Elche University offers foundation degree in rock music

Students take the first year of the course via distance learning online, honing their instrument-playing skills, improving their technique and polish, and increasing their vocal range.

They also learn musical directing, stage skills, instrument technology, history of rock, rhythm and percussion, amplifying and even building guitars, managing basic sound and voice equipment, and undertake voice classes aimed at composing records, forming harmony bands, and studying the language of music.

The qualification, called 'Graduate Expert in Rock', is roughly the equivalent in level to a 'chartered' title in the UK and is about the length of a BTEC Higher National Certificate, or just less than half a degree.

It has been pioneered at the Miguel Hernández University in Elche (southern Alicante province) and includes specialist modules in vocals, guitar, bass and drums, together with compulsory and optional units, requiring around 200 hours of study each year.

Rock Music School professor José Juan López of the Miguel Hernández University (UMH) says the course aims to 'promote culture through pop and rock music' and give students a chance to study music profoundly, at conservatorio level, but without having to follow the classical instrument and musical route.

The second year of the two-year course will normally require classroom attendance and, although the first year is via distance learning, seminars and master classes will be optional and take place at the UMH campus.

Professor López says the college hopes to offer other, similar qualifications in different musical styles, such as jazz.

Students who want to take the course in September this coming year need to put their names down by January 6, and full enrolment with fee-payment is between February 7 and 13.

Photograph: Heavy metal band 'Malroïn', based in the north of the province of Alicante