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In collaboration with
The BA (Hons) Electronic Music & Business degree is designed to give you the tools you’ll need for a sustainable career as an independent artist and self-reliant music professional.
WaterBear’s unique collaboration with Toolroom Records means you’ll get unrivalled opportunities to work with one of the most iconic record labels in electronic music.
The course is flexible so you can study in a way that suits you. And you can build your own music projects into the course. It’s fully approved by one of the UK’s leading specialist universities for the creative industries, Falmouth University.
3-year full-time on-campus option starting September.
2-yr online accelerated option starting January and September.
The degree is built on three fundamental elements – your music, your career and your projects. It deals with what really matters in music and the industry. It will expand your options and push you to produce original, high-quality music.
This course has been specifically designed for:
All lectures and content are available online for everyone, so you can access a wide range of content across different subject areas. You can design your own path through the degree and make it your own.
Every producer, DJ and electronic artist is unique, with their own path to follow. That’s why at WaterBear, you’re treated as an individual. All artists and musicians at WaterBear will make, mix and master their own music. You’ll be able to access a wide range of content, resources and tuition to suit your needs and really make the degree your own.
We provide a supportive safe environment for you to experiment and create. You’ll also develop a personal career plan to help you achieve your goals.
Toolroom Records is one of the largest independent dance labels in the world. With a genre-defining back catalogue spanning over 15 years, plus club residencies in Ibiza, New York, LA, Berlin, Tokyo, London and beyond, it’s one of the most powerful brands in electronic music. The Toolroom Academy, their educational arm, was established to identify and mentor the next generation of electronic music artists.
We have teamed up with Toolroom to create the world’s first degree programme to be delivered alongside a record label.
In this degree, you’ll get cutting-edge tuition from Toolroom artists, plus detailed A&R feedback on your music from renowned professionals.
You’ll work on real-life music marketing campaigns, and you’ll benefit from a whole host of added value, including learning events at Toolroom HQ, exclusive sample packs and production tools, plus an invaluable black book of contacts. This is a truly unique opportunity to learn from inside the electronic music industry.
You’ll spend around 8-10 hours each week on-site in timetabled teaching and learning activities. You’ll also get access to all your module content prior to your class lectures via WaterBear’s dedicated Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).
On-site teaching and learning activities can include:
This course is designed to develop careers in:
After graduating, you'll have a number of routes to further study available, including the MA Music Performance, Production & Business* course at WaterBear and other postgraduate specialist programmes.
* Subject to approval Spring 2022
Course modules
Module title: Your Electronic Music
Making innovative music is the lifeblood of this course. This module is about creating music that represents you as an individual. Music that tells your story and shows the world who you are. This is me today, and this is where I am going.
Weekly timetabled classes include Composition in Electronic Music, Performance Workshop, Electronic Music Production Tools, The Art of Production and Music Project Management.
This module is assessed via the submission of an electronic music arrangement that showcases your best work, with supporting narrative to reflect on the process and result.
Module title: Your Electronic Music Industry
This module deals with the music industry, past and present. Exciting case studies of artists that have made an important contribution to electronic music. How did they do it? And how can you employ these insights into your own music projects, right now?
There is one weekly timetabled class that deals with this subject. Assessment is a case study of contrasting business models within the music industry.
Module title: Making Original Music
Building on from the Your Electronic Music module, this is all about expanding your skills and abilities. Pushing technical boundaries, producing experimental work, or writing a hit song. The direction you take your music is controlled by you.
Weekly timetabled classes include Electronic Music Creation, The Art of the Remix, Advanced Electronic Music Performance, Production Techniques and Music Project Management.
This module is assessed via the submission of demo recordings that showcase your best contrasting work, with supporting narrative to reflect on the process and result.
Module title: Your Strategy
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.
There is one weekly timetabled class that deals with this subject. Assessment is a report to identify a viable, personalised career model.
Module title: Your Musical Direction
Time to Stop and reflect. Who exactly are you? Being a competent Producer or DJ is one thing, but a real artist stands for so much more. Lots more in terms of music creation, production and experimentation in this module.
Weekly timetabled classes include Sonic Art, Sound Design, Stylistic Development in Electronic Music, Electronic Music Workshop and Music Project Management.
This module is assessed via the submission of studio and live recordings, with supporting case study analysis to illustrate your key influences.
Module title: Event Management in Electronic Music
Now's the time for the rehearsal and practice to stop and for you to show the world what you're made of. Working as a team to put on shows and events. From live streams and solo shows to a fully-fledged national tour. It's all fair game.
There is one weekly timetabled class that deals with this subject. Assessment is via a live event that you will curate, as part of a team. The scale and scope of the event is up to you.
Module title: Innovation in Electronic Music
This module will push you to expand your music into new and ground-breaking environments. Different methods of creating, innovative production techniques, new ways of composing or performing. You'll use this as inspiration to create a wide range of new material.
Weekly timetabled classes include Pre-Production, Performance & Realisation, Innovation in Music Project Management, Innovation in Songwriting and Production.
This module is assessed via the submission of studio or live recordings that showcase your innovation, with accompanying programme notes and press release.
Module title: Innovation in Music Business
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 that deals with this subject. Assessment is via a business plan submission designed to illustrate an innovative and viable new business idea.
Module title: Research Project
A dissertation isn't just a long essay. It's so much more than that. Yes, you'll be honing your academic chops as you undertake formal research. But you'll also be preparing the ground for your ambitious final project (Destinations).
There is one weekly timetabled class associated with this module. The Dissertation assessment will take the form of a research project focussed on a specific area relevant to today’s music scene.
Module title: Journeys
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.
There are two weekly timetabled classes associated with this module – Digital Presence and Project Management.
Assessment in this module is via the submission of Preparation Portfolio, including proposals, timeline and rationale.
Module title: Destinations
The big one. The final project. 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 your project progression.
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.
Course structure and modules may change as part of our regular review processes. Any changes affecting students’ expected programme delivery are communicated in advance.
Initial applications for the BA (Hons) 3-yr on-site and 2-yr online options can be made via the ‘Apply Now’ button below.
You can also apply directly via UCAS here.
UCAS Course codes are as follows:
Course code: W3N0
Institution code: F33
Campus name: WaterBear, Brighton
Campus code: W
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 music, achievements and career goals. For more information about the 1-1 session, click here.
The BA (Hons) 3-year full-time course is also available to international students if they are based in the UK with settled status (no restrictions on how long you can stay). Students living outside of the UK can apply to study the 2-year accelerated online version of the course.
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.
In order to get the most out of the BA (Hons) Electronic 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 college and personal project work.
Applying for a course at WaterBear is simple, whether it’s a BA (Hons) or master’s. Click the link below to find out all about the application process or, if you’re ready now, just hit the Apply Now button and we’ll be right in touch.
At WaterBear, we’re proud to work with some of the industry’s most accomplished music professionals. Tutors and mentors who are all highly experienced at every level of the music industry. Check out their information below. As working professionals, the tutoring team may be subject to occasional change and availability may vary.
Tel: +44 (0) 1273 726230
Email: [email protected]
WaterBear Education Ltd, Hanover House,
118 Queens Road, Brighton BN1 3XG, UK Map
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