We like cookies!

By selecting ‘I like cookies too’, you are allowing Point Blank Music School to use cookies. We use cookies to collect your device and browser information to tailor our marketing activities for your benefit and to help with the functionality of our website. Please visit our privacy policy (see cookies policy) for more information and to understand how we use your data for required purposes.

I like cookies too!

Manage my preferences

Foundation Year

The foundation for your music career

Apply Now

START YOUR DEGREE IN APRIL 2024

Apply now to join the number 1 music production institution in the UK.

Overview

If you don’t quite qualify for one of our degree courses then don’t worry, you’re in the right place!

If you are interested in enrolling on one of our four BA (Hons) degree programmes and following your passion for music, Point Blank’s Foundation Year could be your launch pad. Throughout your studies with us, you will be able to access academic support workshops, wellbeing support, and equipment guidance to enable you to help you reach your full potential. If you can demonstrate the determination to succeed within a year you’ll be ready for our degree programmes.


This course will enable you to develop confidence in your abilities whilst acquiring a strong knowledge and skillset needed to complete your chosen degree. Our Foundation Year has been designed to help you explore the key areas of the music industry, support you in discovering your interests, and help you make informed choices in your career ambitions.

 

Foundation Year Pathways

 

If you need any help or assistance in making the right choice, then please contact us here and we'll be happy to guide you through the process.

Key Info

Duration 9 Months
Available start dates 2024 2025
  • 8 April (Limited availability)
  • 30 September (Limited availability)
  • 13 January
  • 14 April
Weekly timetable Two daytime lectures per week. Please check the FAQs below for more details.
Download Undergraduate Prospectus
Have questions? Check the FAQ's for quick answers.

Track breakdown of 'Feel the Love' with Rudimental

Find out what life is like at Point Blank from our students

Learn more about our approach to blended learning

Try One of Our Courses for Free

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.
  • Our Open Mic Nights and Point Blank Choir

A degree course consists of academic levels 4, 5 and 6. Each level consists of 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 an integral part of learning and you may hear it referred to as formative or summative:


  • Formative assessment (exercise) is designed to give you feedback on your performance and how it can be improved as you study at Point Blank. Formative assessment is an important part of the learning process and has been shown to help students improve both their grades and their learning style.
  • Summative assessment is designed to measure the extent to which you have achieved the learning outcomes of a module and therefore the grade you will be awarded. Learning outcomes are the specific skills and knowledge that you are expected to demonstrate as a result of taking a module.

Most students show themselves to be stronger in some assessment types than others. To make it possible for students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills to the best of their abilities, a wide range of assessment types is offered. Students will be asked to produce work in a wide variety of formats including: compositions, creative projects, written work, report, performances, presentations, 1-2-1 discussions, recordings and timed composition briefs. The assessment breakdown for this programme is approximately:

  • 35% practical work
  • 20% presentations
  •  
  •  35% written work 
  •  
  • 5% performance
  • 5% exams

Our Expert Lecturers

Max Heyes Sound Engineering/Mixing

Credits include Paul Weller, Oasis, Primal Scream, Jamiroquai and Massive Attack. Co-produced The Doves #1 album 'The Last Broadcast'. Mixed Primal Scream's 'XTRMNTR'. Helped develop La Roux.

Carroll Thompson Singing

Iconic British reggae singer who's also recorded with Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Sade & more. Signed to Virgin as solo artist. Scored several Top 40 hits & No.1 on UK Reggae Chart with 'I'm So Sorry'.

Linton Bennett Music Composition

Linton aka Stepz composes/produces for Dido, Warren G, All Saints, Jamelia & Imogen Heap to name a few. He’s been active in the music industry for 3 decades and signed to Motown in the US.

Jen Anderson Music Industry

Jen has been A&R for Universal-owned Fiction Records, Label Manager for King Tuts Recordings, Promoter for Live Nation-owned DF Concerts, Head of Business Affairs for Back Yard Music and Tour Manager, and now runs her own business The Bothy Society.

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.

Anna Lakatos Music Production

Musician, singer and trained audio engineer, specialising in object-based 3D sound for motion picture and commercial music production. Anna is an Ableton Certified Trainer and NI Product Specialist.

Career Opportunities

  • Music Producer 
  • Recording Engineer 
  • Mix Engineer 
  • Sound Designer
  • Sound Editor
  • Music Arranger 
  • Film Music Composer 
  • Music Programmer 
  • Remixer 
  • Game Music Composer
  • Singer/Songwriter 
  • Solo Artist 
  • Music Performer 
  • A&R Manager
  • Record Label Owner

What I went on to do – you couldn’t understand how beneficial it was for me to come and study with Point Blank and get the technical knowledge I needed first. - Benny Scarrs, Point Blank graduate and artist manager for Dave (Mercury Prize Winner)

Entry Requirements

Where conditional offers are made, typical offers will be set from:

  • A Level:  DD
  • BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma:  PPP

If you are interested in enrolling on one of our degree programmes but do not meet the entry requirements, the Foundation Year course could be for you. This course aims to build your confidence and provide you with the necessary transferable skills you need to progress onto one of our undergraduate degrees. 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)
£9,250 payment in full £14,750 payment in full
£3,083 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
APPLY NOW!

Contact us

National Student Survey (NSS) Results

In partnership with Middlesex University

APPLY NOW!