• Undergraduate

Music Management BA (Hons)

Overview

Overview

Why study at UWL? 
  • UWL is the second London modern university for Music, Complete University Guide 2024. 
  • In the top 30% of universities nationwide - The Guardian University Guide 2024 
  • University of the Year for Social Inclusion - Daily Mail University Guide 2024 
  • Best university for Student Experience and Teaching Quality in the UK - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 
  • Number 1 London university (non-specialist) - National Student Survey 2023** 
Why study this course?

Our BA (Hons) Music Management course received 100% student satisfaction in the 2022 National Student Survey (NSS) results.

Set the stage for a rewarding career in the music business and be a part of a thrilling, fast-paced industry with global appeal. The BA (Hons) Music Management degree is one of the most practical, collaborative and industry-linked undergraduate courses on offer in Europe.

The course begins with a focus on the UK business and the activities around live promotion and the delivery of recorded music release system.

Alongside an understanding of copyright and entertainment law, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with students across a wide range of courses in club promotions using our onsite venue spaces. 

As you progress, you will examine specific sectors of the music business and put your knowledge into practice. You will assist in concert promotion, artist management, and work hands-on at our in-house record label London Noise Records, distributing through AWAL.

All lecturers on the BA (Hons) Music Management course are practising music business professionals.

When you enrol on BA Music Management degree you will receive a FREE pair of Sennheiser headphones and a copy of Donald Passman’s All You Need To Know About The Music Business.

collage of musical events

Select your desired study option, then pick a start date to see relevant course information:

Study options:
We support flexible study by offering some of our courses part-time or via distance learning. To give you real world experience before you graduate, we also offer some courses with a placement or internship. All available options are listed here. Your choices may affect some details of your course, such as the duration and cost per year. Please re-check the details on this page if you change your selection.

Start date:

If your desired start date is not available, try selecting a different study option.

Why study Music Management with us?

Why study Music Management with us?

What our students say…

I love the range of modules the course provides, this variety means that we have a range of knowledge in all aspects of the industry, which in turn makes us better managers. The course has given me a real life view of the industry and also taught me the ability to network with professionals.

Alex Wiseman
Next
London College of Music: founded in 1887
£1m+ investment in the Paragon Annex Studios. Our studio complex is now one of the largest in Europe.
In-house Record Label London Noise Records
This course is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute
Course detail & modules

Course detail & modules

BA (Hons) Music Management has been designed to offer you an understanding of the music industry. The degree uses a combination of simulated learning environments, lecture material and practical workshops to offer you a new pathway to realising your potential career.

The degree establishes a core understanding of how and why the music business operates and builds on this knowledge with a strong focus on new and creative marketing concepts.

BA (Hons) Music Management is uniquely situated to offer you practice-based learning opportunities through university-generated initiatives. To develop the mindset required to work in the music business that rewards pragmatically focused results we offer you the scope to direct your own learning and take risks.

You will spend your first year gaining an understanding of the prerelease supply chain, the live music industry, and basic copyright/contract law. These subject areas provide the foundations for you to practice in the music business. After gaining a working knowledge of the business, you will be educated about the principles of music publishing as well as pre and post-release strategies.

The degree focuses on the importance of visual media and branding to acknowledge the visual shift in the wider industry. As well as practical and student-driven learning, the course encourages you in academic and critical thinking. You will be equipped with the critical skills to operate in the music industry and to become a new generation of leaders that shape the music industry.

Opportunities

  • The degree features many opportunities to practice business, such as running live events and working firsthand at the university's record label. Allowing you to develop your CV and gain experience prior to graduating.
  • All BA(Hons) Music Management students will have access to digital distribution with no upfront cost for their musical endeavours during their studies to promote student-led entrepreneurship and a strong creative community via the university record label.

Professional accreditation

This programme is dual accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Students who successfully complete and pass all mapped modules will be eligible for a L5 Certificate in Management and Leadership.

Students will also graduate as a 'foundation' Chartered Manager (fCMgr), a springboard to full Chartered status, and have affiliate membership of CMI for the life of their degree.

This provides a wealth of management resources and support including:

  • access to CMI's management and leadership community with regular industry updates and invites to events and webinars
  • access to ManagementDirect, CMI's management and leadership library of resources
  • access to CMI’s Career Development Centre and Employability Skills Diagnostic Tool
  • mentoring.

