BA (Hons) Music Industry Management Degree (2 years)
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-10-02 | - |
| 2024-01-08 | - |
Program Overview
Overview
This course is a gateway to many careers within the music industry. If you’re looking to work in A&R, artist, branding or venue management, considering setting up your own label, or even working as a distributor or publisher, this course will get you there. The programme is designed and taught by industry professionals who have worked with the most prominent labels (Virgin (EMI), Mercury Records, Universal and Sony Music) and artists (Basement Jaxx, Blue, Atomic Kitten, Robert Plant, and Natalie Imbruglia) in the industry.
You will learn: History of the Music Industry, The Recording Industry, Intellectual Property & Copyright, Music Publishing, Music Management, Digital Music, The Live Music Industry, Music in the Global Marketplace, Music Licensing, Music Branding & Promotion, Digital Marketing, Artist Development, Business Setup & Management, Professional Development for the Music Industry, Music Futures, Start-Up Lab—Personal Project (I & II).
Point Blank classes are small to ensure you receive ample 1-2-1 time with your lecturers. Our studios are located in Shoreditch—a global hub of London music venues and bars. We strive to create a creative ecosystem at Point Blank and encourage students with different backgrounds to network and collaborate, building connections for the future.
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Program Outline
Modules
YEAR 1
TERM 1
Module 1:
1.
History of the Music Industry
This module provides an introduction to the music industry, its size and its importance to the UK economy. You will study a history of the music industry to show how it has grown and developed into what it is now, looking at some of the major events that have helped to shape it. You will develop a solid foundation with which to understand the various departments and roles within the music industry including live music, record labels and publishers.
Module 2:
2.
The Recording Industry
This module explores the structure of the recording industry with a particular focus on record labels and the trade bodies who support them. Starting with an overview of the general framework of major and independent labels, both locally and internationally, you will gain an understanding of different types of deals and how these are structured and negotiated. You will explore career pathways and business opportunities within the recording sector and gain the knowledge and skills needed to run your own record label. You will also explore the complexities and costs involved in distributing physical products and to explain the jargon used within this area of the industry.
Module 3:
3.
Intellectual Property & Copyright
This module explores UK intellectual property law and copyright in detail and how it affects the music industry. You will be provided with an understanding of international copyright law and how this changes across territories, as well as exploring the issues within enforcing copyright in the 21st century. You will be shown how to protect your own copyrights or those which you may own, as well as evaluating the impact of copyright infringement on the music industry.
TERM 2
Module 4:
4.
Music Publishing
This module introduces publishing and explores the structure of the publishing sector. You will gain an understanding of the different types of royalties available to songwriters and publishers and explore different types of publishing deals and how these are negotiated. You will be encouraged to explore the business opportunities within the publishing sector and shown how to help yourself as a songwriter and/or set up your own publishing company. The module will also focus on the legal and practical implications of covers and sample clearance.
Module 5:
5.
Music Management
This module will give you a thorough understanding of how to manage a musical act, and explore the practical elements of artist management. It will help you develop the skills needed to become a successful artist manager, including analysing management contracts. The module will focus on the monetary aspects and issues of artist management, and case studies will be used to explore what makes a good and bad manager and what pitfalls to avoid.
Module 6:
6.
Digital Music
This module provides you with an overview of the advent of the digital market. You will explore the various digital service providers and how money flows from these to the labels, publishers and artists. You will learn how to distribute music to the DSPs including; finding the right distributor, what to ask and what you’ll need. The module will evaluate how the ‘digital dollar’ gets distributed by researching a range of current literature, and you will gain an understanding of the music industry’s relationship with video streaming services and also how the industry makes money from these. You will also explore podcasting, how it can benefit artists, how to setup your own podcast and how to use music within podcasts. You will also gain an understanding of the 'direct to fan' model.
TERM 3
Module 7:
7.
The Live Music Industry
This module explores the live music industry and what it contributes to the UK economy. You will gain knowledge of the live music industry’s sub-sectors and the companies that operate within them. You will explore different career options within the live sector and be provided with some of the practical skills needed for a career in this sector. As well as gaining an understanding of the touring circuit and the logistics involved in touring, you will explore the strategy involved in putting together a live show including budgeting, negotiating and marketing.
Module 8:
8.
