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PB Students at BBC Radio 1 Xtra

CertHE Radio, Audio and Podcasting

Start your career in radio and podcasting today

Apply Now

Next Open Day 23rd March - Book Your Place Now!

Meet our expert staff and find out more about our courses, industry connections, and state-of-the-art studios!

Overview

Join one of the planet’s fastest-growing and most influential industries with our CertHE Podcasting & Radio course. Over the past five years, the number of podcast listeners in the UK has more than doubled to over 21 million people, so if you want to find your audience and grow your brand into a successful business, you’re in the right place! Point Blank’s radio & audio courses have started the careers of many radio professionals. Our past students now work in all areas of the radio & audio industry. Our graduates such as Monki and Gemma Cairney are presenting and producing on shows including BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra, 5live, Radio 4, Virgin Radio, Capital, Classic FM and Rinse FM. Plus leading production companies such as Somethin’Else and Folded Wing, and producing podcasts for Netflix, Sony, Universal, Acast and more.


You will learn: Radio Broadcasting, The Radio & Audio Industry, Presenting, Radio & Audio Production, Radio & Audio Branding, and Podcasting.

Point Blank classes are small to ensure you receive ample 1-2-1 time with your lecturers. Our studios are located in Shoreditch—a global hub of London music venues and bars—and include industry-standard, state-of-the-art technology, such as Adobe Audition and Myriad.

Key Info

Duration 1 Year
Available start dates 2024
  • 30 September (Limited availability)
Weekly timetable 2 classes per week. Please check the FAQs below for more details.
UCAS code WW90
Download Undergraduate Prospectus
Have questions? Check the FAQ's for quick answers.

Learn more about the radio courses on offer at Point Blank

Track breakdown of 'Feel the Love' with Rudimental

Swarzy Macaly from Kiss FM shares her tips to getting into radio

Deconstruction: the Weeknd - 'Blinding Lights' w/ Ski Oakenfull in Ableton Live 11

Modules

Teaching & Learning

On our higher education programmes, students take part in a variety of intimate lectures (up to 16 students) and workshops. When not attending these sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently. Independent learning is about taking control of your work, finding out what you need to know and deciding how you are going to study.


During this time, you can take advantage of:

  • Our award-winning Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) with bespoke downloadable resources to support your lectures.
  • Our state-of-the-art facilities and private practice spaces across two buildings.
  • 1-2-1 Tutorials with lecturers to help you focus on your assignments.
  • Studio Lab Time with support staff (up to five per week depending on availability) to help you with your technical set up and assignments.
  • Extra workshops with music industry professionals.

A CertHE course consists of academic level 4, which is 120 credits. Each module is worth 20 credits and students are expected to study 10 hours per week per module (4 hours of lectures and 6 hours of independent learning).

Assessment

Assessment is how we gauge your success on a course. You will be expected to take part in the following types of assessment during this course:


1. Exercises – these are designed to give you feedback on your performance and to help you improve as you study at Point Blank.

2. Assignments - these are designed to measure what you have achieved during a module and therefore the grade you will be awarded.

To make it possible for students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills to the best of their abilities, students will be asked to produce work in varying formats depending on your course including compositions, creative projects, written work, reports, performances, presentations, 1-2-1 discussions, recordings and timed music industry-based briefs.

Expert Lecturers

Michael Bailey Radio

Resident DJ for Goldie's Metalheadz label, presenter at 1Xtra, Radio 1 & Ministry of Sound. Recorded/remixed for Goldie, Roni Size, Guy Called Gerald, Trey Songz, Chipmunk, Nas & Damian Marley.

Frank McWeeny Radio

Frank is an audio & technical producer for BBC Radio & Podcasts. His work has been heard by millions of listeners across BBC World Service, Radio 1, Radio 4 and BBC Sounds. He also presents Global Dancefloor on a variety of independent stations and platforms.

Lindsay Wesker Music Industry

Active in the music industry since the 80's with extensive A&R, DJ and broadcast experience with Kiss FM and MTV. Self-published novel about the industry and presents a weekly show on mi-soul.com.

Mark Brocklesby Advanced Recording & Mixing

Mark runs Big Smoke Studios and is a recording engineer, mix engineer, musician, producer and lecturer with over 20 years of professional experience and industry practice.

John Farley (J-Fresh) Radio

J-Fresh is a BBC Radio 1Xtra mix resident, Ministry of Sound music curator, DJ, Broadcaster and Producer with support from BBC Radio 1, Mixmag, GRM Daily & Spotify Editorials.

