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Solent Unviersity Southampton logo
Solent Unviersity Southampton logo

BA (Hons)Music Business

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Starting in2024
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UCAS code: MB01
Institution code: S30
Campus: Southampton City CentreView on Google Maps

Why study a music business degree at Solent University

The business behind the music industry offers many opportunities from artist management, running labels or events. Our graduates have gone on to work at Universal, Spotify, Live Nation and more.

  • 0%
    of students feel staff made the subject engaging (NSS 2023)
  • Top0
    in the UK for academic support for music studies (NSS 2023)
  • 0th
    in the UK for student voice for music studies (NSS 2023)
  • Some of our graduates have gone on to work at record companies, artist management companies, music publishers, streaming services and festivals. These include Universal, Warner Music Group, Spotify, Live Nation, Sony Music and more.
  • You will learn from a team of leading music industry academics and practitioners who have excellent music business links, offering guest lectures, conference events and work experience opportunities.
  • Recent guest lecturers have included Gillian Fleet from Domino Records, Barney Hooper from TikTok, Joe Schiavon from Live Nation, Dani Sawyerr from Universal Music Publishing, Ben Eastman from BMG, Dominika Uhrakova from PRS for Music and Lucy Wood from The Roundhouse.
  • The music business is currently growing, so many music companies are thriving and recruiting. Live music and festivals are back and forecast to grow by 17% over pre-pandemic levels over the next four years (PWC).
  • Southampton is a hub for music and arts and we have excellent links to Southampton’s vibrant local music scene, and work with the city’s best music venues including The Joiners, 1865, The Engine Rooms, O2 Guildhall, Heartbreakers and many more.
Video transcript, with a description of visuals available.

Course overview

Studying at Solent offers a unique experience for music business students, combining the excitement of real-world practice alongside in-depth, thought-provoking academic research on a wide range of music business issues. In addition to our own vibrant industry events and conferences, you can also get involved in Southampton’s music scene, with a wide range of venues across the city catering for all musical tastes. Our graduates have given excellent feedback on their experience at Solent, with the 2021 National Student Survey showing 100% overall satisfaction.

Our innovative music business degree will provide you with a thorough understanding of the industry, covering artist development, live events, festivals, project management, finance, marketing, legal contracts and copyright. We will support you to develop the personal entrepreneurial skills to succeed in this exciting industry, also providing essential digital training on podcasting, web development, social media and video production.

As part of your course, you will promote your own live event(s), work with artists and launch music business projects that put your learning into practice. Our collaborative culture encourages you to work with students from other courses, which reflects the real-world working practices of the creative industries. The course also has a strong emphasis on hands-on work experience, which we encourage at local businesses, venues and festivals.

The course is led by an experienced, well-connected team of lecturers who regularly publish academic research and maintain excellent links with industry professionals. Previous guests have included staff from Domino Records, Universal Music Publishing Group, TikTok, Live Nation, The Roundhouse, BBC Radio 1, XL Recordings, Dirty Hit and PRS for Music.

Any questions?

Contact UK admissions

Email: admissions@solent.ac.ukCall: 023 8201 5066

Contact international admissions

Email: admissions.international@solent.ac.ukCall: +44 (0)23 8201 5066

Course features

  • Further studies

    After successfully completing your studies, there's an opportunity to continue your studies at Solent

  • Study abroad

    You have the opportunity to study abroad in one of our partner universities for a semester on this course

Who is this course for?

Our degree course is ideal for students who want to build a career within the music business. Our current students include aspiring musicians, managers and content creators from a wide range of backgrounds, having previously studied varied subjects such as music, art, science, photography, English, ICT, business, media and economics.

The unifying theme amongst all of our students is a passion for music, regardless of previous experience or study. We welcome international students who wish to study music business at a UK university. We also support mature students who may have previously worked in music and now wish to formalise their experience with a degree qualification.

What does this course lead to?

Our course provides you with the essential skills needed for a wide range of music business career destinations, including record companies, music publishers, artist management, live music management, marketing, public relations (PR), digital roles and the creation of independent music companies.

Our graduates have gone on to work with leading music companies such as Sony, Universal, Warner, BMG, Live Nation, Spotify, The O2, PRS for Music, Dirty Hit, Miloco Studios, Toolroom Records, PIAS, ITB and YMU Group. Others manage artists or run their own record labels, live agencies and promotion businesses. Our focus on transferable skills means that many of our graduates have also built successful careers in other sectors such as health, technology, education, marketing, property, financial services and events management. Many graduates also progress to further study at postgraduate level.

Solent stories

Hear from Solent alumni about where their careers have taken them and how studying at Solent prepared them for their future.

Meet the team

Teaching is delivered by an academic team of music business professionals and researchers who have extensive experience of the industry. Our team is research-active, publishing journal articles and books via international publishing companies such as Sage, Routledge and Bloomsbury. The teaching team have excellent music business links which allow students to benefit from guest lectures, conference events and work experience opportunities.

The University cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.

Facilities

Our vibrant campus brings state-of-the-art facilities to enhance your learning and elevate your student experience. Our award-winning teaching building, The Spark is centred around students and offers a stimulating study environment with flexible learning spaces.

Away from studying, why not try out the gyms, fitness studios and sports halls in our £28 million Sports Complex, or watch a blockbuster film at our student-run cinema with Dolby Atmos audio.

    International opportunities

    Broaden your horizons by adding an international dimension to your CV – essential to achieving success in today’s fast-changing, global environment.

    Studying, working or volunteering in another country could be the experience of a lifetime. Enhance your degree by developing important global skills such as knowledge of other countries, language skills, intercultural awareness, adaptability and confidence.

    For more information, please email international.mobility@solent.ac.uk.

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