Free Sennheiser headphones and textbooks

As part of a University-wide scholarship, students enrolling on the BA(Hons) Music Management course in the coming academic year will receive a free pair of Sennheiser headphones as well as multiple key textbooks upon enrolment.

The modules below are subject to approval.


Compulsory modules

  • Live Music Industry

    The module is designed to give students an overview of the common practices and issues surrounding the live music industry in the UK.

    The module deals specifically with the relationships between booking agents, management and promoters in establishing good practice regarding concerts and touring. The roles of the booking agent and promoter will be explained in depth using case studies and workshops. Upon completion of the module, students will be capable of deconstructing relevant issues in the live music industry. They will also become proficient in establishing and communicating within professional live music conventions.

  • Understanding Creative Industries

    Understanding Creative Industries is designed to give you an appreciation and knowledge of the development of the fundamental structures of the global creative industry structures. In doing this, you will obtain a comprehensive grounding in the key skills and knowledge appropriate to building, developing and maintaining a career in your chosen area of the industry. You will also receive a grounding in key figures within the industry and support organisations available to you to help in developing your professional careers.

  • The Management Role

    The Management Role is an introductory module for level 4 students. The module provides students with the basic under-pinning, and historical grounding required to understand and navigate the UK music industry. By the end of the module students will have the knowledge necessary to begin investigation into specialised fields of advanced music management.

  • Club Promotion and Roles

    Club Roles and Promotion will build on the knowledge acquired from the Live Music Industry module(level 4 semester 1). In this module, students will work in groups to develop the promotional and logistical strategies required to put on a live music concert. In their simulated learning environment, students will document decisions on booking acts and venues, risk assessments, promotion, ticket sales and other associated skill sets. At the end of this module students will have the required skills to design and perform their own concerts.

  • Music Business Game

    In this module students will form simulated management companies OR record labels. Throughout the semester, student driven companies will compete weekly for fictional funding injections. Each week of the semester will be an investigation of a different music business related theme, the teams will be set scenarios based on the weekly theme. The presentations will be assessed by tutors with industry experience who will select the best performing company and provide immediate formative feedback. At the end of the semester, the student group with the most revenue wins. Upon completion of this module, students will have gained valuable group interpersonal skills and knowledge required to start a competitive music business venture.

  • Contracts and Law

    This module is a key foundation to understanding the principles and doctrines of UK Law that are commonplace in the media and music industry.

    With this module, you will gain an understanding of current UK legal practices and requirements of the music and entertainment industries. This will inform you how future business ideas can develop and provide long-term income. There will be an introduction to reading typical contracts and understanding their legal standing and limitations.

Compulsory modules

  • Career Strategies

    Career Strategies is a module that encourages students to evaluate and understand their potential career in the music industry. Students will attend lectures and workshops to evaluate the multiple opportunities available to them when they complete their degree. The module aims to calibrate their career goals at an early stage in their professional development. At the end of this module students will have a clear idea of how to maximise the rest of their degree to aim for a career specific to their skillsets.

  • Record Labels and Distribution

    The Record Label and Distribution module is a simulated work environment focused on genre specific release strategies for the digital and physical musical distribution. Teaching focuses on industry standard pre-release tools and the range of distribution supply chains currently used to release recorded music.

    Students will run departments within a simulated record label. These departments will be split into artists and repertoire, marketing, accounting and legal. At the end of the module students will have the ability to contribute to the creation of assets needed for a successful digital release. This module is particularly innovative using self-generated real time data insights. At the end of this module students become eligible for working within the university record label.

  • Tour Management and Production

    This module examines the planning, pre-production and implementation of successful music concert tours. Lecture sessions are structured to mirror the real-world tour planning process, with a focus on industry best-practice. Students will learn about the various personnel involved in touring, and how to successfully negotiate between the various sectors in the live music industry. Sessions contain examples and case studies of touring at the local, national and international level. Students will engage with content through a combination of lectures and workshops, with the chance for reflexive feedback to assess and accelerate their learning. At the end of this module, students be capable of designing and evaluating tours throughout the UK and Europe.

