Grow a career in the music industry on our HND in Sound Engineering
The UK music industry contributes £7.5 billion to the economy, employing over 210,000 professionals…
Building a successful career in the music industry relies on growing your professional network. The more people know what you’re good at, the more opportunities you get. To develop the skills needed to succeed in this competitive industry, it’s best to learn from professionals who work in it. You also need access to the resources that the pros use.
At Higher Rhythm you learn from and work alongside, experienced professionals in a real industry setting. You also get access to outstanding studios with pro-level equipment. And, because we only accept 12 students each year, you get maximum access to resources and support.
On our HND Sound Engineering you’ll establish your professional reputation quickly, developing your network AND gaining real-industry experience as part of this real-industry based course.
Open Events and Expression of Interest
If you’re considering our Higher National Diploma in Sound Engineering, let us know and book a 1 to 1 conversation. Use the button below to open the form.
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Why study at Higher Rhythm?
Firstly, we’re a professional music industry organisation. We run studios, a radio station, and live events, and our tutors and guest lecturers have worked with the biggest names in music. These include, Sir George Martin, The Rolling Stones, UNKLE, Jay Z, Methodman, Ellie Goulding, LCD Soundsystem, Lou Reed, The KLF, Pink Floyd and many more….
Secondly, instead of gathering 3 years of debt from a degree, then spending further years building the industry experience you need to get regular work, you can get a qualification, grow your network, and build professional experience at the same time, on our HND, graduating industry-ready in just 2 years.
Most importantly, we’ve been a prominent national music industry player for over 20 years… our team aren’t just qualified tutors, they’re established industry-pros. We don’t just want you to gain a qualification; we’re committed to giving you the skills and experience you need to be at the front of the queue for work as soon as you graduate.
We’re proud of our reputation of producing highly-skilled pros who go on to work in all sectors of the industry.
| Qualification Details: | HND Sound Engineering (610/5766/6) |
| Start Date: | September annually |
| Duration: | 2 Years |
| Timetable: | 2 Days per week |
| Places: | 12 per cohort |
| Location: | Higher Rhythm HQ in Doncaster |
| Course Tuition Fees: | £6185 per Year |
| Loan for Tuition Fees Available: | Yes |
| Loan for Maintenance Available: | Yes |
HND Course Structure and Units
| HNC (Year 1) | Module A: Process and Practice Module A1: Concept and Development Module A2: Creative Project |
| HND (Year 2) | Module B: Professional and Creative Practice Module B1: Personal Professional Development Module B2: Professional Project |
| Areas Covered | The Music Industry Applied Sound Principles Recording Technology Creative Software and AI Sound Engineering Fundamentals Advanced Sound Engineering Advanced Music Production Mixing and Mastering Live Sound Mixing Advanced Sound Design |
FAQs
| What equipment will I need? | None, because we have it all! (But a pair of headphones is recommended for hygiene purposes. We can advise on suitable models) |
| What does a timetable look like? | Two full days per week over two full academic years, plus additional learning enrichment and professional development activities (2400 total qualification time / 960 Guided Learning Hours). |
| Are there any other costs? | We have a library but you may wish to buy your own copies of specific books which we can recommend. |
| Are there any entry requirements? | A level 3 qualification (BTEC or A-level) or 64 UCAS points. Mature applicants (aged 21+) with suitable experience may be accepted without qualifications. An interview is conducted before offering you a place. |
| What support is available? | The course leader and Higher Rhythm staff will support you throughout the course. We are also experts at supporting additional learning needs. If you need additional support, just let us know. Also, please do let us know if you are are facing specific financial hardship. |
| What could I go on to after the course? | Progression onto a one year top-up degree or employment in the music industry. Jobs include: studio engineering, music production, live sound, events promotion, creative media, music publishing, AV industries, artist management… the list keeps growing. |
Paul Littlewood – Course Leader
As well as being an experienced educator, Paul is a musician, singer-songwriter, and music producer. His works have been published by Third Side Music (Canada) and released by Xtra Mile Recordings (UK) and Three Sixty Records (US). Paul has also mentored many artists from across Yorkshire, supporting them to build sustainable music careers.
Marlon Hodelin – Tutor
As a former A&R rep for Warner Electra Atlantic Records, Marlon’s projects included Mark Morrison, Return of The Mack and Shola Ama, Need Somebody. Marlon (aka script) was formerly one half of the Bliss n Script project. Remixes include Jay Z (Rocafella Records / Def Jam) Redman & Methodman. Marlon still remixes for artists and record labels and brings his vast musical and production experience into his role as HND tutor.
