The Business of Music

Module overview

This module introduces you to how musicians and composers earn a living from making music. It looks at the role of record labels, publishers and the live industry, and discusses the organisations and infrastructures that have grown up around them to protect and distribute Intellectual Property. It asks the question, do musicians today need to sign a record or publishing deal? Or can they go it alone in the age of Direct to Fan marketing and digital platforms. It also looks at the future of the industry and how you as a producer of music can effect ethical change in an industry facing technological and sustainability challenges.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

understand and apply professional music industry terminology.
research relevant music markets, audiences and platforms using established techniques of enquiry and analysis.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

music industry infrastructures (copyright management and cultivation).
product-market fit and how this relates to music industry contexts.
decent and ethical business practices that align with relevant UN Sustainable Development Goals (which may include decent work and economic growth, cultural diversity and gender equality, livable cities and communities, innovation and infrastructure, responsible production and consumption).
the ongoing impact of technology on the production, distribution, marketing and consumption of music.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

demonstrate ability to synthesise current academic and industry literature and data.
apply time management and goal setting tools to work individually and/or as part of a team.

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include • lectures • seminars • small tutorials and open hours Learning activities include • independent study/research • engaging with a wide range of online resources • peer learning and group work

Study time
Type	Hours
Follow-up work	46
Completion of assessment task	80
Lecture	12
Seminar	12
Total study time	150

Assessment

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Digital project	60%
Group Assignment	40%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Assessment tasks	100%

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Assessment tasks	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External