SAE Institute

What SAE Institute does

SAE Institute is a global private education provider specializing in creative media and entertainment, founded in 1976 in Sydney as the world's first specialist audio school. It delivers undergraduate degrees (BA/BSc Hons), postgraduate programs (MA/MSc), vocational diplomas, and short courses across five core verticals: audio and music production, film and digital content, games and visual effects, web development, and music business. Curriculum is delivered through 50+ campuses across 28+ countries, with UK programs validated by the University of Hertfordshire (since 2022), Spanish programs regulated by AQU, master's degrees in partnership with UDIMA, and associate membership in GuildHE since 2013. Teaching is built on industry-standard software and hardware ecosystems (Pro Tools, Ableton, FMOD, Unreal Engine, Maya, Blender, Adobe Creative Suite, Avid, Unity, Toon Boom, DaVinci Resolve, plus professional audio equipment from Neumann, Sennheiser, SSL, Focusrite, Midas, and Digico), with instructors drawn from working industry professionals.

The business model is primarily tuition-based, with annual subscriptions for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees (2-year accelerated or 3-year traditional routes, with accelerated offering approximately £9,250 in savings), plus one-time revenue from short courses, diplomados, and industry certifications (Pro Tools Specialist 101-110/Professional 201-210, Avid, Ableton, Wwise). Go-to-market is sales-led and event-driven: open days, campus tours, 1:1 consultations, education fairs, and industry events (SAE Awards, SAE x IMSTA FESTA, SAE x Sound City) drive prospective-student recruitment, with country-specific websites supporting international enrollment and UCAS integration for UK programs. The customer base is entirely B2C, targeting secondary school graduates and career changers seeking vocational and higher education in creative media industries.

The company is privately held under SAE Technology Group Holdings BV (Amsterdam), with the UK entity trading as SAE Education under ICMP Management Ltd. It operates as part of the Navitas global education group. Notable alumni include Grammy winners (Nigel Godrich, Ricky Damian), an Oscar winner (Niv Adiri), and a BAFTA winner (Omar Khan), with over 12,000 alumni globally. Recent strategic moves include new campus openings in Leamington Spa (2023, games-focused) and Leeds (2025), an announced new London campus at Stratford, degree validation renewal with the University of Hertfordshire, and the launch of a BSc in Creative Computing & AI.

Name

SAE Institute

Legal name

ICMP Management Ltd

Website

https://sae.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Short description

SAE Institute is a global private creative media education provider operating 50+ campuses across 28+ countries, offering undergraduate degrees, postgraduate programs, and vocational diplomas in audio, film, games, animation, and music business to aspiring creative professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices25 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees - Undergraduate Degrees: BA/BSc (Hons) degree programs charged at tuition rates. Accelerated 2-year route offers cost savings compared to traditional 3-year degrees. Domestic and international student pricing varies by country and campus location.
2. Tuition Fees - Postgraduate Programs: MSc and MA programs including Audio Engineering & Music Technology (London campus, 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time) and Professional Practice degrees (online, 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time).
3. Continuing Education and Short Courses: Diplomados, courses, and certifications in music production, post-production, video production, game development, motion graphics, and audio engineering. Includes specialized programs like Pro Tools Specialist certifications.
4. Scholarships and Financial Support: 2026 Scholarship opportunities available for prospective students. Includes bursaries and financial support programs for eligible domestic students.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SAE Institute delivers fee-based creative media education through accredited undergraduate degrees (BA/BSc Hons), postgraduate degrees (MSc/MA), vocational diplomas, and professional certifications spanning audio production, film production, games and animation, web development, music business, and creative computing. Programs are delivered on-campus across 50+ global locations and online for select postgraduate offerings, with content validated by partner universities (University of Hertfordshire in the UK from 2022, Middlesex University legacy). Enrolment is via direct application through country websites, UCAS (UK), and admissions teams.

Product overview

SAE Institute is a global creative media education institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of degree programs, vocational diplomas, postgraduate degrees, and professional development courses across audio production, film, games, animation, music business, and web development. The institution operates across multiple countries (UK, Switzerland, Mexico, Spain, and globally) with degree programs validated by the University of Hertfordshire (current) and Middlesex University (legacy). Programs range from undergraduate BA/BSc honors degrees (2-3 year accelerated options available) and vocational diplomas (1-3 years) to postgraduate MSc/MA degrees and professional certifications. The UK offers 14 undergraduate programs including Audio Production, Audio Software Engineering, Content Creation, Creative Computing and AI, Film Production, Game Art & Animation, Game Design, Game & Interactive Audio, Games Programming, Music Business, VFX & Animation, and Web Development. Switzerland provides vocational diploma programs and short courses. Mexico offers undergraduate licenciaturas plus diplomados and professional courses. Spain focuses on music education with superior degrees regulated by AQU and master's programs in partnership with UDIMA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SAE Awards: Annual awards program recognizing student achievements across creative media disciplines.
• Careers+
• SAE Alumni Connect
• Switch Creativo