Yve Robinson – Guest Lecturer
Yve’s career spans decades at the highest level of the recording industry, managing Air Studios in Montserrat for Sir George Martin. Air Studios recorded dozens of platinum selling albums such as, The Police’s Ghost in the Machine and Synchronicity, Dire Straights’ Brothers in Arms, and The Rolling Stones’ Steel Wheels. Yve, is also a member of Higher Rhythm’s board, snd brings her vast expertise of high-value recording commissions and working with clients to create award winning music.
Richard Levy – Tutor
Richard is a bass guitarist, double bassist, keyboard player and remix artist. With extensive touring and studio experience, he has collaborated with artists, including Zodiac Mindwarp, The KLF, Lene Lovich, and Dave Ball (Soft Cell/The Grid). Over his career, Richard has been signed to labels in the UK and Europe, including Polydor, Café Del Mar, and Musidisc. Richard is a seasoned tutor and lecturer.
Ellie Giles – Guest Lecturer
With a background in A&R for major labels, Ellie has carved a successful career managing artists / music producers and founding her own agency, Step Music Management. Ellie has managed award winning producers working for artists including Adele, Jake Bugg, Iggy Pop, Beyonce, Liam Gallager, Paul McCartney and Placebo. Ellie delivers master-classes on how industry sectors fit together to create the music you listen to.
Skinny Pelembe – Guest Lecturer
Skinny (Doya) first signed as an artist with Giles Peterson’s Brownswood Label, and is now signed to Partisan Records. He gets daily plays on BBC national radio, has played sell out tours and major festivals, remixed for Blue Note, and performed with artists ranging from UNKLE to Grace Jones. Using DIY production for the unique video and graphics which accompany his own music, Skinny will deliver sessions around using techniques and basic tools to present music and video as a product.
Dan Jones – Guest Lecturer
Dan Jones is PRS for Music’s Outreach Manager for the North of England. He has worked in Membership at PRS for Music for over a decade. Dan is a point of contact for members, speaking at music industry seminars, and hosting PRS for Music events and advice sessions. Dan will bring his vast expertise around music royalties and publishing to our HND as a guest lecturer.
Harriet McBain – Guest Lecturer
Harriet is currently Manager of Deer Shed festival, a 3-day music & arts festival in North Yorkshire. Running since 2010 the festival is known nationally for its strong focus on artistic integrity. Alongside this, Harriet also runs her own micro-festival which champions artists from the North East. Harriet brings her expertise in the field of festivals and live events as a guest lecturer on our HND programme.
David Cox – Guest Lecturer
David has 25 years in entertainment publicity across film, music, festivals and events, now running his own company, Summit PR. He’s coordinated album and tour campaigns for The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Blondie, Aerosmith and Alice Cooper, and headed up red carpets for the Ivor Novello’s, BRIT’s and Q Awards, also leading accreditation, press and photo pits at major festivals. David brings his considerable experience to the HND, delivering lectures on music PR and organising events.
Stew Baxter – Guest Lecturer
Drummer of the Hull based band, LIFE, Stew has played venues and festivals around the world as a successful music artist and has a long background in music industry development. Stew delivers master classes focussing on developing a broader understanding of how the wider industry works and producing music using limited tools.
Stewart Taverner – Guest Lecturer
Stewart is one of the world’s top repairers of ribbon microphones, servicing mics for artists such as LCD Sound-System and leading studios worldwide. Stewart also co-owns Extinct Audio, manufacturing ribbon mics with rave reviews in industry mags such as Sound on Sound and Tape Op. Stewart delivers sessions on electronics in audio production, looking at equipment in detail to reveal the secrets behind achieving high quality sound reproduction.
Danni Skerrit – Guest Lecturer
Danni is an electronic recording artist known for Cinematic Electronica, which blends elements of dubstep, 2-step garage, bassline, and reggae. Performing as Dirty Freud, Danni has performed at major UK festivals like Glastonbury and Boomtown, and has gained support from labels such as Ninja Tune, working with artists from Coldcut and Mr. Scruff, to Benjamin Zephaniah. Danni brings his vast experience in electronic music to the HND.
Tony Ereira – Guest Lecturer
Tony is a pivotal figure in the Northern music industry, as Director of the independent label Clue Records. He also founded Come Play With Me, a social enterprise supporting underrepresented talent in Yorkshire. A former investment banker turned industry mentor, he lectures and actively champions regional artist development. Tony brings his vast experience of business to the HND to lecture on enterprise funding and finance, all important areas for establishing a DIY music business.
