Music with Enterprise BA

Course overview

Our sector-leading BA Music with Enterprise is the only undergraduate degree course in the country that enables you to combine your chosen musical interests with the study of enterprise and entrepreneurship. The course is delivered jointly by the School of Music and the Centre for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Studies (CEES), part of the Leeds University Business School.

The core of the course balances modules focused on entrepreneurship and enterprise, drawing on musics from a range of genres, styles, cultures and geographic locations to explore key concepts, theories and approaches across these disciplinary areas. You’ll develop your skills as a creative, critical and reflective thinker, gaining the tools and experience needed to be an enterprising and independent worker and musician, ready for life after university. You can personalise your course by choosing optional modules from a broad range of musical areas – including aesthetics, analysis, contemporary composition, film music, the music business, musicology, music psychology, music technology, performance (solo and collaborative) and popular music – enabling you to shape your degree to fit your interests and ambitions.

You’ll study with academics in Music and CEES who are experts in their fields, receive support from a dedicated technical team, and take lessons with a visiting professional specialist if you study solo performance. Across your course, you’ll engage with the latest research, explore a range of theoretical, creative and practical aspects of music, enterprise and entrepreneurship, and develop a set of valuable subject-specific and transferrable skills. You’ll have opportunities to work independently and collaboratively, using your skills and knowledge in contexts that extend beyond the University environment. All these elements combine to provide you with an exciting and dynamic educational experience that’s unique to Leeds.

Course details

This programme is structured to give you a strong grounding in music and enterprise, while enabling you to develop your specific interests through the selection of optional modules in various areas of music.

Year 1

During your first year, you’ll gain and develop core skills in musical research and practice-research, engage with a multiple ways of thinking about and understanding music, and be introduced to theories and concepts in enterprise and entrepreneurship. The two aspects of your programme will be brought together in a module focused on the music business, and you’ll also choose some modules that focus on specific areas of music that are of interest to you or allow you to explore new areas.

Year 2

In the second year, you’ll continue to develop your skills, applying your learning in new contexts. There is a strong emphasis on the relationship between theory and practice in both music and enterprise, and you’ll consider how you understand and evidence your experience and developing expertise in different contexts. You’ll be able to take modules in other areas of music that might connect with or differ from those taken in the first year, depending on your focus and future goals. You might complete a work placement or international year between your second and final years of study.

Year 3

The final year is based around two independent projects, enabling you to pursue topics of your own choosing in music and in enterprise. Your music research project can take the form of an extended essay or a practice-research project (in performance, composition, music technology, musicology, or another aspect of musical practice), enabling you to focus on a research that you want to pursue, while through your enterprise project you’ll develop an entrepreneurial solution to an identified problem or opportunity. As with the earlier years of study, you’ll choose from optional modules in areas of music that will complement your project work and the skills you are developing.

The course is designed to equip you with a broad range of advanced musical, entrepreneurial and transferrable skills, which were determined through consultation with our undergraduate students. You’ll cultivate and hone critical, creative and communication skills, developing your cultural awareness and ability to make connections across disciplinary areas and contexts. You’ll strengthen personal attributes including confidence, self-reflection and resilience, and problem-solving skills such as adaptability and initiative. Through your degree, you’ll learn to adopt a professional mindset and approach, and have opportunities to demonstrate these qualities through collaborative, independent and extended projects.

The BA Music with Enterprise is structured so that one-third of your credits each year are in enterprise, with some additional core modules in music, to support your learning, development, reflection and independence across the full range of the programme scope. Your remaining credits are chosen from optional modules in areas of interest.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

The Music Industries (20 credits) – The contemporary music business is a global industry that facilitates unprecedented levels of interpersonal, intercultural, and international interaction, representing innovation, creativity, opportunities and connectivity. This module will acquaint you with the music business environment, exploring a range of key concepts used to understand and analyse various music business organisations, from new enterprises to medium and large international corporations.

Music and Society (20 credits) – This module supports the development of research and practice-research skills and sets you on the way to being a critical and creative thinker. Rather than offering a chronological overview of music history, the module provides a thematic exploration of music in historical and contemporary, Western and global contexts (including the specific and diverse musical culture of Leeds), and consideration of how musical practice reflects and shapes society. The development of academic research skills is integrated into this exploration, enabling you to thoroughly engage with the topics covered, to understand and address the challenges and arguments they present.

Materials of Music (20 credits) – This module brings music theory into the twenty-first century. You’ll encounter materials of music and music theory from across the globe in their cultural contexts – from jazz, popular music, and world musics to Western art music. The module does not assume familiarity with Western notation and harmony. Instead, you’ll develop your listening skills to put theory into practice by learning the fundamentals of improvisation across a variety of musical traditions.

