Overview
The Assistant Recording Technician Apprenticeship provides an exciting opportunity to learn whilst working in a studio facility. The curriculum was developed in partnership with UK Music, the trailblazer companies Aquarium Studios, Halo Post, Metropolis, Molinare, RAK Studios, Alchemy Mastering @AIR Studios, and with further input from Music Producers Guild, James. The apprenticeship is also supported by ScreenSkills and is approved for delivery by the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education (IfATE).
Being an apprentice provides a unique opportunity to learn by working alongside experienced sound engineers, and gain insights into their technical workflow and creative processes. The role will focus on the technical aspects of sound recording, preparing studio sessions, setting up recording and mixing equipment, as well as assisting with the editing and management of project files. The emphasis is on providing high-quality audio recordings that capture the creative briefs in a dynamic environment.
The UK Music and Post-Production sector is recognised as world-leading and the companies involved in the apprenticeship are looking to train apprenticeships to work in:
- Post-production facility companies
- Music recording and mixing studios
- Independent production companies
- Broadcasters
- Content delivery and international localisation companies
Apprentices will be assessed for operational competence after the 24-month apprenticeship by a multiple-choice exam, a professional discussion, and practical tests under the eye of an independent assessor.
| ModePart-time | Duration2 Years | Start dateSeptember | Application code5906 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
Watch our video to see how you can make yourself at home studying at LSBU.
Location
London South Bank University student union is located at 103 Borough Rd, London SE1 0AA.
If you are visiting our Southwark Campus, you may wish to use our downloadable campus map (PNG File 466 KB). For information on accessibility, see our DisabledGo access guides. See our location page for more details.
Entry Level Requirements
Need further information? Call us on 0800 923 8888 to discuss entry requirements.
Maths and English GCSE A-C or grade 4 or level 2 equivalent (reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above)
AND
- 48 UCAS tariff points such as:
- BTEC National Extended Diploma (PPP) or
- BTEC National Diploma (MP) or
- BTEC National Foundation Diploma (M) or
- BTEC Extended Certificate (D) or
- A level (DD) or
- Equivalent level 3 qualifications or
- T-level (Merit or above) in Media, Broadcast and Production. (UCAS points: 120)
A British Sign Language (BSL) qualification is an alternative to the English qualification for those whose primary language is BSL
Choose your country
Select country here:
Missing English and Maths qualifications?
If you do not have the required English and Maths qualifications needed to satisfy the entry requirements for this programme, we have courses available at our partner College that you can take to upskill in these areas. Find out more at South Bank College.
Funding
The cost of the apprenticeship is paid fully by the employer (sometimes part funded by the government) through apprenticeship levy. The apprenticeship levy is a pot of money some companies pay into, which all businesses have access to spend on the training costs of apprenticeships. Companies fall into two categories: levy-payers (who pay into the pot) and non-levy payers (who do not). You can find out more in our Levy and Funding section, specifically for employers
The apprentice does not contribute toward the cost of study.
Bands
Apprenticeship standards are all assigned a funding band by the Government – these funding bands are the maximum amount the Government will fund via the levy towards a given apprenticeship standard. There are currently 30 funding bands ranging from £1,000 to £27,000.
Incentives
Employers with less than 50 staff sending an apprentice aged 16-18 will have 100% of the training costs paid by the government. All employers who employ an apprentice aged 16-18 on the first day of teaching will receive a £1,000 incentive from the government. You can find out more in our Levy and Funding section, specifically for employers.
Cost
You can find out the funding band for an Apprenticeship Standard on the Government website. To find out how much we are charging, please get in touch with us at apprenticeships@lsbu.ac.uk
Field trips
Some modules include field with and site visits, which may be residential or outside the United Kingdom, ranging from three to five days. These are organised by the Division and students are required to contribute towards the cost. If there are any field trips or any course visits as part of your course, we will let you know in good time.
Home
| Mode Part-time | Duration 2 Years | Start date September | Application code 5906 | Application method Direct to LSBU |
An Apprenticeship Standard is comprised of a programme of study, an End Point Assessment and on-the-job learning. This means that in addition to meeting academic requirements, you’ll need to be employed in a role related to your apprenticeship. The process of applying depends on whether you have an employer to sponsor (and support) you.