  • Brand Development

    The module will consider a variety of current approaches to visual based marketing campaigns. It will educate students in the visual aspects of social media activities, examining the various perspectives drawn from a combination of theoretical research and practical engagement.

    Students will simulate the role of a digital marketer; they will plan campaigns using a mix of creative approaches suitable for the contemporary music industry. Completing this module will equip students with vital digital content creation and marketing skills applicable to the current creative marketing environment.

  • Research Methods for Music Management

    This module aims to get students thinking about research: How can they understand the practices of music management on a deeper theoretical level? Students engage in the processes of collecting and analysing data and reflect on theoretical approaches to the study of the subject area. Students then conduct a review of academic literature in their field, which is relevant to their chosen topic. These activities are used to think about ways that students can improve their theoretical approaches to professional practice. Developing these research skills will form the basis for designing a major project at level 6.

  • Understanding Music Publishing

    This module is designed to develop the students’ understanding of music publishing, and the surrounding infrastructure that supports this important music revenue stream. Such associated infrastructure includes, collection societies, advertising agencies, and other musical trade bodies. It will investigate their membership, their roles, and their primary function within the industry of licensing songs and recordings, as well as, distributing income to intellectual property rights holders. At the end of this module, students will have a fundamental understanding of this often-invisible income stream.

Compulsory modules

  • Music Management Project

    The music management project is a self-directed module that allows students to showcase the skills and abilities developed during the previous years of study. The module spans the whole academic year and provides the opportunity to investigate an area that is of particular research interest to the student. It is expected that the research topic is clearly related to the content of your course, but it can also encompass a broader perspective that considers your intended career path. The students are paired with a personal tutor, who will assist them to build a cohesive plan for their project. Students will be expected to:

    • Devise a project idea and successfully realise its goals within the allocated timeframe
    • Develop a systematic understanding of selected aspects of the principal area of study
    • Acquire and convey detailed, coherent and informed knowledge of the research topic
    • Self-manage the processes of research including effective planning, time-management and practical organisation
    • Source and define appropriate research methodologies
    • Analyse, synthesise and draw from academic literature and related research material to develop a conceptual understanding of the research topic
    • Critically evaluate scholarly ideas, arguments and aesthetic concepts to frame ideas or make judgements
    • Engage in discussion and dialogue in structured tutorial sessions
  • Music Industry Insights

    The dominance of streaming insights platforms such as Spotify For Artists has changed the way music is assessed and marketed. This module will equip students with conceptual and practical tools to navigate analytical systems utilised by streaming services and advertising platforms. Students will engage in guided workshops, using current case studies to highlight different advertising approaches to the way that music is marketed and consumed in the contemporary industry. At the end of this module students will be capable of planning and constructing targeted digital marketing campaigns designed to optimise audience engagement.

  • Digital Marketing

    In this module students will take their previously acquired industry knowledge and further their skills using applied scenarios. The module is broken into two parts that will cover both theoretical underpinnings and applied learning scenarios. In the first section, students will engage with broad theoretical concepts that underpin digital marketing and will apply these to current market exemplars. The second section will focus on the demonstration of previously acquired knowledge and skill sets in an applied learning scenario. At the end of this module students will be capable of assembling teams and developing complex marketing campaigns for industry leading acts.

  • Festival Studies

    This module aims to investigate the business models and culture of festivals within the arts in the UK. Students will study the planning and logistical factors that occur when organising festivals across a broad section of genres. From the initial planning stages of the creation of the event, through the negotiation of key factors such as health and safety, security and site planning.

    Students will assess the production of a festival from the initial pitch, through the numerous legalities, applications, and compliances, to the delivery of the event. To facilitate this will require a broad range of practical skills and knowledge of the festival industry. This will include time management, negotiation skills, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial skills, combined with a clear comprehension of logistics, health and safety, copyright and moral rights ownership. At the end of this module students will have a clear idea of how to approach festival design and execution.

  • Portfolio Development

    This module focuses on the development of your portfolio career. Increasingly, the successful modern freelancer requires a diverse range of skill sets in:

    • writing styles
    • technique
    • arrangement
    • production
    • the ability to expand your client base and income streams.