Understanding Social Enterprises (10 credits) – This module considers social enterprises at their broadest level – as ‘for-purpose’ enterprises that aim to tackle a wide range of social and environmental issues at all scales – and the emergence of other forms of social business such as B-Corps. These organisations place their social and/or environmental goals at the heart of their business mission and model and respond to a vast range of societal issues, including poverty, inequality, financial exclusion, lack of educational opportunities and global issues such as climate change.

Introduction to Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (10 credits) – This module considers what enterprise and entrepreneurship are, providing you with creative techniques to deal with innovation within enterprises. You’ll explore different types of entrepreneurs, consider how external context can facilitate or demotivate an entrepreneurial business, and investigate different enterprise sectors, such as the Creative Industries and Family Businesses.

Optional modules in areas of music such as (each 20 credits):

• Collaborative Performance

• Contemporary Composition

• Film Music

• Music Psychology

• Music Technology

• Performance

• Popular Music

Year 2

Compulsory modules

Researching Music (20 credits) – Music is a multi-disciplinary subject, and musical research employs a diverse range of methods. On this module, members of staff draw on their own research projects to support your development of musicological (text-based, archival, analytical), practice-based (creative practice as research, applied research) and empirical (questionnaires, focus groups, interviews) research techniques, leading to you creating a proposal for your own research project.

Towards the Future: Skills in Context (20 credits) – This module provides you with an opportunity to think about the ways in which your knowledge and expertise can be applied outside your university studies. You’ll be supported to secure an opportunity to volunteer or work in an external context, such as school education, or with a charity or community group. Alternatively, you could use experiences you are gaining through engagement with the Students’ Union or other on-campus activities. You’ll be encouraged to consider the relevance of your academic studies and skills beyond Higher Education, and reflect on how framing your studies within an external context can inform your learning and academic practice. The module will support you to reflect on your personal skills development and the ethical implications of working with external partners.

Entrepreneurship in Theory and Practice (10 credits) – This module introduces the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and small-business theory, considering how the decision to become an entrepreneur is impacted both by internal and external factors. You’ll gain an understanding of small firms, how entrepreneurs approach opportunities, and examine entrepreneurship within the context of small and larger firms, with an explicit focus on social outcomes.

Leading and Managing Small Business (10 credits) – On this module, you’ll learn about leading and managing small and family businesses. You’ll develop the knowledge and skills to explore growth strategies in the context of small businesses, honing your own skills in leadership and management.

New Enterprise Planning (20 credits) – This module provides the opportunity to examine how a new enterprise proposal is developed from the initial idea, by considering the key processes in the development and analysis of new business ideas. Relevant in either a new or existing enterprise context, you’ll be introduced to the day-to-day activities involved in the development of a new enterprise idea. The module covers elements from an initial idea to identifying a market, developing a financial plan, conducting market research, pitching and reporting an enterprise proposal.

Optional modules in areas of music such as (each 20 credits):

• Aesthetics

• Collaborative Performance

• Contemporary Composition

• Film Music

• Music Business

• Musicology

• Music Psychology

• Music Technology

• Notation Studies

• Performance

Year 3

Compulsory modules

Independent Research Project (40 credits) – This module gives you the chance to explore an area of music of your own choosing. You’ll identify and apply appropriate research methods to contextualise and answer your research questions through either a portfolio of practice (eg a performance, compositions or orchestrations, something in the area of music technology, musicology, a recording project, etc.) with contextual materials, or an extended dissertation. Whichever approach you choose, you’ll work with a supervisor who will offer you guidance as you devise, manage and produce your independent project.

Enterprise Project (40 credits) – This module is run by the School of Performance and Cultural Industries and led by an expert in entrepreneurship and the cultural and creative industries. Combining theoretical approaches to entrepreneurial skill and knowledge development, you’ll develop a solution to an identified problem or opportunity (eg managing and marketing creative events, developing creative projects for community/educational contexts, using creative/performance skills and understanding to meet needs of external partners). You’ll develop knowledge of entrepreneurship as it applies within the cultural and creative domains, including, notions of intrapreneurship, and its application to possible contexts beyond this sector.

Optional modules in areas of music such as (each 20 credits):

• Collaborative Performance

• Contemporary Composition

• Critical Theory

• Music Analysis

• Music Beyond Graduation

• Music Business

• Musicology

• Music Psychology

• Music Technology

• Performance

Optional modules in each year of study are presented in ‘baskets’ from which you may choose up to three modules, with no more than two from a single basket. Very few modules have pre-requisites, meaning that as you progress through your degree you can craft your own path that aligns with your musical interests and ambitions.

