The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance
ICMP is a UK private music higher education institution founded in 1986, operating six campuses across London, Liverpool, Leeds, and Glasgow. It delivers undergraduate, postgraduate, and short courses in music performance, production, songwriting, and music business to aspiring music professionals.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance does
The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP) is a UK private higher education institution specialising in contemporary music, operating as ICMP Management Ltd and part of the AD Education UK group. Founded in 1986 as the Guitar Institute in London, ICMP delivers undergraduate degrees (BMus, BA), postgraduate masters (MMus, MA, MSc), one-year certificate programmes, and a portfolio of short courses covering music performance, songwriting, creative music production, audio engineering, music business, music psychology, and music for film/TV/games. Six campuses operate across London (Kilburn and Queen's Park), Liverpool, Leeds, and Glasgow, supported by purpose-built facilities including professional recording studios equipped with Audient ASP8024 Heritage consoles, SSL rooms, production suites with Pro Tools HD, Logic Pro X, and Ableton Live, live music venues, and performance studios.
Revenue is generated almost exclusively through tuition fees on a subscription/recurring annual basis for degree programmes, with one-time/short-course revenue from evening classes, six-month intensives, and summer schools. Pricing follows UK higher education conventions, with fees charged per academic year for undergraduate degrees, annual or multi-year structures for postgraduate programmes (eligible for postgraduate loans up to £13,206), and pay-as-you-go pricing for short courses. ICMP also operates the UK's exclusive chapter of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), and scholarships include the Ezra Collective Scholarship and MPG Scholarship. Customer segments are predominantly individual B2C students spanning undergraduates, postgraduates, international students (requiring B2 CEFR English proficiency), short-course participants, and secondary-school outreach audiences. Go-to-market relies heavily on experiential recruitment via open days, campus tours, experience days, and secondary-school workshops, supplemented by UCAS for undergraduate applications and a multi-channel digital presence.
The institution is accredited by the UK's Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), registered with the Office for Students (OfS), holds a Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Silver Award (2023), and has CMI accreditation for its Music Business degree. Faculty comprises working musicians and industry professionals, and the institution maintains formal ties with The Ivors Academy, Music Producers Guild, and international academic partners including the University of Southern California and Los Angeles College of Music.
The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance
- Legal name
- ICMP Management Ltd
- Website
- https://icmp.ac.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- ICMP is a UK private music higher education institution founded in 1986, operating six campuses across London, Liverpool, Leeds, and Glasgow. It delivers undergraduate, postgraduate, and short courses in music performance, production, songwriting, and music business to aspiring music professionals.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education Music College
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Music Instruction (Instrumental & Vocal) (EDAMAAAE)
Keywords
Where The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations
Revenue model
- Tuition Fees - Undergraduate Degrees: Revenue from three-year undergraduate degree programmes across music performance, production, songwriting, and business disciplines. Fees are charged per academic year for full-time study.
- Tuition Fees - Postgraduate Degrees: Revenue from one-year full-time or two-year part-time postgraduate Masters programmes including MA Songwriting and MA Creative Music Production.
- Short Courses and Summer Schools: Revenue from six-month intensive courses, 12-week evening courses, and summer school programmes covering areas such as Electronic Dance Music Production, Ableton Live, Logic Pro, and mixing.
- Certificate HE Programmes: One-year certificate programmes providing foundational music education as a pathway to further study or direct career entry.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Undergraduate Degree Programmes |
| Subscription | Annual | Postgraduate Masters (Full-time) |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Postgraduate Masters (Part-time) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Six-Month Intensive Courses |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | 12-Week Evening Courses |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Summer Schools |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels9 records
The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ICMP is a specialist higher education institution that delivers contemporary music training through undergraduate degrees (BMus, BA Hons), postgraduate degrees (MA, MSc, MMus), one-year Cert HE programmes, and a range of short courses including six-month intensives, 12-week evening courses, and summer schools. Disciplines span music performance (guitar, bass, drums, vocals), songwriting, music production, audio engineering, music business, music marketing, music psychology, and live event management, delivered through six campuses across London, Liverpool, Leeds, and Glasgow.
