Music
If you dream of playing on stage in front of thousands of people, creating a seminal masterpiece in the studio, or dropping beats at legendary dance clubs around the globe, The Manchester College should be your number one choice music college.
At the No.1 Further Education College in Greater Manchester for achievement* we offer courses for singers, musicians, DJs and studio engineers that will take your skills to the next level. Our focus will be to get you ready for a successful career in this tough, but exciting industry.
Based in the heart of Manchester, with its legendary music scene, you will perform regularly for the public and have lots of opportunities to network.
*As per the latest Government National Achievement Rates Tables (NARTs)
3 reasons to study Music with us
High-spec studios
Record and produce in industry-standard control rooms, DJ suites, rehearsal spaces and studios
Live performances
Gain real-world experiences through gigs, studio sessions, placements, masterclasses and employer events
Expert tutors
Learn from tutors who bring real experience from production, live sound, composing, music journalism and electronic music
Available courses
Where you'll learn
With excellent transport links, modern classrooms and vibrant social spaces, you can study Music courses in our industry standard facilities at our City Campus Manchester
Our professional standard studios are unparalleled, our technology and equipment is state-of-the-art and our performance spaces are first class.
Our facilities include:
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Two industry-standard band rehearsal rooms, designed for collaborative music practice and performance
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Adjoining rehearsal spaces, giving you room to practise and perfect your performances
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Six professional recording studios, with specialist recording equipment
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A DJ classroom with four mixing desks
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Three control rooms with professional mixing desks
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Six Mac suites running industry software, including Logic, Sibelius and Ableton for music production and editing.
Where a career in Music can take you
Live Music Producer / Record Producer
Average Salary £25,000
Musicians
Average Salary £34,531
Music composer
Average Salary £34,531
Tido Nguyen • Pulse Music Group Songwriter and ProducerMy time at The Manchester College helped me to find my strengths and weaknesses in music and made me realize what I actually want to do in the music industry. The Manchester College was the perfect environment to experiment with my interests in song writing, producing and audio engineering.
Gaby Zacara • Musician, Songwriter and LyricistShena Simon was great for me. The people I met and support I had was invaluable. I was taught every skill I could possibly have needed to make it myself out there in the industry, and my confidence grew so much for it all.
More about our Music courses
Outstanding music facilities
Industry standard pro gear
You’ll take your next step towards an exciting career in the music industry in the incredible facilities that we boast at our City Campus Manchester.
Our professional standard studios are unparalleled, our technology and equipment is state-of-the-art and our performance spaces are first class.
They include six recording studios, professional, industry-specification band rooms, DJ mixing booths and specialist recording equipment! You’ll also have access to rehearsal spaces where you can perfect your performance and six Mac suites running industry software such as Logic, Sibelius and Ableton, where you can fine tune your recordings.
Amazing performance opportunities
Play for the masses
Our students regularly light up venues across the city, including at the relentlessly successful and highly innovative Band on the Wall, where our musicians host and collaborate on a whole range of pro-level activities and real-life industry standard activities and performances.
We don't just send you out on stage with no preparation. You’ll get to spruce up your material in our suite of rehearsal rooms and two purpose-built theatres at City Campus Manchester. That's if you’re not putting your talents to use in one of the recording studios.
Music industry partners
Experience a career
When you study music at The Manchester College you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the world-renowned Manchester and North-West music scene.
Our music department has long-standing links with a full ensemble of industry partners, and we work in perfect harmony to open the doors that enable you to experience an exciting career in this thriving sector.
We work with a broad range of the City's venues, seeing us create an impressive backlog of gigs that we have supported our students to produce. And for all the fun this can be it is also an amazing opportunity to experience what working in the industry is like!
Some of the music industry partners and venues we work with include:
- Band on the Wall
- The Bridgewater Hall
- Contact Theatre
- Pie Radio
- Reform Radio
- Warehouse Project
- ThisIsNQ
Do you have an EHCP or SEND need?
The Manchester College is committed to ensuring all our students receive the support they may need to achieve and enjoy college. We do this in a number of different ways including:
- Student Experience Support Team
- Careers Employability & Welfare
- Pastoral Support Officers
- Supported Learning
We also offer a bespoke transition service to new applicants with an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP), accessibility or medical need.
Want more information?
Find out even more about our Music department in our subject area guide or on our YouTube playlist:
Download our subject area guide
Stay up-to-date with everything that's going on in our Music department via social media:
Meet the team
Interested in progressing to higher education?
Turn your passion for big beats into a career, explore our degrees in Music Production & Composition.
Related news
The Manchester College has been successful in its application to be included in UKMusic’s Music Academic Partnership