MU1S46 - Principles of Music Business and Finance 01 Sep 2020 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: MU1S46
Module Title: Principles of Music Business and Finance
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Music and Drama
Faculty Sub Group: Music
Module Leader: Lloyd George
Module Team: Lucy Squire, Zoe Blackler, Daniel Champion
First Intended Intake: SEP 2020 Final Year of Intake: 2025
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100643 - music and arts management
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2020
Valid To 31 Aug 2026

Module Aims

In this module, students will develop a knowledge of management and business principles and different types of organisations. They will have the opportunity to explore the impact of the business environment on the behaviour of organisations and develop the technical skills needed to interpret financial statements and conduct financial appraisals

Content Summary

Organisations and responsibilities: organisational types (sole trader, partnership; limited company, multinational, conglomerate, not-for-profit, etc.); stakeholders, stakeholders’ objectives, responsibility of organisations to stakeholders.

Business environment: effects of fiscal and monetary policy on businesses, impact of market forces (e.g. demand and supply) on behaviour of businesses; market competition (perfect, monopoly, monopolistic, oligopoly, duopoly). Data from industry bodies BPI and PRS will be analysed and significant mergers and acquisitions explored.

Financial decision-making: financial planning, financial information, role of financial managers; evaluate sources of funding available to a company; capital budgeting, capital structure; interpret financial statements (income statement, balance sheet, and statement of cash flows).

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 12
Seminar 18
Practical classes and workshops 6
Independent Study 92
Directed Study 72
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Demonstrate knowledge of business and management theories and models.
LO2 Interpret financial reports, including Profit and Loss Accounts and Balance Sheets to assess the performance of a business.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Essay 1 Music industry report: Essay examining Music Businesses, including financial and organisational behaviours 0 2400 60 No 40
Synchronous Online Assessment Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Online) 1 GIVLKHVB 100 N/A 40 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Essay 1
Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Online) 1

Reading List

Harrison, A. (2017) Music the business: the essential guide to the law and deals. (7th ed). London: Virgin Publishing
Passman, D. (2019) All You Need To Know About The Music Business. (10th Ed). New York: Viking
Herstand, A. (2019) HOW TO MAKE IT IN THE NEW MUSIC BUSINESS?: practical tips on building a loyal following... and making a living as a musician. S.L.: Liveright Publishing Corp
Baskerville, D. and Baskerville, T. (2020). Music business handbook and career guide. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications, Inc.
Alexander, J. and Wiley, J. (2018). Financial planning & analysis and performance management. Hoboken: Wiley.
Samonas, M. (2015). Financial forecasting, analysis, and modelling?: a framework for long-term forecasting. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley.
Macy, A., Rolston, C., Allen, P. and Hutchison, T. (2016). Record label marketing?: how music companies brand and market artists in the digital era. New York London Focal Press.
Eamonn Forde (2019). Emi, terra firma & the battle for the soul of britain’s most iconic record company.