Music and Entertainment Industry Management BA (Hons)

About the course

This Music and Entertainment Industry Management degree investigates the multi faceted nature of the music industry, drawing together, in an innovative environment, the disciplines of music, law and business studies. The student as creative entrepreneur is placed at the centre of these investigations, empowered to explore and engage in a wide spectrum of current music industry and entertainment management issues and practices in the 21st century.

On this Music degree, the nurturing of informed entrepreneurship is central to the philosophy of the programme, whereby intuitive abilities are extended by a range of knowledge, analytical skills and self-appraisal. The creative entrepreneur is at one moment exploring branding and merchandising, at the next digital music technologies; at one moment legal issues in the digital age and at the next marketing and finance. The programme fosters awareness of legal questions such as copyright and IPR issues and includes a study of contract law. It also engages you in business activity such as finance, management and marketing so enabling you to organise marketing and publicity campaigns, developing individual promotional materials that relate to brand and brand development. Case studies and business pitches will underpin the coursework that will prepare you for a career as a promoter, organiser, manager and entrepreneur.

Curriculum design stresses wherever possible the interconnectivity of these pursuits and disciplines, so that knowledge, understanding and skills are developed and progressed within a holistic, interactive and stimulating environment. Three pathways enable you to focus the study to your particular interests: the Studio pathway; the Music and Entertainment Management pathway and the Classical Music Industry pathway.

Why choose this course?

• On the Music and Entertainment Industry Management degree you will investigate the multi faceted nature of the music industry, drawing together in an innovative environment the disciplines of music, law and business studies.
• You will explore and engage in a wide spectrum of current music industry and entertainment management issues and practices in the 21st century.
• Three pathways enable you to focus the study to your particular interests.
• Music degrees at the University of Hertfordshire came a full 12% ahead of the rest of the HE Music providers as rated by final year students in the new National Student Survey.
• The University of Hertfordshire is the no. 1 new university for Music, ahead of many established universities and conservatoires (The Guardian Subject League Tables 2011)
• We have some of the best resources in the UK, including the 39 million pound Forum where our students perform every month, and state-of-the art music studios and film and TV facilities.

Study routes

• Sandwich, 4 Years
• Part Time, 5 Years
• Sandwich,
• Full Time, 3 Years

Locations

• University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Careers

There is an acknowledged national shortage of graduates suitably qualified to work as managers and entrepreneurs in the music and entertainment management sectors. This programme will equip you with the knowledge and skills to make your mark in this important creative sector in the UK.

Teaching methods

Various teaching methods are employed including the case study method.

Work Placement

Strong industry links facilitate extensive work placement schemes.

Professional Accreditations

Skillset Media Academy

Structure

Year 1

Core Modules

• Principles of Marketing

  This initial marketing module, which assumes no prior knowledge of marketing, aims to introduce students to some of the key ideas of marketing and is suitable for both marketing and non-marketing students. It examines the environment within which organisations operate and the role of marketing within the organisation so that students can understand the context within which marketing personnel work, and the different activities which are carried out under the umbrella term of 'marketing'. Concepts central to an understanding of marketing are considered - segmentation; targeting and positioning; the product life cycle; the 4Ps; buyer behaviour, etc.

• Introduction to Marketing Communications

  The module will introduce students to the various aspects of marketing communications tools from initial analysis of the market through to developing an expanding range of promotional techniques. The module combines an understanding of relevant marketing theories, for instance consumer and organisational buyer behavioural models, buyer behaviour; market segmentation, targeting and positioning; and marketing research, exploring the use of all elements of the promotion mix. This module will cover the main areas of advertising, personal selling, sales promotion, public relations, sponsorship and direct marketing. Attention is also given to new areas of increasing relevance such as product placement and electronic media.

• Accounting for Business

  The module provides an introduction to accounting from the manager's viewpoint. Areas covered include the collection and reporting of accounting information to both internal and external users, as well as the use and interpretation of publicly available accounting information. The role of accounting in supporting the management functions of planning, control, and decision-making is also covered. Indicative topics include: - preparation and presentation of a simple income statement and balance sheet, including the need for adjustments such as depreciation, accruals, prepayments and bad debts; - the difference between profit and cash; - interpretation of an income statement and a balance sheet using ratio analysis; - costing: cost behaviour; marginal costing - methods and uses; absorption costing - methods and uses; - budgeting: nature and purpose of budgeting; its contribution to planning, control and motivation in an organisation; preparation of simple budgets.

