Music Industry Management (MA)

Overview

The MA is designed to prepare students for management careers in the music industry. Whilst gaining specific management knowledge of the business, creative and infrastructural practices of the global music market, the course seeks to develop the vital practical and transferable skills necessary for a successful career in the music and media industries. Adopting a primarily vocational approach, the MA aims to develop music business skills such as management, finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship. The music and creative industries are also explored from a theoretical perspective, helping students to build an integrated understanding of all key areas including recording, publishing, management, new technology, globalisation, music business agreements, intellectual property and copyright.

London Metropolitan Business School

LMBS PKU China Residential
Towards the end of the first semester of the course, students are invited to participate in a study trip to Beijing to explore the Chinese music industry (subject to approval).  The Chinese music and media industries have to coexist with piracy rates in excess of 90% and students can learn a great deal from studying the business models utilised in China to ensure continued growth and survival in this environment.  London Metropolitan University enjoys a strategic alliance with the prestigious Peking University (PKU)  and the trip will be centred upon talks held at PKU, complemented by additional industry speakers (including senior staff from Universal), visits to live performances by emerging Chinese artists, and cultural and tourism experiences including a visit to the Great Wall of China.  Networking opportunities with Chinese students are also provided.  This annual trip has been highly rated by past participants as a highlight of the course.   We offer this trip to students at a price very significantly below the market price (Students participating in 2011 paid £250 including flight and accommodation, prices for 2012 t.b.c).

Applying and entry

PLEASE NOTE There is no official closing date for this course, but you are advised to apply as early as possible as we will only consider your application if there are places available on the course.

Tel: 020 7133 4202 Email: admissions@londonmet.ac.uk

You should possess a good relevant Honours degree, minimum 2:2, or equivalent. Alternatively, an unrelated degree, as well as previous music or media industry experience. For those who do not hold a degree or relevant professional qualification, at least two years of relevant professional experience, as well as evidence of academic ability, will be required. Where possible, candidates will be interviewed.

Course contents

You will take 5 core modules and 1 optional module, followed by a dissertation of around 15,000 words undertaken in the Summer study period.

Core modules:

• Research Methods
• International Licensing and Global Markets
• Marketing Music: Brands, Bands and Fans
• Artist Career Development: Business Models
• Intellectual Property and Copyright Industries
• Dissertation

Optional modules include:

• Financing Events
• Business Practice for the Creative Industries

Read more details about the modules

Assessment

A range of assessment methods are incorporated into the course including essays, individual and group research projects, case-study reports, presentations, examinations, and a final dissertation.

Careers

The course will be of benefit to those currently working or aiming to work in the music and related creative industries, in areas including artist management, record labels, publishing, live sector, entertainment law, retail, digital media, marketing and brand management, PR and promotion, licensing, and trade organisations. Companies and organisations that recent graduates have worked for include; Universal Music, Atlantic Records, Chrysalis Music, Westbury Publishing, MPA, Partisan PR, Rough Trade and ChoiceFM. The course also prepares you for further professional study, as well as self-employment and consultancy roles in one of the most exciting and unique industries today.

Collaborative and international links

The academic team have links with a number of companies and organisations in the sector and optional short work placements can often be arranged.