Learn how to become a leading production manager and achieve great-looking and sounding concerts for both one-off events and tours.

In 1999 ACM pioneered the World’s first accelerated degree delivering two 45-week terms that allowed a traditional three-year degree to be delivered across two-years. Over the subsequent 20 years this model has been adopted as the gold standard delivery for two-year degrees, with the government recognising the model developed by ACM in legislation in 2017.
The accelerated model provides a quicker route to industry by condensing a three-year degree into two years through the addition of an extra third term during the Summer. This means that students study a year and a half’s worth of a degree in a one year time timeframe. This model means that students do not study more intensively during any given weeks of the course, the extra learning takes place during weeks that students would normally be on an extended Summer holiday at a traditional University.
The accelerated nature of the course does still allow for time off, with seven weeks of the year taken as holiday between terms. This system mirrors the type of holiday periods students are familiar with through their study at School and College. Due to ACM’s industry connections, partnerships and vocational project briefs, students get numerous opportunities to work whilst on programme, even gaining academic credits for their work. This means it is possible to study and build a meaningful CV during your accelerated course, with opportunities to learn and earn whilst on programme.
All candidates will be required to attend an audition / interview. View audition guide
All candidates will be required to attend an audition / interview.
2 Year Degree
All candidates should hold at least two Cs at A-Level (or an equivalent Level 3 qualification), possessing a minimum of 104 UCAS points*.
We normally require Grade C/4 GCSE (or an equivalent qualification) in English. Candidates should be capable of using the English language fluently, and able to structure arguments and present evidence to a standard appropriate to study at Level ‘4’. Where the application materials appear insufficient to form a clear judgement on the candidate’s fluency, additional documentary evidence (e.g. recent essays) will be called for. Applicants for whom English is a second language are required to have achieved IELTS level 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in each component) or equivalent qualification.
We welcome applications from those who might have completed alternative qualifications, and/or have prior experience. All applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
* New UCAS 2017 tariff system.
Foundation Level 0
All candidates should hold at least 18 tariff points* with a minimum of 12 points from one 6-unit award.
We normally require Grade C/4 GCSE (or an equivalent qualification) in English. Candidates should be capable of using the English language fluently, and able to structure arguments and present evidence to a standard appropriate to study at Level ‘0’. Where the application materials appear insufficient to form a clear judgement on the candidate’s fluency, additional documentary evidence (e.g. recent essays) will be called for. Applicants for whom English is a second language are required to have achieved IELTS level 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in each component) or equivalent qualification.
We welcome applications from those who might have completed alternative qualifications, and/or have prior experience. All applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
* New UCAS 2017 tariff system.
Masters Level
All applicants will undertake an audition that will assess their suitability for the programme based on their subject and academic ability.
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Details regarding the English Language requirements for Middlesex University programmes can be viewed here.
Fees & financing information can be found here.
Our Live Production pathway is offered through our Creative Industries Futures course, available as a BA / BSC (Hons) Degree or as an integrated MCCI Masters Degree.
View the modules and skills units studied.
Modules and Skills Units studied as part of this course (indicative list) include:
Skills units are reviewed on a cyclical basis. To ensure we are delivering the most up to date industry experience these are subject to change.
This module enables students to work collaboratively on a shared project brief. Students will carry out a collaborative creative project in which they will apply their Level 4 personal, interpersonal and soft skills; their technical and sector specific professional skills; their creative, critical thinking and problem-solving skills and their project management, research, networking and presentation skills. Students will regularly and routinely meet to develop, manage, problem-solve, reflect on and evaluate the project progress and success at meeting the project brief with support from staff with professional industry project experience.
Level - 4This module enables students to prepare and organise themselves and their work to engage in an interdisciplinary collaborative creative project with other students with some guidance and support. Students will also prepare to engage with relevant professional networks and any professional contributors by researching working contexts, philosophies, and work. Students will identify their strengths and development needs and examine team profiles and characteristics for participating in an effective collaborative project through a series of practical workshops.
Level - 4This module enables students to examine the role of music across a range of media.
Students will consider and compare the purpose, structure, and method of how music is used across different platforms and for different audiences.
The module requires students to review creative industries theory and practice of creating, sourcing and using music in media in a variety of formats and technologies and to connect the theory with the practice.
Level - 4This module enables students to understand how music-related skills, practices and theories are being applied in other industry sectors to problem-solve, connect and innovate.
It examines the principles and terminology used in these professional contexts and requires students to research and investigate the potential futures of music, musicianship, and music applications.
You will consider your place as a musician or music practitioner within the creative industries landscape, mapping out your path and how to maximise opportunities to make money and grow your profile and career.
Level - 4This module enables students to understand the impact of music, musical applications and activities on physical and mental health.
