“I discovered Solent’s course, and it just fit like a glove”
BA (Hons)Music Business
Apply on UCAS
Starting in: 2025
Register your interestUCAS code: MB01
Institution code: S30
UCAS points: 104-120Flexible entry options available
Campus: Southampton City CentreView on Google Maps
Why study a music business degree at Solent University
The music business offers many careers within artist management, record labels, streaming platforms and live event promotion. Our graduates now work at Universal, Spotify, The O2 and Live Nation.
- 0thin the UK for teaching quality in music studies (out of 75 institutions) (Times Good University Guide 2025)
- 0%of music students satisfied with the teaching on their course (The Guardian University Guide 2025)
- Top0in the UK for student experience in music studies (out of 75 institutions) (Times Good University Guide 2025)
- Some of our graduates have gone on to work at record companies, artist management companies, music publishers, streaming services and festivals. These include Universal, Warner Music Group, Spotify, Live Nation, Sony Music and more.
- You will learn from a team of leading music industry academics and practitioners who have excellent music business links, offering guest lectures, conference events and work experience opportunities.
- Recent guest lecturers have included Gillian Fleet (Domino Records), music lawyer and author Ann Harrison, Barney Hooper (TikTok), Joe Schiavon (Live Nation), Dani Sawyerr (Universal Music Publishing), Dominika Uhrakova (PRS for Music), Murray Matravers (lead singer of Hard Life) and Lucy Wood (The Roundhouse).
- The music business is currently growing, so many music companies are thriving and recruiting. The global industry is predicted to continue growing over the next few years (Goldman Sachs, 2024).
- Southampton is a hub for music and arts and we have excellent links to Southampton’s vibrant local music scene, and work with the city’s best music venues including The Joiners, 1865, O2 Guildhall, Heartbreakers and many more.
- You’ll be assigned a personal tutor who can assist you with pastoral support to help you make the most of your learning.
Course overview
Studying at Solent offers a unique experience for music business students, combining the excitement of real-world practice alongside in-depth, thought-provoking academic research on a wide range of music business issues. In addition to our own vibrant industry events and conferences, you can also get involved in Southampton’s music scene, with a wide range of venues across the city catering for all musical tastes. Our graduates have given excellent feedback on their experience at Solent.
Our innovative music business degree will provide you with a thorough understanding of the industry, covering artist development, live events, festivals, project management, finance, marketing, legal contracts and copyright. We will support you to develop the personal entrepreneurial skills to succeed in this exciting industry, also providing essential digital training on podcasting, web development, social media and video production.
As part of your course, you will promote your own live event(s), work with artists and launch music business projects that put your learning into practice. Our collaborative culture encourages you to work with students from other courses, which reflects the real-world working practices of the creative industries. The course also has a strong emphasis on hands-on work experience, which we encourage at local businesses, venues and festivals.
The course is led by an experienced, well-connected team of lecturers who regularly publish academic research and maintain excellent links with industry professionals. Previous guests have included staff from Domino Records, Universal Music Publishing Group, TikTok, Live Nation, The Roundhouse, BBC Radio 1, XL Recordings, Dirty Hit and PRS for Music.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: admissions.international@solent.ac.ukCall: +44 (0)23 8201 5066Course features
Further studies
After successfully completing your studies, there's an opportunity to continue your studies at Solent
Study abroad
You have the opportunity to study abroad in one of our partner universities for a semester on this course
Who is this course for?
Our degree course is ideal for students who want to build a career within the music business. Our current students include aspiring musicians, managers and content creators from a wide range of backgrounds, having previously studied varied subjects such as music, art, science, photography, English, ICT, business, media and economics.
The unifying theme amongst all of our students is a passion for music, regardless of previous experience or study. We welcome international students who wish to study music business at a UK university. We also support mature students who may have previously worked in music and now wish to formalise their experience with a degree qualification.
What does this course lead to?
Our course provides you with the essential skills needed for a wide range of music business career destinations, including record companies, music publishers, artist management, live music management, marketing, public relations (PR), digital roles and the creation of independent music companies.
Our graduates have gone on to work with leading music companies such as Sony, Universal, Warner, BMG, Live Nation, Spotify, The O2, PRS for Music, Dirty Hit, Miloco Studios, Toolroom Records, PIAS, ITB and YMU Group. Others manage artists or run their own record labels, live agencies and promotion businesses. Our focus on transferable skills means that many of our graduates have also built successful careers in other sectors such as health, technology, education, marketing, property, financial services and events management. Many graduates also progress to further study at postgraduate level.
Graduate stories
Hear from Solent alumni about where their careers have taken them and how studying at Solent prepared them for their future.