Product overview
The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP) is a specialist UK music college offering a comprehensive portfolio of music education programmes across undergraduate degrees (BMus, BA), postgraduate degrees (MMus, MA, MSc), certificate programmes (Cert HE), and short courses. The institution operates across four academic schools: School of Music Business (music business, entrepreneurship, event management, marketing), School of Music Performance and Creation (performance, guitar, songwriting), and School of Music Production (production, audio engineering, music for media). ICMP also offers short courses including evening programmes, industry pro courses, Pro Tools certification, and summer schools. The institution has six campuses across London, Liverpool, Leeds, and Glasgow, with facilities including professional recording studios (Audient, SSL), production suites, live music venues, and performance studios. Founded in 1986, ICMP is positioned as the UK's longest-established independent music college.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- BMus (Hons) Popular Music Performance A three-year undergraduate degree focused on developing technical performance skills to the highest level alongside academic abilities and entrepreneurial understanding of the music industry. Designed for aspiring performing musicians.
- BA (Hons) Songwriting A three-year degree focused on developing songwriting skills in a collaborative environment with industry connections. Designed for aspiring songwriters.
- BA (Hons) Creative Musicianship A creative exploration programme exploring composition, performance and production in a collaborative environment to develop artistic identity.
- BA (Hons) Music Psychology in Practice A degree exploring the psychological aspects of music, available at the London campus.
- BA (Hons) Creative Music Production A degree focused on creative music production techniques and skills for aspiring producers.
- BA (Hons) Electronic Music Production Undergraduate degree covering electronic music production techniques and styles.
- BA (Hons) Audio Engineering and Production Degree focused on audio engineering principles and music production techniques.
- BA (Hons) Music for Film, TV and Games Degree developing skills for music composition and production for screen media including film, television, and video games.
- BA (Hons) Songwriting and Production Degree combining songwriting craft with studio production expertise.
- BA (Hons) Music Business and Entrepreneurship Degree covering music industry business aspects and entrepreneurship skills, CMI accredited. Designed for aspiring music industry professionals.
- BA (Hons) Live Event and Festival Management Degree focused on skills needed for live event and festival management careers.
- BA (Hons) Music Marketing Degree covering digital marketing strategies specific to the music industry.
- Cert HE Popular Music Performance One-year certificate programme developing technical and theoretical music performance skills to a professional standard.
- Cert HE Creative Music Production One-year certificate providing a solid, practical and creative foundation in music production.
- Cert HE Audio Engineering and Production
Quantifiable outcome
- Graduates perform on world stages, produce chart records, and run their own labels
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- AbletoncoreMusic production software partner. Provides equipment and exclusive discounts for ICMP songwriting degree students. Part of ICMP's industry partner programme supporting music education.
- AudientcoreAudio equipment partner providing Audient mixing consoles for ICMP's recording studios. Supports ICMP's professional recording facilities.
- Marshall AmplificationcoreGuitar amplifier partner providing equipment for ICMP's guitar courses and studio facilities.
- IK MultimediacoreMusic software and hardware partner. Provides equipment and exclusive discounts for ICMP students.
- BosscoreMusic equipment partner providing guitar pedals and audio equipment for ICMP facilities.
- Vienna Music InstitutecoreInternational academic partnership providing global music education connections and student exchange opportunities.
- University of Southern CaliforniacorePrestigious international academic partnership with one of the world's leading music education institutions.
- Los Angeles College of MusiccoreInternational academic partnership supporting music education excellence and global student pathways.
- Rockacademie (Netherlands)minorEuropean academic partnership with leading music institution in the Netherlands.
- ATLA ParisminorFrench academic partnership with music education institution in Paris.