Students will consider and contrast the potential and actual impact of music on well-being in different contexts. The module requires students to consider and analyse the components of musical applications and activities to support or challenge current research on this topic and to connect the theory with the practice.
Level - 4Music is ubiquitous and global, existing everywhere and anywhere across the world, every minute of the day.
Music is also deeply personal and has unique meaning across countries and local communities.
The creation of new music is often a blend of beat, bar, melodies and harmonies, with influence from other artists and genres, from rap to k-pop. As a musician or music practitioner it is incredibly important to understand where sounds come from, how you can use them and where it will land with the audience that you are trying to build. There will be those who like what you do and others who criticise. The easiest way to become a target for criticisms is if you are perceived to have not taken care to understand music within societies and across cultures, being aware of issues and challenges that have shaped and continue to shape your industry.
For example, as a creator you may love the syncopation or phraseology of another language, but it may not always be appropriate to lift, stitch and sample words from other cultures in an unsympathetic way.
At one level this is known as ‘censorship’, which we often associate with regulation, government or policy. However, this module also places an emphasis on self-regulation and self-censorship by having a deeper understanding of how music works across cultures and societies.
Words matter, words can start wars or friendships.
Therefore, in this core module we aim to inform you, whilst also allowing you a safe space to discuss and debate yourselves about your own views and forms of artistic and academic expression. There is often no right or wrong, it is just important that you can discuss and explain your creative outputs in an evidence based and critical manner. This is a skill that is valued in the professional sphere too, giving you the ability to know who you are as a creative practitioner and explain your influence and values to your industry networks and audiences.
Level - 4This module is an introduction to the skills required to work on the stage of any event from small venues all the way to arenas. What ever role you eventually take, the student should have a thorough grounding on what it takes to stage any event professionally, safely and grounded in common industry practice.
Level - 4This module allows students to develop the professional and academic skills required to flourish in Live Music Prodcution, and to take this into their professional lives. It calls for effective research, networking and communication skills to be developed, setting the context for study on the program and professional engagements, gaining insights for opportunities and progression.
Level - 4This module explores basic concepts in Live music production, from touring to stand-alone events, from conception to delivery. Looking at show concepts and design and delivering artistic briefs on a technical level. All aspects of Live Production will be covered, Sound, Lights, Backline, Streaming, Immersive, AV and Set. How shows are brought together with equipment, control software and management
Level - 4This Unit introduces students to methods and techniques for management and leadership and encourages them to consider the type of manager and/or leader that they want to be.
Level - 4Learn about the operation and production of live music sound. Distinguish how to increase quality sound output for live events, using a range of manufacturers’ technologies. Practical skills in live sound engineering and mixing including soundcheck and communication skills.
Level - 5Understanding the basics of the modern concert sound reinforcement system and associated technologies, such as networked audio and basic rigging.
Level - 5Learn about the operation and production of Lighting Equipment. Distinguish how to add quality to the lighting for live events, explore a range of manufacturers’ technologies, Lighting plots, lighting fixtures control surfaces and design software
Level - 5Learn about the operation and production of Lighting Equipment. Distinguish how to add quality to the lighting for live events, explore a range of manufacturers’ technologies, Lighting plots, lighting fixtures control surfaces and design software
Level - 5The power requirements for a concert are complex and important and require any one working within production to have a solid foundation in creative technology practice and safety.
Level - 5This module enables students to create a portfolio of professional, specialist work demonstrating transferable skills to meet sector expectations. Students will apply sector specific creative and technical skills in different industry contexts. ARTS-RELATED SPECIALIST ROUTE (A) Students will be able to use relevant academic research and sources to critically review and place their practice in a humanities, phenomenology or cultural framework. SCIENCE-RELATED SPECIALIST ROUTE (S) Students will be able to use relevant academic research and sources to critically review and place their practice in a scientific methodological and technical framework.
Level - 5This module aims to enable students to explore, examine, and review the function of a professional project. Students will work in a professional context to deliver a project in their specialism. Students will be responsible for identifying the requirements of a professional project brief. They will plan, deliver and review a professional project to current industry standards with their peers. Students will register themselves or/and their work as appropriate with a professional association and actively manage their professional networks, professional ethics and professional communications.
Level - 5This module enables students to use tools, techniques, and procedures to work toward producing work of a professional standard in their chosen specialist route. These sources will be used to critically reflect and analyse their work and the work of other practitioners in the appropriate frameworks. ARTS-RELATED SPECIALIST ROUTE (A) Students will be able to use relevant academic research and sources to critically review and place their practice in a humanities, phenomenology or cultural framework. SCIENCE-RELATED SPECIALIST ROUTE (S) Students will be able to use relevant academic research and sources to critically review and place their practice in a scientific methodological and technical framework.
