MSc Human Resource Management (Top Up)
The MSc Human Resource Management (Top-Up) program at the University of Gloucestershire...
BA Hons Music Business (Placement)
Park, Cheltenham
INTAKE: September
Program Overview
The BA (Hons) Music Business (Placement) program at the University of Gloucestershire is tailored to prepare graduates for a wide array of roles within the music and wider creative industries. The curriculum focuses on developing a multi-skilled and entrepreneurial mindset, crucial for success in the contemporary music business, which is increasingly influenced by digital technologies and global reach. A key feature is the optional full year's work placement, providing students with the opportunity to gain significant professional experience before graduation. The program aims to provide graduates with the knowledge and skills in areas such as music marketing, law, events management, sustainability in the music industry, artist management, emergent technologies, and business enterprise. The emphasis is on developing audience and market solutions for both commercial and community music projects.
Curriculum: The curriculum for the BA (Hons) Music Business (Placement) is designed to provide a robust understanding of the music industry's various facets. While the specific modules may be subject to change, the program typically covers core areas essential for a music business professional. These often include modules on Marketing, Data & Analytics, Music Video Production, The Music Business (providing an industry overview), Music Cultures and Economies, and Artist Management and Development. As the program progresses, students typically delve into more specialized areas such as Music Law and Copyright, Managing Events, Gigs, and Festivals, Music PR and Journalism, and New Music Enterprise. The third year is typically dedicated to the Professional Experience module, which constitutes the full-year industrial placement. The final year often includes a significant Major Project/Industry Placement, allowing students to apply their accumulated knowledge and placement experience to a substantial piece of work. The assessment is primarily coursework-based, with a mixture of practical sessions, lectures, group work, and the work placement experience itself contributing to the overall learning.
Research Focus: For a BA (Hons) program in Music Business, the "research focus" is less about traditional academic research in a laboratory setting and more about applied research within the industry context. The program encourages students to develop strong investigative and analytical skills. Modules often require students to research current industry trends, analyze case studies (such as recent plagiarism cases in music), and evaluate the effectiveness of different business strategies. The final year's Major Project/Industry Placement often involves a significant research component where students explore a specific area of the music business in depth, potentially informed by their placement experience. They are encouraged to think critically about the music industry's evolution, including topics like the impact of streaming, the future of record labels, and new business models. For students interested in pursuing more in-depth academic research, the University may offer postgraduate programs in related fields.
Industry Engagement: A significant strength of the University of Gloucestershire's BA (Hons) Music Business (Placement) program is its strong emphasis on industry engagement. The program boasts lecturers with extensive professional networks and experience, having worked at organizations like the BBC and Universal Music, as well as across the independent sector (e.g., Fire Records and Hospital Records). These industry-connected lecturers bring real-world insights into the classroom and facilitate inspiring guest speakers from the industry. The University's media center offers 24-hour access to industry-standard facilities, including sound, film, TV, VFX, and radio studios, production labs, and rehearsal spaces. Students have opportunities to collaborate on major projects, such as BBC Introducing sessions and VR festival stages. The full-year optional placement is the pinnacle of industry engagement, providing an unparalleled opportunity for students to gain practical experience, build professional networks, and apply their learning in a real work environment within the music or a related creative industry. The University actively supports students in finding suitable placements, leveraging its industry links.
Global Perspective: The BA (Hons) Music Business (Placement) program inherently incorporates a global perspective, reflecting the increasingly interconnected nature of the music industry. Students are likely to explore the global music market, the consumption of popular music across different cultures, and the international aspects of music publishing and royalty collection. The curriculum may include modules or topics that examine global music markets and the challenges and opportunities of operating in an international music business environment. Furthermore, the placement year offers the potential for a truly international experience. Students might have the opportunity to undertake their placement with a company operating globally or even undertake an international placement, providing them with a firsthand understanding of the global music industry and enhancing their international employability. The program aims to prepare graduates to develop a multi-skilled and entrepreneurial approach to new business, both "globally and locally."
Location
Park, Cheltenham
Score
IELTS 6
Tuition Fee
£ 16600
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants should have successfully completed their secondary education with a minimum overall score of 65% or equivalent in their respective country's grading system.
English language proficiency:
- IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.0 or 6.5 with no individual component below 5.5.
- TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 80.
- PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 64.
- Some programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.
The University of Gloucestershire offers a range of scholarships designed to support international students in their academic journey. These scholarships are aimed at making education more accessible and affordable, allowing students to focus on their studies and enjoy their time in the UK without financial stress. The university provides several merit-based, need-based, and country-specific scholarships to help ease the cost of tuition fees for international students.
