Music Industry
(Pro Skills)
Understand the business of music — and learn how to shape its future. This 9-month professional course is designed for aspiring managers, marketers, A&Rs, and music entrepreneurs. From artist development and release campaigns to copyright law, live event strategy, and emerging tech, you’ll gain a complete, real-world understanding of how the industry operates today. With a focus on practical skills, collaboration, and portfolio-building, the course prepares you to confidently step into the global music business.
Duration
9 months
Start
Oct 2025
Difficulty
Professional
Award
Certificate of Professional Retraining
Course overview
This Music Industry course provides an in-depth understanding of how the modern music business functions — from management and marketing to rights, publishing, and live events. You’ll gain the core skills and mindset needed to operate in artist management, A&R, touring, and production roles. Each module combines lectures, case studies, real-world assignments, and collaborative labs designed to simulate professional scenarios. You’ll graduate with a strategic vision and the tools to launch a career in one of the world’s most dynamic creative industries.
How will you learn
Attend in-person lectures, research seminars, and collaborative workshops.
Study real cases from global artists, managers, and labels using data.
Build marketing campaigns, touring plans, and release strategies.
Get feedback from A&R professionals and industry executives.
Present your own music business project or pitch deck at the end of the course.
Learning outcomes
- Manage and position music artists in different business models
- Build and execute marketing and release campaigns
- Understand publishing, rights management, and label operations
- Scout and develop talent as an A&R manager
- Design production workflows and plan music releases
- Coordinate concerts, events, and venue relationships
- Develop strategic materials for funding, sponsorship, or label pitches
Upon successful completion, you will receive a Certificate of Professional Retraining, verifying your professional skillset.
Course structure
Understand the foundations of managing an artist or project team. You’ll explore career strategy, team building, budgeting, and real-life case studies from music industry operations.
- Introduction to the Course and Industry Landscape
- Music Business Roles: Producer vs. Manager
- Artist Teams and Responsibilities
- Communication and Psychology in Artist Relations
- Monetization Models in the Music Industry
- Technical and Hospitality Riders + Venue Strategy
- Digital Marketing and Distribution Channels
- Release Logistics and Visual Identity
- Investor Packaging and Data Analytics
- Final Project Presentation and Role Reflection
Master the tools of music marketing: from digital platforms to playlist pitching. You’ll build artist promo packs, learn about branding, and explore social and performance marketing.
- Annual Artist Planning
- Brand Strategy and Positioning
- The Promo Package
- Playlist Pitching Tools
- DSP Marketing
- Social Media and Digital Presence
- Concert and Tour Marketing
- PR and Media Communication
- Alternative Monetization and Promotion Channels
- Industry Field Trip
Dive into legal structures, business models, and market specifics. Learn to navigate contracts, intellectual property, and financial structures of the music business.
- Introduction to Music Law
- Legal Structures for Music Projects
- Sources of Legal Regulation
- The Nature of Deals
- Copyright Law
- Neighboring Rights
- Types of Music Contracts
- Protecting Your Identity: Branding & IP
- Legal Case Studies and Contract Review
- Final Assessment: Legal Application and Presentation
Learn how to navigate the business side of music production — from budgeting and planning to industry analysis and investor-ready presentations.
- Introduction to the Music Industry Landscape
- Taxation and Mandatory Payments
- Budgeting for Recording and Promotion
- Concert Budgeting
- Business Plan Fundamentals
- SWOT & PEST Analysis
- Investor-Ready Packaging
- Final Project Review
Learn how to identify, evaluate, and grow musical talent. This module equips you with tools to find, assess, and develop artists, covering everything from creative feedback to sync deals and TikTok trends.
- Introduction to A&R
- How Record Labels Operate
- Music Scouting and Track Discovery
- Financial Literacy for A&R
- Artist Positioning and Visual Identity
- Working with Artists: Management Case Studies
- Global Markets and Songwriting Networks
- Social Media for A&R: TikTok and Beyond
- DSP, Sync and Release Strategy
- Final Artist Project Presentation
Understand the mechanics of master rights and music publishing.
- Music Industry Foundations
- Roles and Revenue in Music Publishing
- Rights and Contracts
- Publishing Administration and Metadata
- Distribution and DSPs
- Sync Licensing and Creative Uses
- Legal and Strategic Deal-Making
- Final Project and Strategy Pitch
Dive into the business and logistics of concert and event production.
- The Live Music Industry: Structure and Business Models
- Event Budgeting and Business Planning
- Contracts, Documentation and Permissions (GR)
- Booking, Venues and Promo Strategy
- Ticketing, Touring and Regional Management
- Timing, Logistics and Production Planning
- Sponsorships and Brand Partnerships
- Technical Riders and On-Site Production
- Risk Management and Final Prep
- Final Presentation
Apply everything you've learned across the program to design and present a capstone business project.
Develop consistency and creative independence through focused, intentional practice sessions that build discipline, technique, and artistic voice.
Requirements
- Beginner Friendly. No prior experience required
- Interest in music marketing, management, or A&R
- Ideal for musicians, aspiring managers, marketers, and creative entrepreneurs
- Admission Interview required
Fees & scholarships
Academic Year 2025–2026
| Registration fee | AED 2,200 |
| Resources fee | AED 3,900 |
| Tuition fee | AED 22,000 |
| Total cost | AED 28,100 |
|---|
All prices listed are exclusive of VAT.
From time to time, we offer individual scholarships to newly admitted students. These scholarships are awarded through a competitive application process and may cover either partial or full tuition fees.
How to apply
Step-by-step process
Ready to apply? Here’s how the process works:
- Complete the online application form below.
- Attend an admission interview as part of the selection process.
- Pay the course fees upfront to reserve your spot.
- Receive a confirmation email with your schedule and all the necessary instructions.
- Attend your first class!