Music

Newcastle College's music department specialises in performance and production courses, whether you want to focus on a career as a performer, DJ, producer or sound engineer. All of our courses are based in the Performance Academy, a world-class training facility based in the heart of Newcastle. It offers a huge choice of performance spaces, from recording studios and rehearsal rooms to our 200-seat Peter Sarah Theatre and gig space The Venue, which hosts large-scale performances every year.

We deliver a range of courses for all abilities including undergraduate degrees and full-time courses for 16-18 year olds. We have extensive connections to the music industry and deliver advanced masterclasses and work experience for our students. Guest speakers have included Patrick Topping, John Waugh of The 1975, Nick McBrain of Iron Maiden and Alex Hutchings and Barry Hyde of The Futureheads. We have been home to some of the finest talent in UK music, with recent graduates including Sam Fender's band Drew Michael, Tom Ungerger and Dean Thompson, The Pale White's Jack Hope and Adam Hope and sound engineer of James Bay and Rag 'n' Bone Man Rob Sadler.

We're passionate about supporting you towards succeeding in your dream career every step of the way. You'll collaborate with like-minded students and industry-experienced tutors, to devise and deliver amazing performances, and get up close and personal with industry guests, from performers and producers to record labels and local venues.

Next Event

June Open Event

Rye Hill Campus Wednesday 4th June 2025 4:45pm - 7:00pm Find out more

College 16 to 18 University Centre

Vick Bain

Alumnus - Music HND | Creator of the F-List

"Making a career in music is not just about how skilful you are, that is a given, it is also about who you know. Developing a great network around you at this stage will be of huge benefit in the years to come. With other students you meet now, you may form bands together, you may start a music business together, you may collaborate, connect or encourage in some other way but you will share a special bond from having studied together and that could really help your career in the future." Vick Bain is most famous for creating http://thef-listmusic.uk - an innovative directory promoting female artists

Nick Adams

Programme Leader - Music Production

"Electronic Music and Technology is at the forefront of musical innovation. I have an extensive background in Electronic Music and DJ. It’s rewarding seeing students gain success and progress into influential figures in the music industry by receiving support from the likes of Radio 1, Lee Foss and Calvin Harris."

Dan Lumb

Lecturer - Music

"Music is one of the few subject areas which can go from being ridiculously technical, so for example the inner workings of a compressor, learning jazz theory from the 20th century, to being the most emotive and connective expression of the human experience, creating whole subcultures based around specific genres. Being able to see students go from the very beginnings of their musical career to writing and producing complex music at industry standard, then releasing and distributing that music successfully is definitely what I love most about my job."

Joshua Barrass

BA (Hons) Music Performance

"My degree course is very practical and can be tailored to whatever individual students want to achieve. The units are all quite broad, so you get more opportunities to specialise and create whatever music you want. For me, the chance to explore and express my own musical interests make the degree course far more enjoyable, since all my assignments are much more open to interpretation."

Nicola Cutter

Skills Bootcamp in An Introduction to Technical Skills for Live Events

"I haven’t done any study since 2000. Four kids later, I’m coming back to education now. For being just a 12-week course, we got such an incredible range of experiences, including 3 or 4 theatre visits, as well as the opportunity to work on the set-up for Beyonce’s gig at the Stadium of Light, which was amazing."