BA (Hons) Music Industries Management
Leeds, United Kingdom
DURATION
3 up to 6 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
15 Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 16,000 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for international students | for UK students: GBP 9,250 per year
Introduction
Prepare to enter the thriving music industry, part of the growing UK creative economy that employs millions nationwide.
As part of your course, you’ll:
- Explore ways of turning your passion into a rewarding career
- Develop a deep-rooted knowledge of different facets of the industry
- Learn about key areas of the music industry, including marketing, developing online content, managing live music events, copyright and HR.
- Taught by academic staff with a wealth of industry experience
- Get involved in real-world projects
You could be a musician looking to complement your creativity and boost your employment prospects, an entrepreneur with ambitions to transfer your business acumen to the worlds of music and entertainment, or you may just love music.
You’ll network with experts and creative professionals at guest lectures and music events around the city and beyond.
Collaborative working
As a student at Leeds School of Arts, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with other undergraduates who share your passion for music. You could be working on projects with musicians from our BA (Hons) Music Performance & Production course, helping them find the best creative outlets for their talents, or you could be working alongside students from courses around the university, in the planning of music events.
Industry links
You’ll be able to take advantage of our extensive links with the music industry. We are part of the Music Academic Partnership, a ground-breaking collaboration between a select group of educational institutions and UK Music whose aim is to prepare students for successful careers in the music industry.
The partnership will give you access to career advice and work experience opportunities with a variety of organisations, including Live Nation, the Association of Independent Music and PRS for Music.
Industry expertise
Expert staff will also be on hand to support you throughout your studies and their experience will feed into your learning. Course team members are involved in Music: Leeds, which works with artists, musicians, local organisations and businesses to support, develop, grow and promote music in the city.
Artist in Residence Programme
The Artist in Residence programme allows our students to work with professional artists and gives them a taste of what is it like to work on a professional music project. We have welcomed artists Chris T-T, Ian Prowse, I Monster, Tom Williams and Utah Saints.
Why study Music Industries Management at Leeds Beckett University
- Opportunity to take a ‘sandwich’ year of paid employment in industry to build your skills and experience
- Our partnership with the Music Academic Partnership will give you access to career advice and work experience opportunities with organisations including Live Nation, the Association of Independent Music and PRS for Music.
- Study within one of the largest university arts communities in the north
- Access to dedicated music studios, Foley studios, dubbing and music recording studios, acoustic labs and a host of post-production suites in the new Leeds School of Arts Building
Duration
- Full-Time: 3 Years
- Part-Time: 6 Years
Gallery
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
There are ways you may be able to fund your course. Sometimes it is possible to get sponsorship from a government body in your country. There are many different options, so have a look through the links carefully to see if they apply to you.
- International Scholarships
- Chevening Scholarships
- US / Canada Direct Loans
Curriculum
Teaching & Learning
Independent study is a crucial part of learning at university and you will be required to undertake many hours of self-directed research and reading, and preparation and writing of assessments. Your course is delivered through several modules, which will help you to plan your time and establish a study routine. Outside of your lectures, workshops and tutorials, a range of support is available to assist with your independent study. Our subject-specific librarians will be on hand to direct you to specialist learning and study-skill resources. You’ll also be assigned an academic advisor to give you tailored feedback and support.
Year 1
What you'll learn
Introduction to the Music Industries
Explore the organizational structures and operational dynamics of the music industries. Gain insights into the skills and experiences crucial for a career in this field.
Artist Management
Examine the evolving role of artist managers within the music and visual arts industries through case studies. Understand the key responsibilities and relationships involved in artist management.
Music & Entertainment Marketing
Develop a detailed understanding of marketing strategies employed by music and entertainment organizations. Explore how these industries manage customer relationships and their public image.
Online Content for the Music Industries
Analyze the creation, distribution, access, and interaction of music in the digital era. Explore how digital content and online platforms enhance the value of musical works.
Music Industries in Context
Study various musical genres, histories, technologies, and subcultures. Gain insights into the political, economic, sociological, technological, ethical, and legal factors shaping the evolution of the music industries.
Professional Practice 1: Employability Skills
Enhance essential workplace skills such as leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, and written communication. Engage in a work placement within the music industry to gain practical experience (minimum 80 hours).
These modules offer a comprehensive view of the music industry, covering everything from management and marketing to digital content and the broader cultural context of music. Each module will equip you with valuable skills and insights necessary for a successful career in this dynamic field.
Year 2
What you'll learn
Recruitment, Equality & Management
Focuses on human resources theory and best practices for recruitment and management in diverse music and entertainment organizations. Explore organizational behaviour for effective people management.
Copyright & Law in Music Industries
Gain insights into the roles and rights available to music performers and rights holders across various sectors of the music industry, crucial for generating income from their work.
Music, Politics & Society
Explore the interplay between music and society over the past century. Examine social and political issues through the lens of music development, artist creativity, and the evolution of popular music genres.
