COURSE CURRICULUM

The MA Music Business at Nottingham Trent University’s London Campus is a highly practical and industry-focused postgraduate programme that prepares students for leadership, management, entrepreneurship, and business development roles within the modern music industry. The course combines academic study with real-world industry engagement, enabling students to build professional experience, develop specialist expertise, and establish valuable industry networks. Through the Creative Entrepreneurial Approaches module, students critically examine music industry sectors, stakeholders, and working practices while developing their own professional identity as entrepreneurs, freelancers, employees, or business owners. Working on live industry projects, students receive guidance from dedicated industry mentors and gain hands-on experience through collaboration with NTU’s student-led record label and publishing division, Denizen Records. They also have the opportunity to pitch for a Confetti Employability Grant to support their future career ambitions. The Music Business Practice module encourages students to experiment with different areas of the music business, broadening their skills and employability through workshops, projects, and practical experiences. Students explore areas such as artist management, release strategies, music supervision, publishing, marketing, and label operations while reflecting on how these skills can strengthen their own career pathways. The Research Project module develops advanced research, analytical, and problem-solving abilities, enabling students to investigate complex issues within the creative industries and produce a substantial project focused on their chosen area of interest. Research outputs can take multiple forms, including audio, visual, digital, or web-based projects, reflecting the diverse nature of the contemporary music industry. Throughout the programme, there is a strong emphasis on creativity, innovation, collaboration, entrepreneurship, and industry relevance. Graduates leave with a professional portfolio, practical experience, industry mentorship, business knowledge, and research expertise that prepare them for careers in artist and repertoire (A&R), music marketing, artist management, record labels, music publishing, live events, talent management, digital music services, entrepreneurship, consultancy, and other creative industry roles. The course is particularly suitable for students seeking a highly practical route into the music business while building strong industry connections and entrepreneurial capabilities.