About this course

Develop the knowledge and skills you’ll need to become an entrepreneur in the global music industry on our MA International Music Management master's degree. On this UK course you'll learn about all aspects of the music business, from live performance and streaming to advertising and video games. Industry professionals will help you discover the careers you can go into. We were number 1 for music research in the most recent UK Research Excellence Framework (REF).

This course is now closed for the 2021/22 academic year.

This International Music Management master’s course will prepare you for a management career in the global music business.

You’ll develop critical understanding of the legal, economic, social and cultural frameworks that support the music industry.

And you'll gain key business skills through exposure to local music venues such as Turner Sims, touring musicians, and masterclasses with industry partners like Sony, Universal, Google and YouTube.

On this practical programme, you'll also learn about:

how the music publishing industry makes its money
copyright and licensing
music event planning
adding music to a video game or TV show
the costs involved in making an album
how music festivals and opera companies work

You'll learn from expert academics with plenty of music industry experience and connections. They'll teach you to the practical skills you need to work in a wide range of music management roles.

Course lead

Your course leader is Dr Thomas Irvine, Associate Professor in Music. He’s an expert in global music history from 1700 onwards, and has a special interest in how music interacts with science and technology. Visit Dr Irvine’s staff profile to find out more about his work.

Course location

This course is based at Avenue.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the programme specification

The programme specification sets out the learning outcomes of this course and details how the course is taught and assessed.

PDF

Download 2021-22 programme specification

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Entry requirements

You’ll need a 2:1 degree in music or one of these subject areas:

performing arts
business
humanities
social sciences

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

IELTS score requirements

overall score: 6.5
reading: 6.0
writing: 6.0
speaking: 6.0
listening: 6.0

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

Recognition of professional experience

If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.

Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Course structure

Your studies run for a full 12 months, from September to the following September.

In the first 8 months (semesters 1 and 2) you'll focus on the taught part of your course. This consists of modules that everyone on the course takes and modules that we’ll ask you to choose from a list of options.

During semester 2 you’ll start preparing for your final project.

For the last 4 months, over the summer, you’ll work independently on your final project. You’ll have meetings with your supervisor during this time to discuss your progress.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Modules

For entry in Academic Year 2021-22

You must study the following modules:

Artists and Repertoires

This module introduces you to the past and present of the international music industry. It focuses on infrastructure (artists, repertoires, distribution channels etc.) in order to help you understand the consumption of music as a practice on a global scal...

Global Music Industry

The business of music is evolving at an accelerating pace. Technological change is driving disruption to models of production, distribution and consumption – and globalising the music industry in ways never seen before. The global music industry, worth bi...

Music Management Final Project

The Music Management Final Project is the final stage of the MA in International Music Management. The aim of this module is to promote a concerted period of independent study alongside tutorials and peer discussion and feedback.

Music Management Fundamentals

Music Management Fundamentals lays advanced theoretical foundations for the practical work you will learn to do later in the Programme. Why is the international music business organised the way it is? What forces – technological, economic, political and c...

Preparation for Final Project

This module will bring the general skills learned in the first semester to bear on the preparation of an individual research project. You will also assemble a significant portion of your Final Project materials prior to writing up. This module consists...

Professional Writing and Presentation Skills

This module introduces you to methodological approaches to musical studies and provides you with the professional skills necessary to write about music in different contexts

Learning and assessment

Learning

You’ll develop your knowledge of real-world music management issues through a variety of learning methods, including lectures, seminars and tutorials. Other methods include:

presentations
guest lectures
workshops
whole-class activities
study visits
independent study
research

Assessment

We’ll assess you using a variety of methods. These include:

essays
portfolios
individual and group presentations
in-class tests or exams
final project

The final project is an extended period of independent study. This is a chance for you to show your research skills and knowledge about a particular aspect of international music management. You’ll present your findings in a critical paper.

Academic Support

We'll assign you a personal academic tutor, and you'll have access to a senior tutor.

Careers

This degree will allow you to start a career in the global music industry. You’ll have the qualifications to work in areas such as:

personal management
business management
music publishing
music business accountancy
artist relations and development
licensing

Careers services at Southampton

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

work experience schemes
CV/resume and interview skills workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

UK students pay £9,250.
EU and international students pay £19,850.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton you get a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Funding your postgraduate studies

A variety of additional scholarships, grants and bursaries may be available to help you fund your master’s study, both from the University and from other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

Use the 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our online application form.
Search for the course you want to apply for.
Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
Submit your application.

Application deadlines

UK students

Applications must be received no later than 4 weeks before the start of the course. You must supply all supporting documentation at least 2 weeks before starting your course.

International students

We recommend you apply at least 6 weeks before the start of the course to ensure you're able to meet our requirements and apply for a visa in time.

We cannot guarantee students who do not meet these deadlines will be able to begin their course.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for any postgraduate taught course that starts in or after September 2021.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, if you're applying for a Master of Research (MRes) degree, or if you're applying for a PGCE course via UCAS, you will not need to pay the fee. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.

You’ll need to include information about:

your knowledge of the subject area
why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
how you intend to use your qualification

You'll also need to send 2 academic references.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

Learn more about how to apply with our postgraduate application guide.