MA Business for the Creative Industries
The MA Business for the Creative Industries at BIMM University is an innovative and fle...
MA Popular Music Practice
Brighton, London, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester
INTAKE: September
Program Overview
The MA Popular Music Practice at BIMM University is an innovative and flexible postgraduate program designed to elevate the creative and professional practice of musicians, producers, songwriters, and industry professionals. Offered as a one-year full-time or two-year part-time course across BIMM's vibrant campuses in the UK (London, Brighton, Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham) and Berlin, Germany, this MA is tailored to help students refine their creative identity, deepen their industry knowledge, and develop advanced career opportunities. It moves beyond undergraduate skills-based learning, pushing students to become influential and unique voices within the popular music industry. The program offers specialisation pathways in Performance, Production, Composition, or Entrepreneurship, culminating in a significant Major Project that reflects the student's chosen area of expertise. BIMM's unique approach combines rigorous academic study with extensive practice-based learning, collaboration, and direct industry engagement, positioning graduates for success in a dynamic global music landscape.
Curriculum: The curriculum for the MA Popular Music Practice is intelligently composed to cover theoretical, practical, and collaborative elements, pushing students to expand their understanding and application of popular music. Core modules include "Popular Music Practice and Research," where students develop critical insights into contemporary music practices and their cultural impact, applying a theoretical lens to their own work. "You and the Popular Music Industry" explores the evolving landscape of the music industry, helping students refine their professional direction and understand their place within it, encouraging engagement with industry stakeholders. "Popular Music and Technology" delves into the role of digital tools in performance, production, and distribution, investigating how technologies mediate innovative creative practice and entrepreneurship. "Exploring Collaborative Practice" examines the industry through collaborative projects with peers and external stakeholders, culminating in a symposium of practical and research outputs. The program culminates in the "Major Project," an extended piece of work that explores the student's chosen specialism (Performance, Production, Composition, or Entrepreneurship), individually supervised by an expert in that field.
Research Focus: The MA Popular Music Practice at BIMM University is deeply rooted in a strong ethos of practice-informed research and academic inquiry. The program encourages advanced research into a student's specialist popular music field, culminating in the "Major Project" which serves as a significant piece of practice-led research or a traditional dissertation. Academic staff are often active practitioners and researchers themselves, ensuring that the curriculum integrates cutting-edge research and contemporary critical insights into popular musicology, performance, composition, the music industry, and the application of technologies to practice. Students are guided through research training, including lectures with specialist researchers and one-to-one tuition/mentoring, to develop a critical theoretical lens for their chosen area. This focus on rigorous academic inquiry and practical application empowers students to contribute meaningfully to the growing field of practice-informed research on popular music, allowing them to lead discussions and stand apart in their chosen field.
Industry Engagement: Industry engagement is a fundamental pillar of the MA Popular Music Practice program at BIMM University, designed to provide unparalleled real-world experience and networking opportunities. Students learn from experienced musicians, producers, and industry professionals who are actively working in the UK's vibrant music scene and beyond. BIMM University boasts an extensive network of industry partners, including major labels, booking agents, production companies, festivals, and technology providers, which directly translates into opportunities for students. The dedicated Creative Futures team facilitates connections, while regular masterclasses, workshops, and panel sessions feature high-profile industry leaders, offering unique insights and direct networking. Students are encouraged to collaborate with peers and external stakeholders on projects, mirroring real-world industry collaborations. This strong emphasis on practical experience and direct industry exposure ensures graduates leave with not only advanced musical skills but also an extensive professional network and the essential contacts for a sustainable and fulfilling career in music.
Global Perspective: The MA Popular Music Practice program at BIMM University inherently fosters a profound global perspective, acknowledging the international nature of the popular music industry and its diverse cultural expressions. By being offered across multiple campuses in the UK and Berlin, Germany, the program provides students with exposure to varied cultural contexts and international music scenes, allowing them to engage with global trends in popular music. The curriculum encourages students to explore how technologies mediate innovative creative practice and entrepreneurship on a global scale and to consider different cultural contexts in their work. BIMM University itself serves a diverse student body from over 60 different countries, fostering a rich tapestry of perspectives and collaborations. Graduates are equipped with the understanding to navigate the complexities of an interconnected global music economy, enabling them to develop and implement strategies with worldwide relevance and pursue opportunities in international markets.
