Music Performance (Level 3)

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.

On this course, you will build your confidence and experience, working and performing with other musicians in the development of your music career in our well-resourced facilities. The course will develop a range of practical and technical areas, preparing you for industry, university, and beyond.

• Work with peers to form performance groups, coached by our specialist staff to develop your setlist and improve your stagecraft.
• Engage with a range of performances in and out of college and take your skills towards a professional level.
• Explore skills and knowledge needed by all working musicians: composition and arrangement to help turn your ideas into music.
• Build an understanding of music theory, strengthened by the exploration of musical elements focused on the music you love.
• Gain industry understanding, including how to sustain a successful career as a musician
• Develop business, organisational and collaborative skills that will enable you to forge a path in the creative industries.
• Respond to creative briefs, experience working with or for clients under pressure, and push the boundaries of your practical musical skill sets, through writing to brief, on-the-spot improvising, and performing to camera as part of a music video shoot.
• Build your academic skills, such as research techniques and critical thinking, affording you the option of studying at University level in the future.

You will have access to our well-resourced rehearsal spaces, live performance spaces, studios and all relevant equipment. We expect you to bring your own instruments where possible; however, some instruments are available to borrow. You will also have access to various technical spaces such as studios and tech suites. You will be expected to practise and engage with the various performance opportunities provided to you throughout the year. You are aiming to become a working creative whilst with us, so use your time and facilities well!

This course is internally assessed, meaning your teachers deliver and grade all of your coursework. Each year is made up of carefully scheduled projects, which can involve both individual and group work and are a balance of practical work like performances, compositions, and music videos, alongside written/visual reports and presentations.

4 GCSEs at 4-9 (C-A*) including English.

The Level 3 Music Performance course can lead on to:

• A creative degree at university where you can gain further skills in preparation for work. This may be a music degree or another subject which takes your fancy. You will need to complete both years of the course in order to generate the UCAS points for university entry. Access Creative College has two new music foundation degrees which offer perfect progression.
• Our one-year Artist Development scheme where you can take your music to the next level in preparation for professional work.
• Employment, or self-employment, in the creative industries. This may be as a music artist or songwriter, or it may be into another area of the music or creative industries.
• A creative apprenticeship as a stepping stone to work.