• Introduction to the Music and Entertainment Industry 1

  This module will provide students with an understanding of existing, emerging and disruptive technologies including online distribution, P2P networks, web-based and mobile music platforms along with other burgeoning areas. The module will also introduce students to the music and entertainment industry management structures and practices from both a historical and contemporary perspective. Indicative content includes an introduction to environmental analysis, planning and strategic management theory. An introduction to the use of case studies as an important vehicle to illustrate the unique managerial challenges associated with a commercial music product or project.

• Contract Law (Negotiation and Communication)

  The course will cover basic issues of contract formation, content, vitiating factors such as misrepresentation, mistake, etc, discharge of contractual obligations, remedies for breach of contract and a consideration of damages and specific performance. The emphasis of this course will be entertainment industry related aspects of contract law, albeit, the scope will entail a general discussion of the principles of contract law.

• Music & Entertainment Industry Framework 1

  This module explores and examines the functions and relationships of the music and entertainment industry organisations which manage and administer the industry including publishing companies, record companies, trade associations, collection societies, live music, musician unions, the broadcast industry and relevant regulatory bodies. The module will enable students to appreciate and evaluate some of these organisations upon which the music and entertainment industry functions especially during a period of rapid change. The module also explores the diverse roles played by the key sectors of artist managers, recording companies, music publishers and live concert promoters/agents.

Optional

Year 2

Core Modules

• Managing Small Business in the Music Industry

  This module addresses in general the small business and its management, but with particular attention to such themes in the cultural, creative and music industries. It will consider the small business owner-manager; their nature and motivation and the character of the small business. What are small businesses and how can survival and growth be fostered in this sector? The wide range of issues to be explored will include: sources of business support and advice; ethical and moral issues; a general examination of legal forms available, family business, international business, assessment of management buy-outs and relationships with established businesses. The syllabus will incorporate construction of business plans; management of crises including turnarounds, failure and its causes. In the context of the smaller enterprise, we will consider marketing issues such as pricing, distribution and promotion. This will highlight key themes including those around branding, merchandising, direct marketing and e-marketing.

• Music Publishing and Cultures 2

  This module is designed to enable students to further their understanding of music publishing and collective copyright management as part of the modern national and international music licensing system. The module will develop their conceptual and analytical skills and to critically evaluate the historical framework as well as current and future trends driving the music publishing industry and the offline/online and other types of digital distribution of recorded music. Students will develop an understanding of the practices of collection societies and appreciate the fiduciary relationships between the publisher and the songwriter and also the respective collective copyright management bodies. The wider implications and future trends including increased challenges to traditional copyright norms from a more global perspective will also be explored. The other half of the module will further an understanding of different cultures as they relates to the music and entertainment industry. The module will enable students to develop conceptual and analytical skills and to evaluate some of the key fundamental assumptions of music cultures as well as key cultural aspects of music. Key areas of debate may include various cultural perspectives that have shaped the music industry. Indicative content may include an examination of various socio-economic factors along with the established 20th Century cultural theoretical approaches.

• Finance & Economics for the Music & Entertainment Industry 2

  This module is designed to enable students to further their understanding of financial and economic principles and practices as they relate to the music and entertainment industry. Students will have an appreciation of advantages and disadvantages of different financial legal structures, cash management and royalty accounting principles including audit and withholding taxes along with the economics of the music industry both at the macro/market environment levels as well as the micro/corporate levels. An understanding is also expected of the nature of risk, its relevance to the management of the business along with its impact on investment decisions and discretionary spending.

• Music Marketing

  Following on from ‘Principles of Marketing’ in level 4, this module is designed to enable students to further develop and build upon their understanding of marketing theories and practices and apply them to the music industry. This module is designed to describe and evaluate marketing in the music industry. The component elements of the music environment will be considered and their relationship explored. Students will be encouraged to investigate the industry through tutorial activity and formal assessment. Particular emphasis will be given to the impact and use of new technologies in music marketing. The module will investigate popular commercial music.

• Entertainment Law 2

  This module will examine the contractual relationships that govern the entertainment industry. The course will start with an introduction to the role that talent agents, entertainment attorneys and personal managers play in the support and development of an artist's career. From there, basic contracts of the music industry such as the recording contract, publishing deal, touring rider and band agreement will be studied. A look at the film industry will introduce the special role of the various talent guilds (DGA, SAG, WGA etc) and their influence on standard contracts. We shall then look at the typical agreements a film producer would enter into in order to produce a film, e.g., talent agreements, releases, location agreements, distribution agreements, completion bond and financing arrangements. We shall then examine certain television industry contracts ranging from production contracts, pay-per-view agreements, scriptwriting contracts and series syndication agreements. Finally, consideration will be devoted aspects of live theatre production and the legal issues involved therein.

