This degree is delivered at our London Campus in Whitechapel.

Why study a foundation year?

The integrated foundation year is the perfect choice for those wanting to gain valuable knowledge and insight of the creative and entertainment industries before specialising in their chosen degree.

Youll learn all about the creative and entertainment industries, spending time in lectures, seminars, and practical settings. The assessment methods are also the same as the other degree years, with a mixture of exams and essays, so youll be fully prepared to start your full honours degree.

After completing your foundation year, you'll join Year One of your chosen degree with the confidence and knowledge to successfully continue your studies.

About the course:

This course gives you the opportunity to develop the advanced skills, knowledge and technological understanding necessary to succeed as a multifaceted music business practitioner in a music industry where creative technologies continue to transform the creation, production, performance and distribution of music.

What youll study

To sustain a career in the music business, you must have a broad scope of knowledge across the different sectors of the industry and how they interact with each other and generate revenue. New technologies continue to merge the various functions of the recording, publishing and live industries into a range of artist services. This continually advancing technological revolution enables todays industry practitioners to fulfil the traditional roles of manager, label, distributor, publisher, promoter and marketeer themselves.

In addition to these wide-ranging skill sets and bodies of knowledge, to be a successful industry practitioner, you must also understand how contemporary music is made. You need a working knowledge of how to use DAWs, sample packs and plug-ins, and experience how musicians and producers work in the recording studio. The use of technology to gain insights into demographics, markets, fan engagement and the performance of projects is essential, in addition to the ability to create marketing assets and spreadsheets. It is important to develop soft skills and the ability to manage many projects simultaneously. Having a compelling professional identity and an understanding of how to market yourself effectively is essential.

This course aims to give you an education that encompasses all these facets. It offers the broad technical education you need to thrive in all the key areas of the music industry and the knowledge you need to sustain a successful career in the music industry.

Careers and employability

Your time at Nottingham School of Art & Design doesnt have to stop once you finish your undergraduate course. Choose to continue your studies on our postgraduate degrees that can help you further develop your skills and obtain the experience you need to get a head start in your career.

Typical job roles in industry might include:

Label services

manager/representation

distribution

promoter

agent

marketing and PR

music rights

data technology

entrepreneur

A & R

music supervisor

DIY artist