The Music Management MA is a programme designed with your career prospects in mind. Alongside studying Music Management topics at an advanced level, you will also have the option of a work placement at a relevant arts organisation.
Introduction
You will graduate from this master’s programme with a detailed understanding of Music Management and with enhanced employment prospects. These prospects will be enriched not only by the support offered from our placements team in securing an optional placement within your course, but also by the expert academic guidance we give you to complete a dissertation in your chosen specialist field. Our industry partnerships and connections provide networking opportunities within the course that will prepare you for employment.
You’ll gain invaluable knowledge around not only management in the music industry, but also arts management, heritage management and other roles in the public sector.
You will have access to our diverse Music facilities, including the Tung Auditorium, and specialist practice spaces for classical and popular music. You will be able to access live music, including the vibrant artistic programme at the Tung Auditorium and across the thriving musical culture of the city of Liverpool.
The University’s Department of Music has a long history in music industry studies and our staff will be able to give you the detailed academic support you require to realise a substantial study that helps demonstrate your newly developed expertise to prospective employers. Your CV will be improved and your skill levels will be raised in substantial and rewarding ways.
What you'll learn
Fundamental concepts of the Music industry.
How to interpret markets and audiences of Classical music.
Understand contracts and publishing rights in the Music industry.
Develop essential skills for research at postgraduate level.
Teamwork and communication skills.
Course content
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Semester one
The Music Management MA will consist of six modules; three in the first semester and three in the second yielding a credit total of 120. The further 60 credits will be earned through the completion of the dissertation which can be on any aspect of classical music business.
Compulsory modules
MANAGING MUSIC MAKING (MUSI541)
Credits: 30 /
Semester: semester 1
This module introduces students to every aspect of managing a symphony orchestra and concert venues. Students will benefit from guest speakers drawn from managerial staff from the classical music sector.
Researching the Music Industry (MUSI510)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 1
The module examines some of the interdisciplinary approaches to the study of the music industries and explores these contributions. Drawing on examples it examines, in a practical way, how research in the field is conducted. Students learn how to plan and develop a research project in preparation for their dissertation. Students will develop their understanding through lectures, class discussions and tutorials. Successful students on this module will develop skills in research appropriate for the study of the music industries at postgraduate level, including library research skills and the ability to evaluate various kinds of evidence.
MARKETING LIVE MUSIC (MUSI540)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 1
This module will cover methodologies and practices for identifying audiences for live music performances and will explore how to apply strategies and tactics for managing and marketing live music events and/or venues.
Optional modules
WORK PLACEMENT (MUSI542)
Credits: 30 /
Semester: semester 2
This module involves students carrying out a work placement in the music industry. They will shadow music professionals and learn the modes and methods of managing in various departments within a music organisation. Students will be assessed through a portfolio and presentation in which they share and reflect on what they have learnt during the placement.
Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
Semester two
Compulsory modules
CLASSICAL MUSIC: INDUSTRY AND SOCIAL CONTEXTS (MUSI543)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 2
This module will follow the first semester module on ‘Managing Music Making’ and will look in greater depth at the many different activities and challenges encountered by people working in the classical music sector. This module will broaden out from the guest speakers of the first semester module and will look at other parts of the classical music industry beyond the symphony orchestra, such as recording and broadcasting, composition and publishing, soloists and agents, and small ensemble and vocal music. Throughout this module, students will consider how the traditions and cultural context of classical music shape the industry, with discussion of concepts such as the canon, performance practice, and amateur and professional music-making.
Music Copyright and Contracts (MUSI516)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 2
This module explores the key agreements entered into between musicians and music companies. Central among these are the contracts which seal the assignment of rights in songs publishing and recording. Further, there are agreements made between musicians and managers and between live agents, venues and promoters that, together, create the legal frameworks within and through which music industry takes place.
Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
Final project
Compulsory modules
DISSERTATION (MUSI524)
Credits: 60 /
Semester: summer
· To deepen the student’s knowledge of the chosen topic
· To develop and practice research skills
· To develop and practice writing and presentation skills
· To develop the ability to conduct extendedarguments
Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
How you'll learn
Teaching on the Music Management MA is primarily through interactive lectures where you will explore theories and real-world case studies from the music sector. There is the option of carrying out a work placement with a local arts organisation so that you can graduate with hands-on work experience. There are three modules per semester which typically means seven hours of class per week.
