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Master of Music

Find the best Master of Music

Masters (Research)

South Bank
This degree, designed for the most promising performers and music industry professionals in the country, will help you develop high-level skills in musical practice and research. You will receive advanced musical training and be encouraged to adopt a reflective professional practice.
Entry Requirements

Students will be admitted on the basis of an audition, interview and/or folio of creative works. Admission as a candidate to the Master of Music Research will be contingent on applicants holding:

  • a Bachelor of Music degree with at least Second Class Honours OR an equivalent qualification from a recognised institution.

Consideration may also be given to graduates of accredited three-year diploma programs in an appropriate area of study and an accredited postgraduate diploma program in music with appropriate professional experience. Potential candidates may be asked to attend an additional interview and/or submit evidence of written scholarly work.

In addition to the academic qualifications required for candidature as described above, the following criteria need to be satisfied prior to recommendation for admission:

  • the proposed program is appropriate for the higher degree research and is consistent with the academic aims and objectives of the QCGU;
  • QCGU provide the necessary resources and facilities within the element's budget including consideration of whether the host element has a Research Training Scheme funded place;
  • there are two qualified members of staff holding confirmed, continuing or fixed-term appointments of sufficient length for the purposes of supervision;
  • the proposed program of work can be completed within the maximum period of candidature for the degree;
  • that a suitable level of contact with the University supervisors will be maintained if the candidature is being undertaken away from Griffith University;
  • where the applicant is in employment, capacity to meet the timelines and other requirements of candidature;
  • the proposed research does not reproduce research that has previously been submitted for the award of a degree or diploma;
  • that the proposed program conforms to the University's ethical guidelines on research involving humans and animals;
  • where the intellectual property rights of the applicant may be a consideration, a suitable agreement protecting the rights of the student has been signed. Should a student be unwilling to sign an agreement, the research proposal may not be approved and the student may be required to choose another program of study in an area which is not commercially sensitive;
  • whether the inclusion of confidential or sensitive material in the thesis is justified;
  • the applicant has no outstanding financial obligation with the University and in the case of an International applicant is able to verify the necessary financial capacity to undertake the program;
  • that the applicant possesses sufficient English language proficiency as described below.

The following University policy will apply to Higher Degree Research (HDR) programs:

  • Higher Degree Research Policy
Scholarships

Applicants wishing to commence in Research Intake 1 should lodge their application prior to the closing date listed at the top of this page. Applicants applying to commence at any other time should submit their application at least four months before their preferred intake date. Refer to the Scholarship Key Dates for further information.

Duration
1.5 years full-time, 3 years part-time
Study Mode
In person
International Tuition Fees
$32,500 per year / $48,750 total
Graduate Satisfaction
89.80%

Masters (Coursework)

South Bank
In this degree you will choose from a wide variety of possible course combinations and customise your studies to suit your needs and professional goals. You will develop superior skills in your musical profession.
Entry Requirements

To be eligible for admission to this Masters program, applicants will require the following:

  • hold a Bachelor of Music or equivalent degree from a recognised University (or another tertiary education institution of equivalent standing) AND
  • successfully undertake an audition and interview and receive a panel recommendation for admission to the Master of Music studies OR
  • submit a folio of creative works for audition and receive a panel recommendation for admission to the Master of Music Studies.

OR

  • hold a Bachelor of Music (Honours) or equivalent degree from a recognised University (or another tertiary education institution of equivalent standing) including completion of a Music research methodology course AND
  • successfully undertake an audition and receive a panel recommendation for admission to the Master of Music Studies OR
  • submit a folio of creative works for audition and receive a panel recommendation for admission to the Master of Music Studies

Students admitted via the above pathway will be eligible for advanced standing to complete an 80 credit point Master of Music Studies. Students applying for the Research pathway must have completed 7011QCM Introduction to Music Research or equivalent before admission to this pathway.

OR

  • hold a Graduate Certificate in Music Studies from Griffith University AND
  • successfully undertake an audition and receive a panel recommendation for admission to the Master of Music Studies OR
  • submit a folio of creative works for audition and receive a panel recommendation for admission to the Master of Music Studies

Students admitted via the above pathway will be eligible for advanced standing to complete an 80 credit point Master of Music Studies. Students applying for the Research pathway must have completed 7011QCM Introduction to Music Research or equivalent before admission to this pathway.

Note: Degrees from overseas institutions must be assessed as equivalent to a recognised Australian AQF level qualification.

Duration
1.5 years full-time, 3 years part-time
Study Mode
In person
Domestic Tuition Fees
$23,500 per year / $35,250 total
International Tuition Fees
$34,500 per year / $51,750 total
Graduate Satisfaction
89.80%

Masters (Research)

Southbank
Course Description The Master of Music by research is a graduate research degree designed for students to develop their potential for research, contribute to understandings of contemporary practice and theory, and, where relevant, develop mastery in their field of practice.
Intake Months
Jan, Mar, Jun, Jul, Dec
Duration
2 years full-time, 4 years part-time
Study Mode
In person
Graduate Satisfaction
83.20%

Masters (Coursework)

Parkville
The Master of Music (Performance Teaching) prepares you to become a leader in music education as a performer-teacher.
Intake Months
Mar, Jul
Duration
18 months full-time, 36 months part-time
Study