Overview
Develop the advanced knowledge and skills you need to work in the global music industries.
Whether you’re looking to pursue a career in management or as a self employed professional, on our Music Industries Management MA you’ll gain a solid understanding of current industry trends and challenges in regional, national, and global contexts.
You’ll explore key elements of the music sector, such as:
- live music events
- music policy
- marketing and distribution
- recording and publishing
Newcastle’s music department has a long tradition of future-focused education informed by cutting-edge research and practice.
You’ll utilise our extensive connections with global professional and industry bodies. The valuable insights of our network influences our teaching and provides industry research projects, engaging with contemporary issues.
Your studies will lead towards a major research project. On this project you can dive deep into a topic of interest, or tackle a project set by one of our industry partners based on a specific research brief.
Important information
We’ve highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
What you’ll learn
As a Music Industries Management Master’s student, you’ll learn about:
- Employment, self-employment and freelancing in the music industries
- Current issues facing the music industries and creative sector
- Key approaches to theorising, analysing and formulating research problems for the music industries
- The social, cultural, economic and political contexts in which music and creative sector practitioners and organisations are working
- Production processes and professional practices relevant to live and recorded music
- The past, present and future development of the music industry
- The types of organisations the global music industries interact with
Through collaboration with researchers, policy experts and industry professionals and organisations, you’ll explore innovative responses to challenges and opportunities in the music industries. You’ll gain a versatile set of skills applicable to the music and wider creative sectors.
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Course content changes
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Music Industries Management MA full time modules
All students will take all of the following compulsory modules:
All students will take one of the following modules:
| Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| MUS8028 Pedagogical Technology in Music Education | 20 |
| MUS8029 Music Education, Community, and Wellbeing | 20 |
With the approval of the Degree Programme Director and depending upon the academic background of the candidate, alternative optional modules to those listed above may be selected.
Music Industries Management MA part time modules
Year 1
All students will take all of the following compulsory modules:
Year 2
All students will take all of the following compulsory modules:
| Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| MUS8020 Researching Music | 20 |
| MUS8032 Music Research Project | 60 |
All students will take one of the following optional modules:
| Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| MUS8028 Pedagogical Technology in Music Education | 20 |
| MUS8029 Music Education, Community, and Wellbeing | 20 |
How you’ll learn
You’ll be taught using a range of methods, including:
- Lectures
- Interactive seminars
- Practice-based workshops
- Small group tutorials
- Guided independent study
- Case studies
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Case study
- Essay
- Oral presentation
- Portfolio
- Report
- Research paper
- Written exercise
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You’ll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You’ll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
Your future
Professional skills
Develop problem-solving, analytical and planning strategies for the music industries through professional research and optional real-world project-based learning
You’ll write confidently for a range of audiences and enhance your teamwork and collaboration skills.
Practical skills
Gain the confidence to work with peers, musicians, and creative professionals, communicating effectively across cultures.
You’ll learn to advocate for the music industries and their significance within a variety of contexts relating to the cultural and creative sectors.
You’ll also gain experience of industry-relevant project planning and skills in network building.
Careers
On our programme you’ll prepare for a career in the music industry or other creative sectors. You’ll have the opportunity to build networks and apply your skills in practice. You could find work in a range of roles including:
- artist management
- live music
- music publishing
- project and event management
- music marketing
- creative production
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
- Top 90 for Arts and Humanities – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
We have outstanding specialist music facilities including studios and performance spaces. Our £4.5m purpose-built Music Studios were designed with performance, multimedia and studio-based work in mind.
Read more about out the facilities in our Music department
Our facilities include:
- two professional-grade recording studios
- a range of recently refurbished rehearsal and performance spaces
- a work area with PCs featuring specialist music software
- a project room equipped with 5.1 mixing system
- a full range of recently refurbished teaching facilities, including a 100-seat lecture theatre, two 50 seat lecture theatres and three 25-seater seminar room
- a large student common room and a new refreshments and social lounge
The University Library provides access to:
- extensive music collections (including a number of important manuscript and microfilm collections)
- subscriptions to many specialist music journals
- a significant body of online resources
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Academic entry requirements
A 2:1 or above from a UK university or international equivalent, in music or a related arts, humanities, social sciences or business degree background. .
There may be circumstances where professional experience in the field may be considered alongside an undergraduate degree in a relevant field.