If you are employed and your employer has confirmed they will support your apprenticeship:
You are welcome to submit an application via our online application system. You’ll need to provide details of your employment/employer as part of the application. You’ll also need to ensure you and your employer meet the requirements – find out who can be an apprentice to see if you meet the entry requirements and employer commitments to find out more about your employer’s role.
If you are not employed:
- You will need to find a job role related to the apprenticeship you wish to apply for, with an employer who is happy to support you. If you would like to find an employer to support your apprenticeship with LSBU, you can search which employers are currently advertising Apprenticeships via the National Apprenticeship Service website searching for ‘London South Bank University’ as keywords.
- If there are no search results, this means there are currently no vacancies. We update our vacancies regularly, so please do check back regularly.
- Many employers advertise their apprenticeship vacancies on their websites or via other portals. You could search for ‘find an apprenticeship’ online.
- When you’re ready to apply, see the government's advice on how to write a winning apprenticeship application and make your application using our online application system.
Further information for apprentices
If you’re a prospective apprentice, you can find out more about who can be an apprentice on our student pages.
Further information for employers
If you’re an employer, you can find information about the employer commitments and further related information on the related pages for business.
See our admissions policy (PDF File 298 KB) and complaints policy (PDF File 448 KB).
Prepare to start
There are steps the apprentices, the employer and the University need to complete before you start your course. Take a look at the steps to be completed in the Enrolment section. Employers may also like to look at our steps to offering an apprenticeship.
The modules are all core modules and delivered within a 24-month period across three off-the-job teaching blocks.
Block 1
Introduction
- Introduction to course curriculum
- Studio production environments and practices
- Health and Safety
- Industry Awareness
Studio Operation
- Sound studio configuration and maintenance
- Working to client briefs
- Pro Tools Accreditation (PT 101)
Managing Collaborations
- Roles in a production team
- Production credits
Block 2
Audio Technology
- Network audio and storage
- Troubleshooting equipment and software
- Working with hybrid analog / digital systems
- Multi-track audio recording and editing
- Time-stretching and pitch correction
- Pro Tools Accreditation (PT 110)
Sound Recording
- Preparing session files
- Microphone Theory
- Signal flow and gain structure (analog / digital)
- Recording workshops
Block 3
Avid Certification Exam
- Avid 110 Exam
Audio Formats
- Audio codecs
- Understanding audio deliverables
- Introduction to spatial audio formats
- Archiving and transferring project files
Mixing
- Balancing a mix
- Equalisation and dynamic processing
- Effects processing
- Multi-track audio recording and editing
- Understanding loudness
- Exporting projects for delivery
Working with Film and Games
- VO / ADR recording
- Film sound principles
- Game audio principles
Careers
Employability Service
By completing the apprenticeship route, you’ll have the advantage of having real-world work experience, working in a role related to your area of study. This will give you a competitive edge among other graduates when you complete your apprenticeship standard.
During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, who can help you develop your skills through the Careers Gym workshops and presentations. Our JobShop advisers support students and graduates with finding the right job for them.
We are University of the Year for Graduate Employment - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018.
The apprenticeship was developed in partnership with companies: Aquarium Studios, Halo Post, Metropolis, Molinare, RAK Studios, Alchemy Mastering @AIR Studios. The development was instigated by UK Music with further input from Music Producers Guild, James. The apprenticeship is also supported by ScreenSkills and is approved for delivery by the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education (IfATE).
Additionally, the course tutor (Justin Randell) is a member of Audio Engineering Society (AES) and a supporting member of the Association of Motion Picture Sound (AMPS).
The on-the-job element of your apprenticeship will give the opportunity to work and network with other professionals in the industry.
We have been running courses for the building services engineering industry since 1947. In that time we’ve built up a lot of industry contacts. Our close links with industry ensure that our course is up-to-date with their needs – and this means our graduates are in demand.
BSEIAB (Building Services Engineering Industrial Advisory Board)
Our partners help our academic staff to maintain a balance between academic requirements and up-to-date industrial practice with regular meetings and visits to their companies.
