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The Ivors Academy

Get support, connections and opportunities to grow your career with exclusive benefits including professional advice and discounts.

Core Membership

Get support, connections and opportunities to grow your career with exclusive benefits including professional advice and discounts.You are eligible for 25% joint discount if you’re also a member of the MU or MPG. You will be asked to provide your membership number for the MU or MPG when applying. ​​

Core Membership (Joint Membership Discount)

Get support, connections and opportunities to grow your career with exclusive benefits including professional advice and discounts.You are eligible for 50% early career discount if you are under 25 or currently studying in higher or further education.

Core Membership (Early Career Discount)

Access the full range of benefits to support your journey as a music creator, including networking, expert advice and exclusive discounts.

Professional Membership

Access the full range of benefits to support your journey as a music creator, including networking, expert advice and exclusive discounts.You are eligible for 25% joint discount if you’re also a member of the MU or MPG. You will be asked to provide your membership number for the MU or MPG when applying.

Professional Membership (Joint Membership Discount)

Access the full range of benefits to support your journey as a music creator, including networking, expert advice and exclusive discounts.Pay for your Ivors Academy membership through your PRS royalties.Membership is for songwriters and composers and is an annual commitment, with the option to pay in full or in monthly instalments.

Professional Membership (Pay via PRS for Music Royalties)

Unpacking how co-writing relationships work — creatively, legally, and financially. This video walks through everything from initial collaboration agreements to how royalties are split, including common pitfalls. Professional songwriters discuss their experiences to give members techniques and insights on what they have learned during their career.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The business of co-writing

Three years on from the launch of our composers against buyouts campaign with the MU; The Ivors Academy introduces a new standard agreement for composers commissioned to score TV productions.

Specimen TV commissioning agreement part 1 

A further dive into the contract language and structure of the Specimen Agreement. It provides practical advice on how to read, understand, and negotiate the key clauses.

Specimen TV commissioning agreement part 2 

An explanation on the roles of UK Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) like PRS, MCPS, and PPL — and how licensing works across different rights such as performance, mechanical, master rights.

UK CMO's and Licensing essentials

Celebrating LGBTQI+ voices in music and focusing on the experiences of queer songwriters and composers. This video shares both personal journeys and practical tips for navigating the industry as an LGBTQI+ creative.

LGBTQI+ history month webinar

A break down on the critical role of music data — from song registrations to streaming metadata — In ensuring songwriters and composers get paid and credited. It's all about how accurate data powers your income.

Data essentials 

Our members discuss how artificial intelligence is impacting music composition and copyright law. Conversation around AI, and what this means for songwriters and composers is critical - Understanding how AI tools are used to generate music and what that means for ownership, control, and compensation.

Copyright and AI webinar part 1 

A deep dive into the world of video game music — How to get involved, compose for gameplay, and understand licensing in the gaming space.

Music in games panel

A deep dive into funding opportunities available through the PRS Foundation and other UK funders.

PRS foundation information webinar

An introduction the Transparency Code — a key document designed by The Ivors Academy to empower songwriters and composers with the knowledge of how to find out what royalties are being tracked, reported, and paid to them.

Transparency code for songwriters and composers

The essential roles that support a composer’s career including agents, managers, lawyers, and music supervisors – This video explores how these professionals help composers navigate contracts, networking, and industry growth.

Professional teams behind composers

Diving deeper into technical and legal implications of AI in music. Conversation around AI, and what this means for songwriters and composers is critical - Understanding how AI tools are used to generate music and what that means for ownership, control, and compensation.

Copyright and AI webinar part 2

This webinar introduces Soundmouse, a platform that automates music reporting for broadcasters — Making sure creators are credited and paid accurately for the music used in TV, radio, and film.

Introduction to Soundmouse

This session explores how media composers integrate into creative teams for TV, film, games, and advertising. It emphasizes the interpersonal and professional dynamics of working closely with directors, producers, editors, and sound designers.

Creative teams working with media composers

In-depth session on how to prepare strong applications for funding applications, grants and development support, delivered by music industry experts with extensive experience in funding music projects.

Getting your project ready for funding

A foundational explainer on how music royalties work — who collects them, how they’re calculated, and where your money comes from in various usage scenarios.&nbsp;

Understanding music royalties

A candid and inspiring conversation between two celebrated British artists: Ayanna Witter-Johnson and Cleveland Watkiss discussing creativity, identity, and the journey of being an artist over time. For multi-disciplinary songwriters and composers and Early Career songwriters and composers.

In conversation with Ayanna Witter-Johnson and Cleveland Watkiss 

A practical overview of contracts in the music industry — what to watch for, what to ask, and how to protect your rights as a creator.

Fundementals of contracts

A launchpad for those starting out as a songwriter or looking to take the next step into professional songwriting. Offering insights into making industry connections, setting career goals, building a portfolio, and understanding the practical side of being a songwriter; this video is a conversation between long-time friends and collaborators offers.

