Music on Campus - Frequently Asked Questions
Music plays an important role in campus life. Whether you’re putting on a live event at the Student Union, playing music in the cafeteria or watching TV in the student lounge, you need a Music Licence in place from PRS for Music. Our licence gives you the legal permission you need to play the songs you want.
When is a Music Licence needed?
A Music Licence may be needed for music played in the following places on campus:
- Communal areas such as TV lounges/common rooms
- Hospitality areas, such as bars, restaurants or clubs
- Sports and recreation
- Live performances and events
- Music used by clubs and societies (or any other third parties) in/on any of the university premises
- Conference facilities
- Shops
- Theatres, cinemas or other arts locations
- The workplace, such as administration offices or post-graduate offices
We do not make a charge for music played:
- During course tuition or as part of performances made solely to meeting syllabus requirements (please refer to the policy for details)
- In student bedrooms , provided as term time accommodation
- In dining/living areas of student accommodation (such as kitchens), where access is limited to students resident in the specific building and where the use is consistent with normal domestic music use (please refer to the policy for details)
- During recognised Services of Divine Worship in consecrated places of worship such as Christian churches and cathedrals (and places of worship of other faiths) having no charge for admission
- At family events (e.g. wedding receptions, birthday parties and similar events) where admission is free and limited to personally invited guests only in privately-booked room not open to the general public.
What about theatrical performances?
Our Music Licence does not cover all theatrical performances. PRS for Music does not control works where music has been specially written for dramatic performances, such as operas, musicals and ballets. For these, permission must be sought direct from the publisher or other rights-holders.
Who is responsible for obtaining a Music Licence?
The proprietor, usually the university administration, is responsible for ensuring that the premises is covered for all instances of music use. We normally issue a blanket licence for this purpose.
If a university building or site is hired for a live event by a third party, it remains the proprietor’s responsibility to ensure that all music use and ticket sales are reported, including those by ticket agencies and promoters. We therefore recommend that you make it a condition of hire that these details are provided to you.
Where a student union is entirely responsible for its own premises, we can issue a licence directly to the student union to cover that premises only.
What music use information does PRS for Music require?
Towards the end of each licence year (termly for live music), we will send you a form to complete with details of all music played. We also require you to send printed programmes or set lists for live performances to help us calculate what royalties are due to writers and publishers. Upon receipt of your form, we will calculate the royalties payable and raise an invoice for the upcoming licence year, including any required adjustment to the previous licence year’s charges. Please see our website for details, including tariff information.
How much does a Music Licence cost?
Prices vary depending on how you want to play music. Background music is charged on an annual basis. Events using recorded or live music (including free entry and subsidised events) are charged per event.
Download our current Universities tariff
Download our Theatrical presentations tariff (for plays with music) (effective January 2012)
Download our Variety Shows tariff (including pantomimes and summer shows)
If you're playing music in other ways or areas, additional charges may apply
Other licences you may need
If you are copying, broadcasting or using music online, you may need to obtain other licences from PRS for Music. Visit www.prsformusic.com/users for details.
Buy or renew your licence
Call us on 0870 333 7003 or email universities@prsformusic.com