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Start Date
January, June or September
UCAS Code
MBM0
Institution Code
L83
Duration
3 Years
+ Foundation: 4 Years
Course Fulltime Fees
June Fees: £9,535 per annum | September Fees: £9,790 per annum
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
SEMESTER 1
Compulsory Modules
- The Music Industry
- Entrepreneurial Practice 1
SEMESTER 3
Compulsory Modules
- Music Marketing 1
- Entrepreneurial Practice 1
SEMESTER 2
Compulsory Modules
- Music Rights and Royalties
- Entrepreneurial Practice 1
SEMESTER 1
Compulsory Modules
- Music Marketing 2
- Entrepreneurial Practice 2
SEMESTER 3
Compulsory Modules
- Professional Practice
- Entrepreneurial Practice 2
SEMESTER 2
Compulsory Modules
- Business Data and Finance
- Entrepreneurial Practice 2
SEMESTER 1
Compulsory Modules
- Music Futures and Global Trends
- The Entrepreneur
SEMESTER 3
Compulsory Modules
- Final Major Project
- The Entrepreneur
SEMESTER 2
Compulsory Modules
- Music Law, Ethics and Negotiation
- The Entrepreneur
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
FAQ’s
You’ll learn how music rights work and how money moves through the industry. In your first year, you’ll cover copyright, licensing, contracts and royalty collection, including the roles of organisations such as PRS, PPL and MCPS. Later, you’ll explore royalty statements, international rights management and more complex areas of music law and licensing.
Yes. You don’t need previous professional experience in music or business to apply. The course starts by introducing how the music industry works before building your knowledge across areas such as marketing, rights, finance and entrepreneurship. There’s also a Foundation Year option if you need additional preparation before starting the three-year degree.
You can expect a friendly, informal interview lasting around 30 minutes. We’ll ask about your interest in music, what motivates you, your career goals and why you want to study Music Business Management. It’s also your chance to ask us any questions you have about the course and studying at LCCM.
Entrepreneurial Practice is about learning how to turn ideas into real projects and businesses. You’ll start by planning and delivering small-scale live or digital events, before moving into business models, funding and developing new ventures. As you progress, you’ll explore how to take an idea from its early stages through to a realistic, sustainable plan.
You’ll explore how streaming has changed the way music is marketed, distributed and monetised. The course covers digital marketing, audience growth and the economics of streaming, alongside using data from streaming and other platforms to understand audiences. You’ll also look at emerging technologies and how they could shape the future of the digital music economy.
Yes. The course gives you opportunities to develop your own business ideas as part of your studies. In your final year, your Final Major Project can involve launching or developing a music business, record label, live event or another professional venture based around your career goals, with mentoring to help you take it from idea to delivery.
There are opportunities to collaborate with students from other music disciplines at LCCM, particularly through practical projects and the wider creative community. The course includes group projects, live briefs and industry-focused work, giving you opportunities to build experience working with other people and skill sets in ways that reflect how the music industry works.