Choosing to study at ACM, The Academy of Contemporary Music is a huge opportunity to not only kickstart your career in the music industry, but also a chance to experience life away from home.
ACM is situated in Guildford, Surrey and is perfectly placed for music industry professionals and artists due to its enviable proximity to London, excellent travel links, fantastic shopping and vibrant nightlife.
But don’t just take our word for it. Hear what ACM students have to say about living, studying and socialising at ACM in Guildford.
Alex Ferguson, 18 – ACM Audio Production School, Contemporary Music Production Degree
To explain my experience as a first year production student studying at ACM, in short, I would describe my tuition fees more like rent. My love of music is what pushes me to work hard and stay at ACM for up to 12 hours every day, extending well beyond my required lectures. The experiences I gain from the long hours I put in are priceless. Since walking through the doors when I first visited ACM, I knew it was somewhere I wanted to be. I was inspired and determined to utilise my time effectively in order to pursue my ambitions. I came to ACM not knowing anything about production and it was down to my lecturers and friends that I discovered my passion for engineering and mixing. Everyday walking through the corridors inspiration strikes. The atmosphere is second to none and I feel very blessed to be a part of a community of like-minded individuals. Believe it or not producers do not live in their own world sat behind speakers, Thanks to all of the networking events put on by ACM and the constant gigs and cross discipline events I’ve made some true friends of various disciplines.
Outside of my lectures, I am able to utilise my studio bookings and tutorials. I am able to receive outstanding support through one-to-one tutorials with lecturers. These tutorials are informative and inspire me to strengthen my skills and seize every opportunity to partake in the industry I love. This tutoring is enhanced by state-of-the-art facilities that aid my development and experience of studios. It’s a blessing for a student to be able to work in realistic studios! Starting to see why I spend so much time at ACM?
Another benefit of studying at ACM is the support you receive as a student. Finding jobs in the music industry isn’t easy and ACM have always been fully supportive of students that wish to gain experience in this industry. Staff are always available to offer useful advice for work-related opportunities. ACM has always been interested in the student as a whole rather than who they are in a classroom. It’s amazing to achieve great grades and results but ACM pride themselves in providing the link between education and work. After graduating, we must be able to apply what is learnt in class to the ever-changing music industry. ACM are committed to helping students bridge the gap between education and work, as jobs in the industry are few and competitive. ACM also has its own industry link that is always up to date, providing the latest opportunities going. Whether it be labels looking for singers, remix competitions or studios after runners, ACM are always willing to challenge their students to achieve their potential.
Find out more about Guildford Life and studying at ACM, The Academy of Contemporary Music.
