This degree is delivered at our London Campus in Whitechapel.

Why study a foundation year?

The integrated foundation year is the perfect choice for those wanting to gain valuable knowledge and insight of the creative and entertainment industries before specialising in their chosen degree.

Youll learn all about the creative and entertainment industries, spending time in lectures, seminars, and practical settings. The assessment methods are also the same as the other degree years, with a mixture of exams and essays, so youll be fully prepared to start your full honours degree.

After completing your foundation year, you'll join Year One of your chosen degree with the confidence and knowledge to successfully continue your studies.

About the course:

This course gives you the opportunity to develop the advanced creative skills, knowledge and technological understanding necessary to succeed as a professional songwriter and vocal artist in a music industry where creative technologies continue to transform the creation, production, performance and distribution of music.

What youll study

Successful songwriters and artists have routines to help make them prolific. They have a broad skillset including vocal performance technique and the technological know how to be self-reliant, so they write and record their songs before they go to market.

Professional songwriters write all the time, not just when the mood takes them. They hear toplines and can craft interesting lyrics that paint pictures in the mind of the listener. They write songs that cross and blend genres, straddle the experimental and the commercial, whatever the brief requires. They write with others, sparking creativity from their ideas and input collaboration is always key.

Designed with songwriting and vocal performance at its core, this is a course with unrivalled industry links. It is taught by industry professionals who will inspire you and guide you through the art of crafting compelling lyrics and unforgettable melodies. You will develop your vocal technique, stage presence and performance skills and collaborate with like-minded peers. Whether you dream of writing your own hits or captivating audiences with your voice, or both, this immersive experience will empower you to express your unique identity as a songwriter, musician and vocal artist.

In addition to technical skills for your voice and songcraft, to succeed as a professional you must also be adept at using DAWs and other technologies needed. Having a compelling professional identity and an understanding of how to market yourself effectively is essential, too. To be a career songwriter and performer, you need to know how the music business works in commercial terms and how to generate income from the different revenue streams available to you.

This course aims to give you an education that encompasses all these facets. It offers the broad technical education you need to thrive in different performance contexts and the knowledge you need to sustain a financially viable career as a professional musician.

Careers and employability

Your time at Nottingham School of Art & Design doesnt have to stop once you finish your undergraduate course. Choose to continue your studies on our postgraduate degrees that can help you further develop your skills and obtain the experience you need to get a head start in your career.

Typical job roles in industry might include:

Singer songwriter/artist

vocalist performer

session singer

backing vocals

vocal coach

songwriting collaborator

top line writer

screen/TV/film/media composer