The new Level 4 Music course at Cardiff and Vale College is designed for ambitious musicians of all ages who want to develop professional music industry skills. Learners explore performance, composition and music production across diverse musical contexts, combining live performance, studio recording and digital creativity. Alongside practical work, students undertake project-based research, building critical and reflective skills to support independent artistic practice.
Industry-focused assignments develop technical expertise and professional working methods using industry-standard software such as Logic Pro, Ableton Live and Pro Tools. Successful learners can progress to higher education, specialist training, or careersacross the creative industries.
Unit 1 – Applied Professional Practice
This unit introduces you to the realities of the professional music industry. You will learn the expectations and professional standards required of a portfolio musician in a fast-changing global music industry. You will develop an understanding of the demands placed on a working musician across a range of contexts and begin taking responsibility for your own professional development. This includes core skills in technical performance, songwriting and composition, music production, music technology, recording techniques, live sound, performing and entrepreneurial practice.
Unit 2 – Specialist Music Practice
This unit allows you to specialise within your chosen musical pathway, developing and refining technical skills in performance, music production and music technology within a professional working environment. You will gain industry discipline through extensive practical work, which may include studio production, digital audio workstations, sound design, live sound and collaborative production roles. You will work across a range of musical genres and styles, perform for different audiences, and explore historical and contemporary musical contexts.
Unit 3 – Specialist Music Project
This unit is centred on a self-directed specialist project, agreed in consultation with your lecturers. You will engage in continuous critical reflection while planning, researching, producing and presenting your work. Activities may include workshops, research and development, production meetings, recording sessions, live performances and final presentations. The project brings together skills in performance, music production and music technology, enabling you to create and present a substantial body of work suitable for commercial release and professional portfolio use.
AS/A-Level/L3 Performing arts qualification or equivalent experience. Performing Arts students will be expected to undertake an audition. It is also recommended that students have a minimum of GCSE grade 4 or grade C (or an equivalent Level 2 qualification) in both English and Maths. International students are expected to demonstrate that they have a good level of written and spoken English with a recommended minimum IELTS (or equivalent) score of 5.0 An interview/audition will be required to assess suitability of candidates. You must be 18+ years of age.
Successful learners can progress to higher education, specialist training, or careers across the creative industries.