Sally Gross
Programme Director
Tel: +44 (0) 207 911 5000 ext 4573
Email: grosss@wmin.ac.uk
Sarah Davis
Deputy Programme Director
Tel: +44 (0) 207 911 5000 ext 8465
Email: daviss@wmin.ac.uk
What is the MA in Music Business Management?
The nature of leadership and management is changing across most industries; however, managers in the music industry face a particularly daunting task. Established music industry management structures and practices are evolving in response to the challenges of piracy, new and emerging markets, technology, and new business models. Managers operating in this environment require strong industry knowledge and an international perspective combined with highly responsive and flexible skill sets.
Building on its international reputation for delivering an innovative and relevant music business curriculum, the MA MBM is designed to equip students for management careers in the music industry. Working with music industry leaders and organisations the MA MBM has developed a unique curriculum that combines a strong underpinning of key business skills (finance, leadership, organisational management, marketing and entrepreneurialism), with essential music industry management knowledge (strategic innovation and technology, intellectual property and copyright, global issues and challenges).
The MA MBM is recognised as a world class leader in music business management education that prepares its students to become the next generation of music industry leaders.
I really enjoyed doing my degree in classical, piano and music technology in Ireland, but I always wanted to go into the music business side of things, so I decided to come over to London to do the Music Business Management MA course at Westminster. The course, and the connections it has with the music industry, were what drew me to the University, and London is clearly the place to be to get involved in the music industry a lot of the teaching staff have an industry background.
The course was very well-rounded, it prepared you for going into the entertainment industry, not just into music. One thing that was really beneficial was that, on a weekly basis, I was meeting the movers and shakers in the music industry, and being able to network with them, which was really crucial it led to my original job here at Disney.
The Executive Director of our company here used to come in and give guest lectures; he told the course leaders that they were looking for someone to come into the team, initially as a marketing assistant.
I was one of a number of people put forward from the course, and I was fortunate enough to get the job. Within a few months of being here I was promoted, largely because of the skill set I had from doing the course. I finished my Masters in 2007, and Im now International Project Manager for Disney Music Group in Europe, the Middle East and Africa; Im working across 23 countries, where we have four record labels and a music publishing division.
I had a lot of straightforward music knowledge from my undergraduate studies, and my Masters gave me the business skills I needed to be in project management, married with the creative element as well. So things like financial accounting, law and looking at marketing in much greater detail have been really beneficial, and I use them in my job every day. I couldnt do what Im doing now without my Masters course.
Albert Hogan, Music Business Management MA
International Project Manager, Disney Music Group - EMEA
Details on programme modules below
Intellectual Property and Copyright Management, Intellectual Property and Copyright Management, Music Marketing Management, Music Business Finance, Leadership and Organisational Management, Innovation and Technology Management, Music Business Management Project.