Musical Instrument Crafts - Classical Guitar Making (Advanced)

This leading classical guitar making course develops advanced skills in the craft of making classical guitars. The course equips students with the knowledge and practical skills to enable them to become employed or self employed guitar makers.

The tutors are all professional makers and the School has close links with players and other makers who visit to lead special workshops and discussions, as well as providing students with valuable professional feedback about their work.

At level 3 students build guitars that incorporate more advanced techniques. These include learning alternative methods of constructing the sound box and making neck joints as well as creating complex rosette designs and other features of a professional standard instrument. The options include guitars based on the designs of Romanillos, Friederich, Fleta and other similar models. Some students choose to make a guitar following the latest trends in guitar design, such as the lattice-braced system. Others choose to make a steel stringed guitar as one of their options.

 This course also includes the study of acoustics and prepares students for employment or self employment by introducing basic business planning and practices.
Students keep a written and visual record of their work that documents all the stages of design and construction.

Students will learn to manufacture specialist hand tools used in guitar making. This work leads to a level 2 NVQ qualification in Performing Engineering Operations
 

Entry is based on successful completion of the level 2 course or having equivalent guitar making experience. Interviews are held in the Spring and Summer terms each year. Places are awarded on the basis of potential, commitment and aptitude.

Applicants from outside the UK and EU must also have a qualification in English at or above level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for languages in order to apply for a Tier 4 student visa.
 

Practical work is reviewed and assessed regularly.  A Newark College Diploma in Guitar Making can also be achieved at the end of the course to recognise and grade high quality work.

The tool making work leads to an NVQ in Performing Engineering Operations

Successful completion of the Advanced course prepares students for a range of job opportunities either self-employed or employed by retail shops and manufacturers.
 

Fees for the 2013/14 academic year are currently under review. Figures given below are indicative only and subject to change. Fees will be posted here as soon as they become available.

The course fees for 2012/13 will be £2000.00 for UK/EU students. This includes tuition and examination fees. These fees are subject to annual review and are expected to increase for next year. Students may also need to buy some tools. Advice about these is available at interview. Our student services advisors can help assess the level of support available to you.