Entry Requirements

GCSE Music  Grade 4 or higher.

Under exceptional circumstances, students with high levels of extra-curricular music performance or production experience will be considered for this course without formal music or ICT qualifications. You should also have practical experience of digital music software. 

Exam Board: Pearson / Edexcel

Why Study Music Technology?

Technology is all around us! Music Technology is a creative and innovative subject which provides you with the skills needed to arrange, compose, produce and record music. This course will give you the opportunity to immerse yourself in music technology and express yourself as a digital composer. It will give you an insight into the varied employment opportunities in the music industry, practical experiences and performance opportunities to be proud of for the rest of your life.

This course can be tailored to suit your interests, abilities and aspirations in what you study to develop cross-curricular skills and widen your future pathways.

What Topics Will I Study?

The pathway for this course is called ‘Digital Music Production’. This pathway has two mandatory units and three optional units to choose from. The mandatory units are ‘Music and Sound for Media’ and ‘DAW Production’. The optional units include ‘Creative Synthesis and Sampling’, ‘Remixing and Reworking’,  ‘Mixing and Mastering Techniques’ and ‘Commercial Music Production’. The combination of mandatory and optional unit content means that the qualification in Music Technology is tailored to suit all sector needs from composing music, live sound and studio recording techniques to DJ performance techniques. 

This course closely matches experiences learners will have in employment and increases learners chances of successful progression. The units provide valuable ways for learners to develop highly transferable skills. 

How Will I Be Assessed?

The units are internally or externally assessed. Internally assessed units are graded by RR6 teachers, and students will be awarded a Pass, Merit or Distinction grade. The external assessment includes the DAW production portfolio which is sent off to the Pearson examiners to assess and provide feedback. 

What Careers or Higher Education Follow from this Subject?

Music technology students can go on to numerous careers within and beyond the world of music. The skills required to be a good musician (creativity, listening, perseverance, team skills) are sought by further and higher education courses and employers from all walks of life.

This year, 75% of our Yr13 RR6 Music cohort are applying to study Music at a range of prestigious universities including Royal Holloway, Kings, Bristol, Sussex and Goldsmiths.

Other Opportunities Available Whilst Studying this Course

We are an award winning department. In 2017 we were awarded an ISM (Incorporated Society of Musicians) Bronze Certificate in recognition of our outstanding results in Music. In the same year, and for the third year running, one of our school rock bands won a national competition to perform at Wembley to 10,000 people, and one of our current RR6 students was a finalist in a national songwriting competition and performed at Dingwalls in Camden.

RR6 students will have full access to our Music ICT suite equipped with Logic Pro X, practice rooms and studio. We would encourage you to join or help lead one of our many ensembles/choirs and/or form your own band. We would highly recommend having instrumental or vocal lessons from one of our talented and dynamic peripatetic teachers. You will have the opportunity to take part in a number of performances in a range of venues giving you musical experiences you will remember for the rest of your life!