The two-year UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Music Performance and Production course is equivalent to three full A-Levels. It is designed to prepare you for employment in the music industry, self-employment or for progression to higher education, for example at university or at a music conservatoire. Year 1 comprises the Diploma, and most students progress to the Extended Diploma in Year 2.
Site
Lewes
Level
Level 3
Course Type
16 +
Options | Course Code | Starts | Ends |
---|---|---|---|
apply | 61308y1 | 08/09/25 | 03/07/26 |
While studying with us in Lewes you will undertake a range of practical project work to develop your skills in performing and producing music. You may find yourself singing or mastering an instrument, perhaps even delving into music production software. Ultimately, the course can blend these skills together, offering a comprehensive exploration of music creation.
Examples of work that students can undertake include recording an album using our fully-equipped studios, practising your performance techniques and session musician skills, and working as a self-employed entity in the industry and being commissioned to compose music to specific briefs.
You will use AI to develop your own website and you will post your own music here. You will also help to organise and run performances on campus and across Sussex.
We are based in our purpose-built Performing Arts Centre which offers constant access to our Mac suite, recording studio, rehearsal studios and performance hall. You will have the opportunity to work in a range of ensembles and with lots of professional musicians while you study here in Lewes. With links to the largest venues and partners in the South, the Music department in Lewes enjoys an outstanding reputation locally as the lead organisation for young musicians to come and study, and while working with us on this course we will prepare you for your future in the music industry.
Minimum five grade 4-9 at GCSE or successful completion of the Level 2 course, and English and/or maths at grade 4. Good ability on a musical instrument to be shared at interview.
You will be assessed through a range of assignments that challenge you to work on different skills, with practical and research based tasks being set throughout the course. You will have the opportunity to work on audio recordings, live music performances, video interviews, tutorials, blogs and anything else that is appropriate to the course.
After one year you will achieve a UAL Diploma in Music Performance and Production, which is equivalent to 1.5 A levels. You will, after the second year, achieve a UAL Extended Diploma in Music Performance and Production, which is equivalent to 3 A Levels.
Many of our students go and study at specialist music colleges and providers. Locally, these include BiMM, Waterbear and ACM. Further away, students are ambitious to join conservatoires such as Guildhall College of Music and Drama, or the Leeds Conservatoire of Music, famous for its jazz and pop courses. Other paths include apprenticeships, such as with the BBC.
We try really hard to avoid causing you any extra cost! The exception to this might be when we run a concert, and we ask the audience to contribute a very modest amount to gain entry to our event. This is to cover the cost of the event and we don't make any profit, or if we do we reinvest this back into the department i.e. our students!
We do expect students to bring their own instrument to each lesson unless it is really impossible (sometimes double basses get heavy!), but we provide all the amps, microphones and drum kits you need on a daily basis.
We work with a range of high-profile partners who want to give our students support in realising their ambition to work in the music industry. This includes organisations such as Brighton Dome and Glyndebourne, just two of many others. We hope you will join us and start to take advantage of these many offers to get experience working in the music industry.
Level 3 Extended Diploma in Music Performance & Production: 12 Units Total Qualification Time - 2030 hours Guided Learning Hours - 1140 hours UCAS points