Course summary
If you’re a music industry professional who wants a high-level qualification that’s designed to drive you forward to the next stage of your career, this is the master’s degree for you. The MA Music Business course at WaterBear can fast-track your professional career in just one year. Your own projects underpin the course to offer a deeper level of personal and professional development. This comprehensive postgraduate qualification will help you become an adaptive thinker, creator and entrepreneur within a music industry that shapes the zeitgeist of contemporary culture. It is built on three fundamental elements – your past, your present and the bridge to your future. It’s flexible, innovative and the degree course is designed to fit around your life. This MA has a work-based learning approach. This means you don't necessarily need an undergraduate degree to enrol, if you have the right amount of professional experience. Whatever your reasons for wanting to study, gaining the MA can give you more professional choices, more potential income streams and those all-important letters after your name. This course is for music industry professionals who want to develop the commercial and entrepreneurial side of their careers. You may be looking to upskill in areas like digital marketing, social media and other aspects of the modern music professional's life. Or simply feel the need to gain a high-level qualification and be a recognised expert in your field. The course will take you on a journey of critical reflection, development of professional practice through mentoring, culminating in the completion of a major commercial project. Areas of focus include in-depth analysis of the music industry, development of personal skills and the realisation of ideas through submission of a major project. You will develop autonomy whilst learning to apply critical thinking and research skills to your work. You'll gain academic proficiency and professional credibility. You'll also develop your entrepreneurialism to maximise areas of potential revenue and enterprise. It’s awarded by one of the UK’s leading specialist universities for the creative industries, Falmouth University.
Modules
Your Place in the Music Industry This module launches you into the dynamic music industry. For tangible growth, we identify hidden strengths, carve a unique niche, and develop a strategic action plan with concrete steps, tailored to your specific goals. Gain the confidence to not just survive but shape the industry. Whether you're a recent graduate, an experienced individual, or an established pro, this module empowers you with interactive workshops, industry insights, and personalised feedback. Brand & Marketing This is where we look at how you can create a strong and authentic connection with your audience. How do you currently present yourself to the world, and what can you improve? Your Development Supercharge your career trajectory with real-world experience. In this module, WaterBear connects you with impactful work placements within the industry, not just hypothetical scenarios. This hands-on immersion bridges the gap between theory and practice, equipping you with valuable skills and insights. We remove any obstacles your way, ensuring you're fully prepared for your final project and a successful career beyond Creating Income This module focusses on the commercial realities of making and releasing music. Whether you are the artist or the entrepreneur, you’ll develop a greater understanding and awareness of how to develop and control various income streams relating to your music and business. Your Enterprise This is the final double module that concludes the MA. Here we bring all the strands of work, reflection, research and analysis together to deliver a major professional project. This might feature your current real-world work. It is the bridge into your future. Programme structures and modules can change as part of our curriculum enhancement and review processes. Any changes affecting students’ expected programme delivery are communicated in advance. If a certain module is important to you, please discuss it with the Programme Manager.
Assessment method
Assessment methods typically include written, audio and video-based submissions, presentations, evidence portfolios and business plans.
How to apply
International applicants
We regret that this course is not available to international applicants who would require a Student Visa. If English is not your first language, you will need to demonstrate English language skills that are sufficiently developed for successful completion of your studies. We accept a range of recognised English language qualifications.
Entry requirements
An honours degree or Level 6 equivalent qualification is desirable. However, candidates without a degree or formal qualification are still encouraged to apply. For more information about entry requirements and Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL), speak to an advisor.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
WaterBear, Sheffield
Unit 4, Gatecrasher
49 Eyre Lane
Sheffield
S1 4RB