Gateshead College
Baltic Campus
Quarryfield Road
Gateshead
NE8 3BE
Course contact details
Admissions - Baltic
Email:start@gateshead.ac.uk
Phone:0191 490 2294

Develop your talent as a performer and prepare for a professional career in the music industry with the BTEC HNC/HND in Music Performance. This higher education course combines advanced musicianship with real-world experience, giving you the skills, knowledge and confidence to succeed on stage and in the wider creative sector.
Delivered on two days in college / two days in industry model, the course blends rehearsals, performance projects and recording sessions with opportunities to work alongside industry professionals. Assessment is through large-scale projects that build both your performance craft and your professional practice.
How You’ll Learn
Year 1: Focus on technical and ensemble skills, live performance, music theory, and professional development. Includes a two-week placement at Loft Studios, working in a live or studio environment.
Year 2: An applied industry project shaped around your chosen pathway, such as forming and managing an ensemble, launching a music events company, collaborating with producers in the studio, working with a live sound team, or developing your own creative enterprise.
Skills You’ll Gain
• Advanced instrumental/vocal technique and stagecraft
• Rehearsal, ensemble and musical direction skills
• Songwriting, arrangement and studio performance
• Professional practice, business and entrepreneurial skills
• Confidence in working with audiences, clients and collaborators
Progression & Careers
On completing the HND you can:
• Progress to a Level 6 top-up degree
• Launch your career as a professional performer, session musician or songwriter
• Work in roles such as bandleader, musical director, live events manager, educator, or freelance artist
You will complete a HNC in year 1 and top this up to a HND in the second year of study.
Please note: Whilst every effort is made to run advertised programmes, this programme will run subject to learner recruitment numbers.
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
Choose a specific option to see funding information.
Course optionsThe Access to Learning Fund (ALF) provides discretionary financial assistance for FULL and PART time students in the form of Scholarships for first years and new to Higher Education. Any help you receive from the fund is usually non-repayable. This is subject to funding being available.
Baltic Campus
Quarryfield Road
Gateshead
NE8 3BE
Email:start@gateshead.ac.uk
Phone:0191 490 2294