Music Business Degree: BA (Hons) Music Business & Management

Course Content

Learn music business from practising industry professionals with weekly guest lectures and a mentoring program from top figures across all music industry sectors. This innovative program, crafted with over 20 years of experience, blends critical business concepts with ethical and artistic considerations, ensuring you're prepared for the ever-evolving music landscape. Immerse yourself in a dynamic music ecosystem with classes and projects in our state-of-the-art music business hub, located within a comprehensive studio complex. Network with the vibrant and diverse music community on campus and connect with the thriving South Coast music scene for real-world experience.

Teaching Method:

We use a variety of teaching methods, including: 

• Practical skills and creative studio-based workshops
• Discussions
• Lectures and seminars plus exploration of contemporary research methods and use of social media.
• Tutorials
• Small group study
• Self-directed study
• Study trips

Key Features

• Regular visits from current music industry experts.
• Opportunities to collaborate with fellow students from a range of creative disciplines.
• Undertake work experience, event planning, and build your music industry network (subject to student visa regulations).

Year One

The first year of a BA program in music equips you with the knowledge and skills for a successful career in the music industry. You'll gain a solid foundation in the legal and business aspects of music, learning about legal structures, intellectual property, contracts, and the inner workings of the music business. This program also focuses heavily on artist development, providing opportunities to develop your creative skills in songwriting, performance, and music production. There's also a strong emphasis on building your brand and well-being as a musician.

To further explore the impact of music, a unit delves into music in context, teaching you how to analyse music and its influence on society critically. The program then dives into the business side of music with a commercial music unit that explores marketing, finance, and audience-building strategies. You'll also gain valuable skills in event management, learning how to organise and run music events, from finding venues to budgeting and promotion.

The year culminates in a music project where you can apply all your learned skills to create original music or organise a music event, showcasing your abilities and exploring your relationship with audiences and consumers.

• Unit 1: Music Law
• Unit 2: Artist Development
• Unit 3: Ideas in Context: Why Music Matters
• Unit 4: Commercial Music
• Unit 5: Event Management
• Unit 6: Music Project

Year Two

The second year takes your first-year experience to the next level. You'll delve into the practicalities of running a music business, building a strong foundation in business and financial principles specifically applied to the music and sound industries. Learn how to effectively plan, fund, operate, and control a music business.

The program goes beyond theory, equipping you with the skills to formulate a business plan tailored to the music industry. You'll also develop strong entrepreneurial skills that complement your existing creative and industry knowledge.

Exploring various funding options is a key focus, allowing you to understand each method's impact on business ownership and direction.

You'll be equipped with valuable skills for various music industry roles by the end. This includes artist management, starting your own music business, and working in production companies, recording studios, sound system companies, and promotion companies.

This curriculum builds upon the knowledge gained in previous courses like Music Law and Commercial Music Management, giving you a well-rounded understanding of how music businesses operate.

• Unit 7: Music Business Budgeting, Planning and Funding
• Unit 8: Innovation
• Unit 9: Industry Briefs
• Unit 10: Ideas in Context: Musicking
• Unit 11: Individual Project

Year Three

Year three prepares you for the professional world and fosters independent exploration. You'll be thrown into collaborative projects with peers or industry professionals. This hands-on experience hones your creative, commercial, and technical abilities in a real-world setting. These collaborations can be short-term or evolve into long-term partnerships, potentially paving the way for your future career.

You'll conduct an independent research project on a music-related topic, developing your research and critical thinking skills.

Transitioning from a student to a music industry professional is a key focus. You'll gain valuable skills in career planning, networking, and building a solid portfolio. Setting realistic career goals and actively seeking opportunities to showcase your work are essential. Negotiation and evaluation skills are also honed, ensuring you secure the best opportunities.

Finally, you'll get to develop a significant creative or commercial music project. This is your opportunity to build upon previous work or explore a new direction. Working closely with a supervisor, you'll propose, plan, and execute your project from start to finish. Developing independent ownership and project management skills are crucial while showcasing your unique career aspirations. Ultimately, the project will be a springboard for your professional development in the music industry.

• Unit 12: Collective Practice
• Unit 13: Music Dissertation
• Unit 14: Professional Practice
• Unit 15: Individual Project