“My lecturers are still people I rely on and work with. I can definitely credit them with my career trajectory to date.”
BA (Hons)Music Business
Apply on UCAS
Starting in: 2026
Register your interestUCAS code: MB01
Institution code: S30
UCAS points: 104-120Flexible entry options available
Campus: Southampton City CentreView on Google Maps
Why study a music business degree at Solent University
The music business offers many careers within artist management, record labels, streaming platforms and live event promotion. Our graduates now work at Universal, Spotify, The O2 and Live Nation.
- 0rdin the UK for student satisfaction in music studies, out of 79 institutions (CUG 2026)
- Top0for student experience in music studies, out of 71 institutions (Times Good Uni Guide 2026)
- 0%positivity measure for academic support (NSS 2025)
- 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 (Domino Records), music lawyer and author Ann Harrison, Barney Hooper (TikTok), Joe Schiavon (Live Nation), Dani Sawyerr (Universal Music Publishing), Dominika Uhrakova (PRS for Music), Murray Matravers (lead singer of Hard Life) and Lucy Wood (The Roundhouse).
- The music business is currently growing, so many music companies are thriving and recruiting. The global industry is predicted to continue growing over the next few years (Goldman Sachs, 2024).
- 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, O2 Guildhall, Heartbreakers and many more.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
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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.
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 marketing and PR training, social media and video production skills.
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.
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.
Graduate 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.
What you'll study
Core modules
Understanding the Music Business
This module introduces the ecology of the contemporary music business. We'll look at record labels, publishers, distributors, live promoters, and streaming platforms, highlighting their challenges, opportunities and approaches, and how these different areas of the industry operate. You'll develop strategic and management skills that are essential for success in the music business.
Consuming Music: Fans and Audience
From the creation of a piece of music to its global consumption over a range of platforms, people are at the core of the music business. Drawing on a variety of research topics and approaches, you'll investigate the crucial roles that audiences and fans play in the music business, and how we might think about and understand those roles in the context of professional practice.
Creative Marketing and PR
In this module you'll create a portfolio of audio and/or visual creative marketing outputs while learning the marketing and PR theory that underpins successful campaigns. Combining theory and practice, you'll build an effective marketing and PR campaign, including the development and creation of marketing materials such as video, posters, press releases and social media content.
Live Music and Festivals
Live music concerts and festivals are an important part of the music industries. In this module, you'll research the live music concerts and festivals sector in detail, learning how the different elements of the live music ecology intersect with each other (venues, promoters, booking agents, sponsors, media), and how the sector deals with the ever-changing range of legal and commercial issues that affect it.
Core modules
Pop, Politics and Protest
This module focuses on the intersections between music, politics and society. It addresses questions as: How do musicians, activists and politicians make use of music to promote a range of causes and movements? How do the lyrics and music work to engage their audiences, and can they bring about societal understanding and change? You'll examine the work of individual musicians and a variety of issues which have been promoted over the past 50 years. A key element of this module is the use of an intertextual approach, i.e. interlinking the study of lyrics, album art, and biographies in the support of critical analysis.
Music Law: Contracts and Controversies
This module aims to build your knowledge of how best to avoid such potentially damaging issues during your music career. You'll gain a vital understanding of key legal issues by exploring music contracts, legal cases and the role of lawyers, giving you the knowledge and confidence to understand (and question) music contracts that you may encounter in real-world situations.
Managing Events
This module is designed in line with the requirements of project management professional bodies and explores areas of people, strategy, and processes, covering topics such as risk, funding, intercultural competencies, and successful project delivery. You'll understand how to balance stakeholder needs with event delivery, and you will have the opportunity to develop in-depth knowledge of event processes. Additionally, you'll focus on how to build high-functioning teams by considering the roles involved.
Making Money from Music: Artist Development Strategies
This module will introduce you to methods of making money within the music, entertainment and cultural industries. You'll explore a wide range of artist development strategies and creative business approaches, and how performers build brands and develop sustainable careers. You'll examine typical financial and audience data used by music companies, and how this is reported to artists, fans, the media and other businesses.
Core modules
Music Business Futures
This module gives you the opportunity to explore the music industry's many challenges and opportunities allowing you to consider multiple sectors and therefore plan the best ways to achieve your career goals. Through both formative and summative assessments, you'll create a proposal for your individual research project, alongside a professional portfolio/online presence that will be essential for making contacts and building your reputation in the music industries.
