MA
Music Business
2 YEARS, PART-TIME ONLINE
An innovative ONLINE master’s degree for music industry professionals
Designed for those with established careers in the music industry, but also those passionate about music and looking develop their music industry work and opportunities, the MA Music Business course at WaterBear can fast-track your professional activity in music, at whatever stage of your professional journey.
This comprehensive postgraduate qualification will help you become an adaptive thinker, creator, and entrepreneur within a music industry that shapes the zeitgeist of contemporary culture. You’ll gain academic proficiency, professional credibility, and benefit from work placement opportunities. You’ll also develop your entrepreneurialism to maximise areas of potential revenue and enterprise. It’s flexible, innovative, and designed to fit your lifestyle.
This 2-year part-time online MA Music Business degree offers you the ultimate freedom and flexibility to study in a way that suits you. It has a work-based learning approach, which means you don’t necessarily need an undergraduate degree to enrol if you have the right amount of professional experience.
You’ll become part of a vibrant community of creatives and benefit from a flexible hands-on learning experience. You’ll access areas such as artist and career development, one-to-one mentoring, academic sessions, live performance, and industry events and networking, all designed to support your development professionally, artistically and academically.
Join us online in January 2026. Apply now to find out more.
Select the links below for individual module study on this course.
Modules
LEVEL 7
This module launches you into the dynamic music industry. For tangible growth, we identify hidden strengths, carve a unique niche, and develop a strategic action plan with concrete steps, tailored to your specific goals. Gain the confidence to not just survive but shape the industry. Whether you’re a recent graduate, an experienced individual, or an established pro, this module empowers you with interactive workshops, industry insights, and personalised feedback.
This is where we look at how you can create a strong and authentic connection with your audience. How do you currently present yourself to the world, and what can you improve?
Supercharge your career trajectory with real-world experience. WaterBear connects you with impactful work placements** within the industry, not just hypothetical scenarios. This hands-on immersion bridges the gap between theory and practice, equipping you with valuable skills and insights. We remove any obstacles your way, ensuring you’re fully prepared for your final project and a successful career beyond.
This module focusses on the commercial realities of making and releasing music. Whether you are the artist or the entrepreneur, you’ll develop a greater understanding and awareness of how to develop and control various income streams relating to your music and business.
This is the final double module that concludes the MA. Here we bring all the strands of work, reflection, research and analysis together to deliver a major professional project. This might feature your current real-world work. It is the bridge into your future.
Assessment methods typically include written, audio and video-based submissions, presentations, evidence portfolios and business plans.
*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 MA Music Business course is focused on the development of a deeper understanding of the modern music industry and how to successfully shape a long-term career strategy. It takes you on a journey of critical reflection, onto the development of your professional practice through mentoring, culminating in the competition of a major commercial project. You will develop autonomy whilst learning to apply critical thinking and research skills to your work.
The course is constructed to focus on three fundamental elements:
- Your past:
You will reflect upon and document your experience and knowledge.
- Your present:
You will define and hone your skills, to sharpen your commercial edge.
- The bridge to your future:
You will become a recognised expert in your field.
This course is approved and awarded by Falmouth University, one of the UK’s leading specialist universities for the creative industries.
This course is for graduates and music industry professionals who want to develop the commercial and entrepreneurial side of their careers.
If you have enough prior industry experience, you may not need an undergraduate degree to join us.
The part-time online mode of the course is particularly suited to those with busy lives and schedules and offers a more relaxed pace of teaching and learning. It also features the added flexibility of online study.
Your timetable of structured activity is made up of seminars, lectures, 1-1 mentoring and support sessions, for both on-campus and online students, throughout the duration of the course. You’ll get access to all content and materials via WaterBear’s dedicated Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and you’ll also be able to participate in tutorials, discussions and meetings remotely, or in person.
You’ll get the chance to engage with lots of additional activity going on at WaterBear throughout the duration of your course too. How much you want to get involved with up to you. The Music Industries teams are there to help you with work experience* and career development opportunities, live performance slots, festivals, conferences and industry showcases. There are also social events, clubs and societies, virtual meetups, networking opportunities, development weeks, songwriting camps, masterclasses and various kinds of other activities to explore.
