HND Sound Production - Year One
This exciting course will develop knowledge and skills in sound production with the aim of preparing successful candidates for progression to university and/or a wide range of careers including recording studio engineering, music production, live sound, and audio post-production.
Using the College's state-of-the-art facilities, students will develop a solid 'hands on' understanding of the latest digital technologies, as well as industry standard analogue classics, giving them the opportunity to become skilled in a wide range of current sound production practices and techniques.
Creativity and employability will be enhanced through working on a wide variety of practical projects, while essential underpinning business knowledge in working in the sound production field, will be developed through contextualized individual and group learning. Past students have gained employment with the BBC, SECC, recording studios and audio-visual companies.
Content
- Audio Skills
- Digital Audio Workstations
- Recording and Mixing
- Sound for Live Events
- Skills for Business
- Audio Post-Production: An Introduction
- Audio Systems Integration
- Digital Distribution
- Game Audio
- Skills for Mastering and Final Format Production
- Digital Audio Workstations
- Spatial Recording and Reproduction
- Professional Development Project
- Independent Studio Project
- Location Recording
- A selected optional unit from: Foley and ADR, Creative Music Remixing, Game Audio
Career Paths
- Project studio
- Recording studio
- Live sound work
- Audio post-production
- Sound designer
- Computer game audio
- Conferencing
- Broadcasting
- Small business
Progression
On successful completion of this course students may progress onto a related degree programme.
Forth Valley College has formal articulation links in place for entry into Year three of the following degree programmes:
- BDes (Hons) Sound for the Moving Image - Glasgow School of Art - Associate student scheme offered during Year 2 of HND
- BSc (Hons) Sound Design - Edinburgh Napier
- BSc (Hons) Audio Technology - Glasgow Caledonian University
- BSc (Hons) Audio Engineering - University of the Highlands & Islands
Please note articulation links are subject to change and do not guarantee a place on any university course. Students can still apply for entry to year 1 or 2 of many of these degree programmes and should check with individual universities for more detail. Each institution will have specific entry requirements.
Entry requirements
One of the following:
- Two Highers including English and/or Music, Computing Studies, or Physics at grade C or above
- Foundation Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media and one Higher preferably in Music, Music Technology or Physics
- Successful completion of a relevant access course, NC Sound Production, or an appropriate group of National Qualification units
- Applicants who do not meet these criteria, but have relevant experience or alternative qualifications, will be considered
Additional Requirements:
- Successful interview
More Info
Further advice for full-time applicants:
• Please ensure you have an online account before starting your application
• If you created your account prior to November 2024, you will need to register a new account
• Before starting the application process, please ensure you already hold or are working towards the relevant entry qualifications required for the course you are applying for
• Ensure you use your own personal email address when creating your online account
• Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an automated email immediately
• If you do not receive an acknowledgement e-mail immediately, please check your SPAM/Junk folder
• Please include as much detail as possible in your personal statement such as; the reason you are applying, future career plans, previous employment, relevant experience, hobbies and interests
• Disclosing support needs in your application will not affect your chances of being offered a place on a course at Forth Valley College
• If your application is successful, you will be invited for interview. For January start courses interviews will be in Nov/Dec and interviews for August start courses will take place between February and May
• If your application is unsuccessful, you will be offered support in finding a suitable alternative course
• Applicants who provide a mobile phone number on their application form will be sent a text reminder prior to the day of interview
• If you are unable to attend an interview or wish to withdraw your application - please email student.applications@forthvalley.ac.uk
Stirling Campus
Full-Time
17 August 2026
Level 8