Gateway Diploma in Skills for Music and Music Technology Level 2 (Islington Music Workshop)

Overview

  • Adults
  • 6509-25
  • 8 September 2025 - 20 weeks
  • Standard: £1,080

Details

This is a new course run in conjunction with our partners The Islington Music Workshop(IMW), students completing the course successfully will be offered progression to an HNC, also partnered with IMW.

How will I learn? 

You will have the opportunity to study in excellent industry led facilities. Including fully equipped Apple Mac workstations with SSL Nucleus controllers running Logic Pro, and in our state-of-the-art recording studios with the SSL Duality Mixing Console and Pro-Tools recording and editing.

Equipment and other costs

All required equipment is provided, and no further equipment is required. Although a computer or tablet device at home, would be helpful for doing homework.

What qualification do I get on completing this course?

The Gateway Level 2 Diploma for Music and Music Technology

Where have students gone to after completing this course?

Most students that complete the course progress to Higher Education including foundation course at level 3 and HNC at level 4

Which awarding body is the course validation by?

The course is validated by the Gateway awarding body

What are the expected employment areas with this course?

Music Production, Sound Engineering, Film and TV Music Composer and Music Recording Artist

The employment areas that are relevant to this course include

Music Artist, Music Blogger, Film and TV Composer, Music Business Management and A&R, DJ, DJ/Producer, Recording Sound Engineer, Live Event Sound Engineer, Music Business Entrepreneur, Music and Sound Events Manager, Music Journalist, Music Producer, Music Therapist, Musical Director, Rapper, Singer Songwriter, Music Teacher, Musician, Music Promoter, and Music Lecturer.

Where have students gone to after completing this course?

BTEC Level 3 Diploma

Is there additional work required by the student?

How will I be assessed?

This programme is assessed through a portfolio of assignments. This includes practical and written work, submission of completed projects, group and individual work and presentations. 

Is there additional work required by the student?

Your set assignment portfolio is assessed as you progress through the course with four distinct submission points at week 4, 10, 14 and 20. There is no additional work required to be completed by students, over and above the set assignments

How much time should I be expected to spend on assignments, projects, field trips etc?

You will be spending up to hours per week attending classes at IMW, and you should factor an additional 8 hours per week for homework and assignments.

What are the expected employment areas with this course?

Media

Entry Requirements

What qualifications or skills do I need to show I have before I can enrol?

2 GCSES- English and Maths 

Expected prior knowledge

Some demonstrable musical experience is preferred

Support

Childcare

Financial support to help with childcare

Care to learn - childcare support for young people aged 16-20

If you are aged under 20 at the beginning of your course, or moving to the 2nd year of a level 3 course, and are caring for your own child you may be entitled to £175.00 maximum per week, per child through Care to Learn. 

Please ensure you register on the Care to Learn website even if you haven’t chosen your childcare provider or the course you want to study.  Once you have registered Care to Learn will confirm financial support in principle.

For further details and help with making an application please visit https://www.gov.uk/care-to-learn or speak to a Student Advisor.

Childcare support for people aged 20+

Financial support towards the cost of nursery, childminder, breakfast clubs and after-school clubs.

If you are aged 20+ when you start a course and need financial support to help with the cost of childcare while you study the college may be able to help.

You will be required to make use of any government NEF or 2+ Funding before requesting any financial support from the college.

It is essential that you speak to a Student Advisor prior to enrolling on a course to discuss your personal circumstances, childcare needs and to find out if there are funds available.

Eligibility for help with childcare costs is based on your personal circumstances.

General eligibility criteria:

  • Aged 20 and over
  • Considered a home student for fee purposes
  • Fully enrolled on a programme of study funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency  or in receipt of a 19+ Advanced Learning Loan
  • Discussed and had confirmation of funding for childcare support before enrolling

Financial eligibility:

 You need to have evidence that you meet general discretionary Learner Support Funds or 19+ Advanced Learning Loan bursary fund criteria:

  • on a low income / a dependent of someone who is on a low income or in receipt of a means tested benefit e.g. Income Support / Jobseekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance, housing benefit etc.

When looking for childcare please be aware:

  • all childcare providers must be OFSTED registered
  • any 2+ or 3+ government funding must be used by the student. Only additional hours needed for study will be funded by the College.
  • childcare will only be paid for days when you are attending College or a mandatory work placement.
  • students on full-time courses will be a priority for childcare funding.
  • childcare places will be subject to a contract between College/student/nursery.
  • childcare payments are made subject to students reaching 85% attendance on a monthly basis.

All childcare applicants approved for funding will be required to sign our Terms & Conditions and MUST inform the College immediately should they stop attending lessons for any reason.

Email learner.services@cwc.ac.uk to put your name on the childcare waiting list.  You MUST speak to a member of the Student Advice or Learner Services team before you enrol on a course.

Further Education Fees (19+)

If you are aged 19 or over on 31st August ( the year you start your studies) and you are a UK/EU resident you will normally be required to pay a course fee.

How much will my course cost?

The cost of your course will include tuition fees and examination fees, where applicable. Where a course requires additional specialist materials, there may be an additional cost. Some courses are cheaper than others because they are part funded by the government; some of these courses may also attract concessionary fees for some people.

19+ Advanced Learning Loan

If you are aged 19+ or over and studying a Level 3 course, you may be eligible for an Advanced Learning Loan. To be eligible for this loan, you must have been living continuously in the UK for 3 years immediately before the start date of your course. You must also be undertaking a course of study that is at Level 3 or above, e.g. National Diploma/Certificate etc. For more information click here.

Fee remission/concessionary rates

Concessionary rates are now available for learners that meet the following criteria:

  • Entry to Level 1 courses may be free for 19-23 year olds who do not already have a full Level 2 or above qualification*
  • Entry to Level 1 courses may be free for 24+ year olds who are unemployed or meet low wage criteria
  • Full Level 2 courses may be free for 19-23 year olds who do not already have a full Level 2 or above qualification*
  • Full Level 2 courses may be free or 24+ year olds who are unemployed or meet low wage criteria
  • Full Level 3 courses may be free for 19-23 year olds who do not already have a full L3 or above qualification*. 

For more information on fees and remission click here.

Discretionary Learner Support Fund

If you are on a low income you may be eligible for financial support towards tuition fees from the Discretionary Learner Support Fund. 

For further information click here.