NPA Sound Production: Recording SCQF level 6
The National Progression Award (NPA) in Sound Production: Recording at SCQF level 6 equips candidates with the knowledge, skills and understanding required for potential employment within the creative industries sector or for progression to further academic qualifications. It bridges the gap between entry level education and professional career development.
The NPA is linked to the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Sound, which has a thorough grounding in audio recording practice and also allows individual and personalised skills development through the optional Units.
This qualification is available in colleges and schools.
Qualification structure
Group Award Code: G9L4 46 (18 SCQF credit points)
SCQF level: 6
NPA Sound Production: Recording at SCQF level 6
Structure
Candidates must achieve two mandatory Units and one optional Unit.
Mandatory Units
- Sound Engineering and Production ¿ F58H 12
- Sound: Understanding the Signal Path - SCQF 6 (H7F9 46)
How to assess
The Units take a practical approach to both delivery and assessment. The majority of assessment is practical-based. Candidates should have ample opportunities to develop competence and skills through formative assessment opportunities and ideally these would be in the workplace or a similar environment.
The NPA's structure and Unit content has been developed to allow for integrative and cross assessment.
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Optional assessment guidance
This guidance is optional. You can use this guidance or deliver and assess as outlined in the group award specification.
Optional assessment guidance (142 KB)
See also the general HNVQ optional assessment guidance: Information and guidance for centres. (273 KB)
Where can you take this course?
Why study this qualification
This qualification is a starting point for those interested in working in the audio industries, or can be used as Continuous Professional Development for those already employed or self-employed. The NPA helps develop a candidate's individuality through the creative process, and uses problem-based learning approaches to foster creative and technical skills and competences as well as critical problem solving and project management skills.
The NPA is aimed at school and college students and adult learners who have an interest in and/or experience of sound production. This NPA is also aimed at those already working in the music and performing arts sector of the Creative Industries.
Access
Access is at the discretion of the centre. There are no formal entry requirements, but candidates would benefit from previous experience of a sound production or music course/Units or related study or have an interest and some experience of sound production. For those candidates not in education, relevant work experience would also be useful.
Some Units indicate prior attainment which would be useful for candidates. For example, it would be useful if the candidate had completed the optional Unit Sound Engineering and Production at SCQF level 5 before attempting the mandatory Unit at level 6, although this is not essential.
Employment and progression
Successful candidates may find employment opportunities as: a sound production assistant/recording assistant in a recording studio or rehearsal facility; at entry level for an audio visual services company, for example in multimedia web development; in radio station technical operations, particularly a community based one; or as a freelance sound recording engineer.
Candidates can improve their employment prospects by taking further qualifications. They could progress to NC Sound Production, NC Music, HNC Sound Production or HNC Music, or they may choose to complete other NPAs such as NPA Sound Production: Recording, NPA Music Business or NPA Music Performing.
Qualification structure
Group Award Code: G9L4 46 (18 SCQF credit points)
SCQF level: 6
NPA Sound Production: Recording at SCQF level 6
Structure
Candidates must achieve two mandatory Units and one optional Unit.
Mandatory Units
- Sound Engineering and Production ¿ F58H 12
- Sound: Understanding the Signal Path - SCQF 6 (H7F9 46)