FAQ

School of Contemporary Music (SCM) College has three intakes per year: January, May and September. Short courses and online certificates courses may have different intake timings – contact us for further information.

Some night-time courses are delivered in the evenings. Some weekends courses units may also have classes scheduled during the evening, typically between 5.00 - 7.00pm. Contact us directly if you require further information.

School of Contemporary Music (SCM) College offers online distance education course options. For further information, please visit our Online Evening Courses page.

All School of Contemporary Music (SCM) College courses have a focus on practical, hands-on delivery. The amount of practical time you experience during your studies does vary, depending on your course. You will also have opportunities to access campus resources and facilities outside of class time, during campus opening hours.

We carefully design and deliver all our units to help you develop the knowledge you need to be successful in your chosen field of study. Courses and course units at School of Contemporary Music (SCM) College follow best practice teaching and learning.

At School of Contemporary Music (SCM) College we recognise that preparation for study does not always need to be restricted to formal education attainment. Contact us to discuss your alternative entry options.

Certificate

A Certificate is niche skills focussed. By undertaking a School of Contemporary Music (SCM) College certificate in music performance or sound engineering you will develop foundation skills in these specific discipline areas. A certificate is a base-level qualification for paraprofessionals and further learning. This means that you can use the School of Contemporary Music (SCM) College Certificate as a pathway to diploma level study School of Contemporary Music (SCM) College and at other institutions. Certificates are a great option for people who haven’t studied before and/or those looking for an alternative pathway to higher education level studies.

Diploma

A diploma offers a rigorous combination of niche skills combined with a greater depth and breadth of theoretical knowledge and analytical skills. This knowledge is applicable to both your creative music discipline and the professional world more broadly. A diploma offers you an entry point to professional work, builds portable skills, and develops sustainable, life-long learning. Key high learning skills are a requisite of the diploma and graduate study options are available upon completion. Diplomas are suitable for people looking to develop professional skills and knowledge and to build long-term, successful careers in their industry of choice.

Successful creative music graduates need both practical skills and theoretical knowledge. It is important to know the "how" and the "why" of your industry. School of Contemporary Music (SCM) College courses are specifically designed to give you practical expertise and a solid theoretical foundation.

Upcoming Open Day details can be found on our Events page.

Entry requirements for School of Contemporary Music (SCM) College courses can be found in the key facts section of your relevant course page.

You can apply for School of Contemporary Music (SCM) College courses quickly and easily online. Go to our How to Apply page for further information.

Alternative entry options are available to both home and international students. For further information, contact us to discuss your alternative entry options.

You can apply for School of Contemporary Music (SCM) College courses online. Visit How to Apply to get started.

Certified copies of your supporting documents are required for accreditation and auditing requirements.

For School of Contemporary Music (SCM) College documents, see the campus from which the documents were originally issued. For all other documents, these can be certified by people employed in particular professions including: Justices of the Peace, Legal Practitioners, Magistrates, Notary Public, Police Officers, Dentists, Pharmacists, Certified Practicing Accountants (CPA), Members of Parliament (MP), Ministers of Religion, and Medical Practitioners. The person verifying the documents must state “I certify that I have sighted the original document and this is a true copy of it” and should sign and print the following details:

• Full name

• Address

• Daytime phone number

• Profession or occupation

• Organisation and registration number (where applicable)

• Stamp (where applicable)

• Date verified

Applications will be assessed for eligibility up to the advertised commencement date of the course. Places in the course are capped and filled according to date-received priority. The earlier your application is made, the more likely you are to receive a placement. If you are unable to commence the course on the scheduled date, you may postpone commencement by contacting us at School of Contemporary Music (SCM) College Admission Office.

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a health insurance that provides international students with basic cover for medical and hospital costs while in United Kingdom. Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a compulsory requirement for a student visa and is available from any government-approved OSHC provider. You are required to have a valid Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) policy for the duration of your student visa.

Applying for a student visa can be a complicated process. While you are able to do this yourself, an approved Agent can help you with the process. Agents are trained to assist applicants with their college or university and visa applications.

There is a non-refundable visa charge when you apply for your visa. For more information on visa fees and charges please visit the home office website.

