BA (HONS)
Professional Music (Business)
3 YEARS, ON-SITE (BRIGHTON & SHEFFIELD)
The degree course for music lovers with a head for business
Are you interested in how the music business really works? Do you want to explore the evolution of this multi-billion-pound global industry and help shape its future?
The BA (Hons) Professional Music (Business) degree at WaterBear has been created for anyone with a keen interest in the business of music and looking to develop a sustainable career in today’s fast-paced music industry. It’s been designed specifically to provide you with the tools and knowledge you’ll need to navigate your own path through the industry and realise your professional ambition and personal goals. The course is flexible to fit around your life, so you can study in a way that suits you, and your own project ideas can be brought in to form the focus of your degree work.
Whether your goal is to become an independent artist, professional musician, entrepreneur, or build a diverse portfolio career, you’ll engage in a comprehensive and flexible learning experience designed to support your strengths, interests and your professional, artistic, and academic development.
Join us this September in Brighton or Sheffield. To find out more, apply today.
Modules
Select the links below for individual module study on this course.
LEVEL 4
This module provides an interactive approach to demonstrating the creative and fun aspects of what it really takes to start a successful business within the music industry, with the goal of achieving sustainability, resilience, and authenticity in everything you do.
Weekly timetabled classes include Business Start Ups Project Management, The Blueprint, Digital Landscape, Pitch & Ideas Lab.
This module is assessed via a portfolio submission that asks you to explore your approach to business. You will present 3 potentially viable business start-up ideas, with supporting narrative to reflect on the process and result.
Weekly timetabled classes include Music Management Project, Music Agencies and Management, Label Services and Distribution and Professional Music Organisations. This module is assessed via a presentation of your analysis of a chosen sector of the Music Industry.
This module deals with the music industry, past and present. Exciting case studies of artists that have made an important contribution to music. How did they do it? And how can you employ these insights into your own music projects, right now?
Weekly timetabled classes include Navigating the Music Industry. Assessment is a case study of contrasting business models within the music industry.
This module aims for you to experience and reflect on a real-world application of business relevant to your career aspiration
Weekly timetabled classes include Making Money in the Music Industry, Business Development, Building Professional Relationships and Your Business Projects Management.
This module is assessed via the submission of a design and budget plan for a music project e.g., tour for a new band/artist, label, festival, etc. Your will also create a contract of agreement between invested parties.
Creating your individual career plan, with careful design and thorough testing. You will develop knowledge of current music industry practice to create career plans that are a). realistic and b). achievable.
Weekly timetabled classes include Project Management and Your Strategy. Assessment is via a report to identify a viable, personalised career model.
LEVEL 5
Time to Stop, reflect and consider: Who exactly are you? Every business needs a brand, but the creation of your own personal brand is also key to success in the industry. We’ll focus on who you are right now, and who you want to be.
Weekly timetabled classes include Branding (Principles), Your Branded Assets, and Brand Identity Project Management.
This module is assessed via the submission of a PR campaign for a new band, artist or release, including branding assets and a presentation of a funding pitch for your project.
Now’s the time for you to show the world what you’re made of. Working to put on shows and events, from live streams and solo shows to a fully-fledged national tour. It’s all fair game.
Weekly timetabled classes include Project Management and Your Events. Assessment is via a live event that you will curate. The scale and scope of the event is up to you.
Digital Marketing is now an essential component of any marketing or promotional campaign. You’ll learn how to use digital marketing in tandem with more traditional forms of marketing, and how to bring your brand story to life by using the right social media platforms. It’s also all about growing an online audience, and how to keep them engaged.
Weekly timetabled classes include Project Management, New Media and Multi Arts, and Social Media, Digital Marketing Strategy.
This module is assessed via the submission of digital assets & marketing materials (artist website, social media, video promo content) for a new band, artist or business venture.
In this business-focussed module, you’ll bring all your creative faculties to the table to create innovative new business models for the future music industry.