Meet the team
Teaching is delivered by an academic team of music business professionals and researchers who have extensive experience of the industry. Our team is research-active, publishing journal articles and books via international publishing companies such as Sage, Routledge and Bloomsbury. The teaching team have excellent music business links which allow students to benefit from guest lectures, conference events and work experience opportunities.
The University cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.
Facilities
Our vibrant campus brings state-of-the-art facilities to enhance your learning and elevate your student experience. Our award-winning teaching building, The Spark is centred around students and offers a stimulating study environment with flexible learning spaces.
Away from studying, why not try out the gyms, fitness studios and sports halls in our £28 million Sports Complex, or watch a blockbuster film at our student-run cinema with Dolby Atmos audio.
International opportunities
Broaden your horizons by adding an international dimension to your CV – essential to achieving success in today’s fast-changing, global environment.
Studying, working or volunteering in another country could be the experience of a lifetime. Enhance your degree by developing important global skills such as knowledge of other countries, language skills, intercultural awareness, adaptability and confidence.
For more information, please email international.mobility@solent.ac.uk.
What you'll study
Core modules
Understanding the Music Industries
This module offers an introduction to key elements of the music business ecology, including the many job roles and businesses that exist within the contemporary music industries.
Music Business Strategy and Planning
This module considers the strategies of music businesses such as artist management companies and streaming platforms. It explores these strategies in the context of the wider global business environment.
Digital Marketing and PR
In the contemporary music industries, it is vital to understand how you, your artists and your business projects can stand out from the crowd in the online marketing environment. In this module you will devise an integrated digital media PR and marketing campaign, and create user-centred content that is presented through an online platform.
Music, Society and Culture
You will explore a range of research skills and learn how to analyse musical genres and cultures from a range of different approaches. Drawing on a variety of topics, you will develop your knowledge of how music business intersects with social and cultural issues.
Making Money from Music
In this module we will introduce you to the many ways that artists and companies can make money within the music and entertainment industries. You will also learn how to plan projects, secure funding, manage copyrights and evaluate financial data.
Artist and Business Branding
Theory and practice are strongly integrated in this module. As part of the module, you will learn about the cultural, societal and business aspects of artist and project branding. You can then put this knowledge into practice by creating podcasts that allow you to demonstrate your understanding in a creative way.
How you will learn and be assessed
You will learn by:
There are no exams on BA (Hons) Music Business. You may be assessed by a combination of:
- Written assessments
- Portfolios
- Project work
- Essays
- Individual presentations
Solent’s curriculum framework builds on our unique, creative and applied approach to teaching. The transformation of students’ lives is at the heart of our mission as a university, and our curriculum – informed by the latest theory – reflects this shared educational vision.
Find out more
Study support
The student achievement team are on hand to help you succeed during your studies at Solent. They aim to contact you at key times during your time here with personalised information, advice and guidance, by email or phone.
Access Solent provides information, advice and guidance for disabled students.
All students can access Succeed@Solent, Solent's online guide to getting better grades. It offers extensive, practical information and advice on topics such as academic writing, research and presentations.
Why choose the industry?
UK music exports generated £4 billion in 2022. The music industry’s contribution to UK economy was £6.7 billion (GVA) in 2022. The total UK music industry employment was 210,000 in 2022 (UK Music, 2023).
Our course helps students to build the skills and knowledge for a career within digital marketing, artist management, record companies, streaming services, publishers, PR agencies, festivals or events.
Some of our graduates have gone on to work at record companies, artist management companies, music publishers, streaming services and festivals. These include Universal, Warner Music Group, Spotify, Live Nation, Sony Music and more.
Graduate stories
Hear from Solent alumni about where their careers have taken them and how studying at Solent prepared them for their future.
“I discovered Solent’s course, and it just fit like a glove”
Solent Futures
The Solent Careers team is committed to getting students into great careers.
While you are studying, the team can help you with finding work experience or placements, link you with a mentor, check your CV, or offer one-to-one guidance.
If you're in your final year, we also have graduate job opportunities just for Solent graduates.
6th
UK uni for sustained employment
Longitudinal Educational Outcomes, 2022
Further study
Thinking about studying further than an undergraduate degree? Alumni can get 20% off their postgraduate study.
MSc Project Management
Aligned to the Association for Project Management, this professional course will help you take your career to the next level, by studying methodologies, techniques and processes of project management.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year are:
- UK, EU (settled status) and Channel Island full-time fees: £9,250 per year
- International full-time fees: £17,750 per year
For further information, please visit our tuition fees page.
Extra course costs
While most course costs are covered by your tuition fees, some essential resources and optional extras may need to be paid for separately. These additional costs are listed below. For advice on budgeting and managing your money, please contact student.funding@solent.ac.uk.