Live Event Planning & Management
Learn about the roles, skills, and processes involved in planning, promoting, and executing live events in the music industry. Topics include event origination, audience targeting, health and safety, budgeting, and contemporary marketing strategies.
Professional Practice 2: Research, Responsibility & Leadership
Prepare a research proposal for a real-life project with stakeholders in the music industry. Negotiate a learning contract with an employer for an 80-hour work-based learning period. Develop leadership attributes, responsibility, and critical analysis skills through reflective learning and research practice.
These modules collectively provide a comprehensive understanding of the music and entertainment industries, covering essential skills in management, law, societal impact, live event management, and practical research application. They are designed to equip you with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary for a successful career in the dynamic world of music and entertainment.
Option modules may include
Culture, Media & Place
Enhance your understanding of how media, culture, and place intersect in modern society. Critically engage with theoretical and practical aspects of mass media, cultural policies, and diverse perspectives on place and space. Gain insights into their roles in shaping contemporary cultural landscapes.
Radio & Podcasting
Acquire foundational knowledge of essential radio techniques, focusing on recording and broadcasting audio. Develop skills in writing and creating program content specifically tailored for radio and podcast formats.
These modules will expand your expertise in cultural studies, media production, and broadcasting, preparing you for roles that involve critical analysis of media's impact on culture and society, as well as hands-on experience in audio production for radio and podcasting platforms.
Innovation in the Music Business
Expand your knowledge of how the music industry functions by exploring new business models, technological advancements, and innovative revenue streams. Develop skills to identify, analyze, and implement strategies related to these innovations within the music business.
Major Independent Project
Undertake a substantial project in an area of your interest within the music industry. This project could involve extensive research and analysis, or creative outputs such as a written dissertation, a film documentary accompanied by a written narrative, or the curation and detailed planning of a significant event.
Professional Practice 3: Consultancy & Expertise
Collaborate with an external client as a consultant to address specific challenges within the music and entertainment industry. Develop strategic thinking skills and practical expertise by applying key theories, tools, and techniques of professional consultancy. This module will prepare you to act as a strategic manager capable of providing valuable insights and solutions within the industry.
These modules aim to deepen your understanding of the music business landscape, enhance your practical skills through hands-on projects, and prepare you for strategic roles in consultancy and management within the entertainment sector.
Year 3
What you'll learn
Creative & Cultural Industries
Delve into the theoretical underpinnings, historical evolution, and contemporary issues shaping the creative and cultural industries. Analyze how socio-political factors, economic dynamics, governmental policies, and cultural shifts influence these industries.
Arts & Festival Management
Explore the contextual, political, and economic factors impacting arts and music festivals. Gain insights into the operational challenges and strategic considerations involved in managing arts and festival events within the broader cultural landscape.
Advanced Radio & Podcasting
Enhance your technical skills in audio production for radio and podcasts through practical workshops and studio sessions. Develop competence in content creation, live broadcasting, and audience engagement strategies, culminating in the production of a live radio broadcast or a full-length podcast.
Contemporary Music In Context
Investigate the technical, social, and cultural influences shaping contemporary music production and consumption. Analyze key theoretical frameworks to contextualize musical works and genres within contemporary cultural and social dynamics.
Arts & Social Engagement
Examine socially engaged art practices aimed at fostering community engagement and social advocacy. Develop skills in facilitating workshops and performance works that address diverse community needs and promote social change through artistic expression.
Sandwich Year (Optional)
Take advantage of a paid employment opportunity within the industry to gain practical experience, build professional skills, and enhance your employability. This placement, typically taken between the second and third year, provides valuable insights and networking opportunities in preparation for your career in the creative and cultural industries.
These modules and the optional sandwich year are designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the creative and cultural sectors, practical skills in arts management and media production, and the opportunity to gain real-world experience through industry placements.
Program Outcome
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Analyse and critically evaluate the concepts, development and defining characteristics of the music industries as an area of academic and applied study in the context of intercultural, international and global societies.
- Demonstrate a range of skills and aptitudes to build competence in musicindustrys planning, development and delivery within live events and the media.
- Critique and apply relevant frameworks and models associated with the operational and strategic management of human, financial, technological and physical resources within the global music industries.
- Demonstrate employability, inclusivity, enterprise, and academic skills through practical work experience, engagement with professional practice and embedded study and research skills to provide progression routes into employment and further study.
- Apply the theories and strategies to critique and contextualise key contemporary issues in the continually evolving global music industries, particularly about technological advancements.
- Demonstrate the practical and theoretical knowledge of evaluating the impacts and implications of global musical entertainment.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
The evolving nature of the music industry has created a wealth of new job opportunities in recent years. The practical focus of your course added to the industry experience you will acquire during your
studies will open up a wide range of career options. You could work for a record company, on live events, in broadcasting or in marketing and PR, or you could progress your own artistic career in the music industry. Your transferable skills will also give you the perfect platform to enter any number of cultural industries beyond music.
- A&R Manager
- Artist Manager
- Brand / Product Manager
- Live Event Promoter