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Music Performance, Production, Songwriting & Business

  • CertHE
  • 1 Years
  • Full-time
  • 14 September 2026
  • Undergraduate
WaterBear, Brighton
More about Falmouth University

Course options

2026-2027
Apply

Course summary

The CertHE Music Performance, Production, Songwriting & Business course at WaterBear is designed for independent, self-motivated musicians who are ready to take their music to the next level, but also want the freedom to study a focussed, one-year course without making the commitment to a full three-year degree.

This course is for musicians and artists who want to develop a broad skillset and gain valuable skills across a range of music specialisms. It brings together the essential elements of our performance, songwriting, production and music business level 4 BA(Hons) programmes into one, focussed year.

Throughout the course, you’ll receive personalised support to help you grow creatively, technically and professionally. Learning takes place in small groups (typically 8-12) led by active music industry professionals. You’ll also get free access to professional recording studios and rehearsal spaces for regular practice, experimentation, and collaboration.

You’ll grow confidence in creating, developing and performing your music, both live and in the studio. You’ll understand the workings of the music industry and build skills to effectively manage your own professional practice and projects. You’ll gain valuable experience working collaboratively, learning how to give and receive constructive feedback, which is an essential skill in any creative career. What’s more, when you achieve the CertHE qualification you’ll also have the option to progress onto the second year of one of our specialist BA (Hons) Professional Music degree courses.

All WaterBear degrees are approved and awarded validated by Falmouth University, one of the UK’s leading specialist universities for the creative industries. Whether your ambition is to become an independent artist, professional musician, entrepreneur, or to build a diverse portfolio career, the 1-year CertHE Music Performance, Production, Songwriting & Business* course provides a flexible, industry-focused foundation to help you move forward with confidence

This course is subject to validation. You can still apply for this course while it is being approved.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • WaterBear, Brighton

Study options

  • CertHE • Full-time • 1 Years

Start dates

  • 14 September 2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
W325
Institution code:
F33
Campus name:
WaterBear, Brighton
Campus Code:
W
Points of Entry:
Year 1

Falmouth University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
W325
Institution code:
F33
Campus name:
WaterBear, Brighton
Campus Code:
W

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

We regret that this course is not available to international applicants who would require a Student Visa. If English is not your first language, you will need to demonstrate English language skills that are sufficiently developed for successful completion of your studies. We accept a range of recognised English language qualifications that are equivalent to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic minimum score of 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff
104 - 120 points

A typical offer is between 104 and 120 UCAS points, primarily from Level 3 equivalent qualifications, such as A levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma or a Foundation Diploma, or current, relevant experience. Grade 4 (or C) or above in GCSE English Language, or equivalent, is a minimum language requirement for all applicants. Due to the creative nature of our courses, you will be considered on your own individual merit and potential to succeed on your chosen course. Please contact the Applicant Services team for advice if you are predicted UCAS points below this range, or if you have questions about the qualifications or experience you have.

A level

We welcome A Levels in a wide range of subjects, especially in those relevant to the course for which you apply.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

A typical offer is between 104 and 120 UCAS points

Access to HE Diploma

60 credits (with a minimum of 45 credits achieved at level 3) in a relevant subject.

Scottish Higher

A typical offer is between 104 and 120 UCAS points

AS

We may consider a standalone AS in a relevant subject, if it is taken along with other A Levels and if an A Level has not been taken in the same subject. However, you will not be disadvantaged if you do not have a standalone AS subject as we will not ordinarily use them in our offers.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Acceptable when combined with other qualifications

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Acceptable when combined with other qualifications

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

Acceptable when combined with other qualifications

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)

Acceptable when combined with other qualifications

Scottish Advanced Higher

A typical offer is between 104 and 120 UCAS points

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
24 points

WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

a minimum of 40 UCAS tariff points, when combined with a minimum of 64 UCAS tariff points from the Supporting Qualifications

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

a minimum of 40 UCAS tariff points, when combined with a minimum of 64 UCAS tariff points from the Supporting Qualifications

Extended Project

Acceptable when combined with other qualifications

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

A typical offer is between 104 and 120 UCAS points

Leaving Certificate - Ordinary Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

A typical offer is between 104 and 120 UCAS points

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

A typical offer is between 104 and 120 UCAS points

T Level
P - M

P (Pass) grade must be C or above, not D or E

At Falmouth, we recognise excellence in many forms, and we see the whole you.

Our diverse community is creative, innovative and entrepreneurial.

We recognise that these qualities aren’t always shown in academic grades alone. That’s why, while many of our applicants achieve high academic grades, we also welcome those who can demonstrate their potential through an exceptional portfolio or performance.

To support this approach, during a friendly conversation with our academic team, we’ll consider your ideas, your creative output and your ambition to ensure you’ll thrive at Falmouth.

If you are able to demonstrate relevant, current, equivalent experience instead of formal qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Please contact our Applicant Services team before applying, for advice regarding your individual experience and eligibility.

If you are an international applicant and require a Student visa to study in the UK, you must have a recognised English language test approved and vouched for by the University at the appropriate level. You can see what we accept on our website https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/study/international/english-language-requirements Our Applicant Services team can help you with any general questions you may have about study visas or suitable language tests. For more specific advice, we recommend you also consult UKCISA http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

Additional entry requirements

Interview
Portfolio

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to demonstrate English language skills that are sufficiently developed for successful completion of your studies. We accept a range of recognised English language qualifications that are equivalent to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic minimum score of 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening

View our list of accepted English language tests and qualifications using the link belowhttps://www.falmouth.ac.uk/study/international/english-language-requirements

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

At Falmouth University, we take a rounded approach to admissions. Instead of focusing on criteria like grades alone, we operate a contextual admissions policy, where we look at you as a person: your talents, your experiences and your potential. Every offer we make is shaped around you and your circumstances, and our conditional offers are always intended to be realistic and achievable.

Learn more on the Falmouth University website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course 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.

Not enough data available

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.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.

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