Music Business Ma 2022

Music Business MA

Work innovatively and ethically in the world of contemporary music.

Key details
Location
Penryn Campus
Course duration
1 year
Attendance
Full-time

Course overview

Are you ready to shape the future of the music industry? From marketing and publishing to contract and project management, on this Music Business MA you’ll develop the skills and expertise to work innovatively, ethically and sustainably in the world of contemporary music.  

Based in purpose-built facilities at AMATA, our live performance venue and studio complex, you’ll explore new music business models and future-facing practice. You’ll be immersed in a hub of creativity and collaboration, with the opportunity to interact with relevant music businesses, festivals, distributors and labels and to develop projects with video makers, photographers, fashion and graphic designers, dancers and choreographers from across the University.  

You will:

  • Learn from lecturers with industry experience ranging from managing labels, merchandising and music video production to international touring and involvement at major festivals such as Glastonbury  
  • Develop critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills and apply these to live music business projects such as releases and event management  
  • Be able to undertake industry-accredited training, which has previously included courses run by A Greener Future and Attitude is Everything  
  • Have access to the University’s professional facilities, equipment and creative spaces 

Course details

Throughout the year you’ll explore brand, image and marketing and gain an understanding of publishing and income streams for digital and physical releases. You’ll also be challenged to develop disruptive responses to the key issues facing the music business right now. When working on projects, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate across the University – tapping into the wealth of creativity and expertise we have on campus.

In the first study block, you’ll explore identity, digital marketing and promotion and delve into the complexities of intellectual property in the digital age.  

Modules

Byte Me

You'll examine online identity, digital marketing, engagement and promotion.

Show Me the Money

You'll look at the use and exploitation of intellectual property in the digital age, from the live sector to synchronisation.

 

During study block two, you’ll look at the current issues facing the music industry and develop your project management skills through a collaborative project.

Modules

Music Matters

You'll examine contemporary issues in the music business.

Collaboration 

You'll develop your communication and project management skills, working on a collaborative project.

Your master’s degree will culminate in a final career-launching project that builds on all the skills you’ve developed throughout the course.

Modules

Taking Care of Business

Building on the skills developed throughout the course, your study will culminate in a final project.

The modules above are those being studied by our students, or proposed new ones. Programme structures and modules can change as part of our curriculum enhancement and review processes. If a certain module is important to you, please discuss it with the Course Leader.

How you'll learn

You'll learn through a blend of lectures, workshops and access to key texts and materials that introduce new theories, ideas, tasks and research.  

Workshops will allow you to undertake real projects under the supervision of our expert staff. Tutorials will give you the opportunity for detailed discussion and guidance.  

You’ll also take part in student-led seminars, which offer the opportunity to discuss the theory, content, practice and issues emerging from lectures and current business practices.

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a range of methods including:

  • Written assignments
  • Practical work
  • Presentations
  • Video content

You’ll also receive regular verbal feedback on your progress throughout each module, via workshops and tutorials. 

This course benefits from cross-department delivery. You’ll be based in the vibrant Academy of Music & Theatre Arts and have access to the Cornwall Business School's celebrated business expertise. Take a look at the stories below to find out more about the departments’ students, staff and graduates.

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Vick Bain, Associate Lecturer for Music Business MA
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Staff

Our staff have a wealth and diversity of music industry experience. They’ve collaborated with major and micro festivals and worked on a range of albums, from chart-toppers to limited-edition vinyl pressings. They also have experience of international touring, merchandising, digital marketing, radio and music video production.

Some members of staff only teach on specific modules, and your course might not feature every staff member who teaches on the course.

Dr Simon Poole

Course Coordinator & Senior Lecturer: Music, Theatre & Entertainment Management

Simon has been making, selling, collecting, managing and writing about music for 30 years. During th...

Dr Simon Poole

Adrian Bossey

Head of Business & Experience Design

Adrian Bossey is Head of Subject at the Cornwall Business School, Falmouth University and a former a...

Adrian Bossey

Helen Worthington

Senior Lecturer, Experience Design, Cornwall Business School

Helen Worthington is a Senior Lecturer at Falmouth University in the Faculty of Business & Exper...

Helen Worthington
Vick Bain headshot

Vick Bain

Associate Lecturer, Music Business MA

Vick Bain has worked in music for twenty-five years; a Henley Business School alumni, for six years ...

Vick Bain

Facilities

From sound studios and photography stores to post-production suites and our professional performance venue, you’ll have access to facilities across the University.  

  • Equipment for small-scale vinyl and cassette manufacture 
  • Professional performance venue hosting visiting artists 
  • Rich library resource including vinyl collection 
  • Film studios, green screen and post-production suites  
  • Working and learning spaces, designed to nurture collaboration 
  • Recording studio complex 
  • High-spec performance studio designed for acoustic music 
  • High-spec studio designed for amplified music 
  • Music practice rooms for bands and solo work 
  • Some of the best studio hardware, software, and collection of microphones in any UK higher education institution 
  • A superb collection of analogue and virtual analogue synths and drum machines 

 

Take a virtual tour

Student working a music studio at AMATA
Music studio

Careers

Graduates have worked as self-managed artists and educators, run recording studios and undertaken PhD study. Others could become agents, managers or A&R reps, or work in music publishing, copyright or synchronisation.

How to apply

Talk to us

To find out more about this course, how you'll learn or what funding is available, get in touch with our Course Advisors. Click below to submit a form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can. 

Request information

Apply now

Ready to apply for postgraduate study? You can apply online by clicking the button below. 

Apply

We welcome applications from those with revelant equivalent Level 6 qualifications. Our typical applicants hold an undergraduate degree of 2:2 or above, or equivalent experience and an demonstrable interest in the subject.

We'll also welcome your application if you have formal or 'certified' learning (such as training courses not run by universities or colleges) and learning from work experience or self-study. This is called Accreditation of Prior Learning (APEL), and should have been gained within the last five years, and be equivalent to the learning outcomes of our minimum entry qualifications.

APEL applicants using experience to apply should note there is a £200 application fee for entry with advanced standing or with exemption from specific modules or credit.

If English isn’t your first language, you'll need to demonstrate English language skills that are sufficiently developed for successful completion of your studies. We accept a range of recognised English language qualifications that are equivalent to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic minimum score of 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.

International applicants who require a student visa to study in the UK must take a recognised language test that is approved and vouched for by the University. Our Applicant Services Team can help with any questions you may have about study visas or suitable language tests.

What we're looking for

We’re after Independently-minded innovators that want to shape the future of the music business.

Fees, costs & funding

Tuition fees

£9,900 per year – full-time UK (£250 acceptance fee payable. This is deducted from tuition fees.) 

£19,300 per year – full-time EU/international (acceptance fee up to £1,000 payable, dependent on nationality. This is deducted from tuition fees.)

£10,200 per year – full-time UK (£TBC acceptance fee payable. This is deducted from tuition fees)

£19,950 per year – full-time EU/international (£TBC acceptance fee payable. This is deducted from tuition fees)

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible. 

The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs

Typical course costs

  • A laptop will be an essential piece of equipment along with a reliable broadband connection
  • Optional study trips where possible with variable costs

If you need to bring other equipment or materials with you, these will be outlined in your Welcome Letter.

Ask a student

What better way to find out about life at Falmouth University than by asking our current students?

From course details and academic support, to the social scene and settling in, our students are ready and available to answer any questions you might have. Simply set up your account, send them a question and they'll get back to you within 24 hours.

 

Request information

Do you have questions about the course or studying at Falmouth? Fill in our simple online form and we'll get in touch to support your application journey.

Submit form
Student funding staff at a table with palm trees

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