Products and services

• BA/BSc (Hons) Audio Production Hands-on undergraduate degree in audio production covering music production, sound design, and post-production using industry-standard software including Pro Tools, Ableton, FMOD and Unreal Engine. Available at Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, and London campuses.
• BSc (Hons) Audio Software Engineering Combines audio production knowledge with software development, teaching programming, audio systems, plugins and software workflows for careers in audio technology and games development.
• BA (Hons) Content Creation Degree Develops creative and strategic skills for content-driven industries, covering video production, photography, editing, copywriting, social media strategy and digital marketing. Available at Glasgow, Leeds, Leamington Spa, Liverpool, and London campuses.
• BSc Creative Computing and AI Degree Develops programming, design and technical skills at the intersection of creativity and AI, including interactive experiences and AI-assisted tools for creative industries.
• BA/BSc (Hons) Film Production Degree Hands-on filmmaking skills from concept through to final edit using industry-standard cameras, lighting setups and editing suites, covering directing, cinematography, editing, producing and sound.
• BA/BSc (Hons) Game Art & Animation Degree Develops artistic and technical skills for creating characters, worlds and visual experiences for games, covering 3D modelling, texturing, animation, environment art and visual effects.
• BA/BSc (Hons) Game Design Degree Practical skills across game mechanics, level design, narrative design and user experience using tools and workflows used throughout the games industry.
• BSc (Hons) Game & Interactive Audio Creative and technical skills for designing sound for games and interactive media using professional middleware, game engines and interactive audio workflows.
• BSc (Hons) Games Programming Degree Technical skills to build modern games and interactive experiences, covering programming languages, game engine workflows, C++, AI systems, graphics programming and engine architecture.
• BA/BSc (Hons) Music Business Creative, commercial and strategic skills for the music industry, covering artist management, music marketing, publishing, live events, rights management and the streaming economy. Available at Glasgow, Liverpool, and London campuses.
• BA (Hons) VFX & Animation Degree Creative and technical skills for careers in visual effects and animation, covering compositing, motion graphics, 3D animation and post-production with industry-standard software.
• BA/BSc (Hons) Web Development Degree Technical and creative skills for building modern digital experiences, covering front-end and full-stack web development using industry-standard languages, frameworks and tools.
• MSc Audio Engineering & Music Technology Advanced postgraduate degree in audio engineering, acoustics and music technology covering advanced audio workflows, emerging technologies and research methods across music, broadcast, games and immersive audio. Available at London campus.
• MA/MSc Professional Practice (Creative Media) Flexible postgraduate degree for creative professionals, allowing specialization aligned to professional practice in Audio Production, Content Creation, Film Production, Game Art and Animation, Games Programming, Music Business, VFX and Animation, or Web Development. Available online.
• Professional Development (PGCertHE) Postgraduate certificate in higher education for professional development in creative media industries.
• Short Courses and Summer Schools Short professional courses and intensive summer programs for skill development and continuing education in creative media fields.
• Switzerland Vocational Diplomas (Audio, Film, Animation & VFX, Game Art, Games Programming, Web, Graphic Design, Content Creation, Artist Management) 1-3 year vocational diploma programs in audio engineering, film production, animation & VFX, game art, games programming, content creation, web development, graphic design, and artist management. Includes a 1-year foundation program (Medienvorkurs) and bootcamps/short courses.
• SAE Geneva Bachelor Programs (Audio Production, Content Creation, Film Production, Game Art & 3D Animation, Games Programming, Music Business, Visual FX & 3D Animation, Web Development) Bachelor programs in audio production, content creation, film production, game art, games programming, music business, visual effects, and web development offered at SAE Geneva campus.
• SAE Mexico Licenciaturas (Audio Engineering, Animation & VFX, Game Design, Games Programming, Music Business, Digital Film & Post-Production) Undergraduate degrees (licenciaturas) in audio engineering, animation and visual effects, video game design, video game programming, music business, and digital film and post-production offered at SAE Mexico campus.
• SAE Mexico Diplomados (Specialization Programs) Specialization programs including Musical Production, Electronic Music Production, Post-Production, Digital Video Production, Post-Production Supervisors (in alliance with Amazon), Visual Effects with Nukex, and Music Business.
• SAE Mexico Professional Courses and Certifications Professional courses including Pro Tools Specialist 101-110 and Professional 201-210 certifications, Mixing, Dolby Atmos Mixing, Ableton Live, Mastering, Applied Synthesis for Sound Design, Logic Pro X, Audio Engineering for Dubbing, Songwriting, and various other specialized creative media courses.
• SAE Spain Título de Grado en Música (Sonology, Modern Music Performance, Production & Music Industry Management, Electronic Music Composition) Superior music degree with specializations in Sonology (Audio), Modern Music Performance, Production and Music Industry Management, and Electronic Music Composition, regulated by AQU. Offered at SAE Spain Barcelona and Madrid campuses.
• SAE Spain Master's Programs (with UDIMA) Master's programs in Audio Production, Music Industry, Electronic Music Production, and Urban Music Production, delivered in partnership with UDIMA university.
• SAE Spain Professional Courses (Audio) Professional courses including Film Sound Specialization, Soundtrack Composition, Artistic Identity, and Live Sound Specialization.