The 2025/26 other costs are not yet available. For guidance, the 2024/25 costs were:
Compulsory costs
- Year 2
Events Management and Marketing module: There may be initial set-up costs to be recouped from ticket sales. Any profits made are yours to keep. - Final year
Managing and Developing a Business module: There may be initial set-up expenses relating to your business project. Any profits made are yours to keep.
Optional costs
Optional trips may be available, with the cost based on current travel fares and accommodation prices.
Bursaries, scholarships and financial support
Solent University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships that provide financial assistance or waive fees for tuition or accommodation. Each bursary or scholarship has specific eligibility criteria. Check out our bursaries and scholarships pages to find out more.
Cost of living support
At Solent, we understand that the cost of living crisis may be of some concern. To help, we've put together some detailed information to show what support is available and how to make your money go further.
Graduation costs
There is no charge to attend graduation, but you will be required to pay for the rental of your academic gown (approximately £45 per graduate, depending on your award). You may also wish to purchase official photography packages, which range in price from £15 to £200+. Graduation is not compulsory, so if you prefer to have your award sent to you, there is no cost. Extra guest tickets will go on sale after results publication and will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis. The cost per ticket is currently £15. Please note, we do not guarantee there will be any extra tickets available to purchase.
Student finance videos
Student finance Video transcript, with a description of visuals available.Student funding - the essentials Video transcript, with a description of visuals available.
Entry requirements
Please select an option below:
Key entry requirements
104-120 UCAS tariff points
- A minimum of two completed A-levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma at MMM or BTEC Diploma at D*D, a T-Level Merit, or equivalent qualification, or a combination of qualifications which comply with the minimum entry requirement of 104 UCAS points.
- Direct entry into the second or third years may be considered for this course.
- For further information about UK qualifications, please contact admissions.
Key entry requirements
As a general guide, we look for qualifications that are equivalent to the British high school A-levels.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about EU qualifications, please see our course entry requirements document.
For international students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, our trusted partner, QA Higher Education offers the following pathway programme designed to develop your academic and English language skills:
- International Foundation Year - for progression to the first year of an undergraduate degree
Key entry requirements
As a general guide, we look for qualifications that are equivalent to the British high school A-levels.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about international qualifications, please see our course entry requirements document.
For international students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, our trusted partner, QA Higher Education offers the following pathway programme designed to develop your academic and English language skills:
- International Foundation Year - for progression to the first year of an undergraduate degree
Note to all international students requiring a visa
All international applicants need to be aware that the English language requirements to attend Solent University, and the English language requirements to obtain a visa from the Home Office, may be different. This means that if you meet the Solent University language requirement to gain a place on the course, you may still have to meet additional requirements to be granted with a visa by the Home Office.
We strongly advise all applicants to visit the Home Office website which outlines all the requirements for a successful visa application.
104-120UCAS points
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: admissions.international@solent.ac.ukCall: +44 (0)23 8201 5066How to apply
Full-time
Any student applying for the first year of a full-time/sandwich undergraduate course must apply through UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service). This includes mature, overseas and EU students.
Nearly all schools and colleges offer their students the facility of applying electronically through the UCAS website using 'Apply'; it may also be used by those applying independently in the UK and overseas. This facility and all course information can be found on the UCAS website: www.ucas.com.
Your application should reach UCAS by 31 January if you hope to enter a course the following autumn. Early application is advised for the most popular subject areas. Late applications may be made until the end of June. The UCAS Code for the University is S30, code name SOLNT.
Find out what happens after you apply
Contextual offers
Solent endeavours to offer learning opportunities to students from all backgrounds. When we receive and review an application, we take into consideration the context and personal circumstances of applicants when making a decision, which means our advertised entry tariff could be reduced.
Alternative entry options
Top-up route:
We welcome applications from students currently studying a Foundation Degree, DipHE, HNC, HND or modules of an undergraduate degree course at another university, who wish to enter directly into Years 2 or 3 of one of our undergraduate degree courses. Please contact our admissions team for more information: contact us
Language requirements
Applicants who do not have English as their first language will be required to demonstrate an approved level of proficiency in the use of the English language. The agreed minimum requirements for this course are:
- IELTS minimum 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each individual component
- TOEFL IBT minimum 80 with a minimum of 20 in each individual component
- Duolingo English Language Test - 115 overall with minimum of 95 in each component or equivalent.
Qualifications are checked before enrolment, and international students must bring their original certificates or certified copies when coming to study at the University.
Pre-Sessional English programme
The University also offers a pre-sessional English programme for international students who wish to improve their level of English before starting a degree course.
Make your application
- 3 years
