Build Your Creative Career in Liverpool
At SAE Liverpool, you’ll work in professional recording studios, film and production spaces, high-spec Mac and games labs, and collaborative production rooms designed to mirror industry environments. So you don’t just learn the theory: you make work, every week, using the tools creatives actually use.
But Liverpool offers something beyond the facilities. This is a city where creativity isn’t optional – it’s everywhere. Live music every night. Film crews on the streets. Open mics, poetry slams, art workshops. Industry professionals who are approachable and supportive.
So, what’s special about SAE Liverpool? You’re not just studying in Liverpool. You’re becoming part of its creative fabric.
Take a look at our Liverpool Campus
Like what you see in Liverpool? Come and experience it for yourself.
Life at Liverpool
Liverpool offers a vibrant social scene, from the energy of Concert Square to live music venues, independent bars, and cultural spaces across the city.
It’s not just nightlife. Green spaces like Sefton Park and the waterfront give you room to reset, socialise, and balance city life with something slower when you need it.
The city also has a strong sports culture alongside its creative communities, creating a well-rounded student experience.
SAE Liverpool students can tap into this by joining societies at neighbouring universities, mixing across institutions, and building their own social and creative network.
With a compact, walkable layout and a reputation for being one of the UK’s most affordable and friendly student cities, Liverpool makes it easy to feel part of something.
In a nutshell, Liverpool has room for everyone.
LIVERPOOL LECTURERS = INDUSTRY INSIDERS
Your lecturers collaborate with major brands and contribute to award-winning projects, bringing real industry experience directly into the classroom. Check out who you can learn from at SAE Liverpool.
Carl Copeland
A filmmaker and screenwriter whose credits span BBC, ITV, SkyTV, Red Bull and Channel 4. As a script and storyline editor for Channel 4 and Made in Liverpool TV, he has shaped narratives for national broadcast audiences. His documentary The Bookshop won Best Documentary at Cotswold International Film Festival, Kings Cross Film Festival and We Make Films International Film Festival, bringing award-winning storytelling expertise into the classroom. Senior Film Production Lecturer
Caroline Large
A games artist whose career spans iconic studios including Core Design, Acclaim, Domark, Rage Software and Eidos. She worked with the original Tomb Raider team on Project Eden, defined the artistic tone of Shadowman, and contributed motion-capture sprite work to Striker on PlayStation. Blending classic studio legacy with modern pipelines, she brings worldbuilding expertise shaped by some of gaming’s most recognisable titles. Game Art & Animation Lecturer
Duncan Lewis
A music industry professional who has guided artists to major and independent deals with Universal Records, Warner Music, Sony BMG, Rough Trade Records and Ministry of Sound. He has produced a Top 20 album and earned a BPI Silver Disc, working across touring, publishing and artist development. Bringing frontline industry strategy into the classroom, he equips students with real insight into how modern music careers are built. Music Business Lecturer
Olivia Barnes-Brett
A content strategist and lecturer whose freelance work spans music, property and lifestyle campaigns. She has created content for Woodgreen Pets Charity, with campaigns featured around Channel 4’s The Dog House, alongside projects for luxury estate and digital clients. Combining copywriting, SEO and multi-platform storytelling, she brings adaptable, industry-ready marketing expertise into the classroom. Content Creation Lecturer
James McCormick
A game audio specialist whose credits include LEGO City: Undercover, Company of Heroes 2, Dreamfall Chapters and Dino D-Day. Beyond production, he develops custom audio tools used by studios and connects students with industry platforms such as the Liverpool Digital Music Festival. Working across Unreal Engine and FMOD, he demystifies the technical side of interactive sound design. Audio & Music Business Programme Leader
Dr Cormac Gould
An experimental sound artist and lecturer whose practice spans multimedia installation, live performance and electroacoustic composition. He collaborated on Let Your Ideas Come Back as Children at Bluecoat Liverpool and performs with Trial Tapes, alongside projects for Plays Aloud charity and independent arts organisations. Blending research-led technique with boundary-pushing creativity, he challenges students to rethink what sound can be. Audio Production Lecturer
Jon Withnall
An audio practitioner with over 25 years’ experience, contributing to Grammy and BRIT Award–winning projects with artists including Coldplay, Rihanna, Gil Scott-Heron and Hannah Peel. His collaborations span Universal Music, Warner and Sony, combining technical excellence with long-term artist development. Grounded in major-label production environments, he teaches clarity, instinct and professional decision-making. Audio Production Lecturer
James Leach
A 3D artist and games lecturer who worked at Starlight Games on House of Golf 2, gaining hands-on experience in professional production pipelines. Alongside teaching Unreal Engine 5 and modern asset workflows, he hosts student showcases at Pixel Bar, giving developers real public playtesting opportunities. His blend of studio practice and community engagement helps students build both technical skill and industry confidence. Game Art & Animation Lecturer
Paul Hunter
A DJ and producer who reached number one on the US Billboard charts with dance act Desert, releasing music on Mute and Ministry of Sound. He toured internationally with superclub Cream, holding residencies in Ibiza, Tenerife and Cyprus and performing alongside leading names in global house music. With over 30 years in production and two decades in education, he bridges club culture and classroom expertise. Audio Production Lecturer
Paul Pringle
A composer and producer with a US Billboard number one and releases on Mute, Yoshitoshi, Twisted Records USA and Stress Records. He has created music for Sony’s Wipeout, Channel 4 productions and remixed for Depeche Mode, before earning an MA from the National Film and Television School in Composing for Film and Television. Bridging chart-topping dance music with award-winning film composition, he brings global studio experience into education. Audio Production Lecturer
Elizabeth Delahunt
A filmmaker specialising in directing actors and experimental practice, with professional ARRI camera certification. Drawing from devised theatre and performance theory, she blends technical precision with boundary-pushing storytelling. Her approach encourages bold, unconventional filmmaking grounded in both craft and creative risk. Film Lecturer
Tom Parker
A live sound engineer whose work spans the Royal Albert Hall, The Lowry, De Montfort Hall and the Liverpool Philharmonic. He has delivered live-stream audio for Giants Live, toured nationally with The ELO Show and recorded the only live performance of The Hustlers Convention. Certified in Dante and L-Acoustics systems, he brings large-scale touring and event production expertise to aspiring engineers. Audio Lecturer
Gavin Trafford
A photographer and visual storyteller with over two decades of experience spanning news, sport, fashion and advertising. After beginning his career as a Royal Navy ship’s photographer, he spent 22 years in press photography, covering breaking news and major events. Bringing sharp editorial instincts and real-world newsroom discipline, he teaches students how to capture moments that truly matter. Film Lecturer
EMPLOYABILITY IN LIVERPOOL
Liverpool is internationally recognised for its creative arts, and as a world-famous songwriting city, giving you access to an active and connected creative industry.
