Music Business HNC
Course code 31WN
What is special about this course?
This dynamic course will provide you with the experience and knowledge to gain a career in the music business. On this HNC Music Business, accredited by the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), you will benefit from real opportunities, experienced and dedicated staff and strong industry links.
Studying at one of the best equipped facilities in Scotland, you will be prepared for working in various sectors of the music industries. Alongside your studies you will have the opportunity to gain experience working in event/festival management, music conference management, digital marketing, and with record labels and arts organisations. Our students are regularly offered placements and employment opportunities throughout the course, with previous students completing work placements in the UK, Europe, and the US.
The teaching team, based at UHI Perth, are all active in their disciplines and, as a result, have strong links with current employers in the music industries within the UK and further afield. These links enhance your educational experience and provide a valuable insight into the contemporary music industries.
You will benefit from a guest speaker programme that has previously included: Universal Music; Sony Columbia Records; BBC Radio One; Live Nation; Ticketmaster; Stevie Wonder’s manager, Keith Harris; Creative Scotland; and the SMIA.
Special features
- You will study at UHI Perth in state-of-the-art music facilities
- Small class sizes provide a more personal learning experience
- You will be supported by staff who are active in the industry
- You will have the opportunity to attend industry events. Previous students have attended SXSW (USA), Eurosonic (Netherlands), BIME (Spain), Reeperbahn Festival (Germany) and Tallinn Music Week (Estonia)
- You will have the opportunity to undertake work placements across Scotland, UK and Europe
- You will learn how to establish your own music business
Accommodation
We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.
Entry requirements
- 1 Scottish Higher at grade C or above OR
- 1 A level at grade D or above OR
- Foundation Apprenticeship Creative and Digital Media
- You will be required to attend an interview
- Prospective students without the standard entry requirements as listed above are encouraged to apply
Access routes
- NPA in Music Business
- NC Music
- NC that includes communication, numeracy and IT skills
Year 1 - HNC
Mandatory units are:
- Music law (S1)
- Music industry (S1)
- Music history: genres, record labels and artists (S1)
- Music industry: marketing and promotion (SC)
- Music business: artist management (SC)
- Music business: communication skills (S2)
- Music business: releasing a record (SC)
- Music business: running a live music event (SC)
- Music business: graded unit 1 (S2)
- Music industry: budgeting and accounts (S2)
- Music industry: tour management (S1)
- Music publishing (S2)
Key
S1 = Semester 1
S2 = Semester 2
SC = Semester Continuous (these modules may be studied across either/both semesters)
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- You will study by way of face-to-face lectures and tutorials in the classroom and practical sessions in the studio.
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 1 year
Where can I study my course?
- Perth
Start date
- September
Fees
For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes
- EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
- EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
- EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Higher National Awards (HNC, HND) | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time per year | £1,285 | £1,285 |
Rest of UK students
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
| Higher National Awards (HNC, HND) | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time per year | £7,110 | £7,440 |
Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.
There are a number of funding options available to UK and EU students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying (see the Funding section opposite).
International students
For students who do not normally reside in the UK, including EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Higher National Awards (HNC, HND) | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time per year | £8,775 | £8,925 |
Funding
UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.
Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.
What can I do on completion of my course?
This course provides the flexibility to focus on your individual interests and develop the necessary employability skills required for a successful career in the music industry. Graduates of the course are working in a variety of areas of the profession across Scotland, the UK and Europe, including:
- Events and festival management
- Digital music industries
- Arts organisation management
- Business development
- Live music promotion
- Artist management
- Social media management
- Marketing and public relations
Can I progress into further study?
You can progress to year 2 of the BA (Hons) Music Business at UHI Perth.
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
I am currently the Marketing, Social Media & Digital Distribution Manager at Soma Records, my studies helped get my job by growing my music network and boost my networking skills. I received great support from all my lecturers at UHI, and the guest lectures were great.
If you are thinking about a career in the music industry, I would recommend studying at UHI. It is an essential steppingstone towards full time employment.
Kirsty studied Music business at UHI Perth.
Apply for Music Business HNC
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.