MA in International Music Management
Southampton, United Kingdom
MA
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
GBP 31,200 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* EU and international students | £11,000 - UK students
Develop the knowledge and skills you’ll need to become an entrepreneur in the global music industry on our MA International Music Management master's degree. On this UK course, you'll learn about all aspects of the music business, from live performance and streaming to advertising and video games. Industry professionals will help you discover the careers you can go into.
This International Music Management master’s course will prepare you for a management career in the global music business.
You’ll develop a critical understanding of the legal, economic, social and cultural frameworks that support the music industry.
And you'll gain key business skills through exposure to local music venues such as Turner Sims, touring musicians, and masterclasses with industry partners like Sony, Universal, Google and YouTube.
On this practical programme, you'll also learn about:
- how the music publishing industry makes its money
- copyright and licensing
- music event planning
- adding music to a video game or TV show
- the costs involved in making an album
- how music festivals and opera companies work
You'll learn from expert academics with plenty of music industry experience and connections. They'll teach you the practical skills you need to work in a wide range of music management roles.
Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship
There are 40 scholarships available to international students applying to study an undergraduate or postgraduate master's degree in an arts or humanities subject. Successful applicants will get £10,000 towards their tuition fees.
Find out more about the Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply, on our website.
Southampton UK Alumni Music Scholarship
Two scholarships of £2000 are available to home fee-paying graduates of the University of Southampton.
Find out more about the Southampton UK Alumni Music Scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply, on our website.
Your studies run for a full 12 months, from September to the following September.
In the first 8 months (semesters 1 and 2), you'll focus on the taught part of your course. This consists of modules that everyone in the course takes and modules that we’ll ask you to choose from a list of options.
During semester 2, you’ll start preparing for your final project.
For the last 4 months, over the summer, you’ll work independently on your final project. You’ll have meetings with your supervisor during this time to discuss your progress.
Modules
The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
Employability Skills
This degree will allow you to develop and evidence subject-specific and targeted employability skills. This includes the required skill set for a range of future careers, further study, or starting your own business.
The skills you can expect to focus on and gain from this course include:
- Research
- Critical thinking
- Commercial awareness
- Self-management
- EDI leadership
The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us, you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.
Career Pathways
Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including: Live Music Venues, Concert Venues, Theatres, Music Service Providers, Local Council Libraries, universities, Education Providers, museums and galleries, media groups, local and national government, heritage service providers.
Careers directly related to this course:
- Musician
- Composer
- Sound designer
- Producer
- Artist manager
- Music teacher
- Promoter
- Arts administrator
- Youth worker
- Community music practitioner
Wider career opportunities:
- Business development manager
- Management consultant
- Project manager
- Event manager
- Tour manager
- Copyright manager
- Local government officer
- Marketing executive
- Public relations officer
- Social media manager
Example job titles of Southampton, MA International Music Management graduates*:
- Artist and repertoire scout
- Assistant producer
- Music teacher
- Copyright analyst
- Recording studio assistant
- Music and drama teacher
- Senior marketing executive
- Music venue programming intern
- Theatre technician
- Music production assistant
Learning
You’ll develop your knowledge of real-world music management issues through a variety of learning methods, including lectures, seminars and tutorials. Other methods include:
- presentations
- guest lectures
- workshops
- whole-class activities
- study visits
- independent study
- research
Assessment
We’ll assess you using a variety of methods. These include:
- essays
- portfolios
- individual and group presentations
- in-class tests or exams
- final project
The final project is an extended period of independent study. This is a chance for you to show your research skills and knowledge about a particular aspect of international music management. You’ll present your findings in a critical paper.