-based Musical Activity – learn how to plan, promote, and deliver live music events
- Live Performance – rehearse, perform, and collaborate with other musicians.
- Marketing & Promotion – discover how artists and music projects reach audiences.
- Music Technical Support – gain practical insight into stagecraft, equipment, and sound setup.
Learning is interactive, combining individual creativity with group projects and live performance opportunities.
Entry requirements
✅ No formal qualifications are required.
✅ National 4 English or above (or equivalent) is advantageous.
✅ A real interest and enthusiasm for the music industry is essential.
✅ Your personal statement should clearly show your interest in the subjects covered
ℹ️ Applicants must be 16 years or older at the start of the course.
ℹ️ For this course, if English is not your first language
- you need to have SQA ESOL National 5 (or equivalent, click here to see equivalent qualifications)
- If you do not have a formal ESOL qualification but your language skills meet this level, you should apply for your course and then contact our Admissions team to organise an internal language assessment here at the College.
Career Opportunities
This course provides a strong foundation for progression within the creative industries, including roles such as:
🎙️ Performing Musician or Songwriter
🎧 Sound Engineer or Studio Technician
💡 Instrumental/Vocal Tutor
🎬 Media Composer or Producer
📈 Record Label, Live Events or Promotions Assistant
Future prospects
After successful completion, you can progress to:
- NQ or HND Music Performance
- NQ or HND Sound Production
- HND Music Business
Graduates move on to a variety of exciting careers in performance, recording, media, and live event management.
