BA (Hons) Music and Live Events Management

Why study this subject?

Music and Live Events Management can help kickstart your career in the world of music and live entertainment. We will equip you with the skills to turn your love of live events into a successful and fulfilling career. Whether you dream of organizing the next big festival or managing your favourite artist's tour, this subject will provide you with knowledge and experience to help bring your ambitions to life. 

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

BNU offers a unique experience in Music and Live Events Management. We stand out due to the hands-on expertise of our teaching staff, comprising industry professionals with diverse backgrounds, including a Mercury Music Prize winner, award-winning concert promoters, and digital marketing specialists. Plus, you’ll benefit from guest lectures and workshops from visiting industry associates, which can introduce you to new and emerging issues across the sector. 

Our course combines theory and practical work, covering all the fundamental principles of live music event management. You’ll learn key transferable business skills such as Marketing, Risk, and Licensingri, as well as work on the real-life, real-time production of small, medium, and large-scale events. From the beginning of your studies, you’ll collaborate with fellow students on other degrees, such as music or film courses, to bring events together. 

At BNU, you'll have access to an extensive network of alumni, guest lecturers, and industry experts, providing you with valuable insights into the industry and career opportunities. We emphasise practical experience throughout the degree. Past students have gone on a range of exciting placements, such as working at renowned events like Reading Festival, Wireless Festival, and BBC Radio 1 Weekender.

Opportunity modules are a key part of the BNU curriculum. You’ll choose modules in your first year from a broad selection in areas such as sustainability, entrepreneurship, creativity, digital skills, personal growth, civic engagement, health & wellbeing and employment. Opportunity modules are designed to enable you to develop outside the traditional boundaries of your discipline and help you to further stand out from the crowd to future employers. 

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

BNU actively engages in collaborative opportunities with industry partners via schemes such as the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme, supported by UK Research and Innovation.  Industry collaboration enables us to support innovation and R&D projects that support the growth of the creative industry while also feeding new knowledge and expertise into our courses. Read more about Knowledge Transfer Partnerships at BNU here, or email us.

Our Specialisms

Buckinghamshire New University gives you the opportunity to choose your specialism for your future career after your experience of the core curriculum in year one. Rather than having to make the big decision before you join us, we introduce you to various specialisms and offer you the flexibility to choose which one suits you the best. You can choose between BA (Hons) Music and Live Events Management and BA (Hons) Events Management.

Music and Live Events Management will be for you if you love the music industry and want to work hand in hand with everyone from musicians to producers and managers. If you are interested in the wider events industry, where you can organise and run everything from corporate conventions and exhibitions to bespoke weddings, Events management is the course for you.  

These specialisms are also offered as four-year programmes, including an initial Foundation Year. The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and development needs for progression onto an undergraduate degree

What will I study?

Music and Live Events Management, covers a comprehensive range of topics that will equip you with the practical and theoretical knowledge needed to succeed in the ever-evolving live music and events industry as well as more broadly across more mainstream businesses and enterprises. 

Your first year will explore the basics of how various types of events work, including live gigs, tours, and festivals. You'll learn about the fundamentals of marketing and promotion for different event types as well as explore core management skills, both for personal development and for the growth of venues, artists, and companies. You'll gain valuable insights into public relations, risk assessment, and the necessary legislation for safe and responsible operation within the event industry. 

Moving into the second year, you'll have the opportunity to engage in real-life, real-time production of small, medium, and large-scale events. We will guide you through the process of taking an idea from first thoughts to a real event. This year also has a focus on fostering communication and interpersonal skills, as well as problem-solving in high-pressure situations. 

In your final year, the focus will be on an individual project, where you'll have the chance to develop analytical, synthetic, and research skills. Emphasis will be placed on individual and independent learning, with modules dedicated to strategic and long-term thinking that informs the industry. 

In previous years we’ve been able to offer our students a range of different opportunities to work at a range of different events, festivals & projects. Including, but not limited to: 

• Reading Festival - Assistant Zone Managers 
• Wireless Festival - H&S Inductions, Licensing Office 
• Hyde Park British Summertime - H&S Inductions, Licensing Office 
• Wembley Arena 
• Creamfields - H&S Inductions, Licensing Office 
• Download Festival - H&S Inductions, Licensing Office 
• Aylesbury Waterside Theatre 
• Mind Body & Spirit 
• Common & Steelyard - H&S Inductions, Licensing Office 
• Ginger Owl Productions - Various Roles and Opportunities across a wide range of events. 
• BBC Radio 1 Weekender - H&S Inductions, Licensing Office & Production Office 
• ILMC Conference - Assistants roles at the biggest Music Industry Conference in UK, with all major Artists Agents, Promoters, Artists Management companies, Venue and Arena Operators and Festival Organisers. 

How will I be taught and assessed?

During your time studying on this course, you will be taught and assessed with a mixture of: 

• Lectures 
• Seminars 
• Workshops 
• Event planning tasks 
• Individual and group studies  
• Practical exams 
• Written assignments 
• Presentations. 

You’ll study in a close-knit tutor group where everyone’s input is recognised and valued. Not only will you make friends for life, you’ll also make important connections that will last through your career, and you’ll form a network, just like you’d find in the working world.