There is one weekly timetabled class relating to this module entitled Innovation in Music Business. Assessment is via a business plan submission designed to illustrate an innovative and viable new business idea.
level 6
Having thought about what to do for that final project, you’ll now need to prepare for it. This is where that work will be done, and the process documented. You’ll be getting plenty of mentoring and guidance too, so don’t worry.
Supportive classes include Financing your Business, Final Project Development Workshop and there is one weekly timetabled class common to all pathways associated with this module – Project Portfolio Management.
Assessment in this module is via the submission of Preparation Portfolio, including proposals, timeline and rationale.
In creating this specialist report as a dissertation, you’ll be honing your academic chops as you undertake formal research. You’ll also be preparing the ground for your ambitious final project in the Professional Project module.
There is one weekly timetabled class common to all pathways associated with this module entitled Project Portfolio Specialism. The Specialist Report assessment will take the form of a research project paper focussed on a specific area relevant to today’s music scene.
Your final major project is the springboard into your creative future. You are encouraged to be practical and realistic, but also ambitious and to challenge yourself. There is no limit to where you can take this or what you can do. Anything is possible.
Weekly class time to support this module will take the form of regular group tutorials, to monitor progress against deadline. Assessment in this module is via the submission of a Portfolio of work and project outcomes, contextual presentation of work and next steps career strategy.
*Programme structures and modules can change as part of our curriculum enhancement and review processes. Any changes affecting students’ expected programme delivery are communicated in advance. If a certain module is important to you, please discuss it with the Programme Manager.
FAQs
The BA (Hons) Professional Music (Business) course addresses subjects that really matter in music and the music industry. Each week in classes you’ll focus on areas such as music industry past and present, case studies, market analysis, management techniques, branding, innovation, industry trends and project management – all whilst continually reviewing progress towards your personal goals. You’ll also learn all you need to know from our team of top-level industry tutors and mentors about the realities of being a professional in today’s music industry. There are also regular networking events, masterclasses, collaboration and work opportunities so you can build your all-important contacts list.
This course is approved and awarded by Falmouth University, one of the UK’s leading specialist universities for the creative industries.
Integrated Foundation Year option: There is also the option to study this course over 4 years, which includes an integrated foundation year.
This course has been specifically designed for anyone with an interest in the following areas:
Band / artist management
Tour management
Events management
Digital marketing and PR
Branding
Music journalism
Social media
Content creation
Every individual at WaterBear has their own story to tell and their own path to follow. We provide a supportive, safe environment for you to experiment and create. You’ll also develop a tailored career plan to support your personal goals and ambitions.
Each academic year of the BA (Hons) 3-year course consists of 2 study blocks of 15 weeks each. The time each week you’ll spend in teaching and learning activities can be broken down as follows:
Timetabled classes:
In each study block, you’ll spend the majority of your structured learning activity in timetabled classes. You’ll also get access to all your module content prior to your timetabled classes via WaterBear’s dedicated Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), so you can prepare for your classes in advance.
1-1 Mentoring sessions:
Alongside your weekly classes, you’ll get access to WaterBear’s 1-1 mentoring programme, your gateway to bespoke expert advice as and when you need it. Bookable meetings with seasoned pros, experts across a wide range of fields, where you’ll receive tailored support and guidance in three key areas: music industries, musical development and academic achievement. What you focus on is entirely up to you — the mentoring programme is designed to support your own personal journey.
Asynchronous online learning:
As well all the digital content linked to your chosen course, you’ll get access to all other content for every other degree course at WaterBear, via our Canvas VLE. That’s a huge library of information you can dive into to expand your own learning experience and gain knowledge in other areas and subjects that may interest you.
Other activities:
You’ll be able to book free time in professional recording and rehearsal studios, attend additional optional classes in areas like music photography, videography, content creation, music theory, self-development, and music management. There are also social events, clubs and societies, live gigs and performances, virtual meetups, networking opportunities, industry development weeks, industry conferences, record label showcases, songwriting camps and various kinds of other activities to explore.