Kickstart your songwriting career 

Practical insights for anyone navigating the world of music commissioning — especially for composers working in classical, jazz, or experimental sound art.

Meet the classical commissioners

Used when multiple songwriters regularly collaborate as a group or band. It outlines how rights, royalties, credits, and decision-making will be shared among them for all songs they write together.

Collective songwriter agreement

Used when two or more songwriters collaborate on a specific song or project. It sets out the ownership split, creative contributions, and how any income or royalties from the work will be divided.

Joint songwriter agreement

Between a songwriter or composer and a client. This could be a label, artist, or media company who is commissioning original music. It defines the scope of work, deadlines, payment terms, and ownership rights.

Commissioning sample contract

For songwriters or composers brought in to contribute to a recording or writing session. It details payment, crediting, and whether the session contributor has any claim to rights or royalties.

Session agreement

Used when a songwriter assigns all or part of the rights in a specific song to a publisher, label, or another party. It outlines the terms of that transfer, including any payments or royalties involved.

Single song assignment

Agreement on music usage in visual media - Film, TV, ads or games. This covers the permission, fees, duration and scope of use to ensure the songwriter or composer is compensated for their work being synced with visuals.

Sync license

Where does your income come from? This guide explains how royalties work, the different types you can earn, and how to make sure you receive what you’re owed.

Introduction to royalties

Why is metadata important? This guide explains why accurate data about your music is essential for getting credited and paid correctly across the industry.

Introduction to data and music

Why are contracts essential in music? This guide explains how written agreements protect your interests and what to look out for before signing any deal.

Introduction to contracts

How is your music licensed and paid for in broadcast and in public spaces? This guide explains how collective licensing works and why joining the right organisations is crucial.

Introduction to collective licensing

Why does copyright matter? This guide explains the legal foundation of your rights as a songwriter or composer, and how those rights protect your work and income.

Why does copyright matter? This guide explains the legal foundation of your rights as a songwriter or composer, and how those rights protect your work and income.

Introduction to copyright

What does a music publisher actually do? This guide explains how publishers help protect your rights, grow your income, and support your career.

What does a music publisher actually do? This guide explains how publishers help protect your rights, grow your income, and support your career.

Music publishing

What’s in a publishing deal — and why does it matter? This guide breaks down the key terms in a publishing agreement so you can negotiate with confidence.

What’s in a publishing deal — and why does it matter? This guide breaks down the key terms in a publishing agreement so you can negotiate with confidence.

Music publishing agreements - key terms

How can assistive AI support songwriters and composers without replacing their creativity? This guide explores how assistive AI enhances the creative process, improves productivity, and expands access to music-making tools — while keeping human creators at the centre.

How can assistive AI support songwriters and composers without replacing their creativity? This guide explores how assistive AI enhances the creative process, improves productivity, and expands access to music-making tools — while keeping human creators at the centre.

Assistive AI

What risks does generative AI pose to songwriters and composers? This guide explores how AI-generated music challenges copyright, ethics, and livelihoods — and why human creativity remains essential.

What risks does generative AI pose to songwriters and composers? This guide explores how AI-generated music challenges copyright, ethics, and livelihoods — and why human creativity remains essential.

Generative AI

What is a music commission and how does it work? This guide explains what music commissioning involves, why it matters to your career, and how to handle the process professionally.

What is a music commission and how does it work? 

Music commissioning

What is sync licensing, and why does it matter? Sync licensing means giving permission to use music in visual media like films, TV shows, and ads. It can be a major source of income, but success depends on knowing your rights, acting quickly, and clearing both publishing and recording sides without delay.

What is sync licensing, and why does it matter?

Sync licensing

A list of acronyms and abbreviations commonly used across the music industry.

A list of acronyms and abbreviations commonly used across the music industry.

Music industry acronym directory

What can go wrong in a music publishing deal, and how can you protect yourself? This guide explains common problems that songwriters and composers face in publishing relationships, and offers practical steps to avoid or resolve them.

What can go wrong in a music publishing deal, and how can you protect yourself?

Music publishing pitfalls

An explainer of common music industry jargon and terminology.

An explainer of common music industry jargon and terminology.

Music Industry jargon buster

What does PRS do, how does it help songwriters and composer get paid, and what do I need to know?

What does PRS do, how does it help songwriters and composer get paid, and what do I need to know?

What is PRS?

What&nbsp;&nbsp;are "mechanicals", what is MCPS, and what do I need to know to get paid?

What  are "mechanicals", what is MCPS, and what do I need to know to get paid?

What is MCPS?

This webinar gives practical advice for composers on managing their rights and ensuring they receive appropriate compensation for their work.

Cue sheets and clock numbers

Speakers Corner Quartet are known for their rich fusion of jazz, hip-hop, and experimental soundscapes. In this webinar, flautist Biscuit, drummer Kwake Bass, violinist Raven Bush, and bassist Peter Bennie share insights into their creative process, collaborations, composition, and the evolution of their sound.

Professional Membership

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