The Liverpool Hope University is offering prospective students the chance to obtain a Masters degree on The Beatles.

The course will give students the opportunity to study the band's songs and how their music influenced Liverpool.

Mike Brocken told the BBC that he thought the course was the first of its kind “probably” in the world.

"There have been over 8,000 books about The Beatles but there has never been serious academic study,” he said.

"The Beatles influenced so much of society, not just with their music, but also with fashion from their collar-less jackets to their psychedelic clothes.

He added that “now is the right time and Liverpool is the right place to study The Beatles”.

Students will have the option of taking on the course, which has four 12-week modules and a dissertation, on a full or part-time basis.

The University will consider applications from anyone with a first degree. The Beatles, popular music and society course begins in September.

(by Jason Gregory)