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

In your first year, you'll develop creative, technical, and business skills through songwriting, music production, live performance, and artist development. Learn the fundamentals of music business, copyright, contracts, marketing, finance, and event management while exploring music's impact on culture and society. Complete the year with a practical music project, creating original music or producing a live event that showcases your skills and prepares you for careers across the modern music industry.

• 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

In your second year, you'll build advanced skills in music business, entrepreneurship, and artist management. Learn how to plan, fund, and grow a successful music business while developing expertise in business planning, finance, and leadership for the music and sound industries.

Explore funding strategies, business ownership, and commercial decision-making, applying your knowledge through real-world projects. Building on your first-year studies in music law and commercial music, you'll graduate with the skills to pursue careers in artist management, music production, recording studios, live events, promotion, or launch your own music business.

• 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

In your third year, you'll prepare for a successful career in the music industry through professional collaborations, independent research, and a major creative or commercial project. Work with peers and industry professionals to strengthen your creative, technical, and business skills while building valuable industry connections.

Develop your professional portfolio, refine your career goals, and gain practical experience in networking, project management, and negotiation. Complete the year by planning and delivering a final music project that showcases your talent, creativity, and industry expertise—helping you graduate ready for careers in music, production, artist management, entrepreneurship, and the wider creative industries.

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