Learning and teaching

Academics in the School of Music and the Centre for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship are experts in their fields, and their activities inform their teaching directly. We use a range of inclusive, active and student-centred approaches to learning and teaching to engage you in your course and support you to develop your knowledge, understanding, and skills. Depending on the modules you choose, your learning and teaching methods may include rehearsals and performance classes, taught and self-directed sessions in studios and computer clusters, and workshops and practice-based sessions, as well as lectures, seminars, tutorials and other small-group learning classes. You may also have one-to-one instrumental/vocal lessons with a specialist teacher as part of the performance modules.

Taught sessions are only a part of university learning, and on many of our modules you’ll be supplied with online learning resources designed to work in tandem with classroom sessions. Some modules may require you to engage with videos, podcasts, readings or other activities before class sessions, with some of the classroom time devoted to debate, discussion and deeper learning based on how students have interpreted the online materials. Your learning experience will offer opportunities for collaboration and peer learning, as well as fostering a culture of reflection and self-awareness. Independent study is also an important part of your course, and you’ll develop your critical, creative and research skills through time spent in the University Library, practice rooms and studios, depending on your module choices.

We support your learning in several ways. Resources are made available through our virtual learning environment, Minerva, you can seek assistance as required from our experienced technical staff and your Academic Personal Tutor, and there is extensive support for students offered through the academic skills programme at the University Library. Additionally, all staff have office hours when they are available should you have questions, or you need to ask for help. We also work closely with the University’s Language Centre to ensure that international students are fully supported and able to thrive on our courses.

Fieldwork

Elements of local fieldwork may be embedded in a range of modules that take you outside teaching spaces as part of the learning experience. The second-year module Towards the Future: Skills in Context requires you to undertake work or volunteering activity, starting the connection between your studies and life beyond university. You might also undertake fieldwork through module activities such as sound recording in external locations, composition sessions designed to capture and work with sounds in natural environments, performance activities in off-campus venues, or trips to local music and performance venues to inform understanding of management, acoustics or other aspects of music.

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

Entry requirements

A-level: AAB. We also welcome BTEC applicants with DDD

If these don't include A level Music, we would normally expect an essay/discursive subject and evidence of Musical Literacy.

GCSE: usually 5 at A-C, including English at Grade C/4 or above

Other course specific tests:

If you have taken Music, practical grades are not a requirement for this programme. However, if you want to study performance, you’ll need a minimum of ABRSM, Trinity Guildhall or Rockschool Grade 7 Distinction or Grade 8 Merit (or demonstrate that you are of equivalent standard by the time you arrive in Leeds).

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background. We consider alternative profiles and experience as long as you can demonstrate that you’re suitable for the course. We welcome applications from mature students and entry requirements can be flexible in these cases.

If you’re taking an EPQ qualification, we may make an alternative offer one A-level grade below that of our standard offer with a grade A in the EPQ. This would typically be ABB + A in the EPQ for students taking A-levels, for example.

We typically interview all eligible applicants for this programme; this is typically an online interview.

Alternative qualification

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is a contextual admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and contextual admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds offer: BBB at A Level and pass Access to Leeds.

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For information contact the School of Music Undergraduate Admissions Team.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

Fees

UK: To be confirmed

International: £28,250 (per year)

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will be £9,250 for students starting in 2024/25.

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only, as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2025/26 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. When the fee is available we will update individual course pages.

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2024/25 and 2025/26
Tuition fees for international students for 2024/25 are available on individual course pages. Fees for students starting in 2025/26 will be available from September 2024.

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Additional cost information

Equipment and materials costs

If you are enrolled on optional Performance modules you’ll continue to be liable for covering ongoing costs of insuring and maintaining your own instrument and buying instrument-specific materials such as reeds, strings, etc. These costs are variable depending on the type of instrument and the nature of the maintenance required. You’ll have access to a good supply of sheet music that is available in the University libraries. Additional sheet music required for Performance modules can usually be ordered through the library; however, for final-year recitals, you might need to purchase your own repertoire (costs for this are variable).

All specialist software required for your programme can be accessed through our Computer Clusters and Studios. Some optional Music Technology modules require the use of a (non-programmable) scientific calculator (approximate cost: up to £10).

Reading materials

You’ll have access to a good supply of books, academic journals, periodicals, etc., that are available in the University libraries. You’ll also have online access to an extensive range of reading resources. You might decide, however, to purchase required books that are recommended on your programme.