In summary, regular teaching and learning activities include:
- Lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops
- One-to-one mentoring
- Student forums
- Assignments, assessments, and feedback sessions
- Live performances and gigs
- Special events and conferences
- Peer collaboration via Canvas VLE
- Free recording time in professional studios
- Free rehearsal time in professional studios
- Masterclasses and clinics
- Work experience
- Networking
This course is designed to develop careers in:
- Band / artist management
- Tour / events management
- Digital marketing and PR
- Digital content creation
- Branding
- Music journalism
- A&R and artist development
- Artist, label and publishing services
- Music education
The course tuition fee for the 3-yr BA (Hons) is £9,535 for each year of the programme. UK residents may be eligible for undergraduate tuition fee and maintenance loans.
Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The College may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible. For more information on fees and finance, please visit Falmouth’s tuitions fees page here.
Initial applications for the BA (Hons) Professional Music (Business) 3-yr on-site course can be made via the Apply Now button above.
You can also apply directly via UCAS using the links below.
BA (Hons) Professional Music (Business) UCAS Course codes are as follows:
Brighton
Course code: W376
Institution code: F33
Campus name: WaterBear, Brighton
Campus code: W
Sheffield
Course code: W382
Institution code: F33
Campus name: WaterBear, Sheffield
Campus code: L
UCAS course application page
We consider all applications on their own merit and potential. We’ll invite you to a 1-1 session, either in person or by video conference. This is where you’ll have the opportunity to find out all about WaterBear and talk about your interests, achievements and career goals.
Falmouth University Terms and Conditions can be found at https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/student-regulations.
We consider all applications on their own merit and potential. We’ll invite you to a 1-1 applicant session, either in person or by video call. This is where you’ll have the opportunity to find out all about WaterBear and talk about your music, achievements and career goals.
As a guide, we require A Levels (or in combination with AS / EPQ / BTEC / RSL / Cambridge Technical / etc.) equal to a minimum of 104 UCAS Tariff Points (BTEC / Cambridge Technical DMM, RSL Extended Diploma at Merit / Distinction), or international equivalent.
After graduating, you will have a number of routes to further study available, including the MA Music Performance, Production & Business, MA Songwriting, MA Music Education and MA Music Business courses at WaterBear, and other postgraduate specialist programmes.
There is also the option to study this course over 4 years, which includes an integrated foundation year.
This course is available to international applicants if they are based in the UK with a settled status (no restrictions on how long you can stay). This course is not available to those located outside of the UK. Alternative options available to international applicants include our range of online 2-year distance learning degree courses. See pages (xx-xx) for more information.
Language requirements
If English isn’t your first language, you’ll need to achieve equivalent to the IELTS Academic 6.0 overall score, with at least 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. We accept a range of equivalent approved tests too. Visit the English Language Requirements page of the Falmouth University website for more information. https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/study/international/english-language-requirements.
In order to get the most out of the BA (Hons) Professional Music (Business) course, it is essential that you have regular access to the correct resources. Having your own equipment will provide maximum flexibility to support both your university and personal project work.
Essential basics:
- Note-taking materials (pens, notepad, manuscript paper, etc.) (approx. cost £20)
- Computer (desktop, laptop, tablet, etc.) (approx. cost £350-£500)
- USB memory stick (approx. cost £10)
- Reliable Internet connection
WaterBear recommends:
- Computer (laptop / desktop) with recommended 8-16GB RAM, 7,200 RPM Hard Drive, 8MB buffer, 1TB hard drive (approx. cost £600-£800)
- Reliable, high speed internet connection
- External hard drive (approx. cost £25-£50)
We offer various scholarships and bursaries, which can be applied for by anyone studying related courses at WaterBear. Our scholarships are reviewed yearly, with applications generally opening 3-6 months prior to the course starting. Scholarship awards generally cover the cost of all course tuition fees.
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OUR MUSIC DEPARTMENTS
As a musician, artist, and industry professional, your environment and community are key to your growth. We provide creative learning spaces, expert teaching, and world-class facilities to help you thrive.
