Study a Diploma in Music in London

Looking to fast-track your creative music skills and techniques?

Our one-year CertHE professional music diploma courses will give you an intensive introduction to your chosen area of music specialisation. Whether you study performance, creative musicianship, songwriting, music production, audio engineering, music for film, TV and games, event management, music business or music marketing, you’ll gain an impressive overview of your discipline and a holistic understanding of how the music industry works.

At ICMP, we deliver a range of accredited undergraduate-level music courses, including degrees and Certificates in Higher Education (CertHE) – similar to a music diploma. Our ten CertHE diploma in music courses are highly personalised for emerging musicians, performers, producers, music business entrepreneurs and marketing professionals.

Our CertHE diploma courses in contemporary music are industry-aligned and designed with the modern musician in mind. By developing your technical, musical, creative and entrepreneurial skills, you’ll emerge from your course well-rounded and ready to take on the next challenge in your music career.

Our range of CertHE music diploma courses will give you a strong understanding of the fundamentals in your specialist area, while developing your overall knowledge of the music business. These music diploma level courses combine core music theory with practical, hands-on experience in studios, on stage and in suites – offering creative inspiration and technical experimentation.

Traditional diploma courses in music often focus solely on music theory and performance. But at ICMP, our suite of professional CertHE programmes will see you developing your musicianship skills, while building your experience and confidence in music technology, entrepreneurship, marketing and more.

With CertHE music diploma courses offered across ten unique areas, you’ll have many opportunities to co-create and network with your peers at ICMP. You’ll study your chosen diploma in music level course in a close-knit group, led by our expert tutors who are all active industry professionals. You’ll have ongoing opportunities to collaborate with your fellow CertHE classmates, as well as other ICMP students taking undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and short courses. This regular creative interaction will see you build a large musical network for your future career.

At ICMP, we’re proud of our strong commitment to student engagement and our intimate, personalised approach to teaching across all our courses. Studying a tailored, professional CertHE music diploma in London at ICMP is ideal if you’re wanting to develop a strong foundation in your chosen discipline before launching a successful career in the music industry or continuing your study with a music degree.

ICMP CertHE music diploma courses

If you’re looking to build your portfolio and develop your creative identity as a vocalist, instrumental performer or songwriter, our one-year CertHE music courses in Popular Music Performance, Creative Musicianship and Songwriting will give you a solid base to start from. These creative CertHEs are the equivalent of studying a diploma in contemporary music performance and you’ll learn to improve your recital, musicianship and songwriting skills across your primary instrument – whether guitar, bass, drums, keyboard or vocals.

Our suite of music production CertHE courses are renowned for building fundamental knowledge and developing industry-ready producers, composers and sound engineers. Choose from a CertHE music diploma in Creative Music Production , Audio Engineering and Production or Music Production for Film, TV and Games.

ICMP also has a unique range of groundbreaking CertHEs (or music diploma courses) specifically designed for the next generation of music business entrepreneurs. If you’re ready to play an active role in the UK’s multi-million-pound music industry, these professional music diploma courses focus on the business-side of the music industry. To gain skills in innovation, business, entrepreneurship, sales and creativity, choose a CertHE in Live Events Management, Music Business Entrepreneurship, or Digital Marketing Music Management.

Facilities

Our Certificates in Higher Education (CertHEs) – equivalent to a diploma in music – are delivered in cutting-edge technology suites, practice rooms, teaching studios and live performance studios at our campus in London’s Kilburn. With consistent access to industry-standard recording and production equipment, professional grade instruments and the same software and hardware used by music business professionals, you’ll develop a confident working knowledge of music technology in no time.

As a leading UK modern music college, we’re deeply committed to investing in and providing access to the most up-to-date and modern equipment for every CertHE music diploma. Recent ICMP developments include our new Queen’s Park campus, giving you access to state-of-the-art post-production facilities, a high-end recording studio and a mixing and mastering studio.

As an ICMP CertHE diploma in music student, you can hire our equipment for both off-site and on-site performances for free, and also use our facilities free of charge for personal practice, seven days a week, outside of timetabled hours.

London

London is the globally recognised heart of the international music industry that has defined popular culture and modern music for decades. As the birthplace of many notable music genres, such as grime, punk, UK garage and Britpop, people come to London from all over the world, ready to connect, study and launch their music careers. ICMP’s enviable location in north-west London offers you unprecedented access to legendary live music venues, a large network of industry contacts, and top record labels like Island Records, Sony and Universal.

Choosing to study an ICMP CertHE music diploma in London means you’ll be learning at the centre of one of the world’s most renowned live music scenes. London also offers a thriving student village where cultural experiences, access to employers and student safety are envied around the globe. Officially ranked as the world’s number one student city, London is an ideal place to study a diploma in contemporary music if you’re an up-and-coming musician or music professional, providing opportunities you simply won’t find elsewhere.

Industry connections

At ICMP, we’re committed to being the most industry-connected music college, not just in London but across the UK and Europe. As a music diploma level student undertaking a CertHE at ICMP, you’ll get instant access to the industry connections, skills and experience you need for a head start in your future music career. By being plugged into the core of the music industry – via our expert ICMP tutors and notable alumni – you’ll have ongoing opportunities to engage with world-renowned music labels, industry professionals, guest artists, booking agents, publishers, artist managers and A&R execs.

Key to your success will be our personalised and supportive teaching, specifically focused on your chosen career path. Our Professional Development team at The Careers and Industry Hub will provide you with individualised music business career advice, ensuring your next professional step is the right one. We encourage all our music diploma level learners to make the most of our regular industry engagement opportunities so you can build your network and launch your career with confidence.

Industry guests

An invaluable component of the CertHE – one of ICMP’s professional music diploma courses – is attending exclusive on-campus events with music industry professionals. These masterclasses, clinics and workshops run by music business guests give your CertHE diploma in music course an edge. Sessions are designed to inspire a new generation of creative musician by letting you learn from the best in the business.

Guests of all types visit our campuses regularly – from globally recognised songwriters, producers and sound engineers to award-winning musicians, music industry legends and emerging artists. Some of our recent visitors have included celebrated vocalist Vula Malinga, iconic electric guitarist Guthrie Govan, singer-songwriter and record producer Lianne La Havas, Beyonce’s bassist and musical director, Divinity Roxx, and NAO – a young singer-songwriter making an exciting impact on the music scene. Our ICMP alumni visits are equally as inspiring, with former student Matty Brown imparting tales of working with Stormzy, Rita Ora and Plan B.

Tutors

ICMP’s faculty of expert tutors consists of a varied team of music business success stories, including esteemed musicians, innovative music producers, renowned music entrepreneurs and qualified academics. Collectively, they’ve helped to shape the music industry into what it is today, and they’re ready to impart their first-hand knowledge and industry experience as a key part of your CertHE diploma in contemporary music. All our tutors are extremely active in the industry and their guidance, advice and insight will ensure you harness your talent and gain a valuable understanding of your CertHE diploma in music course topics.

Across your CertHE diploma in contemporary music, you’ll receive ongoing nurturing and support from our approachable faculty members. They’ll help you achieve your educational goals, providing you with a thorough understanding of the music business and setting you up for the future. Upon graduation from your CertHE music diploma course, you’ll have a practical portfolio of professional work to hand – hugely beneficial as you launch your career in the modern music industry.