Music, Theatre & Entertainment Management BA(Hons)

You’ll learn all about cultural organisations and management planning in the creative sector, accelerating your own professional development. 

Modules

The Impact of the Cultural Sector Professional Development

This module will introduce you to the nature and context of the cultural industries, identifying social, technological, environmental, economic and political impacts of the external environment upon the sector. You’ll explore the international context of the cultural sector and consider possible future developments. You will be expected to attend cross-departmental lectures and technical sessions. 

Professional Development 

The working life of a professional management practitioner is all about ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Practitioners need to be adept at a range of business skills, including networking, working under pressure, project management, teamwork, numeracy, and verbal, IT and written communication skills. In this module, you will identify and develop a range of key professional attributes through taught sessions and by undertaking an industry placement. 

Introduction to Music, Theatre & Entertainment Industries

This module will provide an introduction to the music, theatre and entertainment industries from a local, national and international perspective, identifying fundamental sector principles. Areas covered include the history, evolution, structure and processes of the industries. You’ll develop an awareness of music, theatre and entertainment and the pervasive issues that inform practice, including the role of digital content, innovation and sustainability. 

Understanding Cultural Organisations

Efficient, legal and empowering management is critical to the success of cultural organisations. In this module, you will consider all aspects of organisational structure, paying particular attention to business structure, economics and human resources and the effect they have on the success of a cultural organisation. The concept of entrepreneurialism will be considered in the context of cultural management. 

Management Practice in Music, Theatre & Entertainment

Business and financial management skills are key attributes for the successful music, theatre and entertainment manager. In this module, you’ll further develop your core management skills through taught sessions and a new industry placement. You’ll produce an investigative case study in the form of a report detailing your experience as a participant within a project team, working within an organisation. 

Marketing

This module will explain all aspects of marketing within a cultural organisation, including PR work, marketing media and materials. You’ll research an area of the market before producing and presenting a marketing strategy for a creative project or event; including promotional materials, e-promotion and innovative marketing opportunities. You will consider approaches for handling the media and general public to positive effect, and the application of marketing tools in the wider context beyond events and the cultural sector. 

Alongside developing your peer and self-evaluation skills, you’ll explore original ways to deliver projects. You'll also work on live briefs supported by visiting speakers, including collaborating on an interdisciplinary project and a performance event. 

Modules

Critical and Cultural Appreciation

In this module, you will critically assess, evaluate and reflect upon differences and developments within the cultural industries at national and international levels. You will undertake contextual research into cultural events and organisations, exploring the history and development of cultural production design, management and participation. You’ll consider the development of community engagement; the use of cultural production in urban regeneration; the social and economic impacts of culture; current international trends; and the impact of developments in technology on production design and engagement. 

Collaborative Planning Project

Working on live projects is a core facet of music, theatre and entertainment management. In this module, you’ll work within a group to produce and run a music, theatre or entertainment project. For example, creating a media pack for a music artiste, developing a theatre feasibility study, or carrying out an audience evaluation for a dance venue. To further explore principles of project management, you’ll undertake project design and planning, and explore aspects of group work theory to enhance your skills in working within project teams.  

Music, Theatre & Entertainment Law and Intellectual Property

Intellectual property, contract and employment law are critical aspects of music, theatre and entertainment management. This module will take a practical and theoretical look at the legal issues inherent in the creation, licensing and exploitation of work. You’ll learn about negotiating deals and preparing contracts for professional contexts. Emphasis will be placed on the differing roles of agents, managers, promoters, producers and licensees, and the legal frameworks that underpin those relationships. 

Case Study of a Creative Production

The ability to research, analyse and evaluate behaviours in the events and entertainment industries and wider related environments is an essential skill in professional cultural management practice. In this module, you’ll learn the formal principles and methodologies of research practice. You’ll then identify, select, critically analyse and evaluate creative ideas, perspectives, theories or data relevant to an appropriate area of study, and complete a written research report demonstrating your ability to draw conclusions and make recommendations based on your interpretation of findings. 

Collaborative Planning Event

Events are an important facet of almost all music, theatre and entertainment organisations, and require specialist strategic and organisational skills. In this module, you’ll work within a group to produce, promote and run a relevant event. This will include undertaking risk assessments, producing event schedules and creating marketing plans. You will also produce a plan drawing together aspects of financial, resource and marketing planning. You may share provision with other AMATA subject areas. 

Business Innovation in Music, Theatre & Entertainment

Innovation and entrepreneurship are at the heart of the music, theatre and entertainment industry. New products and services are constantly being developed and taken to market. In this module, you’ll learn about the new concept development process, from idea to implementation, and explore the rationale behind accounts and accounting for both entrepreneurial start-ups and established business entities. Project budgeting, final budgeting and a range of techniques used to manage purchasing, cash flow and break-even analysis will be examined. You will consider the correlation between industry-specific financial considerations, standard legal requirements and the need for contracts and audit. 

You'll organise and deliver a more complex applied music, theatre or entertainment project, either live or theoretical, and better understand your professional development and future. Connecting with the media and creative industries, both on- and off-campus, you'll build valuable relationships that will help to launch your career. 

Modules

Professional Practice

In this module you will assemble and assess a portfolio of professional practice and provide in-depth reflection on a recent placement. You’ll critically consider and evidence the range of experiences you’ve undertaken and contacts you’ve made during your studies, placements, volunteering and project work, reflecting on aspects ranging from health and safety to potential for innovation. Referencing and applying your theoretical knowledge appropriately, you’ll develop a reflective career development plan identifying potential graduate positions, postgraduate study opportunities and professional development requirements. You’ll also make a detailed assessment of a substantive placement activity, critically analysing the experience, identifying best practice and considering the value of placements in your industry. 

Management Futures

There are many factors affecting success in professional practice, including leadership, entrepreneurialism, a critical understanding of your industry, future scanning and acting creatively. In this module, you’ll consider the future perceptions, definitions, value and landscape of the cultural and events industries, and undertake explorations of the following: semiotics in relation to motivation for cultural and events activity; personal ethical/social responsibility; and creative entrepreneurship.  

Applied Music, Theatre or Entertainment Project

For applicants whose first language is English we require you to have or be working towards GCSE English Language Grade 4 (C), or equivalent.