Find out if you’re eligible to complete a BA hons in 12 months
The Academy of Music and Sound offer a Fast Track to a BA hons for professional musicians who can demonstrate that their experience is equivalent to the first two years of a degree. Our specialist advisors can let you know within 30minutes, if you are eligible for fast track. They can support you in making your application to the University of Wolverhampton and to Student Loans England. Our advisors can also give you full details about the contents of the course and the logistics of studying for a supported distance learning qualification.
Call 0843 224 9300, email [email protected] to find out more about theAMS Online BA(hons) Performance Industries Top Up course or Visit www.academyofmusic.ac.uk/amsonline
Study for a BA hons which has been written by musicians, for musicians.
The Academy of Music and Sound has developed a range of courses for serious musicians with professional goals. We have a unique understanding of the working life of musicians as our courses are written by working musicians. This lends an authentic and current understanding of the music industry in our course materials. In addition to our course material being written by musicians, you will also be supported on your course by musicians. All of our staff have extensive professional experience in the music industry, either as performers, producers, promoters, managers or a mix of all.
Call 0843 224 9300 or email [email protected] to find out more about the AMS Online BA hons Performance Industries Top Up course.
Free Sound Production Courses this summer
Our Scottish centres are please to announce that this Summer they will be offering both weekend and week intensive courses in Sound Production, where students will work towards achieving a BTEC Level 3 Award in Sound Production. This program will give students hands on experience with Logic Pro X, microphones, midi recording and a host of other useful skills and knowledge that will help you in home recording or set you up for further study in Sound Production.
On successful completion, you will be awarded a BTEC Level 3 Award in Sound Production. Throughout the whole process you will receive guidance and support from one of the AMS’ specialist trainers. This course is available free of charge, however, spaces are strictly limited so it is advised that you book ASAP.
This free course is available at the Academy of Music and Sound’s Edinburgh (Grassmarket) and Glasgow (Jamaica Street) centres on the following dates
Week Intensive:
Session 1 = Mon 4th – Fri 8th July
Session 2 = Mon 11th – Fri 15th July
Session 3 = Mon 18th – Fri 22nd July
Session 4 = Mon 25th – Fri 29th July
The weekend course will run both Saturday and Sunday from the 2nd till the 17th of July. All classes will run from 10am-6pm and a commitment to attend all classes is required.
Call 0131 656 0600 / 0141 221 4458 for more information. To apply for a place, please complete your application form here: Apply Now
Please note, this course is only available to those 16 years old and over.
Our Singer Songwriters are being taught by Calum Wood this year. Calum has over 10 years of experience of touring including twice across America and playing at major festivals, including T in The Park and Glastonbury. Recording with some of Scotland’s finest musicians and masterminding the album ‘Royal Oak: Best of Folk’ which was a best seller in the folk charts. Calum received a first class degree in music from Napier along with a University award. He has composed songs and tunes that have been used in various media platforms including adverts and documentaries and is a passionate teacher of music.
Fast track to the final year of a BA hons
The Academy of Music and Sound has a long standing relationship with the music industry, and we understand the skills and knowledge a working musician has are varied and extensive; from instrumental skills to business skills, working as a musician can be tough!
This experience is unique to the music industry and is recognised as the equivalent of the first 2 years of your degree, meaning you can fast track to the final year of you BA(hons).We are aware that working musicians have a lot to offer, their experience, talent and commitment are all evidence that they have what it takes to achieve a degree.
While you may not have achieved formal qualifications, your experience as a professional or semi-professional musician has equipped you well for the rigours of studying at BA(hons) level.We can guide you through the recognised prior learning application process to help you tofast track to the BA(hons) final year.
Call 0843 224 9300, email [email protected] to find out more about the AMS Online BA(hons) Performance Industries Top Up course or Visit www.academyofmusic.ac.uk/amsonline
Get full student funding – BA hons top-up Performance Industries
Completing a BA Hons degree is a commitment from you in both your time and financially. We’ve addressed your time commitment by making a fast track option available and you can address your financial commitment as full student funding is available from Student Loans England.
