Foundation BA(hons) or BSc (Hons) Creative Industries Futures (Music) Foundation
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Course overview
Start Your Creative Journey with Confidence
The Foundation Programme is designed for students who want to begin their creative industries journey but need additional time, skills or qualifications before progressing to degree-level study.
Across this one-year course, you’ll:
- Develop confidence in your chosen creative discipline
- Build essential academic and industry-ready skills
- Prepare for successful progression into ACM’s undergraduate programmes
The Foundation Programme is open to students at all ACM campuses.
Foundation Overview
Our Foundation Programme combines academic learning with hands-on creative projects, giving you the experience, skills, and confidence you need to pursue a degree and a career in the creative industries.
Whether you’re interested in music production, performing, or songwriting, our foundation year offers the perfect stepping stone to launch your career.
From instrumental development and stagecraft to songwriting and sound design, this programme is carefully crafted to ensure you leave with a solid foundation to succeed at degree level and beyond.
With access to industry professionals, masterclasses, and collaborative opportunities, you’ll gain real-world insights and develop a diverse portfolio of work.
This programme is designed for:
- Aspiring musicians, producers, songwriters, and creative artists.
- Individuals passionate about creativity who may not yet have the qualifications for a degree.
- Those looking to build skills in vocals, guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, rap & MC, or music production.
- Learners of any age or background who are eager to start a career in the creative industries.
Whether you’re starting fresh or need a boost to move to the next stage of your music journey, our foundation programme offers the tools and support you need to thrive.
Our foundation pathways are tailored to help you explore and refine your chosen discipline.
Specialisms
Each pathway includes specialised units designed to build both your practical and academic skills, setting the stage for your future studies and career. You’ll get to tailor this as you move through the course, so you always have the right course for you. Our skills units cover a range of areas and are driven by industry.
Modules
ACM-001 Specialist Entry Portfolio
This module aims to support students in developing a portfolio demonstrating their readiness for the ACM undergraduate programme.
ACM-002 Creative Project Management
This module aims to provide students with the skills to effectively organise and manage projects.
ACM-003 Academic Practice & Effective Communication
This module aims to provide students with core academic skills in using resources, referencing, presentations and the tools to communicate their ideas effectively.
MIF-006 Creative Practice 1: Introduction To Instrumental Development
This module aims to enable students to gain the core skills required in order to practice competently and with confidence by establishing practice strategies that inform, maintain and extend their practice abilities.
MIF-007 Creative Practice 2: Introduction To Stagecraft, Performance & Collaboration
This module builds on the skills of Creative Practice 1 to support students to use aims to apply to a physical or streamed live setting.
Fees & Entry requirements
- Minimum age 17+ for Foundation Learners and 18+ for our Accelerated Degree Courses.
- You will be expected to hold a GCSE in English Language / Literature at C grade/ 4 (or higher)
- Suitability for the programme will also be assessed through an audition. View audition guides
- Fees & financing information can be found on our Fees page
- Term dates can be found on the Term Dates page
Progression
The foundation programme is offered as an entry pathway to our Undergraduate (BA / BSc (Hons) Creative Industries Futures) programmes.
Contact our Admissions team to discuss the possibility of switching to an Integrated Masters program or explore a range of our Postgraduate programs here.
Tutors
Matthew Twaites
Lecturer & Pathway Lead for Foundation
Matthew Appleby
Lecturer & Pathway Lead for Foundation
Amie Chatterley
Head of Education Delivery & Development
