Hi, I’m Lorraine. I’m a PhD student with the School of Arts and Creative Technologies. I’m going to tell you all about studying MA Music, Management and Marketing (MMM) at York. The course is fascinating, challenging and rewarding!
Core modules
Semester 1
- Music Psychology for Marketing: The Influence of Music on Behaviour
- Principles of Music Management
Semester 2
- Empirical Research Skills for Music
- Collaborative Industry Project
- Independent Study Module
What I liked most was the lecture and seminar rhythm. Lectures give you the main ideas, then seminars help you test them through discussion and real-world examples. You are encouraged to explain your thinking, not just repeat it, so the learning sticks.
The course has a clear direction, from principles to practice. You build your way of thinking first, then you put it into action through projects, research and collaborative projects. It can be demanding, but the staff are so supportive. It really gives you confidence in your work and opinions.
I loved the flexibility of the course. Within the School, I chose optional modules like Introduction to the Creative and Cultural Industries: Key Issues, Theory and Practice and Leadership and Management in Music Education. They helped me explore new areas and connect management and marketing ideas to wider arts industry contexts.
In simple terms, MMM gave me a toolkit, and the optional modules gave me more places to use it.
Module Details
One thing I loved about studying MA Music, Management and Marketing at York is that the learning and enjoyment is well-balanced. Theory can feel heavy, but Dr Stewart Campbell and Dr Mimi O’Neill make classes interactive, so time goes quickly and the ideas stick.
Dr Stewart often sets a fifteen-minute warm up before class. He shares a short video or a real case, so you arrive with questions, and you start thinking straight away.
Dr Mimi designs great icebreakers. They wake your brain up, and they also help you get to know classmates early. That mattered later, because group work feels much easier when you already have a connection.
After a theory focused first semester, the second semester becomes more practical. We worked in teams on interviews, surveys, data, and analysis. We even have the option to take music modules and learn to train AI.
My highlight was the Collaborative Industry Project. We worked with YorkConcerts to organise a real concert, from contacting ensembles and venues, to programme notes and lighting details, to managing the event day and logistics.
Working with my classmates was challenging but so rewarding. We brainstormed, rewrote plans, and started again more than once. Weekly supervision meetings helped a lot. Our supervisors shared their experience, encouraged us to try ideas first, then guided us step by step until a creative thought became a workable plan.
The concert went really well. At the end, I was not thinking “We submitted an assignment.” I was thinking “We actually managed a concert.” That is the kind of confidence you carry with you, along with real experience.
Campus and facilities
The campus is mainly split into East and West, and they feel quite different, so it is a bit like the same university comes with two filters.
The East side is where the School of Arts and Creative Technologies is, and it is where I spend most of my time. There is a lake, and when the sun hits it, it looks almost unreal. You will probably take a photo without thinking. Not for social media, but because you will want proof it was that pretty.
There are plenty of study spaces. My favourite is Lake House, mainly because of the huge window and the view. It makes studying feel calmer. There are practice rooms, shared study areas, and private rooms you can book when you need quiet.
On Campus West, there are concert halls and auditoriums, and as a student you can book free tickets for many concerts.
Career direction and what MMM changed for me
York offers a lot of career support. There are talks, workshops, and people who can help, whether you want to go on to further study or find a job. You often leave with a clearer plan than you expected.
For me, MMM also led to a clear decision: I applied for a PhD. During the year, I studied in the United Kingdom, travelled, and went to many concerts. Over time, I realised I wanted to research one topic in more depth: promoting Chinese traditional music in the United Kingdom. It was more than an interest. It felt like a long term direction.
I did not do it alone. My lecturers, family, and friends helped me think it through. I still remember giving my first research proposal to Dr Stewart. He supported the topic and gave me clear feedback, which helped me turn an idea into a proposal I could submit.
In the end, I was accepted, and I am now a first year PhD student in Music. Looking back, MMM was a turning point. It helped me move from ideas to a real plan.
Conclusion
If you are thinking about applying, I want to share a few last points.
If you are an international student, do not let language worries stop you. Do not stay quiet in class just because you feel nervous or are afraid of getting it wrong. The lecturers here really do support you. Often it starts with a smile that helps you relax, and then it becomes steady academic guidance that builds your confidence. You do not need to be perfect. You just need to speak up and take part.
If you are unsure about your next step, do not carry it on your own. Use the support York offers. Talks, services, and conversations can turn a vague worry into a clearer choice. You realise that a plan is not something you suddenly figure out. It is something you build through trying things, getting feedback, and adjusting.
My last line is simple: believe you can do it. You will get stronger as you go, and you will settle in faster than you expect. I hope you’ve been inspired and consider studying MA Music, Management and Marketing at York!
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