FD Music Performance & Production FD
The Sheffield College
Key Course Facts
Student Reviews
Below you can see course specific reviews for 10 graduates of FD Music Performance & Production FD at The Sheffield College for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Music.
This particular course
Salary
Salary of all UK Graduates of
| 15 months after graduation | 3 years after graduation | 5 years after graduation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median salary | £21455 | £18888 | £21821 |
| 25-75 percentile range | £17911 - £25024 | £13645 - £23424 | £16458 - £28067 |
All Courses in the UK
Course Description
Validated by The Open University, the Foundation Degree in Music Performance & Production is an innovative programme located in purpose-built facilities at Hillsborough Campus. The course offers a highly practical focus and provides the opportunity to develop specialist skills in music performance, production and composition, whilst simultaneously gaining a broader understanding of the industry and the interrelationship between musical disciplines. The course is delivered through a series of lectures, seminars, workshops, performances and professional projects, supported by experienced academic staff, professional musicians, producers, studio engineers, performers and high quality, tailored industry support. Students will draw upon critical approaches which underpin effective and professional practice and engage with contemporary thinking both within and beyond their specialist area. The course prepares students for employment, further study and self-fulfilment within a wide field informed by critical, historical, conceptual, and ethical dimensions and their own relationships with audiences, clients, consumers and co-creators, enterprise, industry and markets.
The programme aims to provide skills that:
Cultivate and nurture originality and the development of musical identity
Develop an ability in interpretive and technical skills within composition, performance and productions
Develop an understanding of the music industry, how it functions and how to develop entrepreneurial skills
Develop some analytical and critical awareness of the synthesis between relevant theory and its application in performance, production and composition
Develop the practical skills required to use a variety of It formats and music technology
Gain an understanding of how cultural and social contexts shape significant developments within popular music
Support the development of interpersonal, communication and leadership skills
At Level 4, students will study two modules focusing on practical musicianship; studying the context and elements of composition, popular music, recording and live sound. The modules at Level 5 further develop students' musical and contextual skills with harmony and composition, advanced practical musicianship and music studio production; all of which lead to the development of a composition/songwriting portfolio. You will also study session styles, improvisation and music processes and production.
The Foundation Degree in Music Performance and Production is heavily focused on employability and involves work related learning, live briefs and simulated live briefs. Students work across a range of venues in Sheffield and the surrounding area, engaging in large scale projects involving project management, developing individual portfolios and employability skills.
The course is delivered in purpose built, industry standard setting, comprising of a fully equipped recording studio, production suite, teaching spaces running Logic Pro, Ableton, Reason and CUBASE and 7 fully equipped practice rooms.
The Staff are experienced HEA fellows and practicing musicians, studio and live sound engineers with experience working across Europe as vocalists, recording artists and session musicians.
Formal and informal, group and one-to-one tutorials take place at regular intervals and on a weekly basis throughout the programme. Formal tutorials are documented to include topics discussed, guidance, feedback, support, actions and outcomes. They are also an opportunity to inform members of staff of any personal issues students wish them to know. Group tutorials focus on project work, discussion, progress review and current and future information, given as guidance and feedback. Students are expected to take notes and use this opportunity as reflection and potential areas of progress and development of projects.
Entry Requirements / Admissions
Minimum Required UCAS Tariff
UCAS points from A Level BTEC or equivalent Merit/Pass/Pass Other Level 3 in courses related to music performance/production equivalents with supporting performance or theory grades (Grade 6 and above) Students should also have English Language GCSE at Grade C/4 or above (or equivalent e.g. Functional Skills at Level 2). Applicants should have a genuine interest and passion for the subject and be able to demonstrate this articulately along with motivation, confidence and creativity. Students do not need to have a theory qualification to enter the programme. In line with The Sheffield College’s commitment to widening participation, we encourage applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds. If students are mature learners, they may present a more varied profile of achievement that is likely to include extensive work experience and/or a range of professional qualifications in their work sector. References, alternative experience and skills will all be taken into account. Use of prior credit will be considered on an individual basis. In terms of APCL (Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning) you will be expected to provide detailed transcripts of previous qualification. These will be mapped against the Course Modules to check for compatibility and currency. To gain APEL (Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning) prospective students will be required to present a portfolio of evidence for assessment. Any final decisions on your acceptance will be made in line with The Sheffield College’s policy guidelines and regulations on the following: APCL (Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning) and/or APEL (Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning).
Qualification requirements
Costs
Tuition Fees FD Music Performance & Production FD
| England UK | £7500 | year 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | £7500 | year 1 |
| Scotland | £7500 | year 1 |
| Wales | £7500 | year 1 |
Average student cost of living in the UK
| Rent | £518 |
| Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) | £50 |
| Supermarket shopping | £81 |
| Clothing | £35 |
| Eating out | £33 |
| Alcohol | £27 |
| Takeaways / food deliveries | £30 |
| Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) | £24 |
| Holidays and weekend trips | £78 |
| Transport within city | £17 |
| Self-care / sports | £20 |
| Stationary / books | £13 |
| Mobile phone / internet | £13 |
| Cable TV / streaming | £7 |
| Insurance | £51 |
| Other | £95 |
| Average student cost of living | £1092 |
London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.
How to apply
Application deadline:
August 1, 2026
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Possible Entry Points:
- year 1 (Default entry point)
UCAS application code:
W3W3
About The Sheffield College
The Sheffield College is one of the largest providers of Further Education in the English city of Sheffield. The college operates from four main campuses, which are City, Hillsborough, Peaks, and Olive Grove.
List of 18 Bachelor and Master Courses from The Sheffield College - Course Catalogue
Where is this programme taught
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FAQ about FD Music Performance & Production FD The Sheffield College
- Tuition fees for this programme are 7500 per year for UK students. In addition to the tuition fees you should also take into consideration the average monthly cost of living for students in the UK.
- 10 graduates rated the course 92. This means that 92% of graduates indicated that they were satisfied or very satisfied with the course. See detailed ratings above and how these compare to the averages at other universities.
- FD Music Performance & Production FD is taught on campus and cannot be taken online at The Sheffield College.
- It is very difficult to get accepted into this course. Accepted students had an average UCAS tariff score of which makes it one of the 0% most difficult courses to enter among all Music students in the UK.