Artist Development (Level 4)

Please visit our website for course entry requirements.

If you are looking to apply for September 2026, please go to our website and click APPLY NOW.

Professional music artists (singer/songwriters, producers and bands) have always relied on A&R teams and management to help them develop their music and potential. Today fewer artists benefit from this process, as record labels and production companies have been forced to cut costs in a digital age. The solution is our Artist Development programme which replicates the typical processes of artist and repertoire development within a robust educational framework.

The course caters for the following types of artist:

• Singer/songwriters
• Digital musicians (producers)
• Session musicians
• Vocalists
• Bands

You will work under the close guidance of a highly-experienced team of musicians, industry professionals and creatives who will support you as you begin to explore and investigate your work and its potential.

You will:

• Deconstruct yourself as an artist to discover your strengths and areas for development
• Consider your brand, your opportunities, and threats to your success.
• Get feedback from peers, teachers and professionals to help you refine your brand, ambitions and direction of travel.
• Develop and undertake showcases to demonstrate your portfolio and branding.
• Develop a strong and consistent image to enhance your marketing, portfolio and product.
• Devise and implement a clear action plan for your future.
• Finish the course with a finalised brand, portfolio and product, ready to take to the world.

• At least 17 years of age
• Pass in GCE A level (A2) in 2 subjects (or 2 Scottish Advanced Highers), or a Rockschool Level 3 Music Practitioner qualification, or a National Diploma in a music-related subject. However, we will accept applications from suitable candidates without these qualifications.
• Applicants with non-standard qualifications and/or experience are encouraged to apply and will be considered if they can demonstrate appropriate ability through their application.
• Students who do not have English as a first language are expected to meet the IELTS 5.5 standard.

You are required to submit an online application form. All applicants will be interviewed for approximately 45 minutes and are required to deliver a detailed presentation of musical ideas to date and an outline of how these will be developed in the future.

You will be expected to demonstrate that you can think critically about your work and use research to guide practice. All aspects of the creative process will be discussed and your ability to manage, direct and realise creative ideas will be tested.

We recommend that you bring to interview examples of written work, which demonstrates analytical and intellectual skills (contextual studies, media studies etc.) You will be expected to perform at least two original songs from your repertoire and provide a concise chronology of these works from the initial idea through to the realisation phase. If no written work is provided at interview you will be asked to sit a short written test.

The Artist Development course can lead onto further study at undergraduate level if combined with additional qualifications. It can also provide progression into the music industry and the creative sector.