BA (Hons) Music Business - Part-Time (2 Year Degree Top-up)

Course overview

Our part-time degree top-courses are a first for Scotland, allowing you to gain a BA (Hons) Degree, by studying for one day a week over 2 years.  Our degree programmes, in Music, Audio Production and Music Business are validated by Kingston University London, meaning they take one year less than the typical Scottish honours degree routes.

Course Structure

The focus of our degree courses is on our students being able to approach their studies based on their own requirements and trajectories. There are two 30 credit modules in year one focussing on current and relevant industry knowledge and practice, and in year 2, an entirely student designed and led 60 credit professional project module forming 50% of the curriculum:

Year 1:

Digital Marketing and Promotion (30 Credits). This module is led by Paul Turnbull.

Artist Development (30 Credits). This Module is led by Michael Hall.

Year 2:

Professional Projects Capstone Module (60 credits). This module is led by Michael Hall and is co-delivered with Bruce Craigie.

As the taught element of the course is delivered for only one day per week, is based around individual pathways and project based, it allows for a lot of flexibility in relation to your time and how you might align your course project with your own professional/artistic work outside of college – using external projects as evidence to gain your degree (if you choose to do so).

Does a part-time degree top-up suit you?

The part-time degree options may also be a better choice if you have completed an HND elsewhere, or have relevant professional experience and just want to level up your qualifications or re/upskill around your current job or commitments. This could be to move into a new role, progress onto post-graduate qualifications, for professional recognition and CPD, or purely to continue to raise your knowledge and skills.

Flexible Entrance based on academic or professional experience

Entrance to part-time degree programmes is also flexible. In addition to accessing the course with an HND or equivalent level qualification, we can also accept applications from applicants with a suitable level of professional experience using a ‘accredited prior learning’ (APL) route. APL will allow us to map your current or previous experience against entrance requirements and may mean you can access the programme without the typical HND level qualification *.

Funding

The course is eligible for the SAAS part-time fee grant (PTFG) which may entitle you to having your tuition fees paid.  You may also be entitled to a student loan based on your circumstances.  A means assessed discretionary fund is also available to all of our HE student for support with course materials. If you require any more information about funding, please contact our applications team.

 

*APL is assessed on a case by case basis and will be coordinated by a member of our degree team and subject to approval by Kingston University

*Part-time SAAS funding based on a number of requirements which are explained here: Part-time Funding Guide - SAASWhat you will learn

This new and innovative programme is designed to enable you to explore and specialise in a variety of areas in the music business (artist management, record label management, marketing and PR, touring and live events, digital content creation and artist development)

Through a range of individual supervision, lectures and seminars from music industry professionals you will realise individual and collaborative professional projects in your specialist area, equipping you with the skills and knowledge required to create your own brand or business and maximise your employability in the industry

In realising your own projects, you will have a lot of opportunities to collaborate and build your network by drawing on the vast range of venues and organisations in the capital city and further afield through our large network of industry partners. In addition, you will be able to draw on our 600+ music, sound and music business students and our wider creative industry faculty which includes over 3500 students studying broadcast media, computing, photography, art & design, and performing arts to achieve ambitious creative projects and build your creative network

As one of the largest music and sound productions schools in Scotland you will benefit from our world-class facilities across two campuses including two 125+ seat auditoriums, more than ten studios with SSL AWS 900 and TOFT consoles, over 100 fully equipped brand-new Mac workstations, and fully equipped rehearsals rooms, all bookable by our degree students. You will also be able to book a range of equipment including high-quality microphones, recording devices, and instruments, and have access to all industry-standard audio and video editing software

Employability and the transferrable skills required to succeed in a rapidly changing industry are at the programme's core. From drawing on a wide range of industry partners, and stakeholders we know the sector requires agile, confident and innovative graduates who collaborate and understand the global context of the music and entertainment industries, emerging business streams and the skills and knowledge associated with roles across the creative industries. This course will prepare you with these skills and knowledge.

Digital Marketing and Promotion (30 Credits)

The focus of this module is to enable you to develop and apply digital skills at an industry-appropriate level and to develop promotional content that connects with an audience in an effective way. You will create a marketing plan for an event or release for your chosen artists and then, collaborating and networking with artists, band members, photographers, graphic artists and videographers as appropriate you will co-ordinate and create promotional material for your campaign. The research will be made into industry trends and new and emerging digital platforms, developing and expanding skills within these. Once the promotion is underway, you will reflect on the success or otherwise of the various elements of your promotional activity and re-calibrate activities to maximise the success of the campaign.

Artist Development (30 credits)

The focus of this module is the creation of an artist development plan from the perspective of artist management. This involves an analysis of your choice of artist, group, or producer with regard to their aims, ambitions and current profile. This will include the current stage of their artistic development, presence and activity on digital platforms, legal issues and funding, merchandise and fanbase. From this analysis, you will create a plan for the development of the artist. The plan will consider current innovative developments in the industry including the emergent and prevailing trends in digital platforms, rights management and the current state of the market.

Professional Project (60 Credits)

You will undertake a professional project where you will be free to choose the sector of the Music Industry and the specialism you want to focus on. This allows you to extend and develop your individual skills and practice in the Live Music Industry, Recorded Music Sector or Music Publishing within a professional context.

It is envisaged that, where possible, projects will take place in the public sphere (events, music releases, and promotional activities) in contexts that are as realistic an experience as possible.

Working with an assigned project supervisor and drawing on a series of lectures, seminars and workshops, students will devise and complete projects that build on established industry practices and emerging trends with a focus on innovation, collaboration, creativity, and establishing an identity in the music industry. The aim is to create a springboard for the profession or the higher education institution to which you aspire.Placement information

We continue to work with partners and organisations across the UK to provide placement and work experience opportunities for our students. Our students have previously worked with Wide Days and a number of other national and independent music industry organisations.  

How the course is assessed

• Project based course work (50%)
• Written assignment (15%)
• Practice-based assignments (35%) 

Number of days per week

• 1 Day per week on campus (day may change between year 1 and 2)
• Additional student-led learning for completion of projects

Entry requirements

HND or equivelant level qualification

or

Entrance may be granted on suitilble professional experience, through and accreditation or prior learing process (APL).  This may allow for entrance without having completed an HND (or similar). If you require more information about this please mention in your application and a member of the team will contact you. 

Information on Tests / Auditions / Interview Requirements

External candidates will be invited for an interview. Please contact our admissions team for more information. 

English Proficiency Requirements

IELTS 6 required.Further information regarding IELTS levels and certification is available from our admissions team.

Progression and Articulation Routes

While no formal articulation agreements are currently in place for post-graduate courses in Music Business, graduates will have achieved the academic profile to apply for courses such as: 

• Music Industries MSc at University of Glasgow
• Music Industry Studies MA at University of Liverpool
• Music Management MA at University of Sheffield
• Music Industry Management and Artist Development MA at University of West London
• Music Business Management MA at University of Westminster, London
• Music Business (MA) at University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Career options

You can go onto a wide range of roles within the Music Industries including employment in the Live Music Industry, the Recorded Music Sector, Marketing and PR, Event Management and the Music Publishing Industry.