A student loan is a popular option for students funding their studies as you don’t need to start repaying the loan until you are earning at least £21,000 per year, at this point you repay at a rate just 10% of your earnings above £21,000.
For full details about student funding and for financial advice, visit https://www.gov.uk/student-finance/overview.
Call 0843 224 9300 or email [email protected] to find out more about the AMS Online BA(hons) Performance Industries Top Up course.
Your experience is important to us - use it to earn your BA hons in as little as 12 months
Thanks to our Recognised Prior Learning scheme, working musicians can fast track to the final year of their BA hons qualification. Our RPL scheme means that your experience can be used to equate to the first 2 years of a BA hons degree. Once you have enrolled on the BA hons course, you have the flexibility to study in your own time, over a 12 or 18 months, depending on whether you chose to study full time or part time. Our dedicated support staff are on hand to help you through your course and you will have regular contact with them as you progress through your course.
Call 0843 224 9300 or [email protected] to find out more about theAMS Online BA hons Performance Industries Top Up course.
Graduates can earn £500,000 more than those without a degree
Investing in a degree is a commitment in both your time and finances. However, studies have shown that this investment will pay off for graduates!
The Telegraph has reported that over a lifetime graduates will earn on average an additional half million compared to those without a degree. Musicians can have diverse and exciting portfolio careers, supporting their earnings through a range of activities including teaching, performing, song writing and working in the community among many other. Musicians can really tailor their careers to suit their lifestyle and interests.
If you’re short on time, or already working as a musician, you can study for a BA(hons) Performance Industries top up via supported distance learning to structure your learning around your existing commitments. Our BA(hons) Performance Industries top up can be completed in as little as 12 months, allowing you access to higher paid employment quicker – with all the benefits of a degree.
Call 0843 224 9300, email [email protected] to find out more about theAMS Online BA(hons) Performance Industries Top Up course or Visit www.academyofmusic.ac.uk/amsonline
Dan on Tour: The Wight Stuff!
Today I am on the Isle of Wight playing along side Queen, Mike and the Mechanics and Nikki Sixx from Motley Crue. The ferry here is surprisingly short and apparently the most expensive in Europe! Nikki Sixx’s rock show was really entertaining and did exactly what you would want from a rock band…
We are on at 9 at the same time as Queen but I’m hoping to run over after we play and catch a little … Just to tick it off the bucket list!!
The afternoon was spent watching Northern Ireland get beat by Poland… Unfortunately! We drive back through the night and I’ll be in the Academy tomorrow with my ears ringing...!
Source: Dan on Tour
Gateshead students lead Queen 90th birthday celebrations
Today is the Queens 90th Birthday celebrations in Trinity Square Gateshead. Our students are out in force leading the celebrations in song!
The crowds are loving it… It’s worth working on a Saturday to see them in action.. This is their serving outdoor gig of the week after having played in saltwell park on Wednesday for the carers association.
Did you know? 40% of musicians hold a degree in music
A degree is an important part of progressing your career as a musician, many jobs, including teaching and lecturing, require you to hold a BA hons qualification. According to the Musicians Union, "Musicians are experienced, qualified and multi-skilled...two thirds of musicians undertake four or more years of formal education and training with 40% holding a degree in music." In order to be heard in this competitive environment, a BA hons qualification will help you to stand out.
The Academy of Music and Sound are proud that over 75% of our graduates are working within the music sector within 6 months of graduation from their BA hons Performance Industries Top Up. The AMS Online BA hons Performance Industries Top Up supported distance learning course allows to you to achieve this qualification, and the associated benefits, from home with the support of our specialist staff.
Call 0843 224 9300 or email [email protected] to find out more about the AMS Online BA hons Performance Industries Top Up course.
Higher Education at the Academy of Music & Sound
Higher Education is more than just a course...
Higher Education at the Academy of Music and Sound is your stepping stone to a career in the music industry. We understand that musicians need to be highly trained in a range of skills and being top notch on your instrument is just the start! To support our Higher Education students, we have also developed a pioneering enrichment program.
