Business Management and Music Production

Business Management and Music Production - BA (Hons)

Develop your business management acumen and gain advanced technical and creative expertise on this exciting Business Management and Music Production BA. You will gain valuable skills studying on this programme to enable you to pursue career opportunities in the global industries of business and music.

Year of entry

2023 - for 2024 entry see here - for 2023 entry see here

Course type

Combined Honours

Location

Keele University campus

Subject area / School

Keele Business School School of Humanities

UCAS code

NJ20

Duration of study

3 years / 4 years with international, placement or entrepreneurship year

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Why study Business Management and Music Production at Keele University?

No. 1 in the UK for Business Studies (National Student Survey, 2020)

Spend a year working in industry, or undertake an entrepreneurship year

Benefit from our Apple MacBook Loan Scheme

Study alongside innovative companies based in Keele Business School

Access to sophisticated music studio facilities with sound design and computer labs

Course overview

The creative combination of studying Business Management and Music Production at Keele gives you the specialist skills and knowledge to explore careers two dynamic subjects.

Business management modules will introduce you to areas such as the macro-environment where you will increase your understanding of the different political, social, technological, economic, and cultural factors that can have a major impact on international businesses. You will investigate the unique nature of a firm's international operations and enhance your comprehension of international business strategy.

You will analyse human behaviour in organisations, organisational behaviour and explore the key concepts and issues in operations and quality management. You will examine business strategy and activities including a virtual business game simulation that will give you the opportunity to put the theory you've been learning on the course into practice.

Music Production enables you to explore the cultural contexts in which sound is produced for and consumed in across various media forms. You will develop a portfolio of skills, working both independently and collaboratively, including technical skills, creative practice, and academic knowledge.

This experience will be developed by working with audio software, hardware, and digital audio in studio and production set ups. The skills you will attain will not only provide you with subject-specific knowledge but will also equip you with scientific and humanities based skills that can be used in a wide range of sectors.

Apple MacBook Loan Scheme

Our Apple MacBook Loan Scheme ensures that all Music Production students have equal access to high quality resources to support learning. As a Music Production student, you will be provided with an Apple MacBook for the full duration of your degree, at no cost to yourself*. Pre-installed with the necessary software required for your studies, the loan scheme allows you to optimise your learning experience and engage with industry-standard hardware.

*a charge will be made in the event of loss or damage to the MacBook.

Strengthening your employability

The opportunity to undertake a placement is a valuable experience which will enable you to demonstrate and enhance your skill set further.

Work Placements

You may have the opportunity to apply for a work placement optional module in the School of Humanities which provides you with a platform to work within an organisation, and further develop your professional skills. You will identify an organisation based on your interests, with the guidance of the module tutors, and will spend a semester engaging with projects and tasks set out by the employer, as well as taught sessions at university.

This may include working at a local radio station, the city council, local football club or film and marketing agencies. Recent student placements include production assistant at a film production company and social media content creator for a charity. Keele Media graduate Kimberley Columbo, now Brand Manager of Nescafe in Amsterdam, told us that her final year work placement at BBC Radio Stoke opened up opportunities that led to her current role.

Work Placement Year*

In an increasingly competitive job market, employers are seeking to recruit employees who have high-level knowledge, skills and an understanding of the workplace. Choosing a work placement year between your second and third year, is a fantastic way to gain industry experience. It can provide a valuable insight into what working in a specific area of business is like, gives you the chance to familiarise yourself with the professional working environment and develop professional networks, and provides the opportunity to apply the theory you’ve learnt on your degree course.

*Students who require a visa to study in the UK may be able to add in a work placement depending upon the programme. The ability to add a work placement is dependent upon the UK Immigration rules at the time of the request. It may be that for some programmes students will not have the option to request a placement period to be added to their programme before they arrive in the UK and would need to apply for a new visa. There is no guarantee that a placement will be provided and that students who have a visa are subject to a number of restrictions on the type of work, including placements they can undertake.

Please note: If you wish to undertake a work placement year, you will be required to choose a placement aligned to either Business Management or Music Production.

International Year

In between years two and three of your studies you can choose to spend a year or a semester studying abroad. This exciting opportunity enables you to understand your field from different cultural perspectives and to establish international networks.

It also shows you have the personal attributes to embrace new experiences which can enhance your employability. We offer exchange opportunities with a wide variety of partner institutions.

Student Support

To help you meet your academic and personal needs, we offer a multi layered support structure. You will have access to an academic mentor and member of staff from the Student Experience and Support team if you need any additional support, or someone to talk to, whether about your degree programme or life outside of your studies.

Societies

We have a wealth of student-led societies here at Keele which cover a diverse range of interests. Joining a society is a great opportunity to continue to develop your skills away from your studies and can be beneficial when it comes to applying for graduate roles. It’s also a great way to make friends and share interests with fellow students.

Next Steps

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Related courses

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Additional opportunities

Foundation year Learn a language Placement year International year Entrepreneurship year GCP Elective Pathways Explore more

There are a range of additional opportunities available when studying this course.
Please note, undertaking one may impact upon the availability of another.

