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FdA Live Performance Technical Production

Start Date: 7th September 2026

Length 2 years
Study Full-Time
Location Rye Hill Campus

Qualification Gained

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More about the course

In this two-year Live Performance Technical Production degree, you will develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to become a live event technician. This course has been informed by a team of industry experts which gives you the unique opportunity to study a course with a holistic approach to technician training synthesising systems and processes within live sound and lighting for live events, theatre processes, moving image and video conferencing.

Throughout the course, you will practise and refine your technical skills through work-based situations and study in our dedicated music and theatre venues. You will learn how to do written investigations, presentations, observation witness statements, critiques and workplace documentation, records, policies and procedures in line with industry requirements.

We will challenge you not only in your development of technical knowledge and skills, but in your increasing autonomy and industrial confidence as these skills are transferred to new contexts. As an ‘industry integrated’ programme, we will provide you the opportunity for industry-based application of skills within a series of internal and external regional music and theatre venues in the Live Across Newcastle season of events. Curated by The Performance Academy in collaboration with a range of regional venues and company partners, this opportunity will ensure your work-readiness as you graduate.

This degree is an approved Higher Technical Qualification quality marked by Skills England.

Entry requirements

64 UCAS points (from related Music and/or Performance/Production Arts subjects).

Mature students (age 21) will be considered only on the basis of relevant industry experience.

You may be invited to a discretionary interview.

If you are a current Newcastle College students and successfully meet the published Level 3 entry criteria in an appropriate subject[s], you will be guaranteed a place on this course.

Applicants are normally expected to have achieved grade 4 or higher in GCSE Maths and English or the Level 2 equivalent (i.e.. Functional Skills or Adult Literacy/Numeracy).

Applicants for whom English Language is not their first language are expected to achieve a minimum IELTS Score of 6.0 or the nationally recognised equivalent.

At Newcastle College University Centre, we welcome applications from students studying new T-Level qualifications.

Further details on our entry requirements can be found here.

What will I learn?

Year One

Lighting practice
Sound reinforcement
Studio and venue set up and maintenance
Work related learning
Managing live events
Video production
Academic skills
Personal development

Year Two

Advanced lighting for live events
Advanced live music
Rigging for the entertainment industry
Professional development
Industry practice (LAN)
Video conferencing
Work based learning

How is the course taught?

Practical training workshops in real working environments (including theatre and music venues)
Industry observation and placements
Seminars
Lectures
Classroom activities
Self-directed training and study

How am I assessed?

Practical demonstration
Simulated working practices
Presentation
Report writing

Work Experience

Thanks to our strong industry links with regional companies and venues, you will have many opportunities to participate in guest lectures, workshops, projects and work placements with companies like RB Group, Sage Gateshead, Live Theatre, Durham Gala, Mathew Bourne, Northern Stage, Alphabetti Theatre, Theatre Royal Newcastle, Playhouse Whitley Bay, Mortal Fools and Dance City.

The Performance Academy is a centre for regional performance and production training and as training academy we are developing partnerships with companies and venues such as The Cluny 1 & 2, The Tyne Theatre, The Baltic, and Generator, NX where you will follow in the footsteps of specialist practitioners such as Ross Lewis, Mark Graham, Liam Tully, Tony Eastlake, Nick Rogerson, Martin Hodgson, Trevor Fairclough.

Where can I progress?

Upon successful completion of this course, you could progress onto the BA (Hons) Creative Enterprise.

You could also progress into a career in the music and theatre industries working within live performance production as technicians, lighting and sound operators, lighting and sound designers, or other related careers in the cultural and creative arts sectors.