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Access to HNC Sound Production

  • Qualifications National Qualifications
  • SCQF Level SCQF Level 6
  • Study mode August 2026 Courses
  • Campus Ayr
  • Start date January 2027
  • Duration 18 weeks or less
More information

Attendance/Duration

Short full-time

Overview

If you’re interested in the creative industries and in particular sound production, this course can help you on your way.

Entry Requirements

For entry to this course you'll need:

  • A real interest in the music industry or theatre production
  • An interview with us If you don’t have formal qualifications, but have life experience, then we’ll also consider you for a place, so please call us for a chat.
  • Two National 5s or equivalent OR a relevant NC college course at SCQF Level 5 or equivalent, such as Introduction to Sound Production
  • An Interview with us 

If you don't have formal qualifications but have life experience, then we'll also consider you for a place, so please call us for a chat.

Course Content

This course develops your technical abilities within an audio environment, with a firm focus on teamwork. You’ll spend a considerable amount of time working with Game Audio, Live Sound, Sound Design and Music Production. You’ll learn using world class equipment and the latest industry software, such as Pro Tools and Ableton. Your assessments will be based on real-life products in post and music production, in a variety of genres.

Here’s just some of what you’ll be doing:

You’ll learn about sound engineering systems and basic public address systems (PAs).

You’ll develop skills in studio production techniques, including mic placement and monitoring, as well as studio etiquette and communication.

You’ll learn about music programming and virtual instruments, using MIDI software.

You’ll develop skills in music production, including pre and post production. You’ll develop skills in audio editing, learning to edit and manipulate sound in a digital format and how to store it, such as via podcasting.

You’ll learn about live sound reinforcement systems – otherwise known as PA systems – and practise operating a system for a small-scale event.

You’ll develop music business know-how, looking at the key organisations and careers within the UK music industry.

Almost all students, as part of their bursary funding, receive a production bundle of equipment including microphones, digital recorders and high-end headphones when they join and succeed in this course.

You’ll also build transferable Essential Skills in meaningful contexts to help you become more effective in life, learning, and work. This could be communication, numeracy, ICT, working with others, and problem solving.

Careers and Further Study

When you successfully complete this course, you’ll have the choice of:

  • Moving onto HNC Sound Production
  • Moving onto a music-related degree course at university such as sound production or post production (editing)
  • Exploring your future career options in the music/sound industry

The music and sound industry offers a wide variety of careers including:

  • Live Sound/Studio Engineer
  • Studio/Mix Engineer
  • Game Audio Producer
  • Broadcast Sound Recordist
  • Freelance Music Producer
  • Sound Designer
  • Dubbing Mixer
  • Sound Editor
  • Electronic Music Producer
  • Guitar/Drum Technician
  • Tour Manager
  • Event Organiser

Skills

Confident user of digital media packages for audio creation

Attention to detail

Patience

Creativity


Employer and Industry Links

We are the longest established AVID Learning Education Partner in Scotland with experienced, accredited expert level staff since 2001.

We are also in the process of re-establishing our Ableton Live education partner status this year allowing our students to benefit from standards of teaching on par with many of the top private music production establishments across the world.

We are also the longest running education partner for Solid State Logic. With our state-of -the-art recording facilities including our amazing SSL AWS 928 console with ATC and genelec surround monitoring systems, we are able to deliver at a global level and many of our sound production students are working with some of the world's most influential digital companies across the world including; Apple, RockStar, Amazon UK ad many more.

Articulation Routes

After successful completion of the course and interview, you could be offered a place on our HNC Sound Production level 7 course at Ayr. You may also want to consider apply to University year 1 at University of West of Scotland, Glasgow Caledonian University or university of Highlands and Islands Perth.