Music in the Global Marketplace
This module explores the music industries of some of the major international territories, looking at the differences of how they operate in comparison to the UK. You will gain knowledge of the impact that politics can have on the music industry, exploring some of the major events that have shaped it. Using case studies you will be shown how labels and managers have developed and marketed acts across a number of territories. The module will give international students the opportunity to contribute their own knowledge of local markets to the rest of the class. You will be introduced to some of the World’s emerging music markets and helped to develop an understanding of why they are growing. The module will give you a practical knowledge on music consumption patterns across the World and explore why differences in consumption occur.
TERM 4
Module 9:
9.
Music Licensing
In this module you will look at some of the additional opportunities for music licensing and how to earn additional money from tracks. You will be given practical knowledge of the licensing sector so that you can clear uses, negotiate contracts and scout for opportunities. You will be encouraged to explore one of the growing areas of the music industry, sync licensing, as well as exploring the similarities and differences of different types of synchronization including advertising, television, film and games. The module will give you an understanding of how synchronization ties in with other royalties, as well as the publishing and recording sectors. You will also explore the future opportunities of music licensing and new forms of licensing.
Module 10:
10.
Music Branding & Promotion
This module gives you a thorough understanding of branding in the music industry with respect to artists, businesses and personal branding. You will develop practical skills for brand creation through the use of industry standard software and design tools, as well as exploring the different promotional opportunities for musicians including with press, radio, online PR, playlists, advertising and television. You will also explore some of the career opportunities within this area of the music and entertainment sector, and be given practical knowledge and understanding of where to pitch, and how to pitch yourself and your artists for promotional opportunities.
YEAR 2
TERM 5
Module 11:
11.
Digital Marketing
This module will introduce you to the concept of marketing across the Music Industry. You will explore the opportunities available to musicians and music businesses within digital marketing, and also build your skills in digital marketing. You will also explore the different types of digital marketing and how these can be used within the music industry.
Module 12:
12.
Artist Development
In this module you will explore the history of artist development. You will evaluate an artist and create a development plan for them, as well as developing an understanding of the importance of strict budgeting and setting realistic goals and timelines to progress artist careers. You will investigate why some development techniques work better than others, and use case studies to explore artist reinvention and understand how to create and carry out a successful exit strategy in order to build a sustainable career.
TERM 6
Module 13:
13.
Business Setup & Management
In this module you will develop an understanding of how to set up and run your own business, and analyse different methods of business planning. You will gain an understanding of UK business law and the elements of the UK taxation system, and develop the ability to prepare and submit accounts. You will explore the different ways to grow a business, and will supported in the development and progression of your business ideas.
Module 14:
14.
Professional Development for the Music Industry
In this module you will develop the soft and functional skills which various music industry organisations require, as well as exploring different career opportunities and knowing where to find them. The module will deliver an understanding, as well as the practical skills needed to develop a desirable personal brand and professional online presence. You will gain the skills produce standout covering letters and resumes tailored to the music industry and specific job roles.
TERM 7
Module 15:
15.
Music Futures
As you approach the end of the programme, this module will explore some of the major topics that will shape the future of the music industry. You will investigate gaps in the market that may present career and business opportunities, and reflect on the impact that technology has had on the music industry and consider how it may advance in the future.
Module 16:
16.
Start-Up Lab - Personal Project (I)
This extended 2-part module is designed to inspire you to develop innovative and entrepreneurial ideas, and give you the opportunity to develop your product, service or business ideas. You will have the opportunity to develop your brand as well as research and test your idea. The module will round up many of the concepts you have learned across the rest of the programme and put them into practice.
TERM 8
17.
Start-Up Lab - Personal Project (II)
This extended 2-part module is designed to inspire you to develop innovative and entrepreneurial ideas, and give you the opportunity to develop your product, service or business ideas. You will have the opportunity to develop your brand as well as research and test your idea. The module will round up many of the concepts you have learned across the rest of the programme and put them into practice.
Teaching & Learning
On our higher education programmes, students take part in a variety of intimate lectures (up to 16 students) and workshops. When not attending these sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently. Independent learning is about taking control of your work, finding out what you need to know and deciding how you are going to study.
During this time, you can take advantage of:
A degree course consists of academic levels 4, 5 and 6. Each level consists of 120 credits. Each module is worth 20 credits and students are expected to study 10 hours per week per module (4 hours of lectures and 6 hours of independent learning).
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Career Opportunities