Music Business Management MA

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of Westminster

Program Overview

The MA Music Business Management is perfect if you’re passionate about music and want to understand how the industry really works. You’ll combine creative thinking with practical business skills, preparing you to thrive in careers across artist management, publishing, live music, or even starting your own music venture.

Curriculum Structure
This intensive one‑year program immerses you in the music industry from day one. You’ll learn the essentials of managing creative projects, understanding industry structures, and developing your own professional portfolio.

During the year, you’ll explore:

Entrepreneurship and Innovation — learning how to start and run creative ventures, think strategically, and spot opportunities in the fast-moving music world.
Intellectual Property and Copyright Management — understanding how copyright, licensing, and royalties shape artists’ careers and music businesses globally.
Music Industry Structure, Roles and Development — gaining insight into how music companies operate, the roles within them, and how to navigate the industry effectively.
Music, Mental Health and Wellbeing — exploring the importance of wellbeing and ethical practice for artists and professionals in today’s industry.
Final Project — applying everything you’ve learned to a real-world challenge, creating a project that showcases your skills and ambitions.

You’ll also have optional modules to tailor your studies to your goals, including Artist Development, The Live Music Industry, Global Music Markets, and Music and Social Change, letting you focus on what excites you most.

Focus areas: “Entrepreneurship, copyright and IP, industry structures, artist development, live music management, global music markets, diversity and wellbeing in music.”

Learning outcomes: “By the end of this course, you’ll understand how the music industry works at every level, from legal and business frameworks to global market trends, and you’ll have hands-on skills in management, strategy, and creative leadership, plus a final project ready to showcase to potential employers.”

Professional alignment (accreditation): The program is delivered by industry-active professionals and connects you directly with the music business, giving your career credibility whether you aim for management, publishing, marketing, or live events.

Reputation (employability & industry links): Westminster has strong ties with major labels and music organisations like Atlantic Records, Sony, Universal, and Warner, offering networking opportunities, guest speakers, and potential internships that can kickstart your career.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Westminster, this program isn’t just about lectures and essays — you’ll get hands-on experience that mirrors the real music industry. From day one, you’ll work on projects, meet industry professionals, and use professional-standard facilities that let you experiment, perform, and manage music projects in real-world contexts. Being based in London also means you’re at the heart of the music scene, giving you inspiration and networking opportunities throughout the year.

Here’s how you’ll gain practical experience:

Professional music facilities and studios — You’ll have access to world-class studios and performance spaces at the Harrow campus to practice, produce, and present your projects.
Guest speakers and industry networking — Weekly talks from music professionals, managers, and label representatives give you insider knowledge and valuable contacts.
Work-related projects and final project — The “Music Business Management Final Project” allows you to tackle real industry challenges, building a portfolio-ready project that demonstrates your skills.
Collaborative and entrepreneurial practice — Modules like “Entrepreneurship and Innovation” let you team up with peers to develop creative business ideas, simulating real-world music ventures.
Career support and enterprise opportunities — Through Westminster’s enterprise hub and careers services, you can explore internships, mentorship, and freelance opportunities to kickstart your music career.
Real-world insight into industry practices — Modules such as “Intellectual Property and Copyright Management” and “Music Industry Structure, Roles and Development” teach the legal, ethical, and managerial aspects of the music business.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of this MA are well-equipped to step straight into the music industry, taking on roles like artist manager, music publisher, live-music organiser, or music marketing professional. The course gives you a real mix of business skills, industry know-how, and creative insight — so whether you want to join a company or start your own music venture, you’ll be ready to make an impact.

Here’s how Westminster helps you get there:

Dedicated career and enterprise support — Through the Zone29 hub, you can access tailored career advice, industry mentoring, job and placement listings, and guidance if you’re looking to launch a freelance or entrepreneurial music career.
Industry-relevant curriculum — Every module is designed with employability in mind, so you’ll graduate with practical skills that employers in artist management, publishing, and live events value.
Strong industry connections — Guest speakers and workshops include representatives from Atlantic Records, Sony Music Publishing, Universal Music Group, and more, giving you real contacts in the music world.
Flexibility for your career path — Whether you’re aiming for a traditional job, freelance work, or starting your own business, the course equips you with knowledge of music business structures, copyright, and entrepreneurship.
Proven graduate outcomes — Alumni have gone on to roles in management, publishing, marketing, and live events, including senior positions at major labels and music companies.

Further Academic Progression:
If you want to continue studying after your MA, you could pursue a research degree like an MPhil or PhD in music or creative industries at Westminster, opening doors to academic, research, or higher-level industry roles.