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Higher National Diploma in Music

Course Code

MAPA511A.HH

Start Date

08/09/2025

End Date

19/06/2027

Location

Broxbourne Campus

Study Mode

Full Time

UCAS Code: ALTK
Institution Code: H37
Campus Code: B

This course will develop your musicianship, understanding of music technology and the music business, preparing you for employment in the industry. You will be taught by experienced professionals in state of the art facilities, including professional recording studios and iMac suites, live rehearsal spaces and live venues, including an onsite theatre. You will have opportunities to collaborate on the production of music videos, television shows, gigs, events, film soundtracks and live musical theatre performances. On completing you will have a recognised qualification which provides the option to top up and progress to the final year of a full BA Hons degree at a university.

What can I do next?

The two most common progression pathways upon finishing the HND qualification are to apply for a third year of study at university to top-up your HND qualification to a BA Hons or you can enter the industry and apply for jobs relevant to your area of interest.

What will I be doing?

Year One Modules

The Music Industry
Marketing and Promotion for Musicians (Pearson-set)
Professional Development
Music Production Fundamentals
Music and Sound for Picture
Applied Music Theory
Performance
Instrumental Technique

Year Two Modules

Creative Research Project
Creative Portfolio
Developing as an Artist
Advanced Music Production
Mixing and Mastering
Advanced Performance Skills
Composing a Brief

** Modules are subject to change **

Added Extras

As a Music HND student at Hertford Regional College you have the fantastic opportunity to engage in a range of different activities to support your studies. These include:

Trips and visits to music performances
Guest lecturers and networking with industry professionals
International Trips
Opportunities to form a band and record using facilities at the centre
Live performances in collaboration with other courses such as Media or Performing Arts

How will I be assessed?

HND assessment is awarded on a Pass, Merit and Distinction method.

Practical Assessment / Performance
Creative Digital Material
Presentations
Portfolio
Written Assessment
Tutor Observations
Industry research

Entry Requirements

48 UCAS points generated from a music vocational qualification or A Level. English and Maths requirement grade [4] or [C]. (Resit classes for English and Maths will be arranged alongside your Music HND if requirement is not met). Additional Entry Requirements:Interview Applications to our full-time undergraduate courses can be made through UCAS. If you haven’t started a UCAS application yet, and only want to apply to Hertford Regional College, you can apply directly to us using our direct application form and we will process a UCAS application on your behalf.

What do I need to bring?

To engage in the full experience of being a HND Music you will need to, have a valid passport that will enable you to attend international locations. From time to time you may also wish to make purchases to support your studies which could include new technology or instruments.

Fee information

As a university student you can apply for Student Finance England to support you to cover the costs of tuition and maintenance fees. Our current tuition rate is £6000 per year (academic year 2025/2026). Tuition loans from Student Finance are paid directly to the college and maintenance loans are paid to you termly to support your everyday costs of accommodation, travel and leisure.To find out more about funding visit: https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-student-financeThere may be opportunities for trips and visits organised, these will be at an additional charge for the students.

Further information

An HND is equal to the first two years of university degree, this means you can top-up your HND with one year of university study to achieve a full degree. It is how an HND is different to university study that makes them so unique. Compared on average to university centres you will:

Have more hours of contact on an HND with tutors and specialists, currently it is 14 hours per week compared a much lower number at university which enforces more independent study.
Have a comprehensively devised timetable that ensures your timetable is compressed so that you do not have hours in between classes and will be in classes around three days per week.
Be a part of a focused team in smaller classes rather than a number of a large group.
Pay considerable amount less in tuition fees for the same level of academic engagement.
Have a lot of opportunity to focus your study within your units to create work that interests you.

HOW DO I APPLY

The best way to apply is via UCAS using the course UCAS code: ALTK

If you have any enquiries or require further support and guidance with your application, please email the team directly at mhowarth@hrc.ac.uk / jtaylor@hrc.ac.uk

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