Program Overview

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Music Industries Management MA

The Music Industries Management MA is designed to provide students with the practical skills and knowledge needed for a career in the music and wider creative industries. The program focuses on developing advanced knowledge and skills in the global music industries, including live music events, music policy, marketing and distribution, recording, and publishing.

Overview

The program is delivered through a range of methods, including lectures, interactive seminars, practice-based workshops, small group tutorials, guided independent study, and case studies. Students will have access to outstanding specialist music facilities, including studios and performance spaces, and will be taught by academic staff with expertise in the music industry.

What You'll Learn

As a Music Industries Management Master's student, you will learn about:

• Employment, self-employment, and freelancing in the music industries
• Current issues facing the music industries and creative sector
• Key approaches to theorizing, analyzing, and formulating research problems for the music industries
• The social, cultural, economic, and political contexts in which music and creative sector practitioners and organizations are working
• Production processes and professional practices relevant to live and recorded music
• The past, present, and future development of the music industry
• The types of organizations the global music industries interact with

Modules

The program includes the following modules:

• Researching Music
• Music & the Creative Economy: Concepts and Practices
• Live Music Events
• The Recording Industry, IP and AI
• Music Research Project
• Creative and Cultural Sectors: Past, Present, Future

Optional modules may include:

• Pedagogical Technology in Music Education
• Music Education, Community & Wellbeing

How You'll Learn

Delivery and teaching methods include:

• Lectures
• Interactive seminars
• Practice-based workshops
• Small group tutorials
• Guided independent study
• Case studies

Assessment methods include:

• Case study
• Essay
• Oral presentation
• Portfolio
• Report
• Research paper
• Written exercise

Your Future

The program prepares students for a career in the music industry or other creative sectors. Students will have the opportunity to build networks and apply their skills in practice, and could find work in a range of roles, including:

• Artist management
• Live music
• Music publishing
• Project and event management
• Music marketing
• Creative production

Quality and Ranking

Newcastle University is ranked among the top universities globally, with:

• 42% of research classified as 4* world-leading research (Research Excellence Framework 2021)
• 65% increase in research power since 2014 (Research Excellence Framework 2021)
• Global Top 140 University (QS World University Rankings 2026)
• Global Top 160 University (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025)
• Top 100 for Performing Arts (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)

Facilities

The University has outstanding specialist music facilities, including:

• Two professional-grade recording studios
• A range of recently refurbished rehearsal and performance spaces
• A work area with PCs featuring specialist music software
• A project room equipped with a 5.1 mixing system
• A full range of recently refurbished teaching facilities
• A large student common room and a new refreshments and social lounge

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees for 2026 entry are:

• Home students: £11,400 (full-time), £5,700 (part-time)
• International students: £25,900 (full-time)

The University offers a range of scholarships and funding opportunities, including the Arts and Cultures Postgraduate Taught Scholarships.

Entry Requirements

The entrance requirements for the program are:

• A 2:1 or above from a UK university or international equivalent in music or a related arts, humanities, social sciences, or business degree background
• Professional experience in the field may be considered alongside an undergraduate degree in a relevant field

English language requirements include:

• IELTS: 6.5 overall (with a minimum of 6.0 in all sub-skills)
• Pearson: 62 overall (with a minimum of 59 in all sub-skills)
• Duolingo English Test: 105 overall (with a minimum of 95 in all sub-skills)
• TOEFL: 90 overall (with a minimum of 21 in all sub-skills)

Admissions Policy

The University's admissions policy is available on the University website.

Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow students to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills, and experience into credits towards a qualification.

Pre-Master's and English Language Courses

The University's International Study Centre offers Pre-Master's degrees and English language courses to prepare students for study.