For the past two years, our students have been gaining valuable industry experience at Loft Music Studios in Newcastle city centre, giving them the opportunity to develop their skills in a professional recording environment and build their confidence for future careers.
Loft Music Studios, led by owner Andrew Archer, is a full-service recording studio featuring a live room, vocal booths and a control room. The studio has welcomed students to work alongside industry professionals, helping them gain practical experience that complements their studies.
Andrew believes the partnership reflects Gateshead College’s commitment to preparing students for life after education.
“It’s been fantastic working with the college. Gateshead College is very forward-thinking and has a strong focus on what happens to students after they finish their course.
“Students come here and learn real-world skills in a professional environment, giving them valuable experience that they can take with them into employment.”
For adults looking to upskill or change career through higher education, Andrew sees industry partnerships as a key advantage.
By working on genuine projects and experiencing how a professional studio operates day to day, students develop practical skills that can’t always be replicated in a classroom setting.
“Our partnership allows students to experience how a real working studio operates and gives them the opportunity to work on genuine projects. That real-world experience is something that’s often missing elsewhere and helps students build practical skills alongside their academic learning.”
The focus on employability is one of the standout features of the college’s approach, according to Andrew.
While many graduates leave education with strong technical knowledge, employers are increasingly looking for candidates who can demonstrate practical experience and an understanding of industry environments.
“Every year, thousands of people graduate from music and music production courses. We receive lots of applications from people with strong academic knowledge, but often they haven’t had the opportunity to apply those skills in a professional setting.
“Gateshead College places a real emphasis on employability. By giving students access to industry environments and experiences, they help them become more job-ready, which is fantastic to see.”
The success of the partnership can be seen through the opportunities it creates for students. We work closely with employers to secure industry placements that provide meaningful experience and help students build professional networks.
Jacob, one of our HE music production students, said “I would highly encourage anyone who’s thinking of a potential career switch or if they want to get back an education to study in the HE course for music production.
“It’s allowed me to improve my skills in mixing and production and helped to build my confidence, which will help me in the future for job opportunities.
Through partnerships with employers such as Loft Music Studios, we continue to ensure students gain the skills, experience and industry insight needed to progress confidently into employment, further study or the next stage of their career.
Find out more about our HE courses here.
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