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Music performance uni help

Okay here are my main options

Royal Holloway
LIPA
WaterBear

They all have their advantages and obviously disadvantages

I'm a singer/songwriter amongst other intruments

I'm trying to get to the industry as much as I can but obviously learning some classical music can also be very very useful, afterall it's good to proper understand it

I'm increasingly stumped by the second

I am also applying for trinity laban

OMG someone help😭

Reply 1

welcometotherock

They are very different.

Royal Holloway is much more of a traditional uni. It has a very good reputation for music performance but it will be more academic.

LIPA is possibly the place to be for popular music but my son didn't like it on the open day. He just didn't click with the vibe. But it is undoubtetly one of the best places to study popular music genres. Entry standards are high and you need a back up option. You also need to have passed Grade 5 music theory.

I know a young person currently at Waterbear and for someone not quite so academic I'm impressed. He is getting lots of professional opportunities and doing really well.

Leeds Conservatoire would be another to consider. Even if you are on the popular music or or one of the songwriting courses there are optional modules in a variety of genres.

Reply 2

Nerds0n

Original post by welcometotherock

They are very different.
Royal Holloway is much more of a traditional uni. It has a very good reputation for music performance but it will be more academic.
LIPA is possibly the place to be for popular music but my son didn't like it on the open day. He just didn't click with the vibe. But it is undoubtetly one of the best places to study popular music genres. Entry standards are high and you need a back up option. You also need to have passed Grade 5 music theory.
I know a young person currently at Waterbear and for someone not quite so academic I'm impressed. He is getting lots of professional opportunities and doing really well.
Leeds Conservatoire would be another to consider. Even if you are on the popular music or or one of the songwriting courses there are optional modules in a variety of genres.

Oh wow thank you

Would you say that waterbear would be best for industry opportunities then?

Reply 3

welcometotherock

It's difficult to say. I don't know anyone currently at LIPA although I know of people who have been there and they do rate the industry opportunities there as well.

My own son is at Leeds and he is already working professionally alongside his course.

Also what instrument do you play? That sometimes makes a difference. Assuming you are applying for 2026 entry I'd say go to the open days, get a feel for the vibes and apply to 5 different places (plus Trinity which is Conservatoires UCAS application).

Reply 4

Nerds0n

Original post by welcometotherock

It's difficult to say. I don't know anyone currently at LIPA although I know of people who have been there and they do rate the industry opportunities there as well.
My own son is at Leeds and he is already working professionally alongside his course.
Also what instrument do you play? That sometimes makes a difference. Assuming you are applying for 2026 entry I'd say go to the open days, get a feel for the vibes and apply to 5 different places (plus Trinity which is Conservatoires UCAS application).

I am a singer
I do pay guitar and drums but my main focus is my voice

I have already applied to all of them, just waiting for the answers.
LIPA and RHU are quite far so I haven't been able to visit unfortunately.

I'm just not sure which one to pick since I really want to get into the industry

Reply 5

welcometotherock

Are your auditions going to be in person or online? Also which Waterbear campus have you applied to?

Best to attend the auditions then see what you feel depending on where you are accepted. LIPA's acceptance rate is incredibly low, only around 15% and they told us at the open day that it doesn't matter how talented you are they try and not take too many of the same kind of performer so it is a bit of a lottery in some ways.

Liverpool & Sheffield are very cheap places to live. Brighton and greater London are very expensive if that is a consideration.

Also look at the module choices and what you feel might suit you.

Have you had your Trinity audition yet?

Reply 6

Nerds0n

Original post by welcometotherock

Are your auditions going to be in person or online? Also which Waterbear campus have you applied to?
Best to attend the auditions then see what you feel depending on where you are accepted. LIPA's acceptance rate is incredibly low, only around 15% and they told us at the open day that it doesn't matter how talented you are they try and not take too many of the same kind of performer so it is a bit of a lottery in some ways.
Liverpool & Sheffield are very cheap places to live. Brighton and greater London are very expensive if that is a consideration.
Also look at the module choices and what you feel might suit you.
Have you had your Trinity audition yet?

I have applied for waterbear Brighton and got in although I fear that's not too difficult

I'm waiting on lipa and trinity as I have sent my videos

Both modules look good so that's why I'm so stumped on which one to choose

I live in London so idm where to go

Reply 7

welcometotherock

See where else you get offered then think about what is important to you then.

Waterbear isn't the most selective place compared to LIPA and places like Trinity but it's fairly small compared with places like BIMM and I'd say the standards and industry links are higher.

Reply 8

Royal Holloway, University of London

Official Rep

Original post by Nerds0n

Okay here are my main options
Royal Holloway
LIPA
WaterBear
They all have their advantages and obviously disadvantages
I'm a singer/songwriter amongst other intruments
I'm trying to get to the industry as much as I can but obviously learning some classical music can also be very very useful, afterall it's good to proper understand it
I'm increasingly stumped by the second
I am also applying for trinity laban
OMG someone help😭

Hello there,

It's great to hear that you're considering studying Music at Royal Holloway! To find out more about the specifics of the course you're interested in, and get a first-hand student perspective, why not have a chat with one of our current music students. You can chat to a current student here, and just filter by 'Area of Study' and select Music. We have three music students you can chat to, who can each provide a different perspective on their course.

We hope this helps!

Best wishes
Royal Holloway, University of London

Reply 9

CarolMac

Original post by Nerds0n

I have applied for waterbear Brighton and got in although I fear that's not too difficultI'm waiting on lipa and trinity as I have sent my videosBoth modules look good so that's why I'm so stumped on which one to chooseI live in London so idm where to go

Hi When did you apply and hear back from LIPA? Did they offer an in person audition?