2 Year HND with direct access to Year 3 BA Popular Music
Our 2 year HND Music Performance courses with articulation to years 3 and 4 of BA Popular Music are designed to give our students real-world experiences and develop the necessary skills to pursue a career in their chosen career pathway.
The Performing Musician course focuses on developing musicianship, professional practices, applied music theory, instrumental accompaniment, improvisation and music tuition in one of Scotland’s most celebrated music institutions. The combination of practical learning in a real-life commercial working environment provides the ideal surroundings for meaningful academic study.
Candidates enrolling on this course participate in a range of contemporary and innovative industry events, seminars and workshops throughout the term. You will learn about copyright, management, publishing, recording and live performance contracts and gain knowledge and understanding of collection agencies such as PRS, MCPS, and PPL, who can provide important income streams, allowing you to plan and manage your career.
During your studies you will undertake hands-on learning in our high-tech facilities and have direct access to cutting-edge pre-production/ rehearsal facilities, the latest industry standard equipment and software and commercially successful recording studios.
Our world-class industry lecturing team with vast experience and knowledge of creative processes will offer direction and support making it the perfect course for applicants who are looking to build a successful career. You will also benefit from insight into their experiences and work ethic, helping you to contextualise your learning activities.
Courses at RMC offer applicants opportunities to develop real and tangible high quality professional portfolios, making this course an exciting route to the music industry. Through the core modules and the course option you have chosen, you can begin working towards a successful and sustainable industry career.
At Riverside Music College, you Choose Your Own Path! The course option you choose will help you to focus your studies and create the career pathway that’s right for you.
Our next open day takes place on Friday 13th November 2026! Come along and see our creative campus for yourself, meet our expert team and let us answer any questions you may have.
This unit is designed to give learners the knowledge and skills to recognise the role and function of copyright, contracts and relevant income streams available to musicians and provide an opportunity to prepare for employment. The unit will provide a broad overview of copyright and contracts found in the music industry, as well as the role and function of a number of relevant collection societies. The learners will also gain insight into professional development through the exploration of employment opportunities.
This unit is designed to provide the learner with the skills to become technically proficient on their chosen instrument. The unit is aimed at learners who wish to develop on their first study instrument. The unit will develop technical ability through a range of relevant exercises and then through the performance of a range of pieces.
This graded unit is designed to provide evidence that the learner has achieved the following principal aims of HNC in Music.
an ability to develop underpinning knowledge in music
an ability to analyse and synthesise knowledge and skills acquired through study
an ability to develop study, organisational and research skills
an ability to develop skills in musicality, expression and creativity in performance and stagecraft and/or composition and promote sensitivity in musical presentation
an ability to integrate musical skills in a practical or business application
an ability to develop competencies in a range of specialised areas in line with preferred career aims
to enable progression to further study in music or a related discipline
an ability to develop personal skills and follow music industry protocol
Learners will plan and produce a portfolio of work that could be used to showcase their ability in, for example, a job application or interview situation for either employment or further study. They will also evaluate their effectiveness when planning and producing the portfolio.
This unit is designed to give learners an understanding of the practical aspects of working with other musicians to rehearse and stage a live performance. Learners will develop and evaluate the skills necessary for successful live performance in a professional environment. Learners will undertake a series of rehearsals before performing a set live.
This unit is designed to give learners an understanding of the fundamental aspects of music theory and notation. Learners will explore note values, note pitch, key signatures, intervals, time signatures, selected scales, chords and chord progressions. Learners will develop skills in notating key signatures, scales, chords and rhythm. This unit is aimed at learners who wish to develop an understanding of the fundamental aspects of music theory and notation.
This unit is designed to develop learners’ knowledge and skills in improvisation. Learners will develop their knowledge through analysing existing improvisations. Learners will then apply this knowledge in the performance of improvisations in two contrasting styles. The unit will be suitable for any learners wishing to develop skills in improvisation and is relevant for those working in a range of genres. As a key musical technique, improvisation can enhance the skillset of anyone wishing to pursue a career or undertake further study within music performance and composition.
This unit is designed to give learners the opportunity to develop and display skills in stagecraft. Learners will examine components of the presentation of live performances and create a plan for their own performance. Learners will then be given the opportunity to develop their skills in stagecraft by performing live using their planned concept. Learners will then evaluate their live performance in terms of the concept presented.
This unit is designed to provide learners with the skills to compose music for the visual arts.
This will be achieved by learners creating a composition in response to a chosen piece of visual art and then, to critically evaluate their own work.
This unit is designed to give learners an understanding of the practical aspects associated with instrumental instruction. Learners will develop knowledge and understanding of the learning process and how to assess progress. An awareness of professional issues and responsibilities related to the teaching situation will be acquired together with the skills necessary for managing effective learning in the context of instrumental tuition. Learners will present their discussion of professional issues before planning and delivering a series of instrumental lessons. This unit is intended for those wishing to work as a music tutor/ educator or planning to undertake further studies.
