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Subject · 217 verified programs

Music Business and Industry: degrees, diplomas and programs

Programs on how the music industry operates, including rights, management, marketing, live events and the economics of recorded and live music.

Also called: Music Industry Studies, Music Management, Creative Industries Music, Music Entrepreneurship, Musikmanagement, Management musicale, Gestione dell'industria musicale.

83 BA / BA (Hons) · 41 BM / BMus · 38 BS / BSc · 21 MA · 13 Certificate · 7 Other bachelor’s award · 4 Other master’s award · 3 MM / MMus · 3 MS / MSc · 2 Graduate / postgraduate certificate · 1 BFA · 1 Other diploma · 148 dedicated degree, 51 official concentration, 5 documented pathway, 13 named major

217 programs

How results are ordered: alphabetically by institution, or by most recently checked when you choose that sort. There is no price ranking, because tuition in different currencies, fee categories and bases (per year, per credit, whole program) is not comparable. A program appears under a subject only through a verified link (dedicated degree, major, concentration or documented pathway). A value we could not verify is shown as “not published”, never as “no”. Items marked Sponsored are paid placements; they never change verification or order. Online programs are not counted as physically located in a state or city, and an institution’s location does not tell you whether it enrols students from your country.

About music business and industry study

Music business study looks at the commercial and legal structures around music. Topics include copyright and publishing, recording and licensing, artist management, booking and touring, marketing and distribution, and how streaming and other digital channels change revenue. Programs treat the industry as a set of interconnected sectors, each with its own contracts and practices.

Teaching typically uses case studies, guest sessions from practitioners, and projects such as planning a release, running a concert or building a marketing campaign. Most programs also include some music content so that students understand artists and repertoire, and many offer placements or internships with companies and venues.

Music business is not a performance or creative subject in itself. It sits close to business studies, law and cultural management, and some programs are located in business schools rather than music departments. That affects admission, which may focus on academic records rather than musical audition, and the mix of music and management content varies widely.

What study typically involves

  • Copyright, publishing and licensing
  • Recording, distribution and streaming economics
  • Artist management and A&R
  • Live music, touring and venue operations
  • Marketing, branding and audience development
  • Entrepreneurship and project management
  • Contracts and legal basics for the industry
  • Music industry history and current trends

Award titles. Music business is commonly recognized through the BA, BS, BBA, BMus or BM at undergraduate level and the MA, MS, MBA, MMus or MM at master's level, sometimes with a named music business specialization. Diplomas and certificates also exist in some countries. Doctoral study is usually a research PhD in business, media or cultural studies. Names and structure vary by country, and awards are not treated as equivalent here.

A program appears under Music Business and Industry only when it is a dedicated music business degree, a named music business major, an official concentration or a documented pathway. A single industry course does not count. General business degrees without a music pathway are not listed.

Auditions and admissions guidance

Requirements differ for every program and instrument. Always check the official admissions page; this directory cannot guarantee acceptance.

Admission usually depends on academic record, a personal statement and, for some programs, references. Because the subject centers on industry operations, an audition is generally not required, though some programs ask for evidence of musical experience or involvement in the scene, such as running events, managing acts or working in a venue.

Interviews are common in selective programs. Business-school versions may ask for standardized test scores, work experience or quantitative background, while music-school versions may ask for a basic musicianship test. Graduate programs often expect prior work experience or a relevant first degree.

Requirements differ by institution and country and are not interchangeable with performance routes. Check the official admissions page for criteria and deadlines. Nothing here guarantees admission.

See also the guide to preparing for auditions.

Funding and costs

Funding may include merit scholarships, tuition waivers, graduate assistantships and public loans or grants. Industry bodies, companies and foundations sometimes offer awards or paid internships to students, with eligibility rules that vary.

Availability and terms differ by institution and country, and many students receive partial support or none. Check directly with each program and funding body.

Costs beyond tuition. Possible costs include travel to industry events and placements, unpaid or low-paid internship periods, software for marketing or analytics, memberships in industry associations and, in some programs, costs for running student events or releases.