Pursuing a BA in Music Production. I am at a loss with my options. Please help?

Hello, all.

I'm an 18 years old (19 in Feb) male, self-taught musician, and looking to get into University to study for a BA in music production & sound engineering. However, you could say my educational background has not been of the norm and I simply regret to admit I have absolutely no idea on how to achieve this goal. Long story incoming, so please bear with me.

I have a very basic background in terms of education. My family have always taken the good 'ol fashioned, "find a job, get experience, and make a career out of yourself via word of mouth" approach for generations. They have succeeded well in life this way, but I feel that in my heart, taking my education further and achieving a BA in Music Production is the best thing thing I can do for my future, and a future in the music industry.

I have been home/self educated all my life, due to very personal issues, and also to look after my mother. When I hit 16, I chose the option to continue to study any subject I wanted to at home under my own supervision. This subject was music. I had been playing piano casually since I was very young, so I knew my future was in music. During these last three years, I have self-taught myself piano, guitar, basic music theory, and just in this last year, I have been teaching myself music production. I have even set up my own home recording studio and I absolutely love it. Now I feel, as I turn 19 next month, it is time to take this further and push myself to reach for higher things and take more steps to achieving my goals in life.

Unfortunately, because of my past in education, I am at a bit of a road block, now. Although I feel I have done well in home education, I do not have any official qualifications nor do I have much experience with how the higher education system works. I have been researching the best I can for some time now, although last year, someone very close to me sadly passed away, and this took great affect on me.

I have only just resumed research. However, I understand that I am likely much too late to apply for University this year, plus my lack of qualifications and reference also put me up against the odds of being accepted. I would like to make up for that this year so that I will be ready for University next year (or in a couple of years or more, depending on what I need to do). I would greatly appreciate any advice and pointers that will help me given my current situation. I am also asking for some aid in choosing the best options to take so I can begin to work towards achieving my goal as soon as possible. I know there will be no quick and easy route for me, but I am willing to put in the effort and hard work to get there for a brighter future.

Thank you in advance.

PS: Apologies if I have posted this in the wrong place. Feel free to move it to the correct location if need be.

Sorry you haven't had an answer to this. I will move it to a forum where you are more likely to get a reply.