• Undergraduate

International Music Business (Top-up) BA (Hons)

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Overview

Overview

Why study at the University of West London?
  • Ranked 30th university in the UK - The Guardian University Guide 2025
  • Our Music courses are ranked #2 in London for modern universities* - Guardian University Guide 2025
  • Number 1 London university for overall student satisfaction - National Student Survey 2024**
  • Best university for Student Experience and Teaching Quality in the UK - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024
Why study this course?

BA (Hons) International Music Business is a one-year, top-up course designed to offer a unique understanding of the global music industry.

This top-up degree establishes core understandings of how and why the global music business operates before building on this knowledge by focusing on new, creative and innovative concepts.

To develop the mindset required to work in the music business that rewards pragmatically focused results, the course offers a new pathway to realising your potential career through a combination of:

  • lecture material
  • practical workshops
  • simulated learning environments
  • the scope to direct own learning and take risks.
UWL Alumni Music producer and recording engineer Kurt Martinez

Select your desired study option, then pick a start date to see relevant course information:

Study options:
We support flexible study by offering some of our courses part-time or via distance learning. To give you real world experience before you graduate, we also offer some courses with a placement or internship. All available options are listed here. Your choices may affect some details of your course, such as the duration and cost per year. Please re-check the details on this page if you change your selection.

Start date:

If your desired start date is not available, try selecting a different study option.

Why study International Music Business (Top-up) with us?

Why study International Music Business (Top-up) with us?

A collage of students

What our students say…

I love the range of modules the course provides, this variety means that we have a range of knowledge in all aspects of the industry, which in turn makes us better managers. The course has given me a real life view of the industry and also taught me the ability to network with professionals.

Alex Wiseman
Next
London College of Music: founded in 1887
£1m+ investment in the Paragon Annex Studios. Our studio complex is now one of the largest in Europe.
In-house Record Label London Noise Records
UWL boasts a 200-seat fully equipped studio theatre
Course detail & modules

Course detail & modules

Our International Music Business (Top-up) course will enable you to build a deep understanding of the global music business, in particular:

  • international release supply chain
  • international marketing
  • live music industry
  • basic copyright/contract law.

These subject areas provide the foundation to practice in the music business.

After gaining knowledge of international business differences, you will learn the principles of music publishing as well as pre and post-release strategies.

Additionally, the top-up year focuses on the importance of visual media and branding.

The course encourages you in academic and critical thinking, equipping you with the skills to operate in the music industry and to become the next generation of leaders that shape the music industry.

Course subject to approval

Approval is the formal process by which the University ensures that the proposed design, content and delivery of a course will provide a high quality learning experience for all students.

Compulsory modules

  • International Rights and Contracts

    This module is a key to understanding the principles and doctrines of intellectual property law and master recording rights that are commonplace within the global media and music industry.

  • Digital Marketing

    In this module students will take their previously acquired industry knowledge and further their skills using applied scenarios. The module is broken into two parts that will cover both theoretical underpinnings and applied learning scenarios. In the first section, students will engage with broad theoretical concepts that underpin digital marketing and will apply these to current market exemplars. The second section will focus on the demonstration of previously acquired knowledge and skill sets in an applied learning scenario. At the end of this module students will be capable of assembling teams and developing complex marketing campaigns for industry leading acts.

  • London Music Live

    The module is designed to give you an overview of the common practices and issues surrounding the live music industry worldwide. You will also study contrasting practices and issues by researching how the London live music business operates.

  • Global Release Strategies

    This module will equip you with conceptual and practical tools to navigate analytical systems utilised by streaming services and advertising platforms around the world. You will engage in guided workshops, using current case studies to highlight different advertising approaches to the way that music is marketed and consumed in the contemporary industry.

  • International Music Business Project

    The international music business project is a year-long, self-directed module that allows you to showcase your research skills and abilities, and apply them to a topic area of your own choosing.

    It is expected that the research topic is clearly related to the content of your course, but it can also encompass a broader perspective that considers your intended career path. You will be paired with a project supervisor, who will assist you in building a cohesive plan for your project.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

You will need:

  • Level 5 qualifications to include either music or business
6.0 IELTS or above

You need to meet our English language requirement - a minimum of IELTS 5.5 for each of the 4 individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening). Visit our English language requirements page for information on other English language tests we accept. 

You also need academic qualifications at the same level as UK applicants. In some countries where teaching is in English, we may accept local qualifications. Check for local equivalents. 

We offer pre-sessional English language courses if you do not meet these requirements.

Find out more about our English Language courses.

Fees & funding

Fees & funding

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Please note:

  • Fees for the 2026/27 academic year and onwards may be subject to Government regulation and change.
  • Tuition fees are charged for each year of your course. If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year.
  • If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.
  • If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

Funding your studies

You may be eligible for a student loan to cover the cost of tuition fees, or a maintenance loan. Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as those with dependants and disabled students.

We offer generous bursaries and scholarships to make sure your aspirations are your only limit. In recent years, hundreds of students have received our Full-time Undergraduate Student Bursary.

Additional scholarships specifically for music students are also on offer.

View full details, including conditions and eligibility.

Funding your studies
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Please note:

  • Fees for the 2026/27 academic year and onwards may be subject to Government regulation and change.
  • Tuition fees are charged for each year of your course. If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year.
  • If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.
  • If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

International students - funding your studies

We offer scholarships for international students including International Ambassador Scholarships. 

Further information about funding and financial support for international students is available from the UK Council for International Student Affairs.

 

Financial support for international students
Teaching staff

Teaching staff

Ben Bushell

Ben Bushell

Course leader for BA(Hons) Music Management at the University of West London. Ben has worked as manager at some of the UKs most successful management companies such as ATC management and Ferocious Talent. He has over 100 million streams across his current management roster. Ben previously lectured at the University of Westminster.

Course leader for BA(Hons) Music Management at the University of West London. Ben has worked as manager at some of the UKs most successful management companies such as ATC management and Ferocious Talent. He has over 100 million streams across his current management roster. Ben previously lectured at the University of Westminster.

Study & career progression

Study & career progression

Atmospheric black and white portrait of James Carter

Once you graduate you could go on to work in:

  • artist management
  • booking agencies
  • PR and press
  • publishing
  • record labels
  • event and tour managing
  • collection societies

Further study can be undertaken upon course completion, see postgraduate courses best suited for progression.

How to apply

How to apply

Search for courses

Important notes for applicants

Disclaimer

*Modern universities - defined as higher education institutions that were granted university status in, and subsequent to, 1992.

**The National Student Survey 2023 and 2024 - Average of answers to all questions by registered student population. Excludes specialist institutions.

Testimonials - our students or former students provided all of our testimonials - often a student from the course but sometimes another student. For example, the testimonial often comes from another UWL student when the course is new.

Optional modules - where optional modules are offered they will run subject to staff availability and viable student numbers opting to take the module.

Videos - all videos on our course pages were accurate at the time of filming. In some cases a new Course Leader has joined the University since the video was filmed.

Availability of placements - if you choose a course with placement/internship route we would like to advise you that if a placement/internship opportunity does not arise when you are expected to undertake the placement then the University will automatically transfer you to the non-internship route, this is to ensure you are still successful in being awarded a degree.