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
Music (Popular, Contemporary & Commercial)
- BA (Hons)
- 3 Years
- Full-time
- 09/2025
- 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 for deferred entry.
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Main Site
Study options
- BA (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years
Start dates
- 09/2025
Apply by
29 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 has limited vacancies, and is no longer accepting applications from some students. See the list below for where you normally live, to check if you're eligible to apply.
- EU has vacancies
- does not have vacancies
- does not have vacancies
- International has vacancies
- Scotland does not have vacancies
- Northern Ireland does not have vacancies
- Republic of Ireland does not have vacancies
Apply by
29 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
UCAS Tariff
96 pointsMinimum 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
CCCThree 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)
MMMBTEC 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.
Not enough data available
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| EU | £20250 | Year 1 |
| England | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
| International | £20250 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250 | 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
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Related courses
At Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts
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