Master’s in Music Business Management

The Master’s in Music Business Management at IMB School is designed for one thing: to get you working inside the music industry, not just learning about it from the outside.

Based in Barcelona and Madrid, and delivered through a 50% in-person / 50% online hybrid format, this one-year, 60 ECTS programme combines deep theoretical grounding with an intensive “learning by doing” approach. From the very first weeks, you are working on real artists, real budgets, real releases, and a real festival.

A Life-Changing, Immersive Year

IMB frames this master’s as a decisive, life-changing educational experience – and the outcomes back it up. According to the school, 77% of students secure employment in the industry within 6 months of graduation. The curriculum is built so that you do not just study business models and contracts in the abstract; you put them to work every week on live projects.

You will be surrounded by the next generation of managers, label founders, A&R scouts, marketers, and festival organisers – people who are all moving towards the same industry you want to be part of. From day one, you are building a network that extends into Spain, Latin America, and the wider European music business.

Campuses Inside the Industry

You can complete the main “Make It Happen” module in Barcelona or Madrid, each with its own unique industry ecosystem:

• In Barcelona, you are based at BMAT Music Innovators – one of the leading global companies in music data, innovation, and technology. The campus is integrated into a real music-tech environment, giving you daily proximity to the infrastructure that underpins today’s streaming economy.

• In Madrid, you study at the headquarters of Sony Music Spain – one of the most important hubs for Spanish-speaking artists worldwide. Here, your “classroom” is literally inside a major label environment.

Both campuses are set up with professional workspaces, classrooms, meeting rooms, and rehearsal/production rooms designed for project-based work.

Make It Happen: From Artist to Festival

At the heart of the master’s is the “Make It Happen” module, IMB’s flagship immersive experience. Over the course of the year you will:

1. Select an artist Choose from a roster of registered artists and assume responsibility for their project.

2. Record a single Plan and execute a professional recording, applying real-world production and budgeting processes.

3. Produce a music video Develop the visual identity, image strategy, and creative direction in line with the release goals.

4. Prepare the releases Design and implement marketing, distribution, and release strategies, applying everything you learn in class.

5. Organise a festival Together with your classmates and managed artists, you plan and execute a real festival – a capstone project that brings together programming, sponsorships, logistics, promotion, and on-the-day operations.

The focus is always the same: learn the business by doing the business.

Professional Development, Principles, and Legal Foundations

Alongside Make It Happen, you complete modules that build your professional toolkit:

• Professional Development (5 ECTS – online) With the support of HR and career specialists, you work on your professional strategy, personal positioning, and employability – from CV and LinkedIn to interview skills and long-term career planning.

• Internships IMB collaborates with 100+ partner organisations across labels, publishers, festivals, live events, tech companies, and more. You can take extracurricular internships to gain on-the-ground experience.

• Music Business Principles (2 ECTS – online) An overview of all roles and business models in the global music industry – how labels, publishers, managers, agents, promoters, and DSPs interact, and how the money flows.

• Legal Aspects (8 ECTS – online) A structured deep dive into rights management, contracts, copyright, neighbouring rights, and the legal frameworks that underpin the modern business.

• Historical Analysis (5 ECTS – online) The evolution of the music business from a social, economic, technological, and musical perspective, with an emphasis on critical thinking and context.

Learning Formats: LBDP, LBDO, and AOL

IMB uses three main formats:

• LBDP (Learning by Doing Presencial) – in person and practical
• LBDO (Learning by Doing Online) – practical, delivered online
• AOL (Active Online Learning) – flexible, self-paced online sessions

This structure allows for a high degree of immersion while still being accessible to international students.

• 1-year, 60 ECTS master’s focused exclusively on music business and management
• Study in Barcelona or Madrid, inside BMAT Music Innovators or Sony Music Spain
• “Make It Happen” module: manage real artists, real budgets, and real releases
• Plan and deliver a real festival with your classmates and managed artists
• 77% of graduates employed in the music industry within 6 months (IMB figure)
• Learn from 30+ active industry experts across labels, publishing, live, tech, and more
• Access the IMB Network: internships, job offers, and alumni connections with 100+ partners
• Strong foundation in legal, historical, and strategic aspects of the music business
• Dedicated Professional Development module to design your personal career strategy
• Hybrid format: 50% in person / 50% online, ideal for international students