Entry requirements

Keele strives to be a place where learning, living and working is a positive experience for our entire community, and we're committed to ensuring equality of opportunity to all our applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. That's why we operate a range of 'alternative offer' schemes with clear eligibility criteria, including contextual offers, offers for those studying within the Keele region, and recognising a range of additional qualifications in your offer. If you are looking for the 2023 schemes please see here.

The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the likely offer or range of offers which would be made to candidates along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application.

A Level

GCSE

Maths at C (or 4)
English Language/Literature at C (or 4)

BTEC

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE

29 points

Access to HE diploma

Obtain Access to HE Diploma with 112 UCAS Tariff points including a minimum of 15 Level 3 credits at Distinction.

T Levels

Merit in related subjects (Digital Media)

If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course via a Foundation Year.

Preparation programmes for international students

International students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this course have the opportunity to study an International Foundation Year programme.

These courses are designed to prepare international students to enter into Keele University undergraduate degrees.

Next Steps

Entry requirements

The following section details our typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If you don’t see your qualifications listed, please contact us to find out if we can accept your qualifications. If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course via a Foundation Year.

Additional information

A Level

GCSE

Maths at C (or 4)
English Language/Literature at C (or 4)

BTEC

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE

29 points

Access to HE diploma

Obtain Access to HE Diploma with 112 UCAS Tariff points including a minimum of 15 Level 3 credits at Distinction.

T Levels

Merit in related subjects (Digital Media)

English Language Requirements

All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from .

Alternative and contextual offers

We're committed to ensuring equality of opportunity to all our applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. That's why we operate a range of alternative offer schemes with clear eligibility criteria, including contextual offers, offers for those studying within the Keele region, and recognising a range of additional qualifications in your offer.

General information

The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer which would be made to candidates, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application.

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Facilities at Keele Business School

Co-located with businesses

Internships, enterprise and knowledge exchange opportunities

Keele Business School is at the heart of the Keele University Science & Innovation Park, one of the leading developments of its kind in the UK. The Park offers companies a business environment that provides an innovative research culture, combined with academic expertise and the University’s specialist resources, with a variety of opportunities for students to get involved, from internships, knowledge exchange partnerships, and student enterprise initiatives.

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Facilities at the Clockhouse

Clockhouse

At Keele, you will enjoy the use of designated teaching spaces and may study in our beautiful 19th-century Clockhouse and have access to comprehensive studio facilities. There are six key areas housing equipment for sound recording, music production, computer music, audio-visual creative work, sound design, and music software development.

The Clockhouse is home to a lab, recording studio, three project studios with workstations for audio-visual editing and sound design, and a range of practice spaces. Our studios are equipped with Macintosh-based workstations and industry standard hardware and software.

The Clockhouse, Keele University

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Modules

Modules for Business Management and Music Production

The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods, as well as student voice. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.

Compulsory Modules

Optional Modules

Compulsory Modules

Optional Modules

Managing Human Resources
Employment Relations
Professional development
Consumer Behaviour 2
Developing Professional Knowledge and Practice in HRM
Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility
Digital and Marketing Communications
Social Enterprise and Alternative Organising
Professional development
Work Placement for Humanities Students
Social Media and Society
Creative Synergies: Designing Collaborative Projects
The American South US Summer School

Compulsory Modules

Business Strategy

Optional Modules

Employee Development
Pay and Performance Management
Comparative Business Cultures
Digital Marketing in Practice
Managing Diversity - ISP
Contemporary Issues in Management
Marketing and Globalisation
Managing International Projects
Enterprise Business Plan
Work Placement for Humanities Final-Year Students
Podcast and Radio Production
Commercial Sound Applications
Advanced Mixing and Mastering
Say it loud! Music, sound and social change
Music Production and Sound Design Portfolio - ISP
Dissertation - Research Project ISP

Next Steps

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Academic Expertise

Staff in Keele Business School are active researchers in core areas such as accounting, finance, economics, human resource management, marketing and management. Their academic work will inform your learning, incorporating recent theories and current themes to open discussion in your subject area. There are professional support staff on hand to answer any queries you may have during your undergraduate studies at Keele.

Our academics in Keele Business School are multicultural and multinational, bringing an international aspect to the School’s teaching, research and business activities.

Music Production is taught by staff in the School of Humanities with international experience and research in a range of specialisms, helping you to gain experience in practical skills through sound recording, audio design and digital sampling as well as programming, mixing and mastering.

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Teaching, learning and assessment

Teaching in Business Management

At Keele Business School we use a range of different teaching and learning methods depending on the subject theme and module level. This may include:

Lectures
Tutor-led seminars
Problem based tutorials, often based on real world scenarios
Practical, computer laboratory based classes
Directed independent study
Web based self-study exercises using Keele's virtual learning environment the KLE
Students who undertake a placement year also complete a skills audit

Assessment in Business Management

A wide variety of assessments are used on this programme that reflect the broad range of skills and knowledge you will develop as your progress on the course. Assessment methods may include:

Essays
Class tests
Final examinations
Individual reports
Group presentations
Portfolios
Reflective diaries
Work placement reflection

Teaching in Music Production

Through workshops, tutorials and innovative assessments, you will develop artistic imagination, production skills and knowledge of current trends and topics. Taught by research active staff in the School of Humanities, you will be supported by tutors who will help to guide you through your studies. You will study a mix of core and optional modules, exploring a diverse range of contexts of music and sounds which will inform your knowledge and skills, preparing you for a career of your choice.

