Music, Media and Rights Higher Diploma

The ACM Higher Diploma is mapped against the Certificate of Higher Education in Business.

Students graduating from this programme will be awarded two qualifications:

The ACM Higher Diploma in Contemporary Popular Music and
The Certificate of Higher Education (CertHe) in Music, Media and Rights.
This qualification is run at Level 4 and sits alongside other Level 4 awards.

• The Higher Diploma course has been specifically designed to provide students with intensive and practical training, offering a progressive study path to lead to employment within the Creative Industries.

• The range of programmes available gives producers the opportunity to select the appropriate academic / vocational weighting, taking into consideration their previous experience and professional aspirations.

• This programme gives students an intensive vocational experience combining the opportunity to develop world-class skills, whilst gaining a comprehensive understanding of the music industry.

• Successful completion of this course also opens up the possibility of further study progression, including ACM Degrees.

• The Higher Diploma lasts for one year and consists of 12 hours of lectures per week over 30 weeks. In addition to lectures, students are expected to undertake individual and group practise and get involved with the numerous extra curricular and Business and Artist Development Centre activities.

STUDENTS WILL STUDY THE FOLLOWING MODULES:
• Music Industry - An overview of key industry segments to include: Music Publishing (the world of the Composer and Music Publishers), Record Labels (the world of the Recording Artist and Distribution of Product); Artist Management (what they do and their changing role within this fascinating industry); Agents and Promoters (the success of the ‘Live’ sector and touring how each function and operate. The past, current and future shape of the Music Industry and the legal implications. The strategy of the Music Industry moving forward as it copes with technological, cultural, political and economic change.

• The Internet - A fascinating module that will explore the history and development of the internet from Government tool, to a business and communication structure. Topics covered will include: The mavericks that lead change, and Peer to Peer copying and how this brought unbelievable change to the Music Industry; The industry’s pursuit of control against ISP’s, and actions against consumers; The Gower report, and general government inaction; The delivery of Music within a converging Media Industry; The role of the consumer and technology in driving change; The social impact of blogging, social networking sites and the communication process and the legal and commercial challenges being faced.

• Broadcast Content and Film - Music is a powerful tool in conveying a message. A study of these differing mediums of TV, Film and Commercials will look at how and why music is used. Topics covered will include: What distinguishes television from other media? Changing revenue models and financing the development of ideas; The choice and use of music in Comedy, Drama, Horror, Sci Fi and Children’s work; The Psychology of Music and the consumer; How each of these creative sectors work with the Music Industry; Understanding the symbiotic relationship that exists, and the legal and ‘Rights’ management process involved.

• Interactive Entertainment - A study of this market segment will look into the world of leading Computer Games specialists, their Mission statement and culture. Topics covered will include: Why has the growth of this market sector been so successful? The legal infrastructures governing classification and ratings; Should the industry have a moral, ethical and social conscience? We will develop an understanding of the infrastructure of this market segment as we look at the process of creating, developing, publishing and marketing these games. The role of music and the eagerness of Record Companies and Recording Artists to be involved.

• Business - What makes for a successful business? Why do some prosper and some fail? Looking at key management gurus and their business philosophy can provide insight into changing business practices
and the social change that occurred. Entrepreneurs such as Henry Ford, Soichiro Honda, Alan Sugar, to present day leaders of cutting edge technology companies such as iTunes, Microsoft, Nokia and many others, provide a wealth of business knowledge. We examine business techniques, management styles, consumer focus, marketing, strategy and survival guides. Could you be the next apprentice in such a business or indeed start one yourself?

• Telecommunications Industry - Your mobile telephone is no longer just for making calls with, but is becoming the product of choice for all forms of communication and content delivery whilst on the move. It is now hard to imagine life without a mobile phone. We look at the major players involved, their products, and their relationship with the music industry, from Sponsorship, to Content Distribution and Point of Sale. What defined a Major Record label used to be a combination of its distribution reach and marketing budget. Now the industry has new allies, and close competitors coming into this arena. Therefore areas that will be explored include: What might the future landscape look like? Is content still king? What are the new business models emerging? The industry is switching away from DRM, so how will ‘Rights’ now be protected and collected.