How you're assessed
Students are assessed through course work. We tend to expect two pieces of coursework per module. The types of coursework vary widely across the programme – from group presentations to the production of portfolios on specific subjects to standard essays. All students submit a dissertation and there is a dedicated class to prepare you for the development of your topic. Individual students are then furnished with academic supervisors to support your learning.
Liverpool Hallmarks
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
Course options
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
The optional work placement will enable you to experience life as both a student and a working professional within the classical music industry. Our on-campus venue, The Tung Auditorium, provides access to specialist facilities and offers an engaging artistic programme. The Department of Music is small but friendly, so we’ll be able to get to know you personally and support you every step of the way through your degree.
Support for students with differing needs from the Disability advice and guidance team. They can identify and recommend appropriate support provisions for you.
Why study Music at Liverpool?
We pride ourselves on being an innovative department that embraces the full spectrum of music, from the great works of the past to emerging trends such as sound for computer games
Our staff and students come from a variety of performance and non-performance backgrounds and share interests that span classical, popular, world and film music
Long established as a classical music department, in 1988 we created the Institute of Popular Music – the world’s first specialist centre for the study of Popular Music
Music placed in the top quartile for impact classified as outstanding (4*) (REF 2021)
Our recently refurbished facilities boast brand new studios, teaching spaces, and industry standard equipment. These include recording and production studios, an SSL studio, practice rooms with Yamaha pianos, a multipurpose rehearsal and performance space, iMac suites and a games research lab
In March 2022 we opened the Tung Auditorium, a new state-of-the-art performance venue seating up to 400 people, with space for a 70-piece orchestra.
The MA is very much industry-focused. Members of staff for the most part have wide-ranging music industry experience and are able to draw on this in the preparation of classes. Familiarity with local and national practitioners means that classes are current and highly-informed. Where possible, guest speakers are brought in to illustrate aspects of music industry practice.
All this noted, the MA is still an academic degree in a Russell Group university and staff academic standards are equally high. All members of staff hold PhD qualifications in relevant disciplines and all are experienced PhD supervisors. Every year, a small number of graduates indicate that they would like to carry on their studies at PhD level and we see ‘employability’ as preparation either for industry or for academia and support students, whatever their proposed career paths might be.
Career support from day one to graduation and beyond
Graduates from this programme have pursued careers in a wide range of areas within the music industry including:
Orchestra Management
Venue Management
Orchestra and Concerts Promotion
Orchestra and Concerts Marketing
Artistic Planning for Orchestras
Community Music engagement
Fund Raising for the Arts.
Fees and funding
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Tuition fees
UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)
Full-time place, per year
£11,700
International fees
Full-time place, per year
£24,100
Fees stated are for the academic year 2024/25 and are subject to change for 2025/26.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support.
If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan worth up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs. Learn more about fees and funding.
Additional costs
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
We accept a 2:2 honours degree from a UK university, or an equivalent academic qualification from a similar non-UK institution. This degree can be in any subject discipline.
International qualifications
If you hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, but don’t meet our entry requirements, a Pre-Master’s can help you gain a place. This specialist preparation course for postgraduate study is offered on campus at the University of Liverpool International College, in partnership with Kaplan International Pathways. Although there’s no direct Pre-Master’s route to this MA, completing a Pre-Master’s pathway can guarantee you a place on many other postgraduate courses at The University of Liverpool.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
English language qualification
Requirements
IELTS
6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0
TOEFL iBT
88 overall, with minimum scores of listening 19, writing 19, reading 19 and speaking 20. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted.
Duolingo English Test
120 overall, with no component below 105
Pearson PTE Academic
61 overall, with no component below 59
LanguageCert Academic
70 overall, with no skill below 65
PSI Skills for English
B2 Pass with Merit in all bands
INDIA Standard XII
National Curriculum (CBSE/ISC) - 75% and above in English. Accepted State Boards - 80% and above in English.
WAEC
C6 or above
PRE-SESSIONAL ENGLISH
Do you need to complete a Pre-Sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?
The length of Pre-Sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.
Liverpool bursts with diversity and creativity which makes it ideal for you to undertake your postgraduate studies and access various opportunities for you and your family.
To fully immerse yourself in the university experience living in halls will keep you close to campus where you can always meet new people. Find your home away from home.
Discover what expenses are covered by the cost of your tuition fees and other finance-related information you may need regarding your studies at Liverpool.
Contact us
Have a question about this course or studying with us? Our dedicated enquiries team can help.