Throughout the course, there will be opportunities to work individually and collaboratively with peers to share ideas and expertise, building confidence using equipment and communicate well with others.

Assessment in Music Production

You will be assessed through various innovative methods such as:

Podcasts
e-Posters
Live sound simulations
Group and individual hands-on music production and sound design projects
Interdisciplinary music project pitching and design
Blogging
Work placement reports and reflective diaries
Listening exercises
Essays, reviews, commentaries

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Foundation year

Our Foundation Year provides an excellent alternative route to Keele, providing a unique opportunity to better prepare for your chosen degree, and with guaranteed entry onto your undergraduate course once you successfully complete your Foundation Year.

This extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge, give you a better understanding of higher education and, perhaps most importantly of all, build your confidence.

Keele University is consistently ranked among the top universities for student satisfaction, and we have over 70 years' experience of teaching a foundation year to students. On the Keele Foundation Year, you'll study on campus, joining our undergraduate community from the outset, with access to all the facilities and support that you'd get as an undergraduate student at Keele.

The information in this Foundation Year section is for UK/Home applicants. Where an international Foundation Year is available, please see the 'Information for international students' tab.

The information within this page is for students wishing to start their studies in September. If you would like to start this course in January, please visit our January pages for further details.

Course Content

Our Foundation Year allows you to develop your critical thinking, academic reading, writing, and communication study skills along with subject-specific knowledge and skills which will be invaluable in your academic studies and beyond. Upon meeting the progression criteria and successfully completing our Foundation Year, you will automatically progress into your Keele undergraduate degree with the confidence that you have the skills, and knowledge needed to successfully complete your course.

This Foundation Year is a two-semester programme which provides a tailored pre-degree programme of study to better prepare you for the BA (Hons) Business and Music Production degree. For example, the Foundations of Humanities 1 module introduces you to the broad range of source material across the Humanities disciplines - from media to history which enables us to analyse political, social or economic perspectives and attitudes to individuals, marginal groups and 'mainstream' society. Course content has been developed in collaboration with degree teaching teams, so that by the time you begin Year 1, you will be ready to excel at your studies, as the majority of our Foundation Year students do.

Find out more about the Keele Foundation Year, including information about teaching and assessment methods by visiting the Foundation Year homepage.

Course Structure

The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.

Semester One Modules

FYO-00247	Foundations: Breaking the code - Understanding Academic Writing	15 credits
FYO-00249	Foundations of Business - 1	15 credits
FYO-00257	Foundations of Humanities - 1	15 credits
FYO-00259	Foundations of Humanities - 2	15 credits

Semester Two Modules

FYO-00271	University Research Portfolio	30 credits
FYO-00261	Advancing Humanities	30 credits

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Between 40-48 UCAS tariff points from at least 1 A level/level 3 qualification, or relevant work experience

AND

GCSE English Language at grade 4 (C), or Level 2 Functional Skills
IELTS 5.5 (with 5.5 in all subtests)

AND

GCSE Mathematics at Grade 4 (C) or
A Level 2 numeracy qualification such as Key Skills Application of Number Level 2 or Functional Skills Numeracy Level 2

How to Apply

Students will need to apply for Music Production with Foundation Year (UCAS code J932) through UCAS at www.ucas.com

Direct Entry

If you already have your qualifications, are not expecting any further results and only wish to apply to Keele, please contact the Admissions Office directly.

The information in this Foundation Year section is for UK/Home applicants. Where an international Foundation Year is available, please see the 'Information for international students' tab.

We also offer a January start for some of our Foundation Year courses. Adopting a blended learning approach, the January start is particularly useful for students wishing to return to education following time out of studying, or who are seeking a flexible approach to their Foundation Year studies. Our January start is available across most of our Science, Humanities, Social Science and Business courses.

Whilst still being a full-time course, our blended delivery model combines live teaching sessions - both online and on-campus - with self-directed study, enabling you to predominantly study at a time that suits your lifestyle. You will benefit from weekly online taught sessions which encourage you to engage with your teachers and peers.

In addition to online study there will be a series of full study days that you will be required to attend throughout each semester. These sessions may include lab-based activities, group work, review of course and assessment materials studied online. They will emphasise opportunities for you to deepen your knowledge and understanding of your chosen route.

Please refer to the September start tab for more information about the entry requirements and what you will study. The modules that you will take on a January start Foundation Year will be similar to those for the September start, but in a slightly different order and pattern.

For more information, including fees, the UCAS code for this course, how to apply, and how you will be taught, please visit our January Start Foundation Year webpage.

Our International Foundation Year is delivered on campus through Keele University International College (KUIC). Find out more about the International Foundation Year options on the KUIC website.

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