Why Alchemea?

Any good Audio Engineering course will be hard work, costly and will take many months, or with many of our competitors, years to complete.

The questions below are designed to help you compare ALCHEMEA with other colleges and decide which one is best for you.


Alchemea trains professionals
We have recently provided short course training for the BBC, BSkyB, Anglia TV, Air Studios, Lipsync Post as well as many other industry professionals. We have also trained teachers and lectures from colleges and universities nationwide.


Will I get a job when I finish the course?
Well, nothing is guaranteed but our statistics speak for themselves: to date over 85% of our Diploma graduates have begun their careers in their chosen field within 6 months of leaving ALCHEMEA. Ask to see the list of graduates or look at "Student Profiles" on the web site to see what some of our ex-students are up to in the big bad world.


How many studios do you have?
Lots! SSL, Euphonix and 2 Soundcraft music produciton control rooms, a state of the art Pro Tools HD training room, an "Apple" classroom kitted out with the latest iMacs. Each control room is a self-contained, sound-proofed, air-conditioned multi-track studio with access to all of our 4 live recording areas. Oh yes - and a 5.1 surround cinema dubbing theatre based around Digidesign's flagship D-Control work-surface.

How many digital audio workstations?
We have 6: 4 x MAC G5, and 2 x PC Workstations available 24/7.

Is my qualification industry recognised?
Alchemea has the enviable reputation of being one of the leading providers of audio education in Europe. Our standards are high. Our courses are vocational, practically orientated, intensive, and require real commitment. Because of this employers recognise that our successful students not only have the practical "real world" skills but have also acclimatised to the pressures of a demanding workplace.

Alchemea is one of only 2 college in the UK colleges that have been chosen by Digidesign as a "Pro Shcool". If you choose to include the Pro Tools Certified Operator Course with our Diploma and pass the 210M exam you will be awarded a certificate from Digidesign and be listed as a user on their website. We are also a leading Apple Authorised Training Centre.

Is it really true that Diploma student get their own MacBook and Pro Tools system?
Yes: Diploma student's receive an Apple MacBook and a Digidesign Mbox Mini as part of their media pack. It's yours to keep. For ever!

How many students per course?
ALCHEMEA limits the size of each course to 20. There are 3 courses maximum running at any given time (each course at a different stage). So the maximum number of students at ALCHEMEA at any time is 60. That's it.

How many hours of individual practical time will I get?
Here is the maths: 11 facilities, 24 hours a day 7 days a week, divided by 60 students = 30.8 hours per student per week. In fact we GUARANTEE that by the end of your course you will have accumulated at least 1080 hours of individual practical time. That's an average of 30 hours per week: guaranteed. This is why we are renowned for providing more practical time in our studios and on our workstations than any other college.

Whilst central to the ALCHEMEA method that an individual learns best by "doing" rather than watching someone else, assisting others is useful too and so encouraged. This time is in ADDITION to the 30 hours per week we guarantee.

How do these hours compare to a full time University Course?
480 hours per year is the normal amount of lecture time AND "lab" work for what universities regard as an intensely practical, as against the classical "reading" type degree. So the ALCHEMEA Diploma Course gives you more practical time than you would get in a 3 year degree course. Also at ALCHEMEA this will be individual time, whereas at a university this time will almost certainly be shared with other students.

Is the college really open 24/7?
Oh yes. We never close. Our facilities are available to our students 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and you are allocated (and can book extra) practical time day or night: whichever suits you. There is also an experienced supervisor on duty at all times to point you in the right direction when you are stuck.

What is the maximum class size?
Ten. We do not believe that bigger classes allow individual attention from the tutors. For some practical lessons each class is split into even smaller class sizes.

Can I meet the students, both past and present?
Yes, in fact we encourage you to do so. We know our students are happy here and we are proud of them. That's why you can book an individual tour at any time and meet our students. We also invite ex-students to our open days so that you can chat to them and find out what they are up to now. Beware of colleges who don't let prospective students meet current or past ones!

Does the college actively help its graduates get a job?
Yes. We provide training in CV preparation, interview technique and job hunting. Recording studios, recognising the quality of ALCHEMEA graduates regularly contact us when looking for new staff. We have strong links with the music and post industry and forward our successful graduates for interviews. Jobs come in every week and our college manager Jim Bryden is Alchemea's main link to the industry.

I can see ALCHEMEA is well equipped, has a very high employment success rate and I probably will have a great time, but isn't it far more expensive than a University course?
With average student debt nearly reaching 20k Alchemea is relatively easy on the pocket. In fairness, whilst a university course will allow you enough free time to get a paid part-time job, this may be very character building in some ways but of course you will be 2 years older when trying to enter the job market. Alchemea graduates should also be well on the way to paying back any student loans and 2 years further up the food chain.