Solent’s industry-focused music promotion degree is the ideal way to kick-start a career in the music business – whether you are looking to develop artists and brands, enhance your skills and knowledge of marketing, digital media and public relations, or manage fantastic club nights, gigs and tours. The degree is also perfect for musicians who want to learn the skills and strategies needed to build a buzz and generate future success.
During the degree you will create and manage your own campaigns, videos, social media and events, with guidance from industry professionals and leading music industry researchers. You’ll graduate well prepared for a range of industry roles with an enviable portfolio of essential marketing, public relations, digital media, artist development and event management skills.
As a music promotion student you’ll develop your music business skills and knowledge through a unique mix of theory-based and practical assignments taught by music industry professionals and researchers. By working on promotional campaigns, live events, music festivals and entrepreneurial projects you’ll learn more about the music industry – and make contacts that will help you to succeed after graduation. You will also develop your communication, critical thinking, digital media and research skills so that you can remain at the forefront of music industry developments in the future.
Our students are highly active within the Southampton live music scene, with graduates managing and booking venues, and current students working on a range of real-world projects. For over ten years they have been instrumental in creating and managing Solent University’s annual city-wide music festival, SMILEfest, and in the development of our in-house music hub, Solent Music. Through such initiatives, you’ll have the chance to launch and manage your project work, promote live shows and club nights, work on artist development and artist marketing, and create effective public relations campaigns and digital media.
We welcome guest speakers throughout the year, thanks to our extensive network of music industry contacts. Guests have recently included Andy Copping (Live Nation/ Download Festival), Rob da Bank (Bestival), Richard Parsons (Ticketmaster), Russell Warby (live booking agent for Foo Fighters, Jack White), Joel De’Ath (Sony Music), Amanda Maxwell (Boiler Room), Danny Howard (Radio 1), Nick Halkes (manager, The Prodigy), Carl Loben (Editor, DJ magazine), Gary Powell (The Libertines), Gillian Fleet (Domino Records), Jon Davies (Shazam) and Murray Curnow (Wildlife Management, Arctic Monkeys, Royal Blood).
What does this course lead to?
Our graduates have established their own artist agencies, record labels and event promotion businesses, and work in a wide range of music business roles, including digital media management and marketing (for record labels and music bands/brands), public relations, event and tour management, music merchandising, studio management and artist liaison/A&R.
Employers include Polydor Records (Universal Music Group), AEG Presents (The O2 Arena, London), The Official Charts Company, BMG, Sony Music, The Orchard, the Featured Artists Coalition, Prescription PR, Audience UK, A-List Management, SJM Concerts, Communion Records, SC Productions and Live Nation.
Who is this course for?
BA (Hons) Music Promotion is well suited to students who want to pursue a sustainable music business career within a highly varied and fast-moving set of industries, including marketing and PR, live events, tours and festivals, social media, TV and radio promotion, recording and publishing companies and much more.
Students come from a wide range of academic and creative backgrounds, including practising musicians and performers, but all share a passion for music and the music industry, and seek to learn the key skills and knowledge that will advance their future careers in the business.