Teaching and Assessment
Course structure
The training will run as a series of three blocks over the 12 month delivery period. Of the 20% off-the-job training required for this apprenticeship it is assumed that approximately 280 hours (40 days) will be delivered directly by LSBU and that a further 70 hours (10 days), comprised of mentoring, self-study, industry master classes etc, will take place at the employer’s site or other location. LSBU will be required to record all off-job training hours against the apprentice’s Commitment Statement.
The first block is expected to begin in April and last 13 days. The training will blend the teaching from across the units to deliver a stimulating and engaging syllabus. Theory will be mixed with key topical content, exercises and traditional lectures. The second block starts in August and lasts 14 days. The third block will be 13 days long and starts in early Jan. The blocks assume 7 hours of delivery per day.
The additional 70 hours take the form of mentoring, self study, trips to expos such as the Media Production Show, and IBC. These hours will be logged using an ePortfolio. The tutor will also have five timetabled hours allocated per apprentice to assist in a mentoring capacity. Delivery will take place in a Mac and/or PC lab as required, as well as our sound studio and editing suites. The computers are loaded with all appropriate software, including Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live and Logic Pro as well as media production software such as Avid Media Composer, Adobe Creative Suite and Black Magic DaVinci Resolve.
Methods of course delivery
We will employ a variety of methods in our delivery. This will include lectures, seminars, workshops and exercises in specialist facilities and classrooms, with a tutor and technician present. The tutor will organise industry visits to a variety of studios and post houses. Masterclasses will be delivered by Master Technicians, who will be specialist freelancers from the industry. We will use technicians from within ACI to support the tutor.
Apprentices will conduct 80% of their training on the job, they will receive supervision across the year and will collate evidence and record skills which will go on to form the basis of their e-portfolio of evidence that is a web based site that LSBU uses to store and monitor the non-academic elements of the apprenticeship. It is used by apprentices to log their 20% and by LSBU to record the Progress Reviews where attendance and results reports are stored. The KSBs from the standard will be mapped onto a template on the e-portfolio system for the students to demonstrate their progress.
Our Virtual Learning Environment will be used to collate the class content and provide a platform for staff to communicate with students. Where we flip the classroom students will be able to access material required before the class.
Assessment
Apprentices will be receiving formative feedback prior to the second and third block of teaching where the tutor, liaising with the employer, will conduct a review of achievements against the KSB’s and the progress towards their assessment.
The apprentices will be assessed on 16 pieces of evidence which will be produced on-the-job. These pieces of evidence will work towards their portfolio and collated in OneFile. The tutor will be able to view this work remotely and add comments. The tutor will then be able to advise when the student is ready to go through gateway.
The End-Point Assessment is based on a project that has been determined between the employer and the End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) and should reflect the KSB requirements of the Assistant Recording Technician standard, which have been mapped to this assessment method.
As a minimum, all project reports must include:
- An introduction - what is the project/activity about?
- Agreeing the audio sound brief.
- Evaluating potential solutions.
- Specifying hardware and software equipment and positioning to achieve the required outcomes.
- Developing a project plan showing resources required, responsibilities and timescales.
- Set up new hardware and software and document the set up.
- Calibrating and testing the system.
- Assisting with the recording and troubleshooting audio issues.
- Dismantling equipment and storage requirements.
The project report must contain 4,000 words. A tolerance of plus or minus 10% is allowed. The project report must map, in an appendix, how it evidences the relevant KSBs for this assessment method.
Appendices can also include: references, diagrams etc. (but will not be included in this word count above).
Assessment will be delivered by an ESFA approved EPAO, who will provide an Independent Assessor to conduct the three End-Point Assessment components. Apprentices have to pass all of the individual End-Point Assessment components to achieve a Pass overall. The End-Point Assessment will be undertaken over a maximum of three months post gateway and will comprise of three components: Knowledge Test, a Practical Demonstration with three parts and a Professional Discussion. The End-Point Assessment Organisation will provide guidance materials for the each of the Assessment Methods.
People profiles
Register your interest
Apprentice Guide
Download our guideContact information
Course Enquiries - UK
Tel: 0207 815 7500