BA (Hons) Music Business Bachelor's degree at Leeds Beckett University

Get to grips with how the music industry really works. This module explores the structure and operation of the recording, publishing, and live sectors, placing creative works and intellectual property at the heart of industry value. You'll examine key challenges such as piracy, streaming, new consumption models, and digital distribution, gaining insight into how the industry adapts to commercial and technological change. Along the way, you'll build an understanding of the skills, roles, and care

Discover how audiences think, feel, and connect with music brands. This module introduces the core principles of marketing and consumer behaviour, applying key models, frameworks, and strategies directly to the music and entertainment industries. You'll explore market research, branding, promotion, and public relations, learning how to build awareness, grow audiences, and position artists and organisations in competitive markets. By developing practical, industry-relevant marketing skills, you'l

Learn how digital content drives discovery, engagement, and value in today's music landscape. This module focuses on the creation, development, and distribution of online content that supports artists, releases, and brands. Through a series of lectures and tutorials, you'll analyse contemporary industry practice while building your own creative and technical skills, producing content tailored to specific audiences and platforms. From strategy to execution, you'll gain hands-on experience creatin

Begin building your professional profile right from the start. This module develops essential workplace skills such as communication, leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving, while giving you real-world industry experience. You'll complete a minimum of 80 hours of work placement within a music or entertainment organisation, gaining insight into organisational structures, professional roles, and day-to-day operations. This hands-on experience helps you translate academic learning into practical

Explore the cultural, political, and technological forces that have shaped the music industries, and continue to influence them today. Drawing on historical and contemporary examples, this module strengthens your ability to analyse industry practices, debate key issues, and construct informed arguments. You'll investigate subcultures, technologies, and media, examining how economic, ethical, legal, and social factors shape the creation, circulation, and value of music. Interactive discussions, d

Step into the fast-paced world of artist and band management. This module explores the roles, responsibilities, and realities of managing creative talent in today's music and entertainment industries. You'll examine contract negotiation, artist promotion, career development, and the impact of rapid technological and economic change. With insights from guest speakers working in entertainment management, you'll explore how digital platforms, data, and audiences are reshaping the role of the modern

Learn how people shape successful music and entertainment organisations. This module introduces key theories of organisational behaviour, motivation, and communication, applying them to real-world industry settings. You'll explore contemporary people management practices, employment law, and issues of equality, diversity, and inclusion across both commercial and non-profit sectors. Through discussion and applied learning, you'll gain the skills needed to manage teams effectively and ethically in

Unpack the legal foundations that support the music business. This module explores how copyright, intellectual property, and creative works generate value for artists, labels, and industry stakeholders. You'll examine legal frameworks, licensing practices, and rights management across songwriting, recording, and publishing. By understanding how value is assigned, protected, and exploited, you'll develop the ability to critically evaluate industry practices in a global and digital marketplace.

Does music influence society, or reflect it? This module explores the powerful relationship between popular music, politics, and social change over the past century. You'll examine how artists, genres, and youth cultures have responded to issues of identity, power, and protest, from the post-war period to the present day. With a strong sociological and cultural focus, the module encourages you to question how and why music matters, offering historical insight into contemporary debates and future

Bring live events to life, from concept to curtain call. This hands-on module explores the planning, promotion, and production of live events. You'll develop an event around a clear theme or concept, evaluating venues, sourcing acts, managing budgets, conducting risk assessments, and creating production schedules. You'll also design and implement promotional strategies to reach your audience. These skills come together as you plan and deliver a live event as part of your assessment, building pra

Take your professional development further through a second work-based learning placement of at least 80 hours. Working in an operational role, you'll deepen your understanding of organisational structures, leadership, and responsibility within the music industry. Alongside your placement, you'll design and propose a research project, developing skills in research methods, critical reflection, and theoretical analysis to explore real-world management issues.