Program Overview

Music Business Management MA

Overview

The Music Business Management MA is an exciting and challenging course reflecting the dynamism, creativity, and inventiveness of the global popular music sector. This course aims to develop the next generation of creative, and critically agile music professionals. Music is at the heart of everything we do, and we use it as the lens through which we critique and enhance the potential of the creative industries to produce a rich, sustainable, inclusive, and diverse environment from which all can flourish.

Course Structure

The following modules are indicative of what you'll study on this course.

Core Modules

• Entrepreneurship: This module is concerned with the critical evaluation of entrepreneurial business structures and behaviours in the creative industries. The approach is interdisciplinary, and is designed to provide you with a solid introduction to media economics, social theory, and entrepreneurship in the creative industries. (20 credits)
• Intellectual Property and Copyright Management: Intellectual Property (IP) and copyright are central to all the creative industries. In today’s environment IP and copyright are increasingly under attack. In this module we will critically examine the role of IP and copyright in today’s music market. (20 credits)
• Music Business Management Project: The Music Business Management Project is recognised by graduates as one of the most rewarding and empowering experiences of the course. You will be supervised by a member of the University faculty, and possibly supported by a music industry representative, to carry out research in an area agreed between yourself and the module leaders and/or industry professional. (40 credits)
• Music Industry Structure, Roles and Development: This module aims to equip students with a systematic understanding of the relevant knowledge of music industry organisations and their labour relations with an emphasis on preparing Masters students for work within the wider music industry. (40 credits)
• Music Marketing and Technology: This module is concerned with the critical evaluation of music marketing and the technologies which drive it and explores underlying theories, concepts and current best practice.
• Music, Mental Health and Wellbeing: The module contributes to the growing field of music and mental health. This module explores why and how the issues of mental health and wellbeing have taken centre stage across the global music and entertainment industry. (20 credits)

Option Modules

• Artist Development: This module looks at how artists and musical products are developed within the music industries. (20 credits)
• The Live Music Industry: The module offers an overview of the development of the live music industry which will contextualise the relationship and power structures of the main stakeholders in the live music industry, from the audience to multi-national promoters. (20 credits)
• Global Music Markets: This module examines the landscape of global recorded and publishing music and live entertainment corporations. (20 credits)
• Managing the Music City: Policy and Strategy Issues in the Live Music Economy: This module examines the complex and evolving infrastructure of live music, from local to global scales, asking how and why this has become such an important and contested phenomenon. (20 credits)
• Music and Social Change: This module explores the post-second world war history of recorded popular music through the lens of social change. (20 credits)

Entry Requirements

• A minimum of an upper second class honours degree (2:1) or a lower second class honours degree (2:2) in a relevant degree.
• We will consider non-graduates if they have extensive industry experience.
• All applicants should be able to demonstrate some experience of working in the music industry, an aptitude for music business management and an enthusiasm for learning more about music and related industries.
• Applicants may be required to attend an online interview.
• If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in writing and no element below 5.5.

Fees and Funding

• UK tuition fee: £1,225 (Price per 20-credit module)
• International tuition fee: £1,785 (Price per 20-credit module)
• Alumni discount available.
• Funding available for postgraduate students, including Student Finance England (SFE) and scholarships.

Research Groups

• Black Music Research Unit
• Centre for Research and Education in Arts and Media
• Communication and Media Research Institute

Teaching and Assessment

• Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application.
• Assessment types include practical and coursework, with a focus on developing key skills and knowledge in music business management.

Location

• The Music Business Management MA is part of the Westminster School of Arts, based at our Harrow Campus.
• Teaching takes place at both our Harrow and central London, Cavendish campuses, with the majority of sessions held in Harrow.