• Music & Entertainment Company Management 2

  Following on from the ‘Introduction to the Music and Entertainment Industry’ module in level 4, this module is designed to enable students to further develop and build upon their understanding of music and entertainment management theories and practices. The module will enable students to develop their conceptual and analytical skills and begin to evaluate management structures and practices from both an historical and contemporary perspective. Indicative content for this module includes an examination of horizontal and vertical integration, further use of environmental analysis, company structures, and strategic management theory. ________________________________________

Optional

Year 3

Core Modules

• Sandwich Year (Creative Arts)

  The optional 'Sandwich' placement year may be undertaken between the levels 5 and 6. Students undertake the placement within a commercial, public or not for profit setting that is able to provide an appropriate learning experience related to the creative and cultural industries. A placement could take a variety of forms, including: * working in an external organisation; * working with a University company or professional team within the University; * self-employment within defined context and externally refereed. The placement duration would typically be sustained for at least 48 weeks, though may be sustained for a full year. While the Faculty/School actively supports the placement process, ultimately it is the placement provider that will agree to manage and select students, normally through an interview process. During the placement a member of the academic staff will be assigned to the student as a tutor and will monitor the student's progress during the placement period.

Optional

Year 4

Core Modules

• Entrepreneurship in the Music Industry

  This module addresses the entrepreneur, entrepreneurship and its development. It will consider the individual in context; their nature and motivation and the character of the growing enterprise in the music industry. What is entrepreneurial behaviour and leadership; how are they understood and represented; and in what ways can survival and growth be managed? The wide range of issues to be considered will include creation and co-creation of opportunities and sources of new ideas. We will consider different entrepreneurial models and approaches to doing business, including those in not-for-profit and the third sector, and move on to consider the contribution made by business plans, serial and parallel venture creation and sources of advice. We will also revisit aspects of special relevance to entrepreneurs within the description of entrepreneurial marketing, but exploring networking, word of mouth and personal selling.

• Media Law for the Digital Age 3

  This module revolves around two themes: the regulation of the platforms (television, radio, internet, newspapers) and the regulation of content (defamation, copyrights, advertising, privacy, contempt of court). The introduction will enunciate the principles of media law (freedom of the media, freedom of speech). It will then consider the legislative framework applicable to the platforms and their operations. The bulk of the course will look at the regulations applicable to content. Although the main focus will be English law, time will be spent, where appropriate, considering applicable European and International legislation.

• Strategic Music and Entertainment Company Management and Consultancy Project

  This module furthers an understanding of music and entertainment management theory as delivered in the level 5 Music and Entertainment Company Management module with the inclusion of strategic management. It also attempts to integrate the skills and knowledge acquired from a study of the functional areas of business and to examine the music and entertainment firm in totality. The module will enable students to develop their conceptual and analytical skills and to critically evaluate strategic management structures and practices. Indicative content for this module includes an examination of core competence, how firms add value across diverse business lines, mergers and acquisitions, resource allocation and competitive advantage. Important theories such as Porter's Five Forces will be illustrated and explored via the case study method. The second half of the module will enable students to draw from most, if not all, the modules offered throughout level four, five and six. Students will receive guidance in being placed, on a part-time basis, in relevant music industry enterprises for a period of weeks (typically 4-6) in order to work and critically examine the operations of the company. It will serve as a hybrid work placement/consultancy experience as the students will be required to not only work for the enterprise but also examine and critically analyse the operations, management and various other business activities. Their observations and recommendations will be detailed in a 5000-word report. With regards to content, the report will be not dissimilar to those generated by professional consultancies. During semester C (between L5 and L6) students may undertake a faculty work experience, with the agreement of the Programme Tutor. This will contribute 7.5 credits towards this module with the assessment submission made during the period of this module.

• International Music & Entertainment Management 3

  This module is designed to develop an understanding of how the international music and entertainment industry and diverse national and regional markets function as well as the challenges to the successful exploitation of UK music across different markets. An investigation of the rewards and challenges of international operations and expansion is also explored. The module will enable students to develop their conceptual and analytical skills and to critically evaluate how British music and entertainment companies succeed globally. The concept of the transnational entertainment organisation will be developed. Indicative content includes an examination of such international business theorists as Geert Hofstede. Key areas of debate may include how cultural sensitivity and divergent legal systems and different socio-economic structures impacts international business activity.

Optional

Fees & funding

Fees 2013

UK/EU Students

Full time: £8,500 for the 2013 academic year

International Students

Discounts are available for International students if payment is made in full at registration

View detailed information about tuition fees

Scholarships

• National Scholarship Programme

Find out more about scholarships for UK/EU and international students

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

How to apply