A music career may be complex and fraught with ups and downs. Without adequate training and supervision, one may not be able to achieve success in the music profession. A bachelor's or master's degree in music offers us a simple approach to beginning a music career. Through seminars and one-on-one auditions, these programs allow learning about the technical components of a distinct type of music while honing one's creative ability. Access to university recording studios, which are state-of-the-art, is also a fantastic opportunity. Graduates are hired as music composers, sound engineers, audio managers, instrument specialists, music teachers, etc.
Top Music University in Australia
- University of Canberra
- The Australian National University
- University of Tasmania
- Queensland University of Technology
- Griffith University
- University of Queensland (UQ)
- Monash University
- Victoria University
- Australian Institute of Music
- The University of Technology Sydney
- University of Sydney
- Macquarie University
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Top Music University in Australia: Bachelor of Music
Bachelor's degree programs in Music offered in universities in Australia are generally 3 years long, whereas a bachelor's with an honours degree will take 4 years to complete. The tuition fee per year ranges from A$24,000 to A$45,000. A diploma in Music is a less demanding and more affordable option to a bachelor's program in music.
University |
Program |
Tuition fee per year |
University of Canberra |
Bachelor of Contemporary Music Practice |
A$27,200 |
The Australian National University |
Bachelor of Music |
A$39,870 |
University of Tasmania |
Bachelor of Music |
A$32,950 |
Queensland University of Technology |
Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music) |
A$31,200 |
Griffith University |
Bachelor of Music |
A$34,000 |
University of Queensland (UQ) |
Bachelor of Music |
A$35,568 |
Monash University |
Bachelor of Music |
A$34,700 |
Victoria University |
Bachelor of Music |
A$38,400 |
Australian Institute of Music |
Bachelor of Music |
A$24,680 |
The University of Technology Sydney |
Bachelor of Music and Sound Design |
A$42,960 |
University of Sydney |
Bachelor of Music – Music Theater |
A$45,000 |
Macquarie University |
Bachelor of Arts with a major in Music |
A$34,800 |
Master of Music in Australia: Course Guide
Academic Requirement:
A high school degree comparable to the Australian year 12 degree with a score that is equivalent to 70 to 80 ATAR (60 to 75%)
Prerequisite
Some universities require applicants to have preexisting knowledge of music that can be demonstrated through certified courses in music or experience.
Audition
Several universities require applicants to audition to enter the bachelor of music program in Australia. The audition may be e-audition through a music video, live recording, or live auditioning through the phone.
English language requirement:
As with all bachelor courses, for entry into the bachelor's degree in Australia, applicants need to demonstrate their proficiency in the English language, which can be done through any of the following test scores.
- IELTS score of 6.0 to 6.5 overall, with at least 6.0 in each band
- TOEFL score of 70 to 80 overall, with at least 18 to 21 in writing, 18 to 20 in speaking, and 13 to 18 in reading and listening.
- PTE score of 50 to 58 with at least 42 to 50 in each test section.
Alternative Pathways and Diploma of Music
Several universities provide alternative pathways for entry into the bachelor of music program for those applicants who do not meet the necessary entry requirement. A diploma in music is a less demanding and more affordable option to a bachelor's degree that also provides a pathway into the bachelor program.
Top Music University in Australia: Master of Music
A master’s degree in music provides specialization in a particular aspect of music through different courses or research opportunities. A master of research degree also helps lay the path for a doctoral program. The course duration for a master of music program in Australia can range from 1 year to 2 years depending upon the credit carryover based on previous courses and experience. The tuition fee for the first year is anywhere between A$20,000 to A$40,000.
University |
Program |
Tuition fee for the first year |
The Australian National University |
Master of Music |
A$35,904 |
University of Tasmania |
Master of Music |
A$37,296 |
Queensland University of Technology |
Master of Music |
A$34,160 |
Griffith University |
Master of Music Studies |
A$34,500 |
University of Queensland (UQ) |
Master of Music |
A$34,160 |
Graduate Certificate in Music |
A$17,080 |
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Monash University |
Master of Arts in Music |
A$36,400 |
Australian Institute of Music |
Master of Music |
A$23,600 |
University of Sydney |
Master of Music |
A$40,500 |
Academic Requirements:
Any of the following may be used to satisfy the entry requirements into the master of music program in Australia.