This unit is designed to give learners an understanding of recording and manipulating audio and MIDI signals for sound production using digital audio workstations. It is designed to give learners the underpinning knowledge and skills required to use the main functions of a digital audio workstation and to take a sound production project to a conclusion by creating an edited pre-production master incorporating critical listening.
This unit is designed to improve the learner’s overall musicianship through singing in harmony with others. It will enable them to perform in a range of appropriate vocal group situations, displaying correct technique and approach apposite to genre.
This unit is designed to provide the learner with the skills to develop their technical proficiency on their first study instrument. The unit will begin by developing technical ability through a range of relevant exercises to improve fluency and accuracy. The unit will then give learners the opportunity to implement techniques learned and enhance their performance skills by learning and playing a range of pieces. The learner will reflect on their development through preparing programme notes and evaluating. The unit is aimed at Music students that have a level of proficiency on their instrument.
This graded unit is designed to provide evidence that the learner has achieved the following principal aims of the HND Music:
an ability to develop breadth and depth of knowledge in music
an ability to analyse and synthesise knowledge and skills acquired through study
an ability to develop study, organisational and research skills
an ability to develop proficiency in musicality, expression and creativity in performance and stagecraft and/or composition and promote sensitivity in musical presentation
an ability to integrate musical skills in a practical or business application
an ability to develop competencies in a range of specialised areas in line with preferred career aims
to enable progression to further study in music or a related discipline
an ability to develop personal skills and follow music industry protocol
an ability to develop critical analysis; to reflect on own work and continually strive for best practice
to enable the adoption of innovative practices and creativity in work and ability to respond quickly to the challenges posed by changes in the music industry
This unit is designed to develop learners’ understanding of the practical aspects of working with other musicians to rehearse and stage a live performance. Learners will develop the skills necessary for a high level of proficiency in live performance. Learners will undertake a series of rehearsals and use evaluation of these rehearsals to improve their set before performing to an audience.
This unit is designed to enable learners to gain a broad knowledge of methods of delivering and promoting music online and to put this into practice by creating an online presence for a musical project. The unit explores platforms for delivery and promotion of music in relation to recent trends, before giving learners the opportunity to upload audio, video and other promotional content.
This unit is designed to develop and extend learners’ knowledge and understanding of music theory. The unit is a direct progression from the unit Music Theory (SCQF level 7) and builds on the knowledge of this unit, covering a range of time signatures, scales, modes, key signatures, extended chords and inversions before giving the learner the opportunity to transpose a melody and chord progression. The learner will develop their skills in musical notation while demonstrating that they can notate the given time signatures, scales, modes, key signatures, extended chords and inversions.
This unit is designed to provide learners with the opportunity to experience and understand the work of the session musician in a variety of contexts. Learners are expected to prepare for sessions, create and perform musically appropriate parts from written, verbal or aural stimuli, working under pressure of time, while maintaining professional standards of conduct and musicianship. This unit is suitable for learners who intend to work freelance in any musical situation as a session musician, as well as those wishing to develop their musical skills in a professional environment.
This unit is designed to give learners an insight into the multi-track recording process, related terminology, and key factors concerning the recording of music. It will give learners knowledge of the technical elements of a multi-track session and the opportunity to gain practical experience in recording and mixing music. Learners will use knowledge gained in capturing sound, the signal path and multi-track systems to plan a multi-track session. Learners will then contribute to the recording of a piece of music and create a stereo mix- down of the work.
This unit is designed to develop learners’ skills in planning, developing and implementing a music business project. The learners will develop skills in creating a brief, marketing strategy and planning before developing this brief and seeing it through to completion. There will be opportunities for learners to draw on knowledge of marketing and promotion of music as well as relevant business skills in the development of a substantial project.
Riverside offers flexible payment options for students wishing to pay fees via our SAAS and non-SAAS funded instalment plans. Eligible students can also apply for living cost support via SAAS, who have a combination of loans, grants and bursaries available. Student loans of up to £6,750.00 and bursaries of £2,000.00 are available depending on individual circumstances. For further details please check the SAAS website. Read More
Full funding available for Year 3 BA Popular Music if eligible.
Entry Requirements
Minimum of one Higher (band C or above), PLUS passes in two other subjects at NAT 5 or equivalent.
Don’t meet the entry requirements? No problem, check out our Access to HND courses!
Duration
2 Years (HNC can be obtained after one academic year) August – June (full time) + Direct access to Year 3 BA Popular Music, delivered at RMC in Partnership with Perth UHI.
Our HND framework prepares candidates with the necessary knowledge and practical experiences to pursue a career in the music industry, with opportunities to specialise in particular areas of interest and develop a focused and relevant skill set enabling them to operate as confident industry professionals.
Some examples of career paths our students can focus on include:
Studio Session Musician
Online Session Musician
Touring Musician
Music Tutor (Private, Accredited and Online learning)
Musical Director
Industry Entrepreneur/ Consultant
RMC’s students and staff are held in high regard by Universities and employers alike and we always aim to deliver the best possible and most relevant learning experience, utilising our state of the art equipment and facilities.
