Level 3 Extended Diploma in Music Performance & Production 2025-26

The Level 3 Extended Diploma in Music Performance and Production is designed to extend enquiry within your own specific pathway in the music industry. You will do this through a series of projects that are learner responsive, engaging with artists, organisations and looking at your onward journey beyond college.

A final project gives you the autonomy to explore an area of your choice, producing an outcome that documents progress and product, whilst promoting problem solving, creative thinking, research informed practice and analysis.

You will work on production projects and be involved in many activities both onsite and at external venues.

Learners have the opportunity to perform on board the ferry to Holland, participate in the annual Community Pantomime and operate a range of gigs to name but a few activities.

The programme is 'learner responsive' which means we build projects around the learners, taking advantage of opportunities, employer needs and learner focus. Projects typically involve leading on performance and production activities; identifying and preparing for next steps, both practically and theoretically, whether this is into the industry or onto higher education and your own choice of final project.

You will be given guidance over the development of projects where needed to further extend autonomous working and problem solving. You will also participate in a series of work experience to enhance your engagement on the study programme.

Progression can be directly into employment in the music industry, working freelance or as an employee, on to a higher education course at university or a conservatoire or an apprenticeship.

You'll have exposure to a range of practical activities through workshops, rehearsals, performances and work experience to further extend practical skills and theoretical understanding. You will produce a digital portfolio to show potential employers or for the next level of study.

Progression for most learners after successful completion of the Extended Diploma is onto a BA (Hons) programme in Music Performing or Music Production. Alternative choices include employment as a performer, composer, facilitator or production specialist, either working for an employer or as a freelance artist.

You are required to have a Merit or Distinction at Level 3 Diploma in Music Performance and Production to study on the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Music Performance and Production. You also need to have GCSEs in Maths and English at grade 4 - 9 or be willing to work towards.

Our entry requirements are in place to support our students in achieving the qualifications they have chosen to study. In addition to the entry requirements, all students will be regularly assessed by East Durham College at an early stage in their study programme. This is to ensure that students are enrolled onto courses which suit their abilities – following assessment, there may be occasions when students are transferred to a relevant course at a higher or lower level in order to ensure they are enrolled on to the right course for them to achieve and progress.

Entry onto any course at EDC may have entry requirements in addition to exam results; this includes but is not limited to DBS checks, references, fitness to practice and at times physical requirements to be capable of achieving the practical elements of the course without assistance. Entry onto any course at East Durham College is subject to final approval from the Assistant Principal.

There are three formative units delivered in projects which are graded as pass / fail. These units must be passed before progressing onto the final two summative units graded as 'Pass' / High Pass / Merit / High Merit / Distinction'.

The course is assessed internally by an Assessor, before being Internally and Externally Verified to check the marking is consistent. Assessment includes live performance, written submissions, viva voce (interview to camera), photographic evidence, sound recording and a digital portfolio.

September 2025

The Level 3 Extended Diploma in Music Performance and Production is the second year of the programme, with the Level 3 Diploma in year one; you will study across four days each week.

This full time study programme may also be available to study on a part-time basis if you are aged 18 or over on 31st August. Please check with Student Services for more details.