The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) is a leading performing arts university situated in the English city of Liverpool. LIPA offers training in Acting, Community Drama, Dance, Music, Sound Technology, Arts Management (Music, Theatre and Entertainment Management), Technical Theatre (Theatre and Performance Technology), and Theatre Design (Theatre and Performance Design). It offers nine full-time B.A. (Hons) degrees, as well as Foundation Certificate programmes of study. The Education Guardian has previously ranked the university #1 in the UK for several of its degree courses. LIPA is regularly amongst the top 10 in rankings for specialist institutions also. LIPA also offers weekend performing arts classes for 4 to 19-year-olds both within Liverpool and further afield via official franchises.