Location
Brighton, London, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
£ 15950
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants should have successfully completed a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution with a minimum overall score of 60% or equivalent.
English language proficiency:
- IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.5 or 7.0 with no individual component below 6.0.
- Some postgraduate programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.
BIMM University offers several scholarship opportunities to support international students in their academic journey. These scholarships help alleviate the financial burden of tuition fees, ensuring that talented students from around the world have access to high-quality education in the creative industries.
International Scholarships: BIMM University offers scholarships specifically for international students. These are designed to make education more accessible and competitive. The scholarships are typically awarded based on academic merit or financial need, and they may be offered as partial fee reductions.
BIMM London Scholarships: International students at BIMM London may be eligible for special scholarships aimed at enhancing their creative education and reducing tuition costs. These scholarships are awarded based on talent, application strength, and financial need.
BIMM Access Scholarships: These scholarships support students from underrepresented backgrounds, including international students who may face financial or social barriers to higher education. The Access Scholarship helps make study at BIMM University more accessible.
Music Industry Scholarships: International students pursuing music-related programs may be eligible for industry-specific scholarships, particularly those with demonstrated passion and talent in the music field.
The MA Popular Music Practice at BIMM University is a dynamic postgraduate program designed to cultivate influential leaders within the vibrant creative sector. Offered in both Brighton (UK) and Berlin (Germany), this one-year full-time or two-year part-time course balances rigorous academic learning with practical, industry-relevant application across key creative industries such as music, film, games, and performing arts. It aims to equip graduates with the strategic business acumen, entrepreneurial spirit, and industry insights essential for thriving in management, leadership, or self-employed capacities within this rapidly evolving global sector. The program uniquely connects students with industry through mentorship, practical projects, and a dedicated Creative Futures team, fostering a strong network for career progression.
Professional Performer/Artist: Graduates can launch or further their careers as performing musicians, vocalists, or artists, leveraging advanced skills in performance, self-promotion, and industry navigation to build a sustainable career in the live music scene or as recording artists.
Music Producer/Audio Engineer: Specialising in production, graduates can work in recording studios, home studios, or live sound environments, overseeing the creative and technical aspects of music recording, mixing, and mastering for various artists and projects.
Songwriter/Composer: Graduates can pursue careers as professional songwriters or composers, creating original music for artists, film, television, commercials, video games, or other media, with a deep understanding of composition techniques and sync licensing.
Artist/Talent Manager: Leveraging their industry insights and networking skills, graduates can manage the careers of musicians and artists, handling bookings, contracts, public relations, marketing, and strategic career development.
Music Entrepreneur/Business Owner: With a specialism in entrepreneurship, graduates can found and lead their own music-related businesses, such as independent record labels, publishing companies, booking agencies, event management firms, or music technology startups.
Music Educator/Lecturer: Graduates can pursue roles as music teachers in educational institutions (schools, colleges, universities) or as private tutors, sharing their advanced knowledge and practical expertise in popular music performance, production, or theory.
Music Supervisor (Film/TV/Games): This role involves selecting and licensing existing popular music for use in film, television shows, video games, or advertisements, requiring a deep understanding of musical genres, copyright law, and industry trends.
Music Marketing/PR Specialist: Graduates can work for record labels, music PR agencies, or as independent publicists, developing and executing marketing and public relations campaigns to promote artists, albums, or tours across various platforms.
Live Sound Technician/Production Crew: While often requiring additional technical training, the production specialism provides a strong foundation for careers in live event production, including roles as sound engineers, lighting technicians, or stage managers for concerts and tours.
Music Journalist/Blogger/Content Creator: With strong analytical and writing skills, graduates can pursue careers in music journalism, reviewing albums, covering industry news, interviewing artists, or creating engaging content for music publications, blogs, or online platforms.
