Music Technology Extended Diploma Level 3

Quick facts

Is it for me?

This highly practical course will provide you with skills in audio engineering, studio production and live sound production. You will work with skilled music industry professionals in our modern professional recording studio and concert venue.  
In the studio, you will be taught recording, mixing and mastering, and studio management skills. As well as producing original tracks for other students, you will have the opportunity to produce/engineer for external clients including local bands, solo artists, and songwriters. 
Another focus of the course is live sound production, with many live concerts designed and produced throughout the year. You'll learn live mixing skills, PA system setup and maintenance, lighting design and operation, lighting rigging, stage and rig design and construction, pyrotechnics, projection technology, power distribution, events management and stage crewing. 
If you're interested in a career as a studio producer, engineer, live sound mix engineer, stage manager, lighting designer/operator, lighting rigger, pyrotechnician, then this course is for you.

What you'll learn

Our state-of-the-art recording studio is a commercial business, open to external recording clients which allows you to gain experience in meeting a client's needs for live briefs. There are numerous opportunities to produce events for the local community and to attend a variety of music events throughout the year. All of these activities can go towards developing your CV and can be used to gain work in the entertainment industry. 

Course Subjects include: 

• Studio Production 
• Microphones and Microphone Techniques
• Studio Mixing Techniques 
• Live Sound Production 
• Live Mixing Techniques 
• PA Setup and Maintenance 
• Stage and Rig Design 
• Pyrotechnics
• Lighting Design and Operation 
• Stage Management and Crewing 
• Acoustics 
• Music Business 
• Projection Technology 
• Marketing
• Career Development 

Any student who does not hold a GCSE at grade 9 to 4 or equivalent qualifications in maths and English by age 16 will need to continue to study these subjects in each academic year. 

Tutors' insights into UAL Music Performance and Production

Students' insights into UAL Music Performance and Production

Equipment required for the course

You will be required to purchase a crew T-shirt or hoodie. 
Dark jeans or 'combat' trousers, a small torch, 'Leatherman' multi-tool and sturdy rubber soled footwear with steel toe caps should also be purchased for live production work. 
You will also be required to purchase a USB-C Memory stick/Hard drive and headphones before the course starts. 
If you wish to purchase further music production equipment, we will discuss this with you during the course. 

Work experience placements

You will be expected to undertake work experience throughout the course in the form of numerous live events and studio recording sessions.  

Assessment

There are no exams, however throughout the course you will generate a portfolio of evidence to show how you are developing as a professional music technician. We use Google Classroom, which allows us to provide you with ongoing feedback and discussion.  
You will be producing practical work including studio recordings, stage lighting and live events in addition to evaluations and planning and research documentation. 
Your grade for both years is based on a large project of your choosing. You work on this at the end of each year and so long as it fits within the boundaries of the qualification.

Further study

• BA (Hons) Commercial Music Production

Example careers

• Studio Producer
• Studio Engineer 
• Stage Manager
• Live Sound Mix Engineer 
• Lighting Designer
• Lighting Operator 
• Lighting Rigger
• Pyrotechnician 
• Event Manager  
• Mastering Engineer 

Days & times

Starting September 2026