The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts

The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts opened in 1996 to forge a new approach to performing arts training. It was co-founded by our Lead Patron Sir Paul McCartney and Mark Featherstone-Witty (LIPA's Principal), and is housed in his old school, which underwent a multi-million pound renovation to transform it into a state-of-the-art performing arts higher education institution.

Today LIPA has a reputation for being one of the UK's leading higher education institutions. LIPA provides education and training in performing arts, theatre and performance design and technology and management disciplines in a hands-on, collaborative environment.

LIPA offers degree courses in Acting, Applied Theatre & Community Drama, Dance, Music Theatre and Entertainment Management, Music, Sound Technology, Theatre and Performance Design and Theatre and Performance Technology. We also run full-time one year Foundation Certificates in Performing Arts (Acting); Performing Arts (Dance); Performing Arts (Singing); and Popular Music and Sound Technology.

We train students for a future of sustained employment. Most recent figures have shown that over the most recent four year period, 93% of LIPA’s graduates are in work three years after leaving, while 87% work in the performing arts. To achieve this, our curriculum is constantly being revised.

We offer a range of programmes, including:

:: Foundation Certificate courses and undergraduate courses offering BA (Honours) Degree programmes for applicants aged 18 and over
:: Performing arts classes for 4 - 19 year olds