Across music, you’ll find regular opportunities to perform, collaborate, and build your portfolio through live events, open mics, and creative communities that are constantly producing work.
The city is also a major hub for film, television, and games. Productions like Peaky Blinders, The Batman, and Captain America have filmed here, while a growing games and digital sector continues to create new roles. Film sets, studios, and creative teams are active year-round, with entry points through organisations like the Liverpool Film Office.
At SAE Liverpool, this is strengthened through industry partnerships, including Sound City, giving you access to live briefs, placements, and direct connections with working professionals.
Liverpool’s creative industries are known for being open and collaborative, making it easier to build relationships that lead to freelance work, internships, and full-time roles.
If you’re studying creative arts, Liverpool gives you a clear pathway from learning to earning, with real opportunities to turn your skills into a career.
SUPPORT AT SAE LIVERPOOL
At SAE Liverpool, support is built into your day-to-day experience. You’re part of a close-knit campus where staff are approachable, responsive, and genuinely invested in your progress.
Our academic, technical, and wellbeing teams work together to give you consistent support throughout your studies. Whether it’s help with coursework, access to facilities, or guidance from industry-experienced lecturers, you’ll always know where to go.
Studying in Liverpool also means support goes beyond the campus. We help you connect with the city’s creative industries, build your portfolio, and take advantage of opportunities across music, film, and games.
From your first week to your final project, the focus is on helping you stay on track, develop your skills, and prepare for a career in the industry.
Liverpool looks good on screen. It sounds even better in person.
Liverpool FAQs
Yes. Liverpool is one of the UK’s most student-friendly cities, known for its welcoming atmosphere, affordable living, and vibrant creative scene.
With a large student population across multiple universities, the city has a strong sense of community. It’s open, approachable, and somewhere students quickly feel at home.
Yes. Liverpool is compact and walkable, with most key locations within a 20-minute journey.
The city has excellent public transport, with regular trains and buses, making it easy to get around. It offers everything you’d expect from a major city, including live music, cultural venues, green spaces, nightlife, and creative communities, all within an accessible and friendly environment.
Liverpool is one of the most affordable major cities in the UK for students.
Rent is significantly lower than cities like London, Manchester, or Edinburgh. Food, transport, and social activities are all reasonably priced, allowing students to live comfortably without excessive financial pressure.
Part-time work is widely available across hospitality, retail, and creative industries.
Popular student areas include:
- City Centre
- Smithdown Road
- Kensington
- Wavertree
- Aigburth
These areas offer strong student communities and good transport links to campus.
While SAE does not offer its own accommodation, we have gathered popular options used by students.
👉 View accommodation options here
SAE Liverpool is easily accessible from across the city, and many students also commute from the wider region, including the Wirral and surrounding areas.
Yes. Liverpool has a thriving creative economy across music, film, games, and digital media.
The city is internationally recognised for its music heritage and is a major hub for film and TV production, hosting projects such as Peaky Blinders, The Batman, and Captain America.
Liverpool has an open and active creative community, with regular productions, events, and networking opportunities.
Students benefit from being in a city where industry is visible and accessible, helping them build connections, understand the industry, and gain confidence before graduating.
Yes. Employability is built into the student experience at SAE Liverpool.
Students gain industry exposure through networking opportunities, live projects, and professional development within the curriculum. Staff are well connected to local creative networks and support students with portfolios, showreels, CVs, and career pathways.
Graduates progress into freelance work, studio roles, and wider creative industries employment.
SAE Liverpool operates across two campuses, both centrally located and easily accessible.
Georgia House:
SAE & ICMP Liverpool
38 Pall Mall
Liverpool
L3 6AL
The Spine
(SAE & ICMP Liverpool):
2 Paddington Village
Liverpool
L7 3FA
Yes. SAE Liverpool offers a supportive and personal learning environment.
Staff know students by name, and academic and wellbeing support is easy to access. Support is proactive, with teams regularly checking in on student progress and development.
Beyond campus, Liverpool’s creative community is known for being welcoming and inclusive, making it easier for students to build confidence and connections.
During Trimester
Georgia House
Monday – Thursday: 9:00am – 10:00pm
Friday: 9:00am – 10:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday: Closed
The Spine
Monday – Friday 8am – 7pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Trimester Break
Georgia House
Monday – Friday: 9:00am – 7:00pm
Saturday: 9am – 5pm
Sunday: Closed
The Spine
Monday – Friday: 9am – 5pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
You can email us at liverpool@ad-education.ac.uk or call us on 03330 112 315
Any questions?
For any questions regarding our Liverpool Campus or if you’d like more information about studying at SAE, please contact our Enquiries Team on 03330 112 315 or email ukadmissions@sae.edu
