Higher National Diploma - Music

Edinburgh College's HND programme makes up the first two years of a full Honours degree in music offered at Edinburgh College. Students wishing to focus on classical, traditional or jazz music should apply to the Sighthill campus. Those wishing to focus on popular music can apply to either Sighthill or Milton Road. HN students receive twenty hours of instrumental, vocal or composition lessons over the course of each academic year. A range of classes and activities supports the individual lessons; these depend on students’ first study instruments and interests.

Students have many opportunities to rehearse and perform with other musicians in supervised groups such as bands, ensembles, choirs and orchestras as appropriate; they also gain experience as both performer and engineer in the recording studio. Performance classes for students focusing on popular music involves two-three hours a week of rehearsing and performing in bands, typically involving a singer, two guitars, bass and drums, with regular input from a lecturer; there are also opportunities to rehearse independently. Students work through a wide range of different genres, and there are opportunities for individuals to take increasing ownership of their material as they progress through the years. Classes culminate in gigs in Edinburgh's excellent in-house spaces and in some of Edinburgh’s favourite music venues. Many students also take their learning into bands outside the college.