Bachelor of Music (Music Business) vs. Bachelor of Music Business
If you’re passionate about music and ready to turn that passion into a career, AIM offers two exciting degrees that connect creativity with industry expertise. While their names sound similar, each course is designed for a very different kind of future in music. Let’s break down the difference so you can choose the path that fits your goals.
Tim Kelly, our Program Director of Music Business, brings over 40 years of industry experience, from co-founding a punk label in London to leading marketing at Sony and Universal. He’s now sharing that real-world insight to help the next generation make their mark in the music industry. “You can teach people the theory of swimming, but until you get into the water, it’s just not the same,” Tim says. “We’ve been in the water. We know what it’s really like.”
Bachelor of Music (Music Business)
For the artist-entrepreneur.
This degree is perfect for musicians who want to keep creating while learning how to build and manage their own careers. It’s a unique 50/50 hybrid of music and business studies; giving you the freedom to develop your artistry while gaining the business skills to succeed independently.
“The fastest-growing sector in the music business is the self-releasing artist,” says Tim. “To do that successfully, you need to understand not just your music, but how to manage yourself, drive communities, and make smart business decisions.”
Select your creative discipline – performance, composition, creative tech, or musicology – while building real-world expertise in marketing, management, and project development. The result? You graduate as both an artist and an entrepreneur, ready to perform, produce, and manage your own work or collaborate with others.
Career opportunities include:
- Independent artist, songwriter, or producer
- Artist or brand manager (for yourself or others)
- Creative roles within labels, publishing, and live events
Best suited for: Creators who want to stay hands-on with their art while learning how to grow a sustainable career.
Bachelor of Music Business
For the future leaders of the music industry.
If you love music but see yourself working behind the scenes, managing artists, running festivals, or shaping the next generation of talent, this course is for you. The Bachelor of Music Business is focused purely on the business side of the industry. You’ll explore law, marketing, management, publishing, and strategy, developing the skills to manage artists, run labels, and drive the industry forward.
“I’ve worked with more well-known artists than you’ve had dinners,” says Tim. “From Beyoncé and Taylor Swift to Powderfinger and Hilltop Hoods…my role was to plan and develop the marketing strategy to make their releases as successful as possible. That’s the kind of real-world experience we bring into the classroom.”
Career opportunities include:
- Artist manager or label executive
- Event director or business strategist in music and entertainment
Best suited for: Future music industry leaders who want to run the show, not perform on stage.
The Bottom Line?
- Bachelor of Music (Music Business): Be both the artist and the entrepreneur.
- Bachelor of Music Business: Be the one who runs the show.
Whichever path you take, AIM gives you hands-on experience, real industry connections, and the flexibility to build the music career you want!
