Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts
Mount Street
Liverpool
L1 9HF
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Course contact details
LIPA Admissions Department
Email:admissions@lipa.ac.uk
Phone:0151 330 3000
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Music (Popular, Contemporary & Commercial)
- BA (Hons)
- 3 Years
- Full-time
- 09/2026
- Undergraduate
- Main Site
Course summary
This pathway of our practice-based, industry-focused course equips you with the skills, knowledge and experience needed for a sustained career in popular, contemporary and commercial music industries.
Through continuous support and feedback from professionally experienced tutors you develop your skills across performance, music creation and production along with essential music business knowledge and practical experience. Underpinned by a thorough understanding of music theory; you leave as a highly skilled and educated musician able to make decisions to take control of your career.
Number of places available each year: 20
Modules
/ YEAR ONE:
Instrumental/Vocal Technique 1 /
Music Creation Techniques 1 /
Music Production Techniques 1 /
Music Professional & Creative Practice 1 /
Popular Music Studies 1 /
// YEAR TWO:
Instrumental/Vocal Technique 2 /
Music Creation 2 /
Music Production 2 /
Music Professional & Creative Practice 2 /
Popular Music Studies 2 /
/// YEAR THREE:
The Music Professional /
Popular Music Research /
The Solo Performer (Option) /
The Sessions Musician (Option) /
The Music Creator (Opton) /
The Producer (Option)
Assessment method
Most modules are assessed by practical portfolio submissions of songs, compositions, productions and performances. You also produce a final research paper relevant to your interests and career.
Practical/written work ratio
80% practical work / 20% written assignments
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
This course is not accepting applications at this time. Please contact the provider to find out more.
This course is not accepting applications for deferred entry.
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Main Site
Study options
- BA (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years
Start dates
- 09/2026
Apply by
14 January
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
Application codes
- Course code:
- W300
- Institution code:
- L48
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
How to apply
This course is not accepting applications at this time. Please contact the provider to find out more.
Apply by
14 January
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- W300
- Institution code:
- L48
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 96 points
Minimum of five GCSEs grade C (these should normally include Maths
and English Language). For applicants taking the reformed GCSE
qualifications, we will consider the new grade 4 as being equivalent to
a grade C.
Minimum of 96 UCAS points is normally required. This equates to:
* Three A-Levels at grade C. All A-Level subjects accepted excluding
General Studies. Points from AS and Key Skills are not counted
* BTEC Extended Diploma – Merit, Merit, Merit
* BTEC Diploma – Distinction, Distinction
We accept all equivalent UK and overseas qualifications including
Advanced Diplomas, Irish Leaving Certificate, Scottish Highers, European, International and Welsh Baccalaureate, Abitur, Vitnemål and SAT/ACT.
At least one of your Level 3 qualifications as listed above should
normally be in Music and/or Music Technology. If you don’t have this
experience, please contact our Admissions team for guidance.
You should be able to demonstrate a good working understanding of
music theory, even as a singer-songwriter. If you are a UK applicant you
should attain a Grade 5 Music Theory qualification by the time you enrol
with us (you don’t need it at the time you apply). We test your music
theory skills at audition and if you score a high mark we may waive the
requirement for a formal Grade 5 Music Theory qualification. If you are
an overseas student you are also tested on your music theory ability at
your audition and, if needs be, are advised about the steps to take if you
need to improve.
A level - CCC
Three A-Levels at grade C. All A-Level subjects accepted excluding
General Studies. Points from AS and Key Skills are not counted.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MMM
BTEC Extended Diploma – Merit, Merit, Merit
Additional entry requirements
- Audition
- Interview
- Other
- Some applicants may be asked to submit demo tracks for preliminary review prior to being considered for an audition in person.
Historical entry grades data BETA
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
- Data from:
- This course and 6 other music courses
- Date range:
- 2022-2024
Grades held by accepted students
- A*AA
- Highest grades
- CCD
- Lowest grades
Offer rate for UK school & college leavers
Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.
How do you compare?
See how students with your grades have been accepted onto this course in the past.
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Republic of Ireland | £9790 | Year 1 |
| EU | £21000 | Year 1 |
| England | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9790 | Year 1 |
| International | £21000 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9790 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
LIPA will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. The tuition fee shown above for home students is for 2026 entry and is still subject to parliamentary procedure. In England and Wales, tuition fees for home undergraduate students are subject to the government fee cap, which the government has announced will be £9,790 for the 2026/27 academic year and £10,050 for the 2027/28 academic year (subject to parliamentary approval). Maximum tuition fee levels for the 2028/29 academic year and beyond have not yet been set. Fees may change in line with inflation and/or any adjustments to the government fee cap. These changes may affect fee levels for continuing students for subsequent years of study. We will communicate fees to you as soon as we can in advance of the relevant academic year.
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