Music HND
Course code 003W
What is special about this course?
Nurture your musical passions and pursue a dynamic career in popular or traditional music performance. Develop your understanding of the music industry and enhance your instrumental skills, with modules in first study instrument or composition, live performance, theory, graded units, and music business.
Take the HNC as the first year of our BA (Hons) Popular Music, or use the HNC or HND to access the second or third years of the BA (Hons) Popular Music or BA (Hons) Applied Music.
Special features
- Opportunities to perform your music locally and further afield
- Study full- or part-time to suit your personal and professional circumstances
- Develop your skills on your chosen instrument through one to one lessons with your tutor
- Develop a range of practical skills including recording techniques, instrumental tuition, session skills and stagecraft
Accommodation
We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.
Entry requirements
Entry to HND Music Year 1 (HNC Music):
- 1 Scottish Higher at Grade C or above
- 1 A level at Grade D or above
- NC Music
- You will be invited to interview / audition to assess your musical ability
Direct entry to HND Music Year 2:
- Successful completion of HNC Music plus an interview and audition to assess your musical ability
- You should have your own instrument and be able to maintain it well. For those who play instruments such as Drums or Piano / Keyboard, these are available on campus at UHI North, West and Hebrides (Fort William campus)
- We have a fully equipped recording studio and PA system available for use within the music department
Year 1 - HNC
Year 1 of this course is the HNC Music.
Year 2 - HND
You will study the following units:
- Music: first study instrument OR Music: first study composition
- Music: online promotion
- Music: graded unit 2
Optional units may include:
- Music: instrumental tuition
- Music: session skills
- Music: stagecraft for musicians
- Digital audio workstations
- Music: live performance
- Music: history and analysis
- Music: theory
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- Part-time (structured)
- You will work by way of face-to-face lectures and tutorials in the classroom, plus practical work in the music studio
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 2 years @ 40 hours per week (HND only: 1 year @ 40 hours per week)
- Part-time: 4 years @ 20 hours per week (HND only: 2 years @ 20 hours per week)
Where can I study my course?
- North, West and Hebrides - Fort William campus
Start date
- September
Fees
For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes
- EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
- EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
- EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Higher National Awards (HNC, HND) | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time per year | £1,285 | £1,285 |
| Part-time (per HN credit) | £86 | £86 |
Rest of UK students
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
| Higher National Awards (HNC, HND) | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time per year | £7,110 | £7,440 |
| Part-time (per HN credit) | £474 | £496 |
Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.
There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.
International students
For students who do not normally reside in the UK, including EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Higher National Awards (HNC, HND) | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time per year | £8,775 | £8,925 |
| Part-time (per HN credit) | £585 | £595 |
Part-time study is not open to international student requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.
Funding
UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.
Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.
What can I do on completion of my course?
Once you have completed this course, you might like to consider a career as a freelance performer, music instructor or a session musician.
Can I progress into further study?
You may wish to consider progression into year 3 of the following courses:
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
I didn’t consider anywhere else- I'd heard that UHI was one of the best places to study music. The campus is an excellent place to study music- there are lots of rehearsal spaces and the recording studios and production room are great. I really enjoyed going to the café on campus for study breaks as well! I’ve had a great experience studying at UHI. I’ve made great friends, have had so much fun and feel well prepared for a career in the music industry.
Kirsty studied Music at UHI Perth.
Apply for Music HND
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.