What does an average week look like at Abbey Road Institute?
Our Advanced Diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering is an intensive, full-time programme. You will have a daily timetable of lectures with our core team as well as weekly lectures with industry experts. Classes usually take place Monday to Thursday with Friday’s dedicated to workshops, masterclasses and other complimentary classes.
Our Advanced Diploma in Audio Post Production for Film and TV is a part-time course which is taught two days a week to allow you to work and study side by side. You will typically be in class for two afternoons per week and also have access to our facilities outside of your timetabled lectures.
The campus is open 7 days a week, and we encourage you to use the studios and equipment as much as possible to make the most of your time at Abbey Road Institute. This means you can be working and recording during the evenings and weekends in addition to your timetabled lectures and workshops.
What is the relationship between Abbey Road institute, Abbey Road Studios and angel studios?
Abbey Road Institute is an educational initiative born out of the expertise and skills developed at Abbey Road Studios over the past 90 years. The school, our ethos and our approach to delivering the highest quality of education have been created through a partnership between the worlds most famous recording studio and Universal Music Group. Being part of the Abbey Road and Universal Music Group family means that we have a close relationship with the Studio which leads to collaborations and opportunities for our students that aren’t available anywhere else.
In 2021 our London Institute moved into and reopened Angel Recording Studios in Islington. The expansion is a historical one for both Abbey Road Studios and Abbey Road Institute. Angel Studios will provide teaching spaces for our students and also commercial studio space for recording. It’s the first time in the history of Abbey Road that it has expanded beyond its footprint in St John’s Wood.
Alongside our new campus, we also maintain our dedicated professional studio for our music production students on-site at Abbey Road. The move to Angel means that our students split their time between two professional recording studios – Angel and Abbey Road. We continue to organise regular recording sessions and workshops in the main commercial Abbey Road Studios as well as masterclasses, events and other opportunities for collaboration and access to the music industry.
If you are interested in booking the commercial studio space at Angel you can find more information and guidance on how to book on the Abbey Road website.
Who studies on the Advanced Diploma in music production and sound engineering? Is the course right for me?
Our Advanced Diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering is an industry-standard, professional training course, which gives you the knowledge, skills and access to professional networks that will help you progress in audio production and the music industry. We encourage applications from students from all different backgrounds and musical interests. You will need to demonstrate the required level of skills as detailed in the entry requirements, but we’re not looking for students interested in any specific ‘type’ of music or genre. The course is intensive and we encourage you to apply if you are passionate about the subject, driven to work hard and want to immerse yourself in a dynamic, professional studio environment.
How do I apply for one of the Advanced Diplomas?
The application process for our Advanced Diplomas is straightforward and the process is the same for both courses. You can apply online via our application portal here – APPLY NOW.
You will need to demonstrate that you meet the entry requirements and upload copies of your qualifications and your music portfolio. If you do not have copies of your qualifications or are waiting for your results, you may still submit your application to be reviewed by our admissions team.
We interview all applicants that meet the entry requirements. All interviews are hold via Zoom.
We will notify you of the outcome of your application within a few days of your interview. If you have any questions or need any support with the online application process please contact our Admissions team who will be very happy to help.
The minimum age requirement to join any of our courses is 18.
When do I apply for the Advanced Diploma?
There are three intakes per year for our Advanced Diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering; which start in February, June and October. There is one intake per year for our Advanced Diploma in Audio Post Production for Film and TV which starts in November. You can apply to the intake start date that suits you best. We advise you to start your application as early as possible to give yourself time to fully prepare your application and interview. Our class sizes are small with a maximum of 24 spaces available for each intake. Our courses are typically in demand in advance of the application deadline and start date, so we recommend applying as soon as you are able to.
We hold interviews on a rolling basis up until the course is full or until the month before the course is due to start. We may consider earlier or later applications depending on availability.
WHAT SHOULD I INCLUDE IN MY APPLICATION FOR THE ADVANCED DIPLOMA In music production and sound engineering?
Your application is your opportunity to demonstrate that you meet the entry requirements necessary to study on the course. So that we can assess your suitability for the course and offer you an interview you will need to include the following documents:
- A Music Portfolio (4 productions in which you demonstrate different roles, such as performer, producer, engineer, writer etc). Please label the portfolio or submit further documentation to explain your role in each production. If you don’t have 4 yet please submit what you can. We do not expect to receive high-quality productions but are simply looking for evidence that you have been attempting to create and produce music for a period of time.
