Level 2 Diploma in Music Performance

Applications Open - Monday 2nd November 2026

Applications Close - Open all year

How to Apply – Please apply through KentChoices and use your KentChoices login which your school should provide

PLEASE NOTE - Popular courses can fill up quickly so apply early to avoid disappointment

If you have any queries regarding the courses, please contact EKC Canterbury College

You can make up to 5 applications to Colleges within the EKC Group, that is:

• EKC Ashford College
• EKC Broadstairs College*
• EKC Canterbury College*
• EKC Dover College
• EKC Folkestone College*
• EKC Sheppey College

*Junior Colleges exist in these locations.

Please only add one course or T Level per application, except for A Levels at EKC Canterbury College, where up to 4 A Level courses can be added per application. At your interview, you and the tutors can discuss the best level and courses in order for you to progress.

This course is the perfect starting point for learners who want to develop their creative and performance skills in music. You’ll work in our industry level recording studio and live room as well as have access to our Mac suites which are equipped with the editing software Logic Pro. Throughout your qualification you’ll explore both the performance and production sides of the industry. This course is practical, supportive and designed to help you grow as a musician, producer or audio creator. This course is suitable for students who have achieved a 4/C grade in English and Maths. If you have not yet achieved this grade, you will need to complete the course over two years. This will give you time to develop skills in your chosen area and improve your English and Maths grade.

On this course, you’ll build a solid foundation in music performance through a mixture of practical and creative projects. You will also explore what a future career in music industry could look like. You’ll learn from supportive staff who have real industry experience, and you’ll have full access to the College’s professional standard recording studio, high-quality instruments and iMac editing suites. Key modules on the course include: • Live Performance • Music Production • Listening skills for Music • Music Composition • Contextual Research • Skills and Practice • Performance and Production Alongside your studies, you’ll complete a tailored work experience placement with a leading industry specialist. Our dedicated Industry Liaison Officers will match you with a placement that supports your interests and career goals, with many students going on to secure paid work as a result.

All assessment is completed through coursework. You’ll complete a series of creative projects across the year, developing your skills while meeting the qualification criteria. There are no written exams – instead you’ll perform in practical assessments, research, experiments, reflections and a final major project. You will develop a portfolio of work during the course which is created to aid assessment and your future.

This programme is designed to help you move toward a Level 3 qualification, which can lead to advanced jobs or apprenticeships. You can finish with a Level 2 qualification and get a skilled job at the end of the course but progressing to Level 3 will give you more career choices and improve your future earning potential. It also opens doors to further studies, like Higher Education and Higher or Degree Apprenticeships. These can lead you from advanced technician or supervisor roles at Level 3 to management or professional status as you continue studying. To join this programme, you'll need the equivalent of 4 GCSEs at grade 3, ideally including English and maths. You will also be required to show a portfolio of work when you apply. In instances where little or no portfolio and/or performance experience is shown, we will guide you towards the best course to help you build your portfolio and develop the skills and knowledge you need to succeed at higher levels.

The course focuses on building your foundation skills, confidence and creativity, preparing you to progress into the music industry. You can finish with a Level 2 qualification and get an entry-level job however, this programme is designed to help you move toward a Level 3 qualification, which can lead to advanced jobs or apprenticeships. Many of our learners have progressed to our Level 3 Music Performance course and from there have enrolled at university or entered the industry. Once she completed her course, Level 3 learner, Ruby, headed to the Canterbury Christ Church University to study Music. She commented: “I chose music because I absolutely love it. It’s my dream to be a singer, write my own music, and have a career in the industry. College has given me the confidence to make my dream a reality.”