University of Liverpool reintroduces Beatles master’s programme with global online launch in 2026

University of Liverpool reintroduces Beatles master’s programme with global online launch in 2026

(IN BRIEF) The University of Liverpool is relaunching its unique master’s degree in The Beatles, Heritage and Culture as an online programme, beginning in September 2026. The part-time course will examine the continuing influence of the Beatles on Liverpool’s cultural, social, and economic landscape, covering areas such as urban planning, regeneration, tourism, and the creative industries. A Special Project module will allow students to spend two weeks in Liverpool for site visits and lectures, offering direct engagement with local heritage and experts. Led by Programme Director Dr Holly Tessler, the degree builds on the University’s strong position in Beatles studies, with its staff engaged in heritage policy, tourism planning, and academic research through initiatives such as the Beatles Legacy Group and The Journal of Beatles Studies. Applications open in October 2025.

(PRESS RELEASE) LIVERPOOL, 26-Aug-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — The University of Liverpool is set to welcome Beatles enthusiasts and cultural scholars from across the globe with the return of its unique master’s programme dedicated to the Fab Four. Relaunching as an online course in September 2026, the MA in The Beatles, Heritage and Culture will allow students worldwide to explore the cultural, social, and economic influence of the legendary band while engaging directly with Liverpool’s heritage.

The part-time programme will investigate how the Beatles’ legacy continues to shape the city and its wider region, influencing urban planning, regeneration strategies, civic design, and the creative and tourism industries. Through this academic framework, students will critically examine how Liverpool’s identity has been transformed by its most famous musical export and how that legacy continues to evolve.

A distinctive feature of the course is the optional Special Project module, which offers students the chance to spend two weeks in Liverpool. During this immersive period, participants will attend lectures, guided tours, and site visits tied to the Beatles’ history and cultural significance. The module will also provide opportunities for networking with academics, industry professionals, local government representatives, historians, and fellow students.

Programme Director Dr Holly Tessler expressed her enthusiasm for the relaunch: “I am delighted that we are re-introducing the MA in The Beatles, Heritage and Culture. By moving the programme online, we can give people around the world the opportunity to study Liverpool’s unique Beatles heritage, taught by scholars and practitioners who live and work within this context.”

The University of Liverpool has long been recognised as a leading authority on academic research into the Beatles. Staff within the Department of Music are actively involved in the City of Liverpool’s Beatles Legacy Group (BLG) and collaborate with regional leaders, including the offices of the city-region Mayor and Lord Mayor, on heritage and tourism strategies. Dr Tessler also serves as co-editor of The Journal of Beatles Studies, published by Liverpool University Press, reinforcing the institution’s central role in shaping Beatles scholarship.

Applications for the programme will officially open in October 2025, with the first online cohort beginning in September 2026. Those interested in applying can find more details and register their interest via the MA The Beatles, Heritage and Culture webpage.

Media Contact:

Joanne Carr
Deputy Director of Communications and Public Affairs
T: +44 (0)7825 434900
E: jocarr@liverpool.ac.uk

SOURCE: University of Liverpool