Frequently asked questions or ones you should ask!

So you've decided to investigate a training course in Sound Engineering and Music Technology. 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!



  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!



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

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

  10.      They are also aligned to the National Framework of Qualifications. We also offer industry

  11.      recognised certification from Digidesign and Apple. Our courses are also listed in the National

  12.      Education Database www.Qualifax.ie funded by the Dept. of Education and Science under the

  13.      authority of the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland.



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

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

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

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

  20.      focusing only on sound and music technology training and run by industry professionals with over

  21.      20 years experience. We are also a commercial recording facility and this means that our students

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

  23.      Our equipment and studios are second to none. It is unlikely that any vocational college can offer this

  24.      level of training, experience or facilities. We also offer City & Guilds qualifications which are

  25.      recognised within the industry worldwide. If you mention Fetac to any potential employer outside

  26.      of Ireland it is unlikely they will be familiar with it! Also as a recognised training centre for

  27.      Avid/Digidesign and Apple we can offer our students a distinct training advantage over most

  28.      other colleges.



  31. Q. Can you tell me more about the Digidesign and Apple certifications?

  32. A. Poppyhill is a Digidesign Certified Training Location (D.C.T.L.) and an Apple Approved Training

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

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

  35.     is testament to the professionalism and high standards offered at our school. Digidesign and Apple

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

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

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

  39.     employment in the industry.



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

  43. A. Some past students have received financial aid from Local Support Bodies such as County

  44.     Enterprise Boards and Fás. If you are unemployed, you could study on a part-time basis while

  45.     still retaining your social welfare benefits.



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

  49. A. We don't accept payment by installments. In any event a student  loan from one of the major banks

  50.     or your credit union amounts to the same thing and in fact can be more flexible.



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

  54. A. Above all enthusiasm is what is required. Also it is preferable that applicants for our full-time

  55.     courses will have passed the leaving certificate or equivalent. If a student has not reached

  56.     this standard of education, they may be considered if they have previous industry experience.

  57.     All students also attend for interview.



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

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

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

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

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

  65.     we limit all our classes to a maximum of 20 students. Also to ensure that students get plenty

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

  67.     of class hours! 



  70. Q. Is there much academic study involved?

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

  80.      to these facilities throughout their training! Students are also given the opportunity to engineer full 

  81.     recording sessions and can actually receive payment for their work. This is invaluable "real world"   

  82.     experience for students as well as helping greatly to boost their confidence, plus they can earn

  83.     some of their fees back WHICH IS A REAL BONUS!!



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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



  102. Q. Do you hold open days?

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

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

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

Making the right connections