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates save approximately £9,250 in tuition fees with 2-year accelerated degree route
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of HertfordshirecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Degree programs developed, delivered, and assessed by SAE Institute, and awarded by and quality assured by the University of Hertfordshire for students enrolled from January 2022 onwards. Provides academic validation and credibility to SAE's vocational training programs.
• Middlesex UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Historical degree validation partner for students enrolled prior to 1st January 2022. Programs developed, delivered, and assessed by SAE Institute, and awarded by and quality assured by Middlesex University.
• Warner Music GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAE Spain partnership with Warner Music Group for music industry education. Students benefit from industry connections, potential internship opportunities, and exposure to major label operations.
• AbletoncoreTechnology or IntegrationSAE Spain is a Certified Training Center for Ableton. Students receive official Ableton certifications as part of their training. Also partner in Spain with Adam Audio and Kahayan for studio equipment.
• Avid (Pro Tools)coreTechnology or IntegrationSAE Spain certified training center for Avid/Pro Tools. Students can obtain official Pro Tools certifications (Specialist 101-110, Professional 201-210).
• Dolby AtmoscoreTechnology or IntegrationSAE Mexico offers Dolby Atmos training as part of audio engineering curriculum. Students learn immersive audio production for film, music, and gaming applications.
• Unreal Engine (Epic Games)coreTechnology or IntegrationSAE Mexico utilizes Unreal Engine for game development and visual effects education. Students gain experience with industry-standard real-time 3D creation tool.
• Toon BoomcoreTechnology or IntegrationSAE Mexico uses Toon Boom Harmony for animation education. Students learn professional 2D animation and storyboarding workflows.
• Grande Studios AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAE Mexico partnership for Audio Engineering for Dubbing specialization. Joint program combining SAE's audio engineering training with Grande Studios' dubbing expertise.
• NavitascoreOthersSAE Institute is part of the Navitas group, a global education company. Navitas manages SAE's operations across multiple countries including Australia, Belgium, and others.
• AdobecoreTechnology or IntegrationAdobe Creative Suite software (Premiere, After Effects, Photoshop, etc.) used across film, animation, and content creation programs globally.
• ApplecoreTechnology or IntegrationApple hardware and software integrated into SAE's creative media programs globally.
• AutodeskcoreTechnology or IntegrationAutodesk Maya and other Autodesk products used for 3D modeling, animation, and game art education.
• UnitycoreTechnology or IntegrationUnity game engine used for games programming and interactive media education across SAE campuses.
• NeumanncoreTechnology or IntegrationNeumann professional microphones and monitoring equipment used in SAE audio engineering studios globally.
• SennheisercoreTechnology or IntegrationSennheiser headphones and microphones used in audio engineering and music production education.
• SSL (Solid State Logic)coreTechnology or IntegrationSSL consoles and studio equipment used in professional audio production training at select campuses.
• FocusritecoreTechnology or IntegrationFocusrite audio interfaces and processors used in recording and production education.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• BIMM University: British and Irish modern music higher-education provider offering degrees in music performance, production, and music business. Comparable in UK creative-arts higher-education positioning with multiple campuses.
• National Film and Television School: UK specialist postgraduate film school offering MA programmes in filmmaking, screenwriting, cinematography, and post-production. Comparable as a UK specialist creative-media institution with strong industry reputation.
• Berklee College of Music: Premier music and performing-arts college in Boston with undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in music production, film scoring, and music business. Comparable as a globally recognised creative-arts higher-education brand with strong industry placement.
• Full Sail University: US-based for-profit creative media college offering degrees in audio production, film, game design, animation, and web design. Most direct global comparable to SAE in subject mix, accelerated programme structure, and industry-tools-focused curriculum.
• Vancouver Film School: For-profit Canadian creative media school focused on film, animation, game design, and sound design. Closely matches SAE's accelerated, industry-vocational model and creative-industry curriculum.
• Ravensbourne University London: London-based specialist university focused on digital media, design, and technology with programmes in broadcast, games, and creative computing. Comparable as a UK specialist creative-media institution with industry partnerships.
• Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts: UK specialist performing-arts university co-founded by Paul McCartney, offering degrees in music, dance, acting, and creative arts. Comparable in UK creative-arts higher-education positioning and industry-led teaching model.
• Point Blank Music School: London-based electronic music production school offering degrees, diplomas, and short courses in music production, DJing, and sound engineering. Directly comparable in UK electronic-music/audio-production niche.
• Los Angeles Film School: US for-profit institution offering associate, bachelor's, and certificate programmes in film, audio, animation, and entertainment business. Closely comparable in for-profit creative-media higher-education model and Hollywood-adjacent positioning.
• Access Creative College (formerly dBs Music): UK creative-education group offering further-education and higher-education programmes in music production, performing arts, gaming, and creative media. Comparable in UK music-production higher-education vertical.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mexicosae
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SAEInstituteMexico
• Facebookfacebook.com/SAE.Institute.Mexico
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/sae-institute-m-xico
• Instagraminstagram.com/saeinstitutemx

Compliance11 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SAE Institute