Student playing a guitar on stage

What You Will Study

The Level 5 Higher National Diploma consists of the Level 4 Higher National Certificate, plus an additional 120 credits at Level 5 delivered via the ‘Artist Development’ pathway.

Mandatory Units

  • Creative Research
  • Project Creative Portfolio
  • Developing as an Artist

Specialist Units

  • Advanced Music Events Management
  • Music Direction in Practice
  • Advanced Music Production
  • Composing to a Brief
  • Attendance Expectations

    3 days per week, plus evening performances.

  • How You Will Be Assessed

    Assessment takes place throughout the year and is externally verified.

    Assessment methods are assignment based and may include practical projects including presentations, group activities, written reports, or research projects.

  • Entry Requirements

    HNC Music (Artist Development)

    All applicants must complete a satisfactory interview and audition.

  • Fee Information

    These fees relate to 2024/25:

    £6,950

  • Further Study

    This course is recognised as a qualification in its own right or can be combined with a top-up degree such as our BA (Hons) Performance Industries (Top-Up) or BA (Hons) Creative Industries (Top-Up) course to obtain a full honours degree.

Upload 2024

The School of Popular Music’s loud and lively finale to the year is our annual music festival Upload. The Festival celebrates the best that Wakefield College music students have to offer, with a number of bands performing an extensive catalogue of styles from original music to classic songs.

Photo of students performing at the Upload music festival

Upload 2024

The School of Popular Music’s loud and lively finale to the year is our annual music festival Upload. The Festival celebrates the best that Wakefield College music students have to offer, with a number of bands performing an extensive catalogue of styles from original music to classic songs.

Photo of students performing at the Upload music festival

Upload 2024

The School of Popular Music’s loud and lively finale to the year is our annual music festival Upload. The Festival celebrates the best that Wakefield College music students have to offer, with a number of bands performing an extensive catalogue of styles from original music to classic songs.

Photo of students performing at the Upload music festival

Upload 2024

The School of Popular Music’s loud and lively finale to the year is our annual music festival Upload. The Festival celebrates the best that Wakefield College music students have to offer, with a number of bands performing an extensive catalogue of styles from original music to classic songs.

Photo of students performing at the Upload music festival

Upload 2024

The School of Popular Music’s loud and lively finale to the year is our annual music festival Upload. The Festival celebrates the best that Wakefield College music students have to offer, with a number of bands performing an extensive catalogue of styles from original music to classic songs.

Photo of students performing at the Upload music festival

Upload 2024

The School of Popular Music’s loud and lively finale to the year is our annual music festival Upload. The Festival celebrates the best that Wakefield College music students have to offer, with a number of bands performing an extensive catalogue of styles from original music to classic songs.

Photo of students performing at the Upload music festival

Upload 2024

The School of Popular Music’s loud and lively finale to the year is our annual music festival Upload. The Festival celebrates the best that Wakefield College music students have to offer, with a number of bands performing an extensive catalogue of styles from original music to classic songs.

Photo of students performing at the Upload music festival

Upload 2024

The School of Popular Music’s loud and lively finale to the year is our annual music festival Upload. The Festival celebrates the best that Wakefield College music students have to offer, with a number of bands performing an extensive catalogue of styles from original music to classic songs.

Photo of students performing at the Upload music festival