Part-time Advanced Diploma in Music Production & Sound Engineering

FAST-TRACK YOUR CAREER

Designed by the industry for the industry, our Advanced Diploma will push your career in music production or sound engineering to the next level. Our curriculum is founded upon over 85 years of experience at Abbey Road Studios, developing innovative recording techniques and training assistant engineers who have since become well-respected sound engineers and producers in their own right.

This two-year part-time programme is designed for those who want to combine study with a job. You’ll learn from the extensive knowledge and expertise created at Abbey Road Studios. You’ll have access to industry-standard equipment and studios and be taught by experts, including guest lectures with multi-award-winning professionals. Train with us and become part of a global network in the recording industry.

The diploma will develop you as a rounded professional with technical skills, knowledge and expertise. You’ll be guided with a creative and informed approach to production and engineering and an understanding of the music business and its operation.

AS A GRADUATE OF ABBEY ROAD INSTITUTE, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO:

  • Demonstrate a high degree of professionalism characterised by proactivity and self-motivation
  • Utilise industry-standard tools for creating, performing, recording, editing, mixing and mastering music
  • Develop and implement compositional and arrangement ideas for music productions
  • Work collaboratively as part of a team, maximising group-based projects and outcomes
  • Time manage music production projects
  • Solve problems through reflection and adaptation of knowledge
  • Understand the fundamentals of the music business, including marketing issues and strategies
  • Manage your professional career development.

Key Facts:

Duration: This is a two-year programme, which is equivalent to 24 months. During this period, there will be 96 weeks of tuition.

Class times:

  • For 2025: Tuesday 18h-22h & Thursday 18h-22h and additional workshops on Saturday (10h-14h).

Practical time: Flexible from Monday to Saturday
Workload: A student is expected to have a total workload of 20 hours a week, of which 10 hours will be self-study.

Application Closing Date: Applications for this programme are [OPEN]. We encourage applicants to submit applications as soon as possible, as space is limited.

  • For 2025 – Application Closing Date is 1 March 2025

Study mode: Part-time

Next start date: 1 April 2025

 

Abbey Road Institute students in the studio

6 benefits of studying part-time at Abbey Road Institute

6 BENEFITS OF STUDYING part-time

  1. One of the most significant advantages of a part-time program is being able to combine learning with personal commitments or family. Although sometimes challenging, a part-time study allows you to balance different parts of your life and study at a rate that suits your personal circumstances.
  2. Part-time studies are ideal for students who wish to combine study and work. In addition, by working and studying simultaneously, students get to apply the knowledge gained from the course directly in their work situations or can consider doing an internship or apprenticeship.
  3. If you are looking at a career transition, you can explore your interests and opportunities in the music industry at a much lower opportunity cost while taking the part-time course. This gives you more stability during the transition and reduces the risk of losing job security.
  4. When living outside of the Amsterdam area, a part-time course can be a better option. Not having to commute daily can make it less stressful, especially if you want to make use of lower rents outside Amsterdam and combine it with a job to pay for your tuition.
  5. We offer 3 different payment plans for your tuition fee. Because the course is spread over 24 months, the monthly instalments are lower, having less of an impact on your finances.
  6. Because the course is spread over 24 months, you have more time to digest the knowledge and skills you have gained. Also, having more time to study and interact with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences helps you understand different perspectives and broaden your horizons.

Want to learn more about the full-time version of this programme? Click here.

It’s been a life-changing experience really. I came with the willingness and hunger to learn and I left with the awareness of being not only a better producer and engineer, but a better person/human being. Once you’ve learnt all the techy stuff, you realise how much more essential it is to learn the emotional and psychological part of the game and how to deal with artists. And that only comes with passion, hunger and dedication.

Marco Spaggiari, Amsterdam Graduate 2018

It’s insane how inspiring it is to put fifteen musicians of all genres and backgrounds in one class and work on your skills together. I mean, Abbey Road brought me a lot of knowledge, a great network and practical skills – that’s what I signed up for. But it also gave me a bloody great time, tons of fun and sort of a second family.

Rudy Mackay, Amsterdam Graduate 2017

I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for this course, not only for the invaluable education but also for the good people at Abbey Road Institute Amsterdam, and everyone I’ve met along the year.

Kiko Medeiros, Amsterdam Graduate 2018

By day, you’re soaking in the knowledge of industry experts. By night, you practice what you’ve learnt in a playground of high-end studio equipment. What more could you possibly want?

Janice Wong, Amsterdam Graduate 2017

Abbey Road Institute is not a school, it is a high end production studio with a control room full of learners.

Théo Dorey, Amsterdam Graduate 2016

“Every day spent here felt like I was better than the day before. It is beautiful to think in colours, mix with flavours and develop a unique way to listen and understand music. Abbey Road is all about perspective and attitude, things which are taught so well between the magical walls of the institute“

Stefan Roscovan, Amsterdam Graduate 2017

From the moment I entered Abbey Road Institute Amsterdam it took me a total of 5 minutes to realise that I came to the right place. It has been one of the best experiences, meeting new friends for life from all over the world. You learn so, so much in just 1 year in an incredible environment, which has to be felt to understand.

Fabian Brummel, Amsterdam Graduate 2017