If you hold a student visa, you can work in United Kingdom up to 20 hours per fortnight during your studies and full-time during study breaks and holiday periods. Students should not expect to be able to cover tuition fees and/or living expenses from casual work alone. For more information visit the UK Home Office website.

So long as you meet the entry requirements for the program that you want to study, the Admissions team can assist you in changing your enrolment over. This needs to be done no later than your first census date. More information is provided in the Student Selection, Admission, Deferral and Transfer Policy on the School of Contemporary Music (SCM) College website.

If you wish to defer, you will be required to contact School of Contemporary Music (SCM) College Office and complete a Cessation of Studies form.

You must withdraw prior to census date in order to be eligible for a refund of tuition fees. If you have not paid your fees and withdraw after the census date, you will incur a debt. Non-completion of studies does not normally entitle a student to any refund.

The census date is the last day you can withdraw from a unit without incurring any financial or academic penalty for that unit of study. The census date is usually set at 20% of the study period for each term and will be published in advance. The census dates are outlined in the Fee Schedule.

The maximum time you are able to defer study is 12 months.

Financial penalties will apply to students who leave their courses after the allocated census date.

Your tuition fees are due prior to the term start date. If you are applying for Student Loans, you must submit the required application form and supporting documents prior to the intake start date.

Students who are seeking Student Loans assistance must complete, sign and submit their Request for Student Loans assistance forms to Office by the first day of study. Students who do not submit this form by the first day of study, will be invoiced for tuition fees as full fee-paying students.

For further information on tuition fees visit the Fee Schedule section of the website.

Student Loans are loan schemes that assist eligible fee paying students to pay all or part of their tuition fees. It cannot be used for additional study costs such as accommodation or textbooks.

You may elect to pay tuition fees using one of the following methods:

• Cheque or UK Money Order

• Visa or Mastercard

• Electronic Transfer or Direct Deposit

For more information, go to Fees and Payments.

School of Contemporary Music (SCM) College is committed to providing equal opportunities for students with disabilities or special learning needs. For more information visit Student Services.

School of Contemporary Music (SCM) College offer "Strong Foundations" programs provide bespoke written English and other academic support through the Library and Learning Centers. Your local student services team will be able to help you.

This can vary depending on the course. You may, for example, have a larger lecture group for common units, and a smaller tutorial group of 5-10 students. In most cases tutorial sizes average 10 - 20 students.

Students who are well organised find casual or part-time work most manageable.

This is dependent on how many units you study per term. You should expect to be on campus one day a week per unit of study.

We always welcome feedback. Any member of School of Contemporary Music (SCM) College staff is happy to hear what you have to say and ensure that this information makes its way to the most appropriate person. Students are also welcomed to provide feedback via our student surveys and Staff-Student Consultative Committees which are held at School of Contemporary Music (SCM) College campus. School of Contemporary Music (SCM) College students may also become members of the local student council and/or School of Contemporary Music (SCM) College Academic Board. These bodies provide students with an excellent opportunity to enhance the student life.

School of Contemporary Music (SCM) College Alumni is a network of School of Contemporary Music (SCM) College graduates. When you graduate, you will have the opportunity to join the global Alumni Association. See some of our Alumni here.

A full-time study load is defined as 40 hours per week. Of this 40 hours you can expect 18 - 24 hours of face-to-face teaching time. The additional hours of study include collaborative work (i.e. recording sessions) and individual study time.

Visa extensions are subject to approval by the Home Office department of Immigration and Citizenship. If you need to extend your visa, you must apply to School of Contemporary Music (SCM) College for a new electronic Confirmation of Enrolment. For information about visa extensions and renewals please visit the extending your stay section of the Home Office website.

You will have access to the facilities and equipment relevant to your course and on which you have been trained.

No, this is not required. Students have access to our campus computer labs for assessment work.

No. For information on all other accommodation options visit students supports page.

Yes! We consult with industry on a regular basis and update our resources as required.

Opening hours are generally 9.00am – 4.00pm. For more information contact us.

Yes - School of Contemporary Music (SCM) College programs use a learning management system to help you prepare for your classes, reflect upon your learning, submit assessments and collaborate and communicate with your peers. For this reason, we recommend that you have access to high-speed internet access while you are studying.