Level - 5This unit serves as the prepatory unit for the critical review project in level 6. Students will explore a range of topics and guided research, critically evaluating the academic work of others.
Level - 5This module enables students to contribute through their chosen specialism to an interdisciplinary collaborative creative industries project. Students should engage with the appropriate professional networks for their specialist or interdisciplinary field.
Level - 5This module enables students to engage with continuing professional development and to review and develop their leadership skills in different contexts. Students will examine different models of leadership and review and develop their range of leadership tools, techniques and expertise in this area.
Level - 6This module enables students to create a portfolio and digital presence that includes course output, work experience, freelance work or volunteering targeted to professional opportunities or further study. ARTS-RELATED SPECIALIST ROUTE (A) Students will be able to use relevant academic research and sources to critically review and place their practice in a humanities, phenomenology or cultural framework. SCIENCE-RELATED SPECIALIST ROUTE (S) Students will be able to use relevant academic research and sources to critically review and place their practice in a scientific methodological and technical framework.
Level - 6This module includes a research or practical project that critically reviews one or more current issues, constraints or practices that impacts the music and wider creative Industries, the application of music to other industry sectors or broader cultural or workforce issues relating to music and the creative cultural industries. ARTS-RELATED SPECIALIST ROUTE (A) Students will be able to use relevant academic research and sources to critically review and place their practice in a humanities, phenomenology or cultural framework. SCIENCE-RELATED SPECIALIST ROUTE (S) Students will be able to use relevant academic research and sources to critically review and place their practice in a scientific methodological and technical framework.
Level - 6This module aims to enable students to build their leadership and professional skills through an interdisciplinary collaborative professional project. Students will design the requirements of the professional project brief, manage the project and communications and evidence project outputs.
Level - 6Introduction to rigging, shackles, slings, bridles and load calculations etc The modern concert relies on safe and creative ways to fly lights, sound and AV equipment above the audience
Level - 6How to manage a team of technical professionals, whilst having a larger picture view and knowledge of a concert or event. Project management and broad technical knowledge combined with strong communication skills to deliver complex and innovative events in a safe and timely manner.
Level - 6Processes of creative workflow and concert design. interpreting the artistic and financial requirements appropriately, and then communicating solutions effectively. Introduction to show design and control software with cutting edge concert technology and trends.
Level - 6This module brings together a range of artistic, creative, technical and interdisciplinary skills to create more complex interconnected productions. Through the use of modern show technology we explore the modern multimedia immersive event.
Level - 6Develop further knowledge and specialist skills in working on a complex stage production, including advanced backline techniques, including specific instrument tuning and maintenance, developing creative skills to add a professional practitioner level of competence to the students practice
Level - 6This module enables students to evidence academic expertise in an applied research context. Students will engage and reflect on the developmental process and develop learning strategies for applied research. They will work on a project collaborating with local communities, industry or academic networks as appropriate. This module runs across two terms, the first term focuses on the specific focus of the applied research and the second with the delivery and impact measurement for the research. ARTS-RELATED SPECIALIST ROUTE Students will be able to use relevant academic research and sources to critically review and place their practice in a humanities, phenomenology or cultural framework. SCIENCE-RELATED SPECIALIST ROUTE Students will be able to use relevant academic research and sources to critically review and place their practice in a scientific methodological and technical framework.
Level - 7Within this module students will investigate the project management processes needed to develop a project from concept to release. Students will explore projects from the perspectives of different collaborators in the research. They will identify potential collaborators for the different stages of developing and implementing their ideas and will develop skills and techniques to effectively pitch at a high level to a variety of audiences.
Level - 7This module enables students to Identify, inform, and establish a network of peers and relevant industry and community contacts to develop opportunities and advocacy in key organisations in the local community, research organisations, charities and the creative industries as well as connect with communities of investors. Students will engage core stakeholders in activities and communications to enable effective development of opportunities and increased advocacy using professional development tools such as action learning, critical reflective practice, clinical supervision, or other appropriate methods. Students will design, coordinate, and evaluate internal and external communications in a portfolio of evidence that tracks responses, activities, ethical considerations, influence, and impact.
Level - 7This module enables students to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the professional sector specific expertise required for a creative industries profession. Students apply these creative and technical skills in a wide range of interdisciplinary contexts. Students will create or synthesise tools, techniques, and procedures to produce work that solves complex problems and disrupts in order to meet interdisciplinary objectives.
Level - 7This module aims to support students to develop a portfolio demonstrating their readiness for the MIF undergraduate programme.
Level - FoundationThis module aims to provide students with core academic skills in using resources, referencing, presentations and the tools to communicate their ideas effectively.
Level - FoundationThis module aims to provide students with the skills to effectively organise and manage projects.