- A bachelor's degree with honours in a relevant field with a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0
- A master's degree in the same field with a thesis component
- A bachelor's degree in any field and significant work experience and publications
Additional requirements:
Some of the specialization tracks in the master of music program have an additional requirement that must be fulfilled to become eligible for the specialization course.
- A portfolio of creative works must be submitted to enter the music composition specialization.
- To enter the music education specialization, one must have completed some courses related to education in their undergraduate study.
- Master of music with performance concentration requires auditioning.
English language requirement:
All international applicants from non-English speaking countries must demonstrate proof of English language proficiency. Any of the following test scores can be used to demonstrate proficiency in English.
- IELTS score of 6.0 to 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each band
- TOEFL score of 78 to 90 overall, with at least 18 to 20 in reading and listening, 18 to 21 in speaking, and 20 to 23 in writing.
- PTE score of 58 to 64 overall, with at least 54 to 60 in each section.
Top Music University in Australia: PhD
Students who wish to increase their research horizons enrol in the doctoral program. The course duration for such a program is generally 3 years and a maximum allowable time of 6 years. The tuition fee for a doctoral program in music in Australia ranges from A$25,000 to A$50,000 per year. However, most students involved in research receive financial aid through research grants, scholarships, and fellowships.
University |
Program |
The Australian National University |
Doctor of Philosophy in Music |
The University of Western Australia |
Doctor of Musical Arts |
The University of Melbourne |
Doctor of Philosophy in Fine Arts and Music |
Academic Requirement:
A bachelor's or master’s degree with a significant research component and a score of 75% in courses taken in the final year.
Portfolio and audition
Depending upon the intended research field, applicants may be required to submit a portfolio or audition. For research in the field of music composition, applicants are generally required to submit a portfolio of creative works, whereas for performance, auditioning is required.
English language requirement:
- An IELTS score of 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each band
- A TOEFL score of 79 to 90 overall, with at least 18 – 20 in speaking, 20 to 23 in writing, and 13 to 18 in reading and listening.
- A PTE score of 58 to 64 overall and 54 to 60 in each section.
Top Music University in Australia: Scholarships
University |
Scholarship |
Amount |
University of Canberra |
The University Of Canberra International High Achiever Scholarship |
20% tuition fee waiver |
UC/GBCA Scholarship |
15% tuition fee waiver |
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University Of Canberra - Gems International Partner Scholarship |
10% tuition fee waiver |
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The Australian National University |
ANU Chancellor’s International Scholarship |
25% to 50% tuition fee waiver |
ANU College of Arts & Social Sciences Honours Scholarship |
A$5000 per year |
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ANU HDR Fee Merit Scholarship |
International Students Fees |
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University of Tasmania |
Tasmanian International Scholarship |
25% reduction of tuition fees |
South Asia Scholarship |
15% reduction of tuition fees |
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Queensland University of Technology |
QUT Excellence Scholarship (Creative Industries) |
A$10,000 |
Victoria University |
VU Global Leaders Scholarship |
20% tuition fee waiver |
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Scope of Music in Australia
Graduates are hired by recording studios, music companies, event management companies, etc. Typical roles are musician, composer, sound engineer, designer, instrument specialist, etc. One with a music education concentration often finds teaching jobs at the secondary or post-secondary level. The average salary of a Bachelor of Music in Australia is A$58,000 per year, whereas, with a master’s degree, the average salary is A$106,000 per year.
Role |
Range of Salary |
Average Salary |
Music Director |
A$69,000 – A$152,000 |
A$103,688 |
Music Teacher |
A$43,000 – A$89,000 |
A$63,926 |
Artistic Director |
A$55,000 – A$108,000 |
A$77,306 |
Music Composer |
A$65,291 – A$109,243 |
A$89,118 |
Musician |
A$29,000 – A$158,000 |
A$50,000 |
Orchestra Conductor |
A$66,381 – A$108,335 |
A$89,118 |
Music Therapist |
A$40,172 – A$66,550 |
A$54,110 |
Sound Designer |
A$46,000 – A$107,000 |
A$64,790 |
Song Writer |
A$53,435 – A$88,493 |
A$72,431 |
Professor – Music |
A$60,500 – A$198,000 |
A$126,000 |