Course overview
The National Qualification in Music is aimed at aspiring musicians keen to develop skills in the pop, rock and indie genres, be those school leavers, adult returners or those currently working in the music industry.
This one-year full-time course will prepare you for a career in today’s music industry. You will perform, record, and write music in a professional environment, playing gigs in venues across the city. We provide lessons in your chosen discipline (Voice, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Drum Kit, and Keyboards).
You will also learn how to effectively use digital recording software. The course is ideal for school leavers, adult returners, the self-employed, and those already in employment.
The course is designed as a starting point in music performance, so if you are interested in working in the music industry or wish to pursue Continuous Professional Development if you are already working in some capacity in the music industry, this is the course for you.
What you will learn
The NQ course includes the following subjects:
- Instrumental/Vocal Skills
- Live Performance
- Songwriting and Composing
- Keyboard Skills
- Music Literacy
- Aural Skills
- Music Technology
Entry requirements
Entry is by audition: you will be invited in to the college for an audition, demonstrating proficiency in your chosen discipline. The audition will be the main factor in a successful application, and must include two contrasting pieces of your choice, played to an appropriate standard.
No formal qualifications required but SQA National 5 for English is considered desirable. You are also invited to apply if you don't have formal qualifications, but you have relevant life and/or work experience.
You must be 16 years or over at the start of the course.
For this course, if English is not your first language
- you need to have SQA ESOL Higher (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 is suitable for candidates who wish to pursue a career within the music industry in areas such as session musician, sound engineer, songwriter or performing artist
Future prospects
Successful completion of the course will enable you to progress to HNC/HND Music Performance, HNC/D Music Business or possibly HNC/HND Sound Production or HNC/HND TV Production.