Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma

Your Creative Future Starts Here

Level 3 Diploma & Extended Diploma

Turn your passion for music, production, games or creative media into practical, creative skills through industry-focused learning at ACM Guildford.
Whether you’re an aspiring performer, songwriter, producer, sound technician, games designer, or passionate about creative media, ACM Diploma courses give you the opportunity to develop your creativity through hands-on projects, collaboration and professional guidance from tutors who actively work within the creative industries.
ACM’s Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma programmes are designed for ambitious creatives aged 16+ who want to develop the practical skills, confidence and experience needed for a future in the music, games and creative media industries.
Rather than learning through traditional classroom methods alone, you’ll learn by doing. From live performances and studio recording to songwriting, music production, games design and digital creativity, every project is designed to reflect how creative professionals work in the real world.
Throughout your studies you’ll collaborate with others, respond to industry-style creative briefs and build a portfolio of work that showcases your individual talent.
Our Diploma courses combine practical training with essential professional development, preparing you for progression into Higher Education, employment, apprenticeships or freelance creative careers.

 

 

Why study Diploma at ACM?

  • Hands-on, vocational creative education
  • Industry-focused projects and real-life creative briefs
  • Collaborative learning that mirrors professional creative practice
  • Tutors with current industry experience
  • Professional studios, rehearsal rooms and games development facilities
  • Opportunities to build a portfolio and develop employability skills
  • Dedicated Industry Link, WEX & Careers support throughout your studies

 

Ready to begin your creative journey? Apply for an ACM Level 3 Diploma or Extended Diploma and take the first step towards developing your skills in music, production or games.

Apply Now:

Book an Open Day

The best way to experience ACM is to visit us. Explore our Guildford campus, meet tutors and students, discover our professional creative facilities and find out which Diploma pathway is right for you.

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Student Accommodation in Guildford

Entry Requirements

To join an ACM Diploma programme, applicants should have:

  • A minimum of 4 GCSEs at Grade 4 (C) or above, or an equivalent Level 2 qualification.
  • This must include either GCSE English or GCSE Maths at Grade 4 (C) or above.
  • Successful completion of an audition or interview process.
  • Evidence of qualifications provided prior to enrolment.

 

Additional Needs and Disabilities Provision

At ACM, we want every student to have the opportunity to access their education and fulfil their creative potential. The Additional Needs Team works with Diploma students to provide Reasonable Adjustments that support access to learning. Support is tailored to the individual and is available whether needs are formally diagnosed or not.

Examples of Reasonable Adjustments may include:

  • Movement breaks
  • Ear defenders or noise-cancelling headphones for independent work
  • Coloured overlays
  • Help organising and structuring workload
  • Access to word banks and templates
  • Flexible ways of recording knowledge and understanding

Students with an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) should let ACM know before accepting an offer so that the provision within the plan can be reviewed with the relevant Local Authority. We encourage all applicants to be open about any support they’ve received previously so that the right support can be put in place from the beginning of their studies.

For further information or to speak with the Additional Needs Team: anddiploma@acm.ac.uk

WEX and Careers

Your career begins while you’re studying. ACM’s dedicated Work Experience and Careers provision helps students gain valuable insight into professional creative industries while building confidence, experience and employability.

Throughout your Diploma you’ll have opportunities to engage with:

  • Industry guest masterclasses
  • Creative workshops
  • Professional networking opportunities
  • Industry-style project briefs
  • Work experience opportunities
  • Job, internship and placement guidance
  • Portfolio and career development support
  • One-to-one careers advice

Whether your ambition is to perform on stage, produce records, design games or build a freelance creative career, our dedicated support helps you develop the professional skills and industry awareness needed to move forward.

UCAS points

Our Diploma programmes provide excellent progression opportunities for students looking to continue into Higher Education.

Students can achieve:

  • Up to 84 UCAS points on successful completion of the Level 3 Diploma.
  • Up to 168 UCAS points on successful completion of the Level 3 Extended Diploma.

Many ACM Diploma students choose to continue their creative education at university, while others progress directly into employment, apprenticeships or freelance creative careers.

GCSE information

English & Maths Support – We recognise that strong literacy and numeracy skills are essential within today’s creative industries. Students who have not achieved a passing grade in GCSE English or Maths before joining ACM will attend weekly mandatory classes designed to prepare them for future GCSE resit opportunities. Our specially designed programme connects English and Maths with real creative industry practice, helping students understand how these skills support everyday professional life — from communication and marketing to budgeting, organisation and freelance work. Students who are close to achieving a Grade 4 may also have the opportunity to sit the November resits, depending on eligibility.

 

Games Development Diploma

Games Development Diploma

FAQ

Learn through practical projects, live briefs and collaborative experiences designed to replicate the realities of working in the creative industries.

Study with industry professionals who bring current knowledge, experience and opportunities directly into the classroom.

Access specialist studios, performance spaces, production facilities and creative technology environments designed to support professional-level development.

Develop expertise within your chosen discipline while collaborating with students from other creative areas.

Benefit from work experience opportunities, industry networking, guest masterclasses and dedicated careers support.

Eligible students can access a fully funded education alongside additional workshops, studio sessions, tutorials and enrichment opportunities.

Join a creative community where students are encouraged to develop both professionally and personally in a positive, inclusive environment.

Pathways for Diploma

For musicians who want to develop their performance ability, musicianship and stagecraft through practical workshops, rehearsals and live creative projects. Specialist disciplines include, Guitar, Bass, Drums Vocals and Keys. Develop confidence as a versatile performer while building the practical experience needed for future study or professional opportunities.

Designed for original artists, songwriters and electronic music creators who want to develop their own musical identity. Explore Songwriting, Electronic Music Production, Composition and Creative Artist Development within Collaborative Music Projects. Learn how to create original work, develop your artistic voice and build a portfolio of music that reflects who you are as a creative.

Perfect for aspiring producers, recording engineers and live sound technicians. Develop practical skills in Studio Recording, Mixing & Production, Digital Audio Workstations, Live Sound and Music Technology. Learn within professional production environments while gaining the technical knowledge and creative confidence needed for modern music production.

For aspiring games designers and digital creatives interested in the exciting world of interactive media. Develop experience across Games Design, Programming, Digital Art, Games Audio, Interactive Storytelling and Multimedia Production through the creation of imaginative digital projects, while building the foundations of a professional games and creative media portfolio.

Our Diploma tutors are passionate educators and experienced creative professionals who bring current industry knowledge directly into the classroom.

Students benefit from personalised guidance, practical workshops and specialist mentoring across music performance, production and games.

Tutors

Dean McCaw

Diploma Cohort Tutor in Performance

Guildford
Dean McCaw
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Tony Wathen

Diploma Tutor in Production

Guildford
Tony Wathen
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Diploma Success At ACM

96.4% Retention
95.7% Achievement
91% Attendance
92% Positive Destinations

92% of our graduating Diploma cohort progressed into a positive destination, including Higher Education, employment, apprenticeships or internships.

Our practical approach helps students build the skills, confidence and creative experience needed to take the next step towards their future.