    Workflow demands will be examined in a time managed ethos to allow best practice. The module also explores creative outlets, future facing opportunities and residual income streams to allow you to pursue a career as a music professional whilst developing your portfolio.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

112-128 UCAS points required from level 3 qualifications

These can include:

  • A Levels at grade B, B and C, or above
  • BTEC Extended Diploma with Distinction, Merit, Merit
  • Access to HE Diploma
  • T Levels

Your Level 3 qualifications would normally include Music or an alternative relevant subject area.

You also need GCSE English and Maths (grade 9 – 4 / A* - C) or Level 2 equivalents.

Mature applicants (aged 21+): If you do not hold the qualifications listed but have relevant work experience, you are welcome to apply. Your application will be considered on an individual basis.

Level 5 (year 2) entry
To directly enter the second year of this course you will need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 120 undergraduate credits at Level 4 or a CertHE in a related subject area.

Level 6 (year 3) entry
To directly enter the third year of this course you need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 240 undergraduate credits (at Levels 4 and 5), a DipHE, Foundation Degree or HND in a related subject area.

6.0 IELTS or above

You need to meet our English language requirement - a minimum of IELTS 5.5 for each of the 4 individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening). Visit our English language requirements page for information on other English language tests we accept. 

You also need academic qualifications at the same level as UK applicants. In some countries where teaching is in English, we may accept local qualifications. Check for local equivalents

We offer pre-sessional English language courses if you do not meet these requirements.

Find out more about our English Language courses.

Mature applicants (aged 21+): If you do not hold the qualifications listed but have relevant work experience, you are welcome to apply. Your application will be considered on an individual basis.

Level 5 (year 2) entry
To directly enter the second year of this course you will need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 120 undergraduate credits at Level 4 or a CertHE in a related subject area.

Level 6 (year 3) entry
To directly enter the third year of this course you need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 240 undergraduate credits (at Levels 4 and 5), a DipHE, Foundation Degree or HND in a related subject area.

Fees & funding

Fees & funding

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The fee above is the cost per year of your course.

If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year. If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.

Government regulation does affect tuition fees and the fees listed for courses starting in the 2025/26 academic year are subject to change.

If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

Funding your studies

You may be eligible for a student loan to cover the cost of tuition fees, or a maintenance loan. Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as those with dependants and disabled students.

We offer generous bursaries and scholarships to make sure your aspirations are your only limit. In recent years, hundreds of students have received our Full-time Undergraduate Student Bursary.

Additional scholarships specifically for music students are also on offer.

View full details, including conditions and eligibility.

{{ formatCurrencyValue(currentVariantData.field_p_cv_int_main_fee.name) }} per year

The fee above is the cost per year of your course.

If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year. If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.

Government regulation does affect tuition fees and the fees listed for courses starting in the 2025/26 academic year are subject to change.

If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

International students - funding your studies

We offer scholarships for international students including International Ambassador Scholarships. 

Further information about funding and financial support for international students is available from the UK Council for International Student Affairs.

 

Teaching staff

Teaching staff

Ben Bushell

Ben Bushell

Course leader for BA(Hons) Music Management at the University of West London. Ben has worked as manager at some of the UKs most successful management companies such as ATC management and Ferocious Talent. He has over 100 million streams across his current management roster. Ben previously lectured at the University of Westminster.

Course leader for BA(Hons) Music Management at the University of West London. Ben has worked as manager at some of the UKs most successful management companies such as ATC management and Ferocious Talent. He has over 100 million streams across his current management roster. Ben previously lectured at the University of Westminster.

Study & career progression

Study & career progression

Two female singers laughing during a recording session

Once you graduate you could go on to work in:

  • artist management
  • booking agencies
  • PR and press
  • publishing
  • record labels
  • event and tour managing
  • collection societies

Or even alongside our alumni who include:

  • Richard Lutkin – Asylum Records/Warner
  • Lily Moon – Sony Music Publishing
  • Alex Henderson – AWAL
  • Jordan Price– PIAS
  • Hannah Smith Hilliard – Raw Power Management
  • Maya Heesom – Z Management
  • James Carter – Artist, official remixes with Ava Max and Rihanna
  • Louis Andersen-Risager – United Talent Agency
  • Tom Walker – All About Promotions
  • Walter Aldaz ATC Management/Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes
  • Paige Smith – DICE Ticketing
  • Phil Napierala – Peloton Interactive

You could also continue your studies if you would like to specialise further. Please see our postgraduate courses.

