Music Management

Core modules:

Principles of Music Industry Leadership

The module consists of weekly lectures and seminars, each of which is devoted to exploring key principles underpinning successful music management practice. Thus for example seminars will focus upon music policy, digital rights revenues and audience research and engagement. The module will give students the opportunity to investigate the principle(s) of most interest to them in the context of a specific management environment such as the grant-in-aid, independent and global music sectors. The intention of the module is to enable students to broadly identify multiple principles in context and specifically apply one to a chosen specialist area.

30 credits

Strategic Design Thinking for Music Consultancy

The module consists of students working as a team with a live client from the world of professional music to address an issue of the client's choice. The issues sought from prospective client organisations will be those which either have a long term strategic bearing on the organisations's work and existence, or which address an immediate operational issue or set of issues. In both instances the issues to be studied will be typical of what might be expected to be encountered in the real world of music management. Once the definition of the issue to be studied has been fully agreed with the cilent, the course will consist of weekly seminars at which the team will plan reasearch into the issue and will discuss on a regular basis its ideas and proposals for action with the course tutor. The progress of the team will be checked with the client at the mid-point of the semester. The final outcome of the project will be a live presentation by the team to the client outlining its research findings, its interpretation of these, followed by conclusions and recommendations. This presentation in turn will be followed by the creation of a written group report which will be the subject of formal assessment and then made available for the client to use as they choose Assessment will also include peer-group assessment by the students of themselves.

15 credits

Strategies for Funding Music and The Arts

This module provides a practical exploration of funding within the music and arts sectors, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to identify funding opportunities, create compelling grant applications, and understand the nuances of monitoring and evaluation. Through a series of lectures, students will dissect current market trends in arts funding, learn quantitative and qualitative research methods for evaluation, and master the art of report writing. The module aims to demystify the process of securing funding by offering step-by-step guidance on developing successful applications, from initial research to final submission. Emphasis will be placed on understanding funders' criteria, budgeting, and the critical skill of effectively presenting proposals, ensuring students are well-prepared to navigate the competitive landscape of arts funding.

15 credits

Core modules - choose one of either:

Dissertation

The unit provides the final element in the MA in Music Management. It comprises a dissertation of c.15,000 words requiring original investigation and research by the student on a topic within the area of music management approved by the unit tutor. Learning is supported by original research guided by ongoing individual tutorials.

60 credits

Extended Project

The unit provides the final element in the MA in Music Management. It comprises a practical music industry project of ambition and scope equivalent to a 10,000 word masters-level dissertation to be agreed in discussion with an allocated supervisor. Learning is supported and guided by ongoing individual supervision tutorials.

60 credits

Optional modules (Autumn) - up to two from:

Innovation and Futures Thinking

The module invites students to explore and critically engage with the concepts of innovation and futures thinking within the context of contemporary music landscapes. It is designed to foster an understanding of how forward-thinking strategies can be applied to anticipate trends, cultivate creativity, and anticipate change in the music industry. Students will engage with theories of innovation and apply futures thinking methodologies to envision new possibilities in the music sector. Through lectures and seminars, participants will refine their ability to formulate objectives, articulate visions, and apply research methods that underpin strategic planning and foresight in music. This hands-on approach aims to equip students with the skills to become leaders and innovators in the evolving world of music.

15 credits

Accounting and Financial Management

This module is designed to provide knowledge and understanding of the roles of accounting and financial management in modern business organisations. The module will introduce students to the objectives, techniques and limitations of accounting for the purposes of external accountability and internal decision-making and control. The module will also introduce students to the objectives, techniques and limitations of financial investment appraisal and provision of financial resources.

15 credits

Introduction to Critical Theories and Concepts in the Creative and Cultural Industries

This is a core module that introduces and defines what we mean by the Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI), not least exploring their role in society. From theatres, to museums, to the music industry, to film, this module explores ideas around the purposes of, and changes and challenges to the CCI sector. The module provides an overview of critical theories and concepts within CCI, and seeks to equip students with the necessary knowledge and tools to assess critically the advantages and disadvantages of existing frameworks, and apply these to understand and research the Creative and Cultural Industries today.

15 credits

Cultural Marketing

Cultural Marketing aims to develop students' understanding, knowledge and analytical skills in relation to marketing and consumption practices within the Creative and Cultural Industries (CCIs), and specifically in relation to the CCI business context, types of CCI organisations and marketing management practices. The module content includes theoretical approaches to marketing and consumption practices in a range of CCI sectors, for example, film, fine art, music, literature, and heritage.

15 credits

Optional modules (Spring) - up to two from:

Branding

This unit engages students with different theoretical perspectives on the nature of brands, their management, and the relationship between brands and their socio-cultural context. The learning process exposes the students to a wide range of brand examples. Students draw on the theoretical perspectives to write an analytical critique of a specific leisure brand.

15 credits

Cultural and Creative Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is vital to a flourishing cultural and creative sector. This module bridges the gap between creativity, culture, and business by enabling learners to develop techniques that move their creative and critical thinking to entrepreneurial thinking. The module equips those who have previously studied or engaged with an area of creative or cultural practice, such as music, media, theatre and performance, heritage, craft, design, or digital games, to start a new business arising from existing or new creative and cultural practices, to manage a portfolio of loosely connected projects in the cultural and creative industries, and to develop intrapreneurial skills for innovation in existing organisations in the cultural and creative industries. It enhances learners' skills as creative leaders who can respond to emerging trends and opportunities to realise value in the creative economy.

15 credits

Digital Cultural and Creative Industries

This module aims to develop students' understanding of the relationship between digital technologies and cultural and creative industries, looking at production, distribution, audience measurement and future trends. Students will synthesise knowledge from CCI theory, up-to-date industry examples and guest speakers who work at the forefront of these digital transformations. Students will be equipped with the skills to critically evaluate the use of technologies in CCIs, to address their opportunities, risks and potential harms.  

Firstly, we will explore how cultural and creative production is facilitated by different technological innovations and developments. We will look at how CCIs such as game design, museum curation and music have been shaped by numerous technological innovations. We will also examine how digital production influences work and consumption within contemporary CCIs.  

Secondly, we will look at the ways in which CCI distribution is facilitated by digital intermediaries. We will look at social media platforms, streaming services and livestreaming platforms, and examine industries related to social media content creation, influencer culture and the promises of 'DIY' production. We will particularly focus on how the algorithmic distribution of cultural products has shaped cultural and creative industries. We will also examine how digital intermediaries shaped the funding models of CCIs, and what impact this has on the sector. 

Lastly, we will look at how digital media has shaped the sustainability and futures of cultural and creative industries. We will look at how technologies such as VR and AI could end up transforming how we access, and work in CCIs - both now and in the future.

15 credits

Managing Festivals, Events and Creative Performances

This module explores the growth development, characteristics, issues and influences relevant to international art fairs, festivals, artistic performances and events and their impact on localities in terms of income generation, providing added value to tourist spaces, and their role in showcasing cultures and cultural products and places. It is primarily concerned with management of those art fairs, exhibitions and events that either showcase cultures or are located within the broad field of Creative and Cultural Industries, providing access to cultural products and cultural capital.

15 credits