Popular Music Production and Business Management

Popular music production and business management is a degree that prepares you for the commercial realities of the contemporary music industry, combining hands-on technical training in music production with the business knowledge and strategic understanding that a sustainable career in the sector requires. The music industry has undergone profound structural change as a result of digital distribution, streaming and the globalisation of popular culture, and succeeding within it demands both creative and technical ability and a clear-eyed understanding of how the business works.

At the University of Derby, this three-year full-time programme includes a foundation year, allowing students who need additional preparation to build the musical and academic foundations needed before progressing into the full degree. The programme has strong links with the music industry, and you will be invited to participate in the yearly Music Production Show, with guest presentations from industry professionals and the opportunity to engage regularly with the professional community around music technology and production. You will develop production skills using professional digital audio tools and studio environments, and you will study the business frameworks that govern the music industry including artist management, label operations, marketing and the emerging landscape of streaming economics.

A placement year gives you direct professional experience in the industry, and work placement opportunities are integrated throughout.

Graduates of this programme move into careers across the music industry and the broader creative economy. Music production, sound engineering, artist management, music marketing, A&R, music publishing and the management of live events are all well-established routes. The business management element also opens doors in the wider creative and entertainment industries, in television, film, digital media and brand partnerships where music intersects with other creative sectors.

Some graduates develop independent careers as producers or creative entrepreneurs, while others pursue postgraduate study in music business, music technology or arts management.