International Scholarships: The University of Gloucestershire offers International Scholarships for students coming from various countries across the globe. These scholarships typically range from £1,000 to £3,000 per year, based on academic achievement and the chosen course of study. The scholarship is automatically awarded to eligible students upon acceptance of their offer to study at the university. These awards are designed to make studying in the UK more affordable and are available for both undergraduate and postgraduate international students.
Excellence Scholarships: For international students who demonstrate outstanding academic performance, the University of Gloucestershire offers Excellence Scholarships. These scholarships are awarded to students who have achieved exceptional academic results in their previous studies. The Excellence Scholarship can be worth up to £3,000 and is designed to recognize and support high-achieving students who show great potential in their chosen field of study.
Country-Specific Scholarships: In addition to general international scholarships, the University of Gloucestershire offers country-specific scholarships to students from certain regions. These scholarships are tailored to students from specific countries, helping to promote international diversity at the university. The scholarships vary in amount, eligibility criteria, and application processes.
Graduates of the University of Gloucestershire's BA (Hons) Music Business (Placement) program are uniquely positioned for success in the competitive and creative music industry. Their dedicated year of industry placement provides invaluable practical experience, making them highly desirable candidates for a diverse range of roles.
Artist Manager: Armed with firsthand experience in the music industry from their placement, graduates are well-equipped to manage the careers of musicians. Their placement may have provided direct experience in tour management, booking gigs, negotiating contracts, and handling the day-to-day logistics of an artist's career, giving them a practical understanding invaluable to an Artist Manager.
Record Label Professional (A&R, Marketing, or Label Services): A placement at a record label would provide an inside look at the various departments. Graduates could go on to roles in A&R (Artists and Repertoire), scouting and developing new talent; Marketing, creating and executing campaigns to promote artists; or Label Services, providing a range of support functions for artists. The placement offers a vital understanding of the label's operations and the skills needed in each area.
Music Marketing and PR Manager: The program's focus on marketing, combined with practical experience in the field during the placement, makes graduates ideal for Music Marketing and PR Manager roles. They would be able to develop and implement effective marketing strategies, manage social media, and handle public relations for artists, labels, or music events, drawing directly on real-world campaigns they may have worked on during their placement.
Live Events and Festival Manager/Coordinator: Graduates with a placement in the live music sector would have a practical understanding of the logistics, planning, and execution involved in organizing gigs, tours, or festivals. This experience is crucial for a Live Events and Festival Manager/Coordinator, who might handle everything from artist liaison and technical requirements to ticketing and on-site management.
Music Publisher or Copyright Administrator: Understanding music law and copyright is a key component of the degree. A placement within a music publishing company or a related organization would provide practical experience in copyright administration, licensing, and royalty collection. This makes graduates well-suited for roles as a Music Publisher or Copyright Administrator, navigating the complex world of music rights.
Digital Music and Streaming Specialist: Given the music industry's digital transformation, graduates with a strong understanding of digital platforms and data analytics from their coursework and potentially their placement, can pursue careers as Digital Music and Streaming Specialists. They could work for labels, distributors, or streaming services, optimizing content for digital platforms, analyzing streaming data, and managing online presence.
Music Business Entrepreneur: The program encourages an entrepreneurial mindset. The placement year could provide the confidence and the network for graduates to launch their own music-related businesses, such as an independent record label, a promotions company, or an artist management firm. The practical challenges and successes experienced during the placement would be invaluable in this entrepreneurial endeavor.
Music Industry Analyst or Researcher: For those with strong analytical skills, a placement might spark an interest in understanding the broader trends and data within the music industry. Music Industry Analysts or Researchers gather and analyze data on music consumption, market trends, and industry performance, providing valuable insights for businesses. The research skills developed in the program, combined with real-world data exposure during the placement, would be beneficial here.
Venue and Club Manager/Promoter: A placement at a music venue or with a promoter would provide hands-on experience in the day-to-day operations, booking, and promotion of live music events at a grassroots level. Graduates can leverage this experience to become Venue or Club Managers/Promoters, contributing to the vibrant live music scene.
Freelance Music Business Professional: The diverse skillset and practical experience gained from the program and placement make graduates well-suited for a freelance career. They could offer their services in areas like artist management, music marketing, event production, or music consultancy on a project basis, building a flexible and varied career in the music industry. The self-reliance developed during the placement would be particularly helpful for the challenges of freelancing.
