A person at a music desk while a band is on stage performing

Music Business BA(Hons)

Master the skills needed to manage, create and innovate in the music business.

Key details
Location
Penryn Campus
Course duration
3 years / 4 years
Attendance
Full-time / Placement year
Subject to validation during this academic year
Yes

Course overview

This course is new for entry year 2024

Explore the mechanics of this fast-changing sector of the entertainment industry and develop an in-depth understanding of what it takes to succeed. You’ll journey through music publishing, copyright legislation, marketing, recording and distribution, tackling real-life projects and learning from expert lecturers and industry insiders. By graduation, you’ll be ready to work ethically, sustainably and successfully.

You will:

  • Study in industry-standard, purpose-built facilities that accommodate gigs, recording, rehearsal and business
  • Gain skills in marketing, publishing, live and recorded music projects and project management, through working on real shows and releases
  • Develop as a critical thinker, a creative problem solver and a collaborative team player
  • Collaborate with students including video makers, photographers, fashion and graphic designers, dancers and choreographers from across the University
  • Develop an understanding of legalities and economics, including contracts and intellectual property
  • Gain the know-how to emerge into industry as an innovator, either within an established business or as a go-it-alone entrepreneur

 

Course details

On this Music Business degree, you'll have the opportunity to gain a BA(Hons) degree over three years or study Music Business BA(Hons) with a placement year. 

From recorded studio productions to live events, you'll develop a professional understanding of varied music industry environments, cultures and practices. You'll learn how to manage artists and organisations, explore the histories and futures of the industry and get to grips with contracts and intellectual property. You'll also investigate ethical and sustainable practices for music business.

Across year one, you'll explore approaches for managing yourself and others, as well as organisations and resources. You'll dive deep into the A&R world to understand creative processes and development and study the structures, shapes and roles within the music business. You'll also put on your first live event, having learned about the live music business and how to market artists and products effectively and ethically.

Modules

Marketing & Digital Media

Management: Organisations, Artists & Self

Live Music & Business

A&R & Creativity

Sound Cultures

Music Industry Environment

In year two, you'll get to grips with contracts, negotiations and intellectual property while dissecting the differences between DIY and corporate music sectors, as well as digital and physical products. You'll also explore the power of fan cultures and how they influence what products are created.

Modules

Sound Business 1

Sound Cultures 2

The Business of Things

Collaboration

Sound Business 2

DIY Entrepreneurship

You can choose to take an optional placement year after your second year on a three-year programme.

You’ll be responsible for finding your own placement, with support from the RealWORKS employability team. 

Choosing this option will enhance your industry experience and skills while studying. 

How you’ll study during your placement year 

You’ll spend time working in a professional context, as part of a business or organisation. This can be in one role, or up to three, and must be for a minimum of 24 weeks. 

You’ll develop in-demand workplace skills, deepen your insight into industry and grow your network of contacts, all of which could help you get ahead in your career after graduation. 

Throughout this year, you’ll develop a portfolio of work that includes critical self-reflection on what has been learned from the experience. You’ll be required to evidence your experiences, the skills you’ve learned and your professional growth. 

In your final year, you'll put your knowledge into practice and debate ethical approaches to leadership and management at strategic levels. You'll have the opportunity to develop your specialisms through research and practical projects - creating a professional portfolio, ready to graduate into the music business.

Modules

Creative & Ethical Leadership

Music Business Project

Final Project Contextualisation

Future Skills

Final Project Professional Portfolio

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 combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, project work and masterclasses. You'll also develop your music business skills and understanding through collaborative projects and guest speakers.

At Falmouth, we use a 'digitally enhanced learning & teaching' approach. Your experience will always be predominantly in-person, including seminars, tutorials and studio teaching, with some, more targeted elements, being online either live (synchronous) or pre-recorded (asynchronous). You can read more here.

How you'll be assessed

You'll be assessed with practical exams and coursework.

Assessment methods

Assessments can take many forms, including:

  • Practical projects
  • Presentations
  • Portfolios
  • Written work

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Staff

From working with indie and major record labels and global festival productions, to expertise in international touring, merchandising, digital marketing, radio and music video production, as well as diversity campaigning and lobbying for a more ethical music business, our staff have a wealth of industry experience between them.

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

Dr Antti Saario

Dr Antti Saario

Head of Music

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Dr Simon Poole

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

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Facilities

From sound studios and photography stores to post-production suites and our professional performance venue, you'll have access to industry-standard 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
  • Professional-standard studio hardware and software, and an extensive collection of microphones
  • A superb collection of analogue and virtual analogue synths and drum machines

Take a virtual tour

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Performance Facilities

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Library Facilities

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Sports Centre

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Careers

As a music business graduate you could become:

  • A record label owner
  • An A&R, or talent scout
  • A tour manager
  • A music PR executive or manager
  • An artist or industry consultant

How to apply

Apply via UCAS

Ready to join us? You can apply through UCAS. You'll need to reference the course and University code (F33).

Apply now

Applying as an international student? 

International students can apply for a course through UCAS, via an agent or directly with the university. For more information about how to apply as an international student, visit our international applications page.

International applications

Course route UCAS code
Music Business BA(Hons) three year degree UCAS code for entry year 2024 available soon
Music Business BA(Hons) with placement year UCAS code for entry year 2024 available soon

We consider all applications on their own individual merit and potential. We invite all applicants to an interview day or audition to give them the opportunity to demonstrate this along with what inspires and motivates them in their field. Applicants will also be able to show their portfolio or give a performance depending on the course. We welcome applications from all subject backgrounds, whether you've specialised in STEM, the arts or humanities.

Course route Entry requirements
BA/BSc(Hons) three year degree 104 – 120 UCAS Tariff points
BA/BSc(Hons) four year degree with placement year 104 – 120 UCAS Tariff points

Check the title of your course to see if it's a BA or BSc award. UCAS Tariff points will primarily be from Level 3 qualifications such as but not limited to A-levels, T Levels, a BTEC/UAL Extended Diploma or a Foundation Diploma. 

Check how many points your qualifications are worth

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

If English is not your first language you will need to meet the same standard which is equivalent to the IELTS Academic 6.0 overall score, with at least 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. We accept a range of in country equivalencies and approved tests.  

If you need a student visa to study in the UK, you may need to take a recognised language test. You can read our English Language Requirements for more information.

For starting your studies in 2024

UK applications: TBC (for equal consideration)

Applications after the TBC will be considered on a first-come, first-served as long as there are places available.

International fee payers

International fee payers can apply throughout the year. But we recommend applying as early as possible, to make time for visa and travel arrangements.

Fees, costs & funding

Tuition fees

Annual tuition fee Student
£TBC per year Full-time UK
£TBC per year Full-time EU/international
£TBC per placement year Full-Time UK and EU/international

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

  • Optional visits to relevant music businesses
  • £300 - 750 approx. – one-off cost for the duration of the course (laptop)

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.

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