Study trips and placements

There may also be the opportunity for optional study trips and individual projects / placements. Costs will depend on the project / placement undertaken, and on the nature and location of each trip.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Applying

Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

Read our guidance about applying.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Next steps

Suitable candidates may also be invited for an online interview as part of the selection process. Interviews usually take place between November and March.

Admissions tutors will consider your experience, skills and knowledge in relation to the academic demands of the course. If you’re predicted grades lower than AAB, or don’t hold standard entry qualifications, the interview is particularly important for demonstrating your musical experience, skills and knowledge, and ability to discuss music, enterprise and/or entrepreneurship.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025

This course is taught by

School of Music

Contact us

School of Music Undergraduate Admissions

Email: musicug@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Career opportunities

A degree in Music with Enterprise from the University of Leeds equips you with valuable subject knowledge, cultural and social awareness, and a strong balance of musical, entrepreneurial and transferrable skills. We worked with our undergraduate students to identify a skillset that all our graduates will develop across their courses, and we continue to review these attributes with the student body and our Industrial Advisory Board to ensure they meet the needs of students as they leave university.

Skills such as communication, leadership, time and resource management, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively are particularly attractive to employers, and you’ll also be able to demonstrate the flexibility, resilience and confidence needed to adapt to new situations and environments. Your musical knowledge will bring your critical, creative, research and problem-solving abilities to the fore, and you’ll be able to articulate how the experience gained through your degree has prepared you for whatever comes next, be that work or further study.

Our courses equip our graduates to work in a wide range of areas within the music industry, whether as an employee or self-employed, including:

• Arts, artist, project and event management

• Marketing and digital marketing

• PR

• Creative production

• Performing

• Composing

• Teaching, lecturing and coaching

• Theatrical stage direction and musical direction

• Music supervision

• Music publishing and copyright

• Arts research

• Music therapy

Our graduates also use the skills developed through their Music degree to pursue careers in other sectors, including business, chartered surveying, data management, healthcare, law, management and media, and many progress to postgraduate study in Music or a related discipline, including continuing to Masters study here at Leeds.

Careers support

Skill development is built into our courses, so you start becoming more employable from the moment you begin your studies, and your degree is designed to help you recognise your skills and understand how you demonstrate them. Reflection on and understanding of your skillset is one of the learning outcomes for your course, meaning we will support you to be able to demonstrate these things by the time you graduate.

As you progress through your degree you’ll have additional opportunities to develop your skillset and your CV, such as supporting your fellow students and the School community by being a peer mentor, becoming a course representative and participating in our Student Staff Partnership Forum on behalf of your cohort, or applying to be our School Undergraduate Representative and working with School and Faculty staff and the Students’ Union to drive the School and University forward.

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. You’ll also have access to the University’s ‘MyCareer’ portal and have opportunities to discuss your personal and professional development with your Academic Personal Tutor. We run careers events every year in collaboration with our Faculty Employability Team and encourage all our students to attend to develop their awareness of the opportunities that exist beyond graduation, even if they are not yet sure what they want to do after their degree. Alongside this, the Careers Centre provide a range of support and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate.

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.

Study abroad and work placements

Work placements

Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and enhance your employability. You’ll have the opportunity to extend your programme by doing a work placement year between your second and final years of study, working with one or more organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas. It’s a great opportunity to gain valuable experience and contacts, and some students go on to work for their placement companies after they graduate.

An industrial placement could be the opportunity you need to impress potential employers. It can also give you the chance to learn more about working in the music sector (though you can do a work placement in any area – it does not have to relate to music), discover the sorts of opportunities and pathways that exist, and improve your chances of identifying and securing the career you want.

There are lots of benefits of doing a work placement year, including:

• gaining invaluable insight into working as a professional in your chosen sector

• building professional contacts within your chosen field

• advancing the learning and skills cultivated through your degree by putting them into practice beyond your studies

• improving your employability through development of your skills and experience, and enhancement of your CV

• increasing your confidence, self-belief and resilience

• transfering onto our BA Music with Enterprise (Industrial) variant, demonstrating your added experience to future employers and making your degree stand out

The work placement scheme is managed by our dedicated Faculty Employability team, who can support you to find the right placement to suit you and your future career goals. Examples of placements Music students have recently completed include:

• Corporate and Education Project and Solutions Marketing Intern at Sony

• Digital and Composer Assistant at Westpier Music Ltd

• Product Test Placement Student at DiGiCo (UK) Limited

• Events Assistant at Saffron Hall

• Teaching Assistant at Tracart, Barcelona (Spain)

• Junior Promotor (PR/Marketing) at Hot Vox

You can also find general information about work experience on the Careers website.