Navigating the Music Industry Ecosystem (Certificate)

This course provides students with a foundation to establish the components of an entrepreneurial business that is structured around the business operations of the music industry. Throughout the course, the key learning will be understanding the business model structure, financial literacy, and business affairs necessary to run a successful business when it comes to musical performance and creation.

Topics include: understanding the music industry ecosystem, business model structure, financial framework, business managers and agents, legal and business affairs, and grants and free money.

In this modern age of digital technology and globalization, there are many different ways in which music is consumed and utilized. This course will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the different types of royalty and licensing revenues and how to ensure they are compensated for the use of their musical performance, composition and songwriting in all music listening platforms.

Topics include: copyright, flow of revenues in music publishing, performance, mechanical, online and streaming, sync and other uses, how to register a work, royalty calculations, and royalty accounting software platforms.

This course will provide students with an overview and structure of a record deal and what is involved with music production. What major points need to be considered and agreed upon to benefit the creator for their work and how it is sold? The course content on record deals will lead into the structure and execution of music production that supports the record deal.

Topics include: record deals and distribution, advances and recoupment, major deal points, and production.

There are many elements to being a professional musician. This course will provide students with the many aspects of being a professional musician and managing the business lines that are available for a fully rounded musician in all sectors of the music industry. The key learning points will be to ensure there is a comprehensive understanding of the entire cycle for a professional musician when they compose, perform and sell their work.

Topics include: touring, performing/concert, merchandising, advanced royalty computations, songwriting, co-publishing and administration, and content music.

When you apply on the OUAC application:

1. Open the OUAC website and find “Wilfrid Laurier University”.
2. Select your certificate using the OUAC code from Laurier’s program listing.

• This program was designed to either be taken concurrently with an undergraduate degree as part of your elective courses, or independently as a stand-alone credential and therefore has flexible admission requirements.
• Students do not need to apply through OUAC for this certificate if they are already a Laurier student.
• Honours or general undergraduate Laurier students from any campus or program may enrol in these courses as electives. When all requirements are satisfied, students may submit an application to receive their certificate form.
• Students from other universities may enrol in the courses using a Letter of Permission from their home institution.
• Working professionals may apply through Laurier’s part-time application form.

International applicants interested in completing a part-time program should first connect with International Student Support.

Students applying to this program from an international curriculum are encouraged to review our curriculum-specific requirements. You will find which courses from your country's curriculum are equivalent to the admission requirements listed under the Ontario High School Admission Requirements section. If your country or curriculum is not listed, please reach out to international@wlu.ca.

English-Proficiency Requirement

Laurier's language of instruction is English, and so we may require you to provide evidence of your English proficiency to help make sure you are successful in your academic courses.

Your three most recent years of full-time education must be in English without taking any ESL (English as a Second Language) courses. If you do not meet this requirement, you must provide evidence of your English proficiency.

We reserve the right to request an English-language test from any applicant.

If you do not meet Laurier's English proficiency requirement but are academically qualified for your program, you may be eligible for a conditional offer of admission.

Academic Transition Pathway (ATP) Program

The Academic Transition Pathway (ATP) program is offered through our affiliated institution, Wilfrid Laurier International College, and provides an option for meeting our English-proficiency requirement. If you have received an offer to Laurier with a condition to meet our English-proficiency requirement, you can meet that condition by successfully completing the ATP program.