The One Year Full-Time Higher Diploma (Cert HE in Popular Music Practice) is truly a unique and amazing course. It is packed with the same concepts, techniques, theory, musicianship, performance and technology as the One-Year Full-Time Diploma, with a higher level of academic rigour and some great additional features. It is designed to give performers an all-round higher level of musicianship, preparing students for the opportunities and challenges of today’s music industry.

The One-Year Higher Diploma is fully validated by Thames Valley University and is a NQF level 4 award, offering progression onto other higher education courses, including our 2 Year Dip HE and 3 Year Bachelor of Music Degree and our Master Performance Course.
Students are enrolled with both Tech Music Schools and Thames Valley University and have full access to the University’s state of the art facilities. This includes: student services, use of Learning Resource Centre, student union, accommodation, student advice and counselling.
                           
On successful completion of the course students will gain two awards; Guitar-X Higher Diploma and a Certificate of Higher Education in Popular Music Practice.

For EU students the course is funded. Students can apply for Student Loans to cover the tuition costs and have access to bursaries (subject to status).

Course Structure
The One-Year Higher Diploma has two intakes: in October and April. The academic year is divided into three ten week terms, each with a break in the middle and at the end.

Hours
On average 16 hrs of teaching per week, as well as practice time, master classes, jam nights and students events.

Entry Requirements
All students are required to attend an assessment to ascertain their instrumental potential.  A remote audition is available for overseas students.
The academic requirement is 80 UCAS points (or equivalent) with GCSE English or (equivalent), or a relevant 16-19 specialist diploma.
A candidate would be expected to be at a high performance level, equivalent to that of grade 8 in performance, but not necessarily in all of the broad range of musicianship skills required to attain the grade certificate. Elements such as music theory or reading may be lacking.
Mature students are at pathway leaders’ discretion. In exceptional cases the pathway leader may offer a place to a very talented applicant based upon the audition and interview.

Cost
UK and EU students (home students)
Tuition Fees £3145
Course materials £300
Total £3445

Overseas Students 
Tuition Fees £6495
Course materials £300
Total £6795

FUNDING
Home students can apply through their Local Education Authority for Tuition Fee Loans, Higher Education Maintenance Grants and Maintenance Loans.

International students should contact the admissions team on +44 (0) 208 749 3131 for details about course fees.

The Next Step 

Assessment
Through our streaming process we are able to accept students of different levels onto these
courses. Before enrolling, we ask you to take an assessment with one of our teachers. So what is the assessment? It’s not an audition. It’s not an exam. But it is a great opportunity for you to work with a teacher to help determine where you're at, what works and what doesn't and to get professional advice.

We give you a selection of specific exercises covering:

•           Technique
•           Theory
•           Aural
•           Stylistic knowledge
•           Musicality
•           Reading

We ask you to play some of your favourite material. We look at your potential, your experience so far and discuss your goals. We give you professional and detailed feedback, answer your questions related to your music career and suggest a plan of action for the future. After your assessment you can discuss all other issues with a member of the admissions team. We strongly recommend that you take this opportunity to tour our facilities
and get the feel of what it's like to study with us.

To book your assessment, or if you have any questions, call the admissions team on
44 (0) 20 8749 3131, or email the admissions team>>

Once you have been assessed and accepted onto the course, you can enrol and secure
your place by sending the completed enrolment form found in the brochure and include your
deposit.
International students who are not able to come to the school in person can film their
assessment and send it to us on DVD or VHS. Contact the office for details.

One-Year Higher Diploma course detail (PDF)>>

One Year Higher Diploma
Home students can apply through their Local Education Authority for Tuition Fee Loans, Higher Education Maintenance Grants and Maintenance Loans.

International students should contact the admissions team on +44 (0) 208 749 3131 for details about course fees.