Young Mansfield musicians step closer to their dreams with new college partnership

Confetti music students at work in one of Metronome's control rooms.

Following a link-up between West Nottinghamshire College and Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies, level three music students who achieve their qualification at the Mansfield college will gain automatic entry onto degree-level music courses at the creative Confetti institute – part of Nottingham Trent University (NTU).

Learners who achieve a RSL level three diploma for music practitioners at the college can choose to automatically move on to a foundation or full three-year degree programme at Confetti depending on their grade – with no interview or audition required – provided they pass their course, have a GCSE pass in English and maths, and apply through UCAS.

It means further education students in Mansfield and Ashfield have the chance of guaranteed progression to higher education at the renowned institute and those who meet the criteria will be able to progress onto foundation degrees or full-honours degrees in either music performance or audio and music technology.

Acclaimed by leading music figures including Jools Holland, facilities at the site include a 400-capacity live music venue, 15 rehearsal spaces, six recording studios, mastering suites, surround-sound and post-production studio facilities, a vinyl-cutting room, critical listening seminar room, and live events production space.

Kerry Pilcher, head of creative arts at West Nottinghamshire College, said: “We are delighted to be working with Confetti and NTU to offer this excellent opportunity for our students.

"Our talented music staff, who all work in the industry alongside their teaching, will be able to fully prepare learners for their next steps.

“This new and exciting partnership provides our students with a much-needed local progression route and is likely to encourage more learners to continue their studies at a higher level without having to move away from home.

“Our learners progress in to all aspects of the industry including live events management, music production for film , and of course songwriting and performance.”