CertHE

BA (Hons) Music Business Management

Home Icon HomeArrowCoursesArrowBA (Hons) Music Business Management

Course Fulltimefees

£9,535 per year

Start Date

January, May or September

Duration

3 Years

+ Foundation: 4 Years

Institution Code

L83

UCAS Code

MBM0

COURSE OVERVIEW

Are you an aspiring music manager, record label executive, live event organiser or a business-savvy recording artist who wants to get ahead of the pack with enhanced knowledge and skills? The BA (Hons) Music Business Management degree aims to nurture creative and ambitious students with a passion for music and business, developing in them future-facing skills and critical knowledge required to develop a successful career in the modern music industry.

This is possibly the most exciting time to be entering the music business with digital opportunities bringing a renewed optimism and five years of solid industry growth. Young, ambitious and skilled new entrants are better placed than most to prosper in the new global streaming economy with many of the rules yet to be written. The skills you can learn at LCCM, including social media marketing, building an audience online with growth hacking, artist branding and data analysis, are in-demand right now.

On our Music Business Management degree you will learn from industry professionals and have the opportunity to put your ideas and new skills into practice with work placements or entrepreneurial project based modules in your third year.

EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS 

  • Artist Manager: Oversees an artist’s career, handling contracts, branding, and business strategy.
  • A&R (Artist & Repertoire) Executive: Scouts and develops new talent for record labels.
  • Music Marketing Strategist: Specializes in digital campaigns, playlist pitching, and viral content.
  • Tour Manager: Plans and executes logistics for artists’ live performances and tours.
  • Music Publicist (PR Specialist): Crafts press campaigns, pitches to media, and manages an artist’s public image.
  • Sync Licensing Coordinator: Places songs in film, TV, commercials, and video games.
  • Music Publisher: Works with songwriters to manage copyright and royalties.
  • Record Label Executive (Major or Independent): Oversees artist development, releases, and business operations.
  • Music Rights & Copyright Consultant: Helps artists and labels navigate intellectual property law.
  • Music Data Analyst (Streaming & Trends): Works with labels or agencies to track and predict music industry trends.

COURSE DETAILS

Building your confidence and knowledge of the music industry, we will prepare you for your future studies and work within the industry. You will learn how to express your ideas in formal writing and online through social media and music blogging.

You will better understand the purpose and process of copyright protection and how musicians and songwriters are paid in the streaming economy. By studying successful music business and social media case studies, you will be inspired to further your own career, having learnt from the best artists and executives. All our foundation modules have been written and designed by industry professionals.

SEMESTER 1

  • Music Business Studies
  • Music Industry Language and Technology
  • Essential Study Skills & Academic Writing

SEMESTER 2

  • Establishing a Web Presence
  • Social Media Stories
  • Filesharing, Fisticuffs & the Philosophy of Copyright

Year 1

  • Music Industry Landscape
  • History of Popular Music – Context and Culture
  • Digital Trends
  • The Streaming Economy
  • Music Industry News
  • History of Popular Music – Crate Digging
  • Event Management & Promotion
  • Rights and Royalties

Year 2

  • Entertainment Law & Litigation
  • Artist Branding & Audience Development
  • Online Exploitation & Royalty Collection
  • International Exploitation & Royalty Collection
  • Ticketing & Touring
  • Growth Hacking

Year 3

  • Entertainment Science
  • Artist Management Project
  • Data Insights & Communication
  • Business Project

TUTOR HIGHLIGHTS

STEVE MCCARTHY

Programme Leader for BA (Hons) Music Business Management

Steve is an accomplished educator, artist manager, songwriter, and guitarist with over 20 years of diverse experience in the music industry.

His career highlights include various US and European tours, performing at the 40th Anniversary of the Glastonbury Festival (then returning years later with music artists he was managing), and pioneering the first-ever popular music grade examinations in his homeland of Guernsey, Channel Islands.

Steve’s innovative approach to music education has empowered many of his students to launch successful careers within the industry. He has also had the privilege of teaching talents who have gone on to win prestigious awards and competitions.

At LCCM, Steve combines his rich industry experience with a passion for academic excellence, inspiring students to bridge creative entrepreneurship and artistry with professional achievement.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

BA Music Business Management

Undergraduate & CertHE (Level 4):

  • 96 UCAS points from accepted Level 3 qualifications, which must include at least one in the following subject areas: Music Technology, Business Studies or Economics, Media Studies or English Language.
  • An Access to Higher Education course or a BTEC Extended Diploma will be considered as equivalent to two full Level 3 qualifications.
  • 4 GCSEs grade C/4 in Maths and English or a Level 2 equivalent (e.g. Functional Skills) 
  • We also welcome applications from those without formal qualifications but with demonstrable passion for and practical experience relevant to the music industry.
  • Successful interview 

Foundation (Level 3):

  • 48 UCAS points from accepted Level 3 qualifications, or equivalent experience in music 
  • 4 GCSEs grade C/4 in Maths and English or a Level 2 equivalent (e.g. Functional Skills) 
  • Successful interview 

All applicants meeting the minimum entry requirements and whose application demonstrates the capability to complete this programme will be offered an interview.

The course is taught in English. If you are not a native speaker you will need to demonstrate fluency in reading, writing and oral English at interview/application stage. You may be asked to prove this via a third party test where you should score, as a minimum, the following points: IELTS 5.5 or Duolingo 95