The MA Music Business course also includes the option to put on your own shows and events at one of WaterBear’s dedicated or partnered music venues.
In summary, regular teaching and learning activities include:
- Lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops
- One-to-one mentoring
- Assignments, assessments and feedback sessions
- Masterclasses
- Special events and conferences
- Performances and gigs
- Peer collaboration
- Networking and social events
This course is designed to further and develop careers in music and the wider creative industries. These career pathways typically include:
- Music business and artist management
- Tour management
- Event management
- Journalism and PR
- Digital marketing
- Digital content creation
- Publishing and record label services
- Music performance and production (e.g. touring, studio, digital, etc.)
- Education and teaching
- Research
- Live sound
Initial applications for the MA Music Business 2-yr online course can be made via the Apply Now button above.
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.
The MA Music Business full time course tuition fee is £10,750, or £5,750 per year for the 2-year part-time option. UK residents may be eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan. For the part-time course, other claimed benefits such as Universal Credit may continue to be available whilst accessing a part time tuition fee loan.
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.
Typically, you’ll have an undergraduate honours degree in a relevant subject area and a clear interest in your subject. If you don’t have an honours degree, you may be able to satisfy entry requirements through the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) process. This provides an entry route for those who have a significant amount of music industry-relevant experience but may not have a degree.
The MA Music Business 2-year online course is available for students located outside of the UK.
Language requirements
If English isn’t your first language, you’ll need to achieve an equivalent to the IELTS Academic 6.5 overall score, a minimum of 5.5 in Reading, Writing and Listening, and a minimum of 6.0 in Speaking. 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 MA Music Business course, we advise you have regular access to the resources below. Having your own equipment will provide maximum flexibility for both your university and professional work.
Essential basics:
- Note-taking materials (pens, notepad, manuscript paper, etc.) (approx. cost £20)
- Computer (laptop/desktop) capable of running DAW, audio interface, plug-ins, and A/V processing software (recommended 8-16GB RAM, 7,200 RPM Hard Drive, 8 MB buffer, 1TB hard drive) (approx. cost £600-£800)
- External hard drive (approx. cost £25-£50)
- Reliable high speed internet connection
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.
IS ONLINE STUDY FOR YOU?
At WaterBear, your degree isn’t just academic it’s a launchpad for your artistry. You’ll work on your own music, projects, and ideas, guided by tutors who are active in the industry. It’s hands-on, relevant, and designed to move with you. Our online degrees are made for real musicians living real lives. Whether you’re gigging, parenting, producing, teaching, or returning to music later in life — this is a place for you to grow. You don’t have to fit into one mould. Our online students include:
- Tour-managing drummers with kids
- Bedroom producers with big visions
- Guitarists teaching by day and creating by night
- Artists carving new creative paths in their 40s and beyond
What connects them all? Independence, creativity, and the desire to study on their own terms without compromise.
YOU CHOOSE HOW TO ENGAGE
We know one size never fits all. That’s why our courses are flexible by design you can tailor your learning experience to fit your lifestyle, energy, and goals. Whether you’re fully independent or want to immerse yourself in every opportunity, your engagement is your choice. We’ll guide you to the right level of support — and adapt as things shift.
You’re proactive and self-led. You’ll work through pre-recorded classes, guided tasks, and assignments at your own pace. With everything housed in our virtual campus, it’s all there when you need it. And when you do want support, it’s just a message or a tutorial booking away.
You like a rhythm, but on your terms. Alongside your self-paced study, you’ll drop into live module webinars, schedule one-to-one tutorials, and build a study pattern that supports your creative flow without overwhelm. Ideal for structured learners or those who thrive with a check-in.
You’re all in. You want to join every session, masterclass, and opportunity going and maybe even travel to Brighton or Sheffield for in-person Development Weeks. You’ll craft a journey that blends live and recorded learning across songwriting, production, technique, content creation, and more.
COURSE OPPORTUNITIES
Life at WaterBear
A collection of some of the best moments submitted by artists and musicians on and off campus.
Visit our Master’s hub
Visit our Master’s Hub and explore how being part of the community will support you in the next stage of your career.
OUR MUSIC DEPARTMENTS
As a musician, artist, and music 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.