- The Ivors AcademycoreICMP is an Academic Supporter of The Ivors Academy. Faculty members including Dr. Catherine Anne Davies and Xantone Blacq sit on the Senate. Dean Jonathan Whiskerd sits on Songwriting and Education Councils. Partnership provides networking, guest speakers, and industry events for students.
- Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI)coreICMP runs the exclusive UK chapter of NSAI with direct links to Nashville's celebrated Bluebird Cafe. Provides exclusive events and networking opportunities for songwriters.
- AD Education UKminorICMP is part of AD Education UK network of creative education institutions.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SAE Institute: Global specialist college offering audio, film, game development, and creative media education with established UK campuses. ICMP's Liverpool campus was launched via partnership with SAE, evidencing direct overlap in target market and course offerings around music production and audio engineering.
- Leeds Conservatoire: UK specialist music and performing arts conservatoire offering undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in jazz, popular music, classical music, music production, and music business. Headquartered in Leeds, directly overlapping with ICMP's new Leeds campus footprint.
- BIMM University: UK's largest specialist music college with multiple campuses across London, Birmingham, Manchester, Brighton, and Berlin, offering degree programmes in contemporary music performance, production, songwriting, and music business. Directly competes with ICMP for the same student segments and runs a near-identical product portfolio.
- Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA): UK specialist performing arts higher education institution co-founded by Paul McCartney, offering degrees in music performance, music production, dance, theatre, and arts management. Directly comparable to ICMP in specialisation and target student, operating from Liverpool city centre.
- Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM): UK-based specialist music college offering performance, production, songwriting, and music business programmes across multiple campuses including Guildford and London. Directly competes with ICMP for the contemporary music higher education segment with a similar industry-connected teaching model.
- Point Blank Music School: London-based specialist music production and DJ school offering degree programmes, short courses, and online certifications directly focused on electronic music production. Competes with ICMP for production-focused students in London and shares the same premium-fee, industry-led teaching model.
Broad incumbents
- Royal Academy of Music: Historic London conservatoire offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in classical, jazz, and historical music performance plus composition. While oriented more toward classical training, it competes for top London-based music students and serves as an aspirational benchmark for UK music education.
- Berklee College of Music: World's preeminent contemporary music college with campuses in Boston, New York, and Valencia, plus Berklee Online. As a global benchmark for contemporary music higher education, it sets the competitive standard and influences applicant expectations that ICMP must meet.
Regional players
- Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM): Manchester-based conservatoire offering undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in music performance, composition, and music education. Geographic overlap with ICMP's northern English campuses and competes for similar UK music students in the north of England.
- London College of Music (LCM): University of West London division offering contemporary music performance, music production, music technology, and music management degrees from its London base. Competes with ICMP for undergraduate and postgraduate students in the London higher education market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance social profiles
Digital presenceThe Institute of Contemporary Music Performance compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance
What does The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance do?
ICMP is a specialist higher education institution that delivers contemporary music training through undergraduate degrees (BMus, BA Hons), postgraduate degrees (MA, MSc, MMus), one-year Cert HE programmes, and a range of short courses including six-month intensives, 12-week evening courses, and summer schools. Disciplines span music performance (guitar, bass, drums, vocals), songwriting, music production, audio engineering, music business, music marketing, music psychology, and live event management, delivered through six campuses across London, Liverpool, Leeds, and Glasgow.
Is The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance a public or private company?
The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance founded?
The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance was founded in 1986. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance based?
The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Tuition Fees - Undergraduate Degrees are the primary driver. The others are tuition Fees - Postgraduate Degrees, short Courses and Summer Schools and certificate HE Programmes.
Who are The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SAE Institute, Leeds Conservatoire, BIMM University, Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) and Point Blank Music School. Broad incumbents are Royal Academy of Music and Berklee College of Music. Regional players are Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) and London College of Music (LCM).
Does The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance.
What industry is The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance in?
The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance's product category is Higher Education Music College. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMAAAE, Music Instruction (Instrumental & Vocal). Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.