- Study Mode: Full time
- Location: High Wycombe
- Duration: Four Years
- Start Date: September 2022
You can also study this course:
This course is ideal for anyone who wishes to gain the relevant expertise to work in the music business. Whether you’re interested in managing artists, working for record labels or the business of songs, you’ll learn exactly what it takes to build a successful career in the music industry.
The course covers a broad range of music industry areas allowing you to develop your knowledge to help you gain employment across a variety of music business roles. It will also equip you with many key entrepreneurial skills to give you the option of building your own business from scratch. Whatever your ideal career path, this degree course will give you a comprehensive overview of the music business.
Recent Graduate success stories...
Each week, Music Week profiles the brightest new talents in the business and it has put Jamie Leeming, digital agent at United Talent Agency, who graduated here at Buckinghamshire New University, under the spotlight.
BNU graduate Nadina Edouard counts herself lucky as she thrives in her career as a private events manager and artist booker at ALR Music - having taken a bold and exciting career path.
Being taught by some amazing music industry professionals with tonnes of experience to offload was one of the course’s major strengths. I was also able to network and collaborate with other creatives across the uni, this created a kind of micro industry simulation. This ecosystem encouraged us to begin nurturing the networking and social skills used every day in the real music business.Benjamin Akpojaro
Open Days
We understand that when it comes to deciding where you’d like to study, there are a lot of things to consider. Come along to our Open Day and discover why BNU could be the place for you. You can find out more about your course, meet the course team, and get all your questions answered.
Application Guide
For everything you need to know about applying, check out our Application Guide. You can find useful information for each stage of your application journey – from before you even apply to what to do if you receive an offer, and everything in between.
Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?
Could you combine your passion for music and your head for business?
The UK music industry contributed £5.8bn to the UK economy in 2019, (Music By Numbers UK Music) and employed an estimated 315,000 people in music, performing and visual arts (DCMS 2020) so the opportunities open to you are great.
If you are interested in a career in working for a record label, managing artists, music marketing and promotions or music publishing then a degree in Music Business could be for you.
All our music degrees at Buckinghamshire New University come with membership of UK Music’s Music Academic Partnership (MAP).
UK Music is the collective voice of the UK’s world-leading music industry. We represent all sectors of our industry – bringing them together to collaborate, campaign, and champion music. The members of UK Music are: AIM, BPI, FAC, The Ivors Academy, MMF, MPA, MPG, MU, PPL, PRS for Music. UK Music also has an informal association with LIVE (Live music Industry Venues & Entertainment).
MAP is a ground-breaking collaboration between educational institutions and UK Music, and is designed to maximise the relationship between the industry and educational institutions in order to inform the next generation of industry professionals.
MAP does this by nurturing collaborative projects, such as research and careers events, panel events, various education and skills work, policy work, and career opportunities. Fundamentally MAP provides extra opportunities to individuals who want to build careers out of their passion for music. This helps to future-proof the music industry by ensuring new entrants have the right mix of experience and skills.
Stay updated with all our latest BNU Audio and Music news by following us on Instagram @bnu_music
What facilities can I use?
Our state-of-the-art recording studios give you access to the space and technology you need, from individual edit rooms up to large Pro Tools HD studios with attached live rooms and vocal booths.
- Studios 1 and 2 boast Avid D-Command control surfaces and 24 channels of Focusrite ISA828 microphone preamps.
- Studios three and four (Edit 6) are based around Digidesign C|24 surfaces.
- The edit booths are equipped with microphone preamps from Digidesign (HD Omni).
- Our microphone stock includes Sennheiser, Neumann, AKG, Shure, Rode and Electrovoice.
- Studio monitoring includes 5.1 systems by Genelec and stereo systems by KRK.
All studios feature a full range of plug-ins including RX3, Ozone6, Komplete and Speakerphone.
How will I be taught and assessed?
This course is offered as a four-year programme, including an initial Foundation Year. The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and development needs for progression onto an undergraduate degree.
Our teaching staff have a wealth of professional and academic experience, with many still actively working in the music business. Regular guest speakers are invited in to BNU to share their knowledge and experience with you on subjects such as the art of songwriting, social media marketing and music publishing.
A variety of assessment vehicles will be used as appropriate to the modules you take, including assignments carried out in your own time, in-class assignments, workshops and presentations. Assessments will be appropriate to the task, achievable, motivating and vocationally focussed, forming a constructive part of your learning process.
What will I study?
During your degree, you will develop solid business, marketing and management skills, allowing you to pursue many careers in this rapidly evolving industry. Key business modules will look at music publishing, the global music industry and the consumption of popular music. Key marketing modules will cover digital marketing, social media marketing and public relations.
Management skills will be addressed by modules covering classic management theory, how to develop as a music entrepreneur and how to manage creative talent. You'll also spend time focusing on legal issues such as intellectual property and music industry contracts. You will also be encouraged to develop other key skills such as communication and negotiation to allow you to demonstrate a portfolio of relevant skills to equip you to successfully enter the music business.
Placements Plus
BNU is a Placements Plus university. So, whatever degree you do, you can be sure there’ll be plenty of industry-relevant opportunities on offer, to help you get into your chosen field.
We’ll also prepare you for work beforehand, with special skills for work training, further boosting your CV, and building skills employers will value. In recognition of the value we place on these skills we have incorporated this experience into your study time.
Placements Plus is all about helping you get some valuable experience under your belt while you’re a student, to increase your choices later, and help you get the graduate-level job you want.
What are the course entry requirements?
A typical offer will require a UCAS tariff score of: 32 - 56
Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements for the 3-year undergraduate programme, or those who do not feel fully prepared for a Level 4 course, will be considered for the 4-year programme including a Foundation Year. If you wish to enquire further, please send your query along with any academic evidence or references to admissions@bucks.ac.uk
Find out more about our General Entry Requirements.
Modules
This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.
Year 1 Modules
Introduction to Music Management, Production and Performance
Preparing for Success Knowledge and Creativity
Preparing for Success Self-development and Responsibility
Inquiry Based Learning
Year 2 Modules
The DIY Musician
Entertainment Industry Framework
Fan Cultures
Principles of Marketing
Introduction to Artist Development
License to Thrill
It's Not Only Rock 'n' Roll
Managing Your Brand
Year 3 Modules
Music Publishing (optional)
Research Methods
Music Publishing Placement (optional)
The Music and Events Entrepreneur
Digital Marketing
IP in the Music Industry
Music Business Project
Year 4 Modules
Industry Issues
Industry Contracts
Social Media Marketing
Creative Strategies
Mosh Pit Politics
A&R
Dissertation (optional)
Placement Plus (optional)
What are the tuition fees
Home
Home, Academic Year 2022 - 2023
£9,250 per year
International
Overseas/International, Academic Year 2022 - 2023
£14,250 per year
What are my career prospects?
Throughout your time with us we’ll support you on the route to your chosen career. We’ll help you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable and good leaders. We also help you find employment after graduation. Have a look at our Careers and Employability pages to find out more.
Our BA (Hons) Music Business course will help prepare you for a range of career possibilities in areas such as:
- Record label management
- Artist management
- Marketing
- Promotions
- Music publishing
- Royalty collection and organisation.
Graduates can also choose to study for a postgraduate course.
I’m now excited to finish my university year and go on to new and exciting things. I would advise anyone starting out on my course to take advantage of every opportunity and experience.
Course leader
