Music Business BA (Hons)

Course overview

Our BA (Hons) top-up degree, validated by Kingston University London, is a fast-track programme completed in just one year instead of the usual two years in Scotland. This exciting and modern course is perfect if you're passionate about the music business and want to specialise in areas like:

• Artist management
• Record label management
• Marketing and PR
• Touring and live events
• Digital content creation
• Artist development

You’ll work on real-world projects in your chosen area, guided by experienced professionals from the music industry. Through individual supervision, lectures, and hands-on workshops, you’ll:

• Learn how to build your brand or business.
• Gain skills to boost your chances of getting a job in the music industry.
• Work on creative and collaborative projects with other students.

While working on your projects, you’ll have opportunities to connect with others and grow your network. This includes:

• Using the many venues and organisations in and around the capital.
• Collaborating with over 600 music and music business students and more than 3,500 creative industry students studying subjects like media, computing, photography, art, and performing arts.
• Working with our industry partners gives you a chance to gain valuable contacts for your future career.

As one of the largest music and sound schools in Scotland, we offer world-class facilities, including:

• Two auditoriums seating 125+ people.
• Over 10 recording studios with professional equipment like SSL AWS 900 and TOFT consoles.
• 100+ brand-new Mac workstations with industry-standard audio and video editing software.
• Fully equipped rehearsal rooms and access to professional-grade microphones, instruments, and recording gear.

All these facilities are bookable, giving you the tools you need to create high-quality projects.

The music industry is constantly changing, and this course is designed to make sure you’re ready for it. You’ll learn the flexible, creative, and practical skills you need to succeed in a global music business, including:

• How to adapt to new trends and business opportunities.
• How to work confidently with others and take on innovative roles.
• How to develop the skills to thrive in other creative industries too.

Whether you want to start your own business, join a record label, or manage artists, this course gives you the knowledge and experience to take your next step in the music world.

What you will learn

Professional Project (60 Credits)

You will undertake a professional project, and 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 skills and practice in the Live Music Industry, Recorded Music Sector or Music Publishing within a professional context.

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. This module is led by Michael Hall and is co-delivered by Bruce Craigie.

Module Aims

• To locate professional practice in the music business in an authentic real-world setting
• To develop a depth of understanding of a specialist field including established and emerging trends and practices
• To begin establishing a network as a bridge to professional opportunities.
• To create professionals with initiative and independence
• To create professionals who can effectively engage audiences/
• employers/ stakeholders

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. This module is led by Paul Turnbull.

Module Aims

• Develop the ability to market strategically and encourage adaptability
• Develop a range of digital skills relevant to current industry practice to enhance employability
• Encourage creativity and innovation when creating content
• Nurture self-sufficiency in digital marketing and promotion

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. This module is led by Michael Hall.

Module Aims

• Increase knowledge of new models, opportunities, and income streams in the Music Industry
• Encourage the ability to develop interpersonal and presentation skills
• Develop insight and skills in the interrelation between artists and the market
• Develop skills in planning and organising

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

• 15 hours per week taught
• 7 hours per week student-led learning 

Entry requirements

• SQCF Level 8/RCF Level 5 equivalent, i.e. FdA Music Business.
• We will also consider applications from students who have studied in related academic programs such as Events, Marketing and Business (please contact our admissions team for more information).

Information on Tests / Auditions / Interview Requirements

• Successful completion of the HND programme at Edinburgh College.
• 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 the University of Glasgow
• Music Industry Studies MA at the University of Liverpool
• Music Management MA at the 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 the University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Career options

You can go onto a wide range of roles within the Music Industries including employment in t

• The Live Music Industry
• The Recorded Music Sector
• Marketing and PR
• Event Management
• Music Publishing Industry.