Career Opportunities

  • Radio producer
  • Audio producer
  • Technical producer
  • Social & digital producer
  • Radio presenter
  • Podcast presenter
  • Music curator
  • Podcast curator
  • Assistant producer
  • Content assistant
  • Production assistant
  • Researcher

There were lots of chances to make friends and go out to different stations like the BBC. I now work for Capital FM on the promotional team. I’m slowly working my way to be on the air but it’s a start. - Emily, Radio graduate

Entry Requirements

First and foremost, we are looking for people who can demonstrate a) their passion for music and b) an ability to successfully complete a Higher Education programme. Where conditional offers are made, typical offers will be set from:

  • A Level: CC
  • BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma: MPP
  • We also accept T Levels and do consider a wide range of Level 3 and comparable international qualifications.

If you don't have formal qualifications, don't worry, applicants without formal qualifications may still be considered on the strength of relevant prior learning and experience. We will initially assess your personal statement which should detail any previous study or relevant experience in music. Then the Admissions Team will look at the merits of each application by taking the following evidence into consideration: predicted or previously attained grades, examples of work and relevant work experience. Applicants who do not meet the typical entry requirements may also be asked to attend an interview. Click here for more information on our entry requirements, international qualifications and how to apply.

Global Alumni

Madam X

DJ, label head, club impresario. Mixing grime, techno, bass, garage, Madam X is adept at playing huge crowds or 100-cap basements. Hosts shows on Radio 1, Rinse & NTS. She is multi-faceted and unique.

Pete Tong

Godfather of Dance Music and long-time friend of Point Blank Pete Tong, founder of BBC Radio 1's Essential Mix and worldwide DJ superstar, learned Native Instruments Maschine with the team here in London.

Goldie

We taught Goldie something he didn't know already - Ableton Live! The legend drops in from time to time & recently invited PB students to a VIP drum recording session at Assault & Battery studios.

Claude VonStroke

Dirtybird boss Claude says: "I took a class with Point Blank in Ableton Live. It was awesome learning bass production!" The bass don was recently voted the No.1 DJ in USA! Watch him review PB above.

Aluna Francis

Aluna Francis is half of AlunaGeorge. She studied production at PB before taking off to chart success with 'You Know You Like It' & No.1 hit 'White Noise' with Disclosure. Check out her awesome video.

Leona Lewis

Everyone knows Leona from X Factor. Before she won it, Leona wowed her fellow students on our Singing Course. "Her talent was obvious" said her instructor, "and her success thoroughly deserved."

Patrick Topping

'The World's Biggest Tech House Producer!' Secured three Beatport #1s: ‘Get Beasty’, ‘Forget’ & ‘Voicemail’. Also owns two DJ Awards & DJ Mag’s ‘Best Tune’. Championed by Pete Tong & Annie Mac.

Arjun

With 1,500,000 Facebook followers, Sri-Lankan born Arjun is a South Asian pop superstar. His single ‘I’ll Be Waiting” charted at #1 on iTunes India and spent 30 weeks on the BBC Asian Download Chart.

Spoony

Spoony is a legend in UK dance music having brought garage to the masses in 2000 as part of the Dreem Team. He's since gone on to become a staple on Five Live but proved he's always learning by enrolling at PB!

Fees & Funding

Fees (UK) Fees (non-UK)
£6,000 payment in full £9,000 payment in full
£2,000 per term

Being an undergraduate student involves two main expenses: tuition fees and living costs. Students can either choose to pay for their course privately, or alternatively, all of our higher education programmes are eligible for Student Finance loans. Eligible students may be able to apply for a tuition fee loan to cover the full course fees. This will be up to £9,250 per year for courses with standard delivery, or up to £11,100 per year for courses with accelerated delivery. In addition, eligible students may be entitled to a maintenance loan of up to £12,382 per year. The amount of maintenance you can apply for will depend on your circumstances. EU students are not eligible for the maintenance loan. For students wishing to pay privately, we have a number of payment plans available, including annual and termly instalments.  Click here for more information on fees and funding options available. 

Discounts

Point Blank students enjoy a range of exclusive discounts including but not limited to:

  • 50% off NI Komplete, Ableton Live & Roland Cloud
  • 30% off NI Kontrol & Maschine
  • 25% off Adam Audio & Focusrite
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Contact us

National Student Survey (NSS) Results

In partnership with Middlesex University

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