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Courses at AMS
Foundation Degree Music
This course is designed for musicians who want to improve their instrumental skills while working on stagecraft, performance and rehearsal skills. You will have the opportunity to work with a range of musicians developing you communication skills and network of professional contacts. To support your vocational skills, you will also develop entrepreneurial and creative skills, helping you to get your freelance career off the ground.
Foundation Degree Creative Music Production
On this course, aspiring producers will have the opportunity to develop skills to work with artists in the studio or work on your own EDM creations in our iMac suites. If you choose to study as a studio producer, you will work on recording, mixing and mastering. If you choose to study on our EDM pathway, you will develop your skills in live midi implementation and triggering, audio loops and sequencing. In addition to these creative skills, you will also work on entrepreneurial skills and teaching skills, helping you to develop a sustainable freelance career.
HNC & HND Music
In our Scottish centres, you will have the opportunity to study HNC and HND courses. These courses are for musicians who want to develop their instrumental and performance skills while also receiving teaching on a range of skills that the modern musician will need. You will develop teaching, creative, entrepreneurial and analytical skills, readying you for further study or your freelance career.
BA(hons) Performance Industries Top Up
Once you have completed your Foundation Degree or HND, you can embark on our BA(hons) Performance Industries Top Up in 1 year. Through a variery of exciting projects, you can develop your musicianship, sound recording, composition and songwriting skills. You will have an enormous amount of creative autonomy and freedom to tailor your degree to suit your needs.
If you've been working in the music industry as a professional, but don't have a Foundation Degree or HND qualification you may still be able to fast track directly to the BA(hons) Performance Industries Top Up through the process of Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) Please contact your local centre for more information.
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Higher Education Enrichment Program
Masterclasses
Our industry led masterclasses will provide you with specific training and connections with top class practitioners. Previous masterclasses have been delivered by Nat Power, Newton Faulkner, PRS for Music, Bumblefoot, Vintage Trouble, Musicians Union, Futureheads and many more!
Industry Mentors
Our industry mentor scheme will connect you with dedicated professionals who will offer help and advice. Your mentors will be available throughout your time on the course and for 6 months after you graduate to really help you get your career off the ground.
Tour & Showcase
At the end of your first year on the Foundation Degree in Music Performance, you will be taken on a tour bus to a showcase event within the UK. You will showcase your talents at a gig with students from across the UK. After the gig, you will spend the night on the tour bus as you're taken home. Music Performance students will be given delegate passes to Liverpool Sound City where you can network with the who's who of the UK music industry. Creative Music Production students will have the opportunity to attend Sonar in Barcelona.
If you're interested in any of our Higher Education courses, please contact any of our locations for more information.
Newton Faulkner visits AMS Exeter
Newton Faulkner delivers a fantastic masterclass at the Academy of Music & Sound in Exeter
We were very lucky recently to host a fantastic masterclass from Newton Faulkner in out Exeter centre. The masterclass was focussed on songwriting, guitar techniques, the experience of working in the music industry and how to get started in the industry. After the masterclass, Newton was kind enough to stay and speak individually to each student in the room, taking the time to offer tailored advice and guidance to each student.
Centre manager Laura Wright said: The masterclass was absolutely brilliant. Newton Faulkner is a highly skilled guitarist, songwriter and performer and to have him here at our centre, performing live for us was a real privilege. Our students went away on a high after being inspired and motivated to try out new techniques and to keep working hard towards their own musical careers.
Becky Walker, a student on the BTEC Level 3 Music Singer-Songwriter course said: It was a great intimate experience, with great humour and some enriching stories that further made me want to branch out and better myself
Following the success of the masterclass, Newton is now in the process of developing a signature Songwriting module for the Academy of Music and Sound as part of the Foundation Degree Singer-Songwriter course, ready for delivery next September. This news has further delighted Higher Education students at the Academy of Music and Sound. This module will be available to all of our Foundation Degree students alongside our brand new Higher Education Enrichment program.
Sara Sanders, from the Music Degree course said about Newton: “He was so down to earth, which was refreshing to see. It was great to hear about his experiences”