A rock and roll lifestyle and academic achievement rarely go hand in hand.

But Brighton’s music school is now offering teenagers looking for a career inmusic the chance to gain a GSCE equivalent diploma in songwriting and performance for free.

BIMM Brighton has announced that there will no longer be tuition fees for those aged under 19 wishing to study at Diploma Level 3.

The music college has also launched a newLevel 2 Diploma option, for enrolment this October. There will be no fees for this course, aligning BIMM Brighton with all other further education and sixth form colleges in East Sussex.

The Level 2 course is one academic year in duration and is roughly equivalent to four GCSEs.

The Level 3 courses are one academic year in duration and roughly equivalent to one or two A-levels.

The college said: “We have been overwhelmed with calls and emails since we announced ‘no fee’ diplomas here at BIMM Brighton. Young people in Brighton are obviously hungry for this unique opportunity.

“It looks like we will be welcoming over 120 new diploma students this October.”

Courses on offer include artist development diplomas in performance (guitar, bass, drums and vocals), songwriting and live sound and tour management disciplines, and the entrepreneur’s diploma in music business.

Vaseema Hamilton, principal of BIMM Brighton, said: “I am very excited BIMM is now able to offer its unique brand of music and academic education to even more talentedmusicians and future music business entrepreneurs in East Sussex.

“We have an extraordinary roster of tutors at BIMM, ready for our new intake of L3 and L2 diploma students this October.”

To celebrate the news, BIMM Brighton hosted a special Diploma ‘D’ Day at the Old Market in Hove on Saturday