The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP)

Our vision is of ICMP graduatesshaping the future of music

• We achieve this by inspiring, empowering and supporting you to succeed by delivering relevant and innovative music education of the highest quality.

History and Heritage

• Leading the way for contemporary music education for more than 35 years – longer than any other UK music school.
• We’re the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP) – a leading UK contemporary music college and top music industry education provider, with campuses in London, Liverpool and Leeds. 
• Established in London in 1986, we’ve been delivering contemporary music education both in the UK and internationally for more than 35 years – longer than any other music school in the UK. In that time, we’ve earned a reputation for quality, excellence and success – leading thousands of students to study with us, and making ICMP the starting point for countless incredible careers in the music business and creative industries.
• Founded on four pillars – originality, innovation, independence and individuality – ICMP was the first music school in London to offer full-time degrees for students of contemporary music. And through partnering with global providers and institutions, we’ve pioneered the teaching methods, curriculum structure and philosophy that have become the benchmark for contemporary music education all over the world.
• The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance has been awarded Silver in the Teaching Excellence Framework by the Office for Students. The rating recognises our ‘Student experience’ and ‘Student outcomes’ related to our undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
• ICMP was originally established as the Guitar Institute and BassTech, before expanding to offer courses in drums and vocals. As ICMP, we’ve progressed into songwriting, music business and music production and, more recently, audio engineering, live event management and digital marketing. Today, all our courses include in-depth looks at the music business, plus content creation and entrepreneurship, with the understanding that music is deeply ingrained in our culture, communities and industries.
• In 2024, ICMP launched a brand-new music school in Liverpool and Leeds whose first cohort of students joining in 2025.

Delivering unrivalled education

• For more than 35 years, thousands of our students have studied courses and degrees in music, songwriting and music business at ICMP. 
• We strive for quality, excellence and success, and have set the standard for contemporary music education across the international community. As the first music school in London to offer full-time degrees in contemporary music, we continue to adapt our curriculum and programmes to reflect the changing industry, and this ethos is also replicated across our Liverpool music school and Leeds music school campuses.
• Led by practising industry professionals: Our tutors are a mix of academics and successful world-class industry figures. Through their priceless insights and guidance, students unlock once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that set them up for incredible careers across the profession.
• Supported by personalised learning: Small-group teaching and highly specialised facilities come as standard at ICMP. Students meet in state-of-the-art spaces and use the latest industry-standard technology and equipment – building authentic, real-world experiences where students graduate with the superior skills that will set them apart in a competitive industry. 
• Contemporary, flexible and inspirational: Through the ICMP Careers and Industry Hub, we bring key industry players into our classes for one-to-one advice sessions – giving students and alumni industry insights, helping with networking, and closing the gap between the student experience and future careers.