How to apply

How to apply

Slideshow

A male student performing with a microphone in front of a crowd of other students standing behind a metal barrier. The room is dark and most students have the flash on their phone turned on
A female student performing with a microphone. She has blonde hair and is wearing a crop top and jogging bottoms. The light is red and casts dark shadows
A male student with a track jacket on is performing with a microphone on a stage.
Male student DJing at an event. He has headphones on and looks concentrated
two males, one with microphone and the other playing the guitar
live music concert
A male student performing with a microphone in front of a crowd of other students standing behind a metal barrier. The room is dark and most students have the flash on their phone turned on
A female student performing with a microphone. She has blonde hair and is wearing a crop top and jogging bottoms. The light is red and casts dark shadows
A male student with a track jacket on is performing with a microphone on a stage.
Male student DJing at an event. He has headphones on and looks concentrated
two males, one with microphone and the other playing the guitar
live music concert

ARTSFEST

Someone operating a sound desk during a dress rehearsal

Find out more about the work our students produce and view some of their recent work by visiting our Music Technology ARTSFEST page.

Facilities

Facilities

Lawrence Hall, a black box theatre at the University of West London

Performance spaces

Our flexible, professionally-equipped performance spaces include Lawrence Hall, a 200-seat black box studio theatre, and Vestry Hall, a classical music performance space featuring a Steinway B Concert Grand piano, concert tuned percussion and seating for up to 150 

Production Studio 1 at the University of West London

Production studios

We have four black box production rooms featuring performance dance floors, ballet barres, wall mirrors and ¾ drapes. All rooms have PA and AV support in all rooms. The digital stage pianos are by Roland.

A music practice room at the University of West London

One-to-one teaching pods

We have five acoustically isolated teaching pods featuring Roland and Korg digital pianos and mirrors to facilitate one-to-one teaching in voice.

A music performance room at the University of West London

Music performance rooms

All music performance rooms feature drums and backline plus PA support.

  • Drums by Roland and Pearl.
  • Backline by Marshall, Orange, Line 6, Fender and Gallien-Kruger
  • Stage pianos by Korg and Roland
  • Synths by Roland and Kurzwiel
  • PA by Yamaha, ABT and Nexo.
Basement practice room at the University of West London

Basement practice rooms

  • All LCM practice rooms benefit from LCM’s All Steinway School status to bring you the very best instruments.
  • Three percussion practice and teaching rooms.
  • Percussion rooms feature Pearl kits with recording and playback systems.
Media Resource Centre at the University of West London

Media Resource Centre

At our Media Resource Centre (used by all subject areas) you'll find extensive portable audio recording systems, including up to 24 track digital HD recording and portable Focusrite RedNet systems.

There is also video-camera and accessory support, including LED and tungsten lighting systems, track and dolly systems and stedi-cam rigs.

Album composed by LCM students and performed by renowned violinist released

Acclaimed violinist and Visiting Professor of Performance, Timothy Schwarz, has performed and recorded a collection of songs composed by London College of Music students and lecturers.

The album, a collaborative project across LCM, has been released by the University’s record label London Noise Records and is available on all major music streaming platforms.

Find out more about the story here.

Violinist Timothy Schwarz performing onstage

Important notes for applicants

Disclaimer

*Modern universities - defined as higher education institutions that were granted university status in, and subsequent to, 1992.

**The National Student Survey 2022 and 2023 - Based on an average of all 27 questions. Excludes specialist institutions.

Testimonials - our students or former students provided all of our testimonials - often a student from the course but sometimes another student. For example, the testimonial often comes from another UWL student when the course is new.

Optional modules - where optional modules are offered they will run subject to staff availability and viable student numbers opting to take the module.

Videos - all videos on our course pages were accurate at the time of filming. In some cases a new Course Leader has joined the University since the video was filmed.

Availability of placements - if you choose a course with placement/internship route we would like to advise you that if a placement/internship opportunity does not arise when you are expected to undertake the placement then the University will automatically transfer you to the non-internship route, this is to ensure you are still successful in being awarded a degree.