Frequently asked questions or ones you should ask!

So you've decided to investigate a training course in Sound Engineering or Music Production. Naturally you want to choose the right course. But what makes our school special? Why have

we earned such an excellent reputation? WHY SHOULD YOU CHOOSE A COURSE AT POPPYHILL? You'll find some very good reasons right here!

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2. Q. How long has Poppyhill School of Recording been in existence?
   

3. A. The School has been offering professional training since 1991. We are highly experienced and
   

4.     have earned an excellent reputation. Take a look at our careers page and listen to students talk
   

5.     about our school!
   

6. 
   

7. Q. Do your courses offer a recognised qualification?
   

8. A. Yes, all our courses are validated by City & Guilds and are therefore internationally recognised.
   

9.      They are also aligned to the National Framework of Qualifications. Our courses are also listed
   

10.      in the National Education Database www.Qualifax.ie and listed on the Dept. of Education and
    

11.      Skills register of approved courses. We also offer industry recognised certification from Avid
    

12.      and Apple.
    

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14. Q. I’ve noticed that a number of vocational colleges are running sound and music
    

15.      technology courses. Why should I choose Poppyhill over one of these?                           
    

16. A. Unlike in vocational colleges our sound engineering and music technology programs are not simply
    

17.      one more course on a list of many totally unrelated courses. Poppyhill is a dedicated training facility
    

18.      focusing only on sound and music production training and run by industry professionals with over
    

19.      20 years experience. We are also a commercial recording facility and this means that our students
    

20.      train in a genuine working environment and are tutored by expert working professional engineers.
    

21.      Our equipment and studios are second to none.  We also offer City & Guilds qualifications which are
    

22.      recognised within the industry worldwide. Also as a recognised training centre for Avid and Apple
    

23.      we can offer our students a distinct training advantage over most other colleges.
    

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25. Q. Can I progress to a degree qualification after completing my training?
    

26. A. Yes you can! There are numerous degree courses now available in the area of sound and
    

27.      music technology. Some institutions, especially in the U.K. will accept City & Guilds as an acceptable
    

28.      entry qualification. However, you would need to clarify this with the institution in question before
    

29.      applying. Secondly, you should be aware that most degree courses tend to focus more on the
    

30.      academic, theoretical and  experimental aspect of the subject rather than hands-on
    

31.      sound engineering and music production skills.
    

32. 
    

33. Q. Can you tell me more about the Avid and Apple certifications?
    

34. A. Poppyhill is an Avid Learning Partner (A.L.P.) and an Apple Approved Training
    

35.     Centre For Education (AATCe). The centre approval requirements in both cases are extremely
    

36.     stringent and demand top class facilities and highly trained staff. To have met these requirements
    

37.     is testament to the professionalism and high standards offered at our school. Avid and Apple
    

38.     are the market leaders in computer based Audio/Music production systems namely Pro Tools
    

39.     and Logic Studio. These systems are the industry standards throughout the world and being
    

40.     certified in the operation of these systems is a major advantage to anyone wishing to gain
    

41.     employment in the industry.
    

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43. Q. Can I get a financial assistance towards the cost of course fees or while attending the school?
    

44. A. Some past students have received financial aid from Social Welfare and Fás.
    

45.     If you are unemployed, you may be able to study on a part-time basis while still retaining your
    

46.     social welfare benefits.
    

47. 
    

48. Q. Can I pay my course fees by installments?
    

49. A. We generally don't accept payment by monthly installments. although we do try to be as flexible as
    

50.     possible However we have structured our courses so that you can complete your qualification in
    

51.     modules. You only pay for the module you are enrolled in which allows you the flexibility to study as
    

52.     time and finances allow.
    

53. 
    

54. Q. What are the entry requirements for your courses?
    

55. A. Although it is preferable that applicants will have passed the leaving certificate or equivalent
    

56.     above all enthusiasm is what is required.  All students also attend for interview.
    

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58. Q. How many students will be on the course? 
    

59. A. The highly practical nature of these courses demands lots of hands-on training and individual
    

60.     attention. This should be one of your main requirements when choosing a course.
    

61.     Over-crowded classes are a major disadvantage! It only takes one pair of hands to operate
    

62.     a mixing console!!  To ensure all our students receive the individual attention they need
    

63.     we limit all our classes to a maximum of 16 students. Also to ensure that students get plenty
    

64.     of individual practical time we give them individual access to our practical facilities outside
    

65.     of class hours! 
    

66. 
    

67. Q. Is there much academic study involved?
    

68. A. The emphasis of our courses is on developing practical competence. This means constant exposure
    

69.     to practical tuition. However practical competence relies on a solid theoretical foundation and
    

70.     therefore we do also cover all the essential theory elements. In addition to this students will also
    

71.     have research and numerous projects to complete outside of class hours throughout their training.
    

72. 
    

73. Q. What kind of equipment will I have access to on the course?
    

74. A. All our training rooms are equipped with "state of the art" technology of the highest professional             
    

75.     standard, the same as is found in the world's top facilities. Students are offered individual access
    

76.     to these facilities throughout their training! Students are also given the opportunity to participate in full 
    

77.     recording sessions and participate on live events. This is invaluable "real world" experience for
    

78.     students  as well as helping greatly to boost their confidence.
    

79. 
    

80. Q. What job opportunities are there on qualification?
    

81. A. There are many areas in which students can find employment, such as Recording Studios,
    

82.     Radio and TV broadcasting, Film sound, Live sound, Multimedia, Retail to name some examples.
    

83.     Many of our past students have made successful careers in these areas and in fact a number
    

84.     of past students have worked at Poppyhill as technical assistants and even tutors.
    

85.     There are also many self-employment opportunities within the industry. Progression to further
    

86.     education is also an option with numerous degree courses available and also courses focusing
    

87.     on specific areas such as acoustics, noise control etc.
    

88. 
    

89. Q. I see that the school is located in a rural location. What about transport to and from the school?
    

90. A. We are not on a main bus route so if necessary we arrange a bus service from Naas town.    
    

91.     However, we have found in recent years that many of our students have their own transport and
    

92.     can assist non-driver students getting to and from the school.
    

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94. Q. Do you hold open days?
    

95. A. We are always more than happy to give you a tour of the school as well as to sit down and discuss the
    

96.     courses available. If you would like to pay a visit please give us a call or send us an email.
    

97.     We will then arrange a mutually suitable time to meet.