ICMP The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance

For more than 40 years, the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance, commonly called ICMP, has trained contemporary musicians in London as an independent music school. Full degree awarding powers were granted to it in 2021, and it has conferred its own degrees since 2022. Its first campus is in Kilburn, north-west London, and a second London site operates in nearby Queen's Park. It has since opened a campus in Glasgow, plus campuses in Leeds and Liverpool that share premises with SAE Institute.

Everything in the curriculum is designed around the modern music industry. Performance pathways are offered in vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards and drums, while other routes allow specialisation in songwriting, audio engineering, creative and electronic music production, DJ practice, music business and marketing, music for film, television and games, live event and festival management, and music psychology. Qualifications range from the one-year Certificate of Higher Education to BA and BMus degrees and master's programmes, and summer schools and evening courses are also run. ICMP puts considerable weight on personalised tuition and on equipping graduates for careers as producers, performers, songwriters and music entrepreneurs.

Information for International Students

A Student visa is required for international study at ICMP, where staff help at every stage of the visa process. Most undergraduate programmes require IELTS 5.5 overall with 5.5 or higher in each component, while postgraduate programmes call for at least 6.0 in every component. Various other secure English tests are also recognised, and exemptions may apply to nationals of majority English-speaking countries. Because ICMP lists neither an international foundation year nor a pre-sessional English course among its programmes, applicants should plan to satisfy the language requirement before they enrol.

Entry to performance courses is by audition, which can take place online for applicants who cannot travel to the UK. Accommodation is not guaranteed, although the school's support teams provide resources and advice to help students secure affordable, suitable housing. New students attend a Freshers Week induction combining personalised support with social and networking events, and a starting studies guide addresses matters such as healthcare, travel, personal safety and working in the UK. EU and EEA students may apply for Creative Development Scholarships, and eligibility for the Graduate Route may extend to graduates of its degree programmes.