NPA Sound Production (Schools)
***PLEASE NOTE - only pupils who will be at school during session 2026/27 can apply for this course***
This award is designed to equip candidates with the knowledge, understanding and skills required for success in current and future employment within the creative industries sector or for progression to further academic qualifications. It is designed to bridge the gap between entry level education and professional career development.
The NPA will allow candidates to develop a skill-set, linked to National Occupational Standards for Sound, which has a thorough grounding in audio recording practice and also allows individual and personalised skills development through the optional Units.
This course will run on Friday 9.30am - 2.15pm
Please note that the course you are applying for is split across two sessions. When submitting your application, the dates displayed will be for the June Induction in session 2025/26. Once successfully enrolled on this session, you will automatically be transferred to the 2026/27 session, which begins in August, for the remainder of the course.
Content
This course will cover the following units:
- Sound Engineering and Production
- Develop practical and creative sound engineering and production skills which will allow you to use multi-track recording equipment to record and mix audio from a variety of sources.
- Sound: Understanding the Signal Path
- Sound travels from a performer, through an audio system, to a listener. You will have an opportunity to examine sound at each stage of the signal path. In addition, you will consider the effect that human hearing has on the perception of sound.
- Creative Project
This unit will allow you to plan, implement and evaluate a creative project. You will be required to produce a project in response to a brief. This project will be your own work, however the production of the evidence may involve working with others.
Career Paths
Upon successful achievement of this NPA, candidates may find employment opportunities in the following areas:
- At an entry level as sound production/recording assistant in a recording studio or rehearsal facility
- At entry level in a media production company as sound production/recording assistant e.g. multimedia web development
- As entry level radio station technical operations, particularly community based
- Self-employed sound recording engineer
Progression
Upon successful achievement of this NPA, pupils may be able to progress in the following areas:
Entry requirements
- There are no formal entry requirements to the NPA.
- Pupils would benefit from previous experience of a Sound Production and/or Music Course or related study.
- Pupils would ideally have an interest and some experience of sound production
More Info
Further advice for School College Programme and Foundation Apprenticeship applications:
• Please ensure you have an online account before starting your application
• If you created your account prior to March 2025, 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, 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 to an information session
• If your application is unsuccessful, you should speak to a guidance teacher or SDS school liaison officer.
• If you are unable to attend the information session or wish to withdraw your application, please email the School Partnership team - school.partnership@forthvalley.ac.uk