Studying a music degree can give you the music business skills, industry knowledge, and creative tools to forge a successful career in the sector, whatever your ambitions might be.
From working in a recording studio to the live music industry, if you take the right business course to suit your abilities, you will finish your studies in a position to thrive within a huge variety of music projects and industry jobs.
Of course, you may want to follow a traditional route into the business side of the music industry via your studies – and there are roles out there for anyone who has studied a course like SAE’s Music Business degree and has a deep understanding of the industry, music licensing, artist relations, music marketing, music copyright law and today’s digital service providers.
However, our course goes further than offering students a solid understanding of the business of music as aspiring music industry professionals. It will also instil a sense of entrepreneurship and professional practice alongside an aptitude for constantly evolving your abilities and skills that can be developed in the wider creative industries and beyond.
In our blog, we explore the opportunities created by studying a music business course and the various skills and career paths it opens up, whether this be with a business or via you pursuing your own path. Are you fresh talent looking to study a course with SAE? Get in contact with our team now.
Why study a Music Business degree?
Whether you’re keen to become an agent, promoter, tour manager, A&R exec or work in another area of the music industry, you’ll be perfectly placed with the industry-relevant BA/BSC (Hons) Music Business degree at SAE.
With our highly practical approach to training, you’ll develop vital skills beyond those of a typical music management degree to prepare you for the challenge of numerous music industry jobs.
While showcasing entrepreneurship at its core, you’ll gain advanced business development, marketing and finance knowledge. This will cover a range of content creation, branding techniques and digital platforms to help you navigate the industry. You will even get the opportunity to create your own comprehensive portfolio.
What do you study on a Music Business degree?
As we all know, the music industry and the business mechanics that keep it moving – from tour planning to streaming services alongside the financial aspects of different business operations, industry events and more – are in a constant state of flux.
On SAE’s Music Business course, there are some essential elements that make up your studies. They include:
Music industry overview
From music recording and the work of the artist manager to the music producer and more, students will get a comprehensive understanding of the music industry including live performance, event management, its history and how the UK music sector has navigated some of the big technological changes.
Contracts and law
A number of laws and rules surrounding copyright and rights underpin recording artists and their music releases. Those studying music business will learn more about the royalties ecosystem, contracts, music publishing and more.
How to scout and market musical talent
The music industry is based on artist development. As part of their studies, students will learn how to seek out new talent before working with them on their music careers, including branding and promotion.
Business basics
As part of a degree, you will learn how to create a business plan, budget effectively, conduct business online, financial management and develop ethical practices. You will get to grips with some of the essential business tools alongside a basic knowledge of accounting and tax.
Content management
Content creation is another important tool for music industry professionals. A knowledge of media skills, such as audio recording, graphic design, photography and video, are all essential.
what Transferable skills do you learn on a music degree
Learning about the music business will not only prepare you for a career in the music industry but also give you the opportunity to acquire a range of skills and apply them in different sectors or work scenarios.
Many of the transferable skills you will pick up include:
Team-building
This is the ability to work with others towards a common goal. Key skills include communication for clear idea sharing and feedback, collaboration and cooperation for working together, and conflict resolution for addressing disagreements constructively.
Problem-solving
This is a systematic approach adopted by professionals to identify and resolves challenges by analysing a problem, generating potential solutions, and implementing what seems to be the most effective one.
Collaborative communication
As sessions musicians, record label manager or music producer, many professionals will need to understand the most effective ways to collaborate with others on projects to hit desired goals. Studying a degree is a great opportunity to work on refining these skills by reaching out to peers and working with them on different tasks. Excellent communication skills are a desirable trait across every sector of work and a key part of the collaborative process.
Career opportunities you can follow
A portfolio career involves having multiple part-time jobs, freelance gigs, or contract roles simultaneously, rather than a single full-time position. This approach allows individuals to build a career around a diverse set of skills and interests, offering greater flexibility and variety.
You may want to work for a business or utilise your network of industry contacts to set yourself up as an entrepreneur to take on short-term contract roles within the creative industries. You can also work across different sectors with this approach suitable for those who want variety beyond the traditional 9-5.
A whole host of opportunities and music jobs within the entertainment industry and beyond exist. Some areas of work include the below:
Music related events
From live music to conferences and networking events, the events sector is one that requires talents of all kinds. You may have an interest in the technical side of putting on an event, from the audio, lighting or looking after sound as recording engineers. Or your interests could lie in project managing an event, from booking talent, managing marketing campaigns and working in concert promotion.
Work at or even run a music venue
For many artists, bands or just those aspiring to work in the live events industry, music venues can offer aspiring professionals practical experience and a solid foundation for future endeavours. From working behind the bar to stage management and looking after acts, there are myriad opportunities available within day to day operations.
Digital marketing and social media
Managing your releases and growing your audience teaches you digital marketing strategies, campaign planning, and audience analytics – skills directly transferable to professional marketing roles.
Writing, copywriting and content creation
Throughout a degree, writing essays and creating press releases or social media campaigns for degree-related projects will help you develop professional writing and content skills. Many musicians turn this experience into opportunities to work as music journalists or delve into other areas of content creation.
Project or product management
Leading bands and overseeing album releases as part of degree-related projects strengthens your project management experience. This makes you a strong candidate for product, project, or event management roles across creative industries.
Data analysis
Tracking audience engagement, streaming stats, or gig attendance through course projects helps you develop strong analytical skills. Many musicians unknowingly gain valuable data analytics expertise; a skill highly sought after across multiple industries.
Music publishing
The music industry ecosystem depends on music publishing and copyrights to ensure songwriters and creatives are paid for their work. An understanding of the different types of copyright there are in a song and recording alongside the multiple income streams available will be invaluable in this world.
Study Music Business at SAE
Studying our leading Music Business course will give you a comprehensive education in labels, publishing, management, touring, distribution, and live events.
You will have the opportunity to collaborate with an exciting student body to record your artists, film music videos and begin to plan your own career in one of the world’s most exciting industries.