Specialist Project
This module guides you in creating a professional-standard project that synthesises learning from across your degree and demonstrates readiness for industry. Beginning with project scoping and concept development, you'll explore a specialist project of your choice. You'll then move into the creation and delivery of your chosen artifact, followed by reflection and evaluation to improve future practice. Emphasis is placed on creativity, problem-solving, and communication, ensuring your final submission is academically rigorous, professionally relevant, and aligned with your career aspirations.
Copyright, Publishing and Sync
This module gives you an up-to-date understanding of how copyright, publishing and sync operate, and challenges faced by music businesses and artists in the ever-developing digital environment. It explores the legal frameworks of international copyright and publishing, including the impacts of new technologies to disrupt and change how the publishing industry operates.
Individual Research Project
In this module, you will draw on the learning you've gained through your degree and, guided by the teaching team, you'll demonstrate your critical analytical skills, your ability to work autonomously on a large individual project, and your ability to communicate your work in line with academic and/or professional expectations.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: Call:Block teaching at Solent
You will learn by:
There are no exams on BA (Hons) Music Business. You may be assessed at the end of each block by:
- Written assessments
- Portfolios
- Project work
- Essays
- Individual presentations
As part of this course, you will study one module at a time, giving you the chance to build a deeper understanding and see the results of your hard work more quickly. With regular assessments and feedback, rather than exams all at once, you’ll also benefit from improved focus, and a more manageable workload.
Learn more about block teaching
Study support
The student achievement team are on hand to help you succeed during your studies at Solent. They aim to contact you at key times during your time here with personalised information, advice and guidance, by email or phone.
The disability advice team provides information, advice and guidance for disabled students.
All students can access Succeed@Solent, Solent's online guide to getting better grades. It offers extensive, practical information and advice on topics such as academic writing, research and presentations.
Why choose a career in music business?
UK music exports generated £4.6 billion in 2023. The music industry’s contribution to UK economy was £7.6 billion (GVA) in 2022. The total UK music industry employment was 216,000 in 2022 (UK Music, 2024).
Our course helps students to build the skills and knowledge for a career within digital marketing, artist management, record companies, streaming services, publishers, PR agencies, festivals or events.
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.
Graduate stories
Hear from Solent alumni about where their careers have taken them and how studying at Solent prepared them for their future.
“My lecturers are still people I rely on and work with. I can definitely credit them with my career trajectory to date.”
Solent Careers
The Solent Careers team is committed to getting students into great careers.
While you are studying, the team can help you with finding work experience or placements, link you with a mentor, check your CV, or offer one-to-one guidance.
We also have graduate job opportunities just for Solent graduates.
6th
UK uni for sustained employment
Longitudinal Educational Outcomes, 2022
Certificate in Practical Artificial Intelligence
Every student at Solent University will also have the option to study an additional Certificate in Practical Artificial Intelligence qualification alongside their course. Free of charge, the course ensures you'll be prepared for a fantastic and varied career after graduation.
Further study
Thinking about studying further than an undergraduate degree? Alumni can get 20% off their postgraduate study.
MA Internal Communication Management
The strategic value of internal communication is increasingly recognised within organisations across all sectors, providing opportunities for practitioners to influence and advise at a senior level and make a tangible difference to organisations.
Find out more
MSc Project Management
Take your career to the next level with our professional course accredited by the Association for Project Management. Dive deep into the methodologies, techniques, and processes of project management.
Find out moreTuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year are:
- UK, ROI, EU (settled status) and Channel Island full-time fees: £9,790 per year
- International full-time fees: £19,081 per year
For further information, please visit our tuition fees page.
Extra course costs
While most course costs are covered by your tuition fees, some essential resources and optional extras may need to be paid for separately. These additional costs are listed below. For advice on budgeting and managing your money, please contact student.funding@solent.ac.uk.
The 2026/27 additional costs are not yet available. For guidance, previous additional costs have been:
Compulsory costs
- Year 2
Events Management and Marketing module: There may be initial set-up costs to be recouped from ticket sales. Any profits made are yours to keep. - Final year
Managing and Developing a Business module: There may be initial set-up expenses relating to your business project. Any profits made are yours to keep.
Optional costs
Optional trips may be available, with the cost based on current travel fares and accommodation prices.
Bursaries, scholarships and financial support
Solent University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships that provide financial assistance or waive fees for tuition or accommodation. Each bursary or scholarship has specific eligibility criteria. Check out our bursaries and scholarships pages to find out more.
Cost of living support
At Solent, we understand that the cost of living crisis may be of some concern. To help, we've put together some detailed information to show what support is available and how to make your money go further.
Graduation costs
There is no charge to attend graduation, but you will be required to pay for the rental of your academic gown (approximately £45 per graduate, depending on your award). You may also wish to purchase official photography packages, which range in price from £15 to £200+. Graduation is not compulsory, so if you prefer to have your award sent to you, there is no cost. Extra guest tickets will go on sale after results publication and will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis. The cost per ticket is currently £20. Please note, we do not guarantee there will be any extra tickets available to purchase.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: Call:Entry requirements
Please select an option below:
Key entry requirements
104-120 UCAS tariff points
- A minimum of two completed A-levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma at DMM or BTEC Diploma at D*D, a T-Level Merit, or equivalent qualification, or a combination of qualifications which comply with the minimum entry requirement of 104 UCAS points.
- Direct entry into the second or third years may be considered for this course.
- For further information about UK qualifications, please contact admissions.
Key entry requirements
As a general guide, we look for qualifications that are equivalent to the British high school A-levels.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about EU qualifications, please see our course entry requirements document.
For international students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, our trusted partner, QA Higher Education offers the following pathway programme designed to develop your academic and English language skills:
- International Foundation Year - for progression to the first year of an undergraduate degree
Key entry requirements
As a general guide, we look for qualifications that are equivalent to the British high school A-levels.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about international qualifications, please see our course entry requirements document.
For international students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, our trusted partner, QA Higher Education offers the following pathway programme designed to develop your academic and English language skills:
- International Foundation Year - for progression to the first year of an undergraduate degree
Note to all international students requiring a visa
All international applicants need to be aware that the English language requirements to attend Solent University, and the English language requirements to obtain a visa from the Home Office, may be different. This means that if you meet the Solent University language requirement to gain a place on the course, you may still have to meet additional requirements to be granted with a visa by the Home Office.
We strongly advise all applicants to visit the Home Office website which outlines all the requirements for a successful visa application.
How to apply
Full-time
Any student applying for the first year of a full-time/sandwich undergraduate course must apply through UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service). This includes mature, overseas and EU students.
Nearly all schools and colleges offer their students the facility of applying electronically through the UCAS website using 'Apply'; it may also be used by those applying independently in the UK and overseas. This facility and all course information can be found on the UCAS website: www.ucas.com.
Your application should reach UCAS by 31 January if you hope to enter a course the following autumn. Early application is advised for the most popular subject areas. Late applications may be made until the end of June. The UCAS Code for the University is S30, code name SOLNT.
Find out what happens after you apply
Contextual offers
Solent endeavours to offer learning opportunities to students from all backgrounds. When we receive and review an application, we take into consideration the context and personal circumstances of applicants when making a decision, which means our advertised entry tariff could be reduced.
Find out more about Solent's contextual offers
Alternative entry options
Top-up route:
We welcome applications from students currently studying a Foundation Degree, DipHE, HNC, HND or modules of an undergraduate degree course at another university, who wish to enter directly into Years 2 or 3 of one of our undergraduate degree courses. Please contact our admissions team for more information: contact us
Language requirements
Applicants who do not have English as their first language will be required to demonstrate an approved level of proficiency in the use of the English language. The agreed minimum requirements for this course are:
- IELTS minimum 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each individual component.
- Duolingo English Language Test - 115 overall with minimum of 95 in each component or equivalent.
TOEFL IBT tests taken prior to 21 January 2026
- Minimum overall score of 80 with a minimum of 20 in each individual component.
TOEFL IBT tests taken from 21 January 2026
- Minimum overall score of 4.5 with a minimum of 4 in each individual component.
Qualifications are checked before enrolment, and international students must bring their original certificates or certified copies when coming to study at the University.
Pre-Sessional English programme
The University also offers a pre-sessional English programme for international students who wish to improve their level of English before starting a degree course.
UCAS points: 104-120
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: Call:Make your application
- 3 years