- Academic qualifications.
- Music qualifications – if you don’t have a formal music qualification please state your level of music knowledge and experience in your covering letter.
- A cover letter. This is where you can explain your motivation to study, career goals and provide further explanation about your background (recordings, composing, performances etc). You should also explain your musical abilities, eg. which instrument (s) you play, what music theory experience you have and give an indication of your level.
- Your Curriculum Vitae – allowances will be made for applicants with relating “real-world” experience.
- Copy of photographic ID, this is usually a scan of your passport or ID card from your home country. For passports please provide a scan of the front cover and photo page.
What are the payment and funding options available?
We offer different payment options to support you in being able to fund your studies with us. You can choose to spread the payment throughout your time at Abbey Road Institute or you can pay the full amount upfront and benefit from a reduced fee. These are the fees and payment plans for our two Advanced Diplomas:
Advanced Diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering
Fees and payment plans
Payment Plan A (12 Monthly instalments):
Application Fee £450*
Monthly tuition fee instalments of £1,362 (x12) = £16,344
Total Course fee £16,794
Payment Plan B (Full fee paid up-front):
Application Fee £450*
Tuition fee £15,315
Total Course fee £15,765
Advanced Diploma in Audio Post Production for Film and TV
Fees and payment plans
Payment Plan A (5 Monthly instalments):
Application Fee £450*
Monthly tuition fee instalments of £1,500 (x5) = £7,500
Total Course fee £7,950
Payment Plan B (Full fee paid up-front):
Application Fee £450*
Tuition fee £7,100
Total Course fee £7,550
*If you are not selected for an interview your application fee will be refunded in full. If your application is unsuccessful after your interview we will refund your application fee minus a £100 administration fee.
WHAT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP PAY FOR YOUR STUDIES?
I’m applying from outside of the UK as a European or International Applicant. What happens after Brexit?
Whether or not you are able to apply to study with us will depend on both your nationality on your passport and also which course you are looking to study with us.
Courses lasting less than 6 months
If you would like to study on a course that is less than 6 months long such as our Advanced Diploma in Audio Post Production for Film and TV, Music Theory Fundamentals for Producers or the Song Production Masterclass, please visit the course page for more guidance on how to apply. You will not need a Student Visa, but you may need to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa to join one of these courses.
Advanced Diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering
Our Advanced Diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering is a one year/12-month course. The UK government requires students who are not from the UK and who wish to study on a course of this length to hold a Visa. Please read the different scenarios below for further information which will depend on your nationality and personal circumstances.
Information for European and International applicants after Brexit (from 1st January 2021 onwards)
Following recent UK government announcements about Brexit, we have updated our guidance for both European and International (from outside of Europe) applicants who want to study at Abbey Road Institute London. From the 1st of January 2021 if you are from Europe and are applying to study in the UK you will need to apply for a visa unless you are already living in the UK and have registered with the EU Settlement Scheme. The guidance below will help you understand what your options are based on your personal circumstances.
I am a European citizen (have a European passport) and I’m already living in the UK. Can I apply for the Advanced Diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering?
If you were living in the UK before the 31st of December and registered on the EU settlement scheme you can apply to join our one-year Advanced Diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering. You will need to supply us with your immigration status ‘share code’ when you apply. If you meet these criteria you will not need a Student Visa to study with us.
I am a European citizen living outside of the UK. Can I apply for the Advanced Diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering?
If you are a European citizen living outside of the UK you will need a Student Visa to join our one-year Advanced Diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering. We do hold a license to sponsor Student Visas for students from outside of the UK. We will be able to support you with your Visa application.
I am an international applicant (from outside of Europe). What do the changes mean for me, can I now study at Abbey Road Institute London?
We do hold a license to sponsor Student Visas for students from outside of the UK, We will be able to support you with your Visa application.
Youth Mobility Scheme for International Applicants (Tier 5)
In some circumstances, you may be eligible for a Tier 5 “Youth Mobility Visa”.
You can apply for this visa if you’re aged between 18 – 30 and from the following countries: Australia, Canada, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino and Iceland.
You must be selected in the Youth Mobility Scheme ballot before you can apply for your visa if you’re from the following countries: Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
For further information on eligibility and how to apply, please visit the Youth Mobility Scheme visa (Tier 5) page on the UK government website.
