Course Outline
Birmingham City University was among the first universities in the UK to deliver media degrees and is now recognised for its innovative and excellent programmes by becoming part of a network of Government-accredited Skillset Media Academies.
Birmingham School of Media has a reputation for its superlative standard of teaching and its track record of graduate employability. The media and communication course offers a high level of flexibility, with the choice of eight degrees with seven different specialisms.
Students can opt for a degree-specific course or choose a more general one, depending on their career aspirations. Staff at the Birmingham School of Media, who have a wealth of real industry experience, will guide and support students through their choices. This is a fast-paced course that includes both the theoretical and practical sides of the media world.
Students will be expected to work on both group and individual production projects, as well as undertake two industry placements during the course.
“I have always been hugely impressed by Music Industries at Birmingham City University. It’s apparent from talking to students that they are given a genuine insight and understanding of how the modern music business is developing”
- Jeff Thompson, Manager, Fat Northerner Records.
Across each of the undergraduate degree routes there is an equal emphasis on production, theory and professional studies.
Year one introduces students to key concepts in music industry practice.
Year two Music Industry modules include Music Online, Music Promotion and PR, The Music Business, Music TV and Promo Production, Music Programming.
Year three Music Industry modules include Music Industries Enterprise, Popular Music Culture as well as a Music Industry based thesis and final year project
The professional studies strand of the course prepares students for at least two placements in a music industries business’ involved in areas such music management, music online, record labels, music promotion and PR, music video production, music events management, music production and distribution. Teaching is conducted across a range of environments, including radio and TV studios, editing suites, a new media production suite, a newsroom, lecture theatres, seminar rooms, and online.
Students will use blogs; create wikis and other interactive media to support their work and self-development.
All staff at the School are established media professionals who bring with them a range of expertise. They are able to recognise and respond to the rapidly changing demands of the media, ensuring that the course remains relevant to the industry.
The School maintains close contacts with a variety of media organisations including, BBC, Future Publishing, LG Arena, The NIA, music lawyers and local/regional music businesses and entrepreneurs such as record label owners, music promoters and PR professionals, management agencies. Visiting tutors and guest speakers from within the industry regularly hold master class sessions to enhance and enrich students’ learning.
This course is tailor-made for anyone who wants to develop a career in the music industry, as a promoter or manager, music PR, running a record label, or producing music videos and websites.
First year students study the history and current structure of the music and broadcast industries and examine the range of types of music and music media. These insights will be put into practice as students are asked to set up a record label, sign and promote artists through the media, and organise a major music event for a paying audience.
The second year is theory-focused – looking at how the music industry has developed historically and what direction it may take in the future. Alongside this [production projects develop around areas of promotion, PR, practical business skills, music online, music video and television and music programming - as well as keeping their newly-honed entrepreneurial skills up to date.
The third year is where the students combine all the skills and knowledge they have gained and developed, over 3 years, into an innovative and creative music enterprise project. Students are placed into music businesses from across the region to carry out a practical analysis of the workplace, offer new ideas and solutions to areas the firm might not be exploiting. From this they set up and develop their own music enterprise. Theoretical studies specifically look at Popular Music Culture and how it interacts with and develops our understanding of popular music ‘s place within society and culture.
The School strongly believes in the practical application of learning and is fortunate to have very strong links with employers and the media industry. Students on placements have worked with a wide range of organisations including the BBC, LG Arena, NEC, The NIA, and various local/regional music businesses.
Students are assessed in a variety of different ways, including practical project work – both group and individual, presentations, written and practical portfolios as well as traditional academic essays and exams.
Your Career
Career Prospects
Our track record for graduate employment is excellent, with the majority of graduates going into a media-related role. Each course opens up specific employability avenues related to the production route chosen. A high number of graduates have gone into producer/director roles, journalism, public relations, web development, freelance/own business.
“The course was vital in me getting my job as Social Media and Promotions Intern at the NEC Group. I learnt things that I now use in my day to day working life such as event planning and management, promotional skills, working to deadlines, and time management.”
- Charlotte Smith, graduate.
“I chose to study at BCU as, although every other University I viewed offered a Media degree, BCU was the only one to offer Music Industries as specialism. The course was structured in a way that helped me to learn various new skills and to also improve on existing skills. The way my course was set up and managed couldn't have been any better; I had enough of a free reign in my choice when it came to projects and essays that it never felt like a chore, quite the opposite in fact”
- Lee Davies, graduate and Director of Andromeda Records.
“The course has allowed us to successfully run our record label, which we set up as part of a first year project, whilst continuing with our studies. The advice and support from lecturers has been invaluable in enabling this success. Since graduating this support from lecturers at BCU has continued and they are always available to give sound advice”
- Nick Moreton, Co-Director of Brave Or Invincible Records.
Further Study Options
As a School, we invest significantly in our postgraduate provision as we recognise that more specialist and professional courses are required across the media industry. This year we are introducing six new courses, with more planned for the future. The postgraduate courses currently offered are:
- MA Music Industries (including by distance learning)
- MA Music Radio
- MA Event and Exhibition Management
- MA Radio and Audio Production
- MA International Radio Production
- MA Radio for Development
- MA Creative Industries and Cultural Policy
- MA Freelance Photography
- MA Freelancing and Journalism Enterprise
- MA International Broadcast Journalism
- MA Media and Creative Enterprise
- MA Public Relations
- MA Online Journalism
- MA Social Media
- MA Global Media Production
- MA Television Production
- PgDip Broadcast Journalism
- CIPR Advanced Certificate in Public Relations
Entry Requirements & Applications
Entry Requirements
Students must have at least one of the following:
- BBC at A Level, excluding General Studies and Critical Thinking
- BTEC National Diploma overall grade DMM.
- International Baccalaureate with 28 points.
- Access course - pass overall including merit in 18 credits at level 3
- Equivalent qualifications or experience.
Application Details
FT UCAS Course Code: PJ39
Search for this course on UCAS.
Enquiries
If you are from the UK or EU please enquire using the Course Enquiry Form or contact +44 (0)121 331 5595.
If you are from outside the EU please use the International Enquiry Form or contact +44 (0)121 331 6714.
Fees Notes
If you already have an equivalent level qualification, you may be charged a higher fee for your course. For further information visit the fees area of the Student Info section.
Further Information
For more details on all the courses, including job opportunities, alumni stories and experience, details of open and applicants days, visit: www.mediacourses.com
To speak to the school office call +44 (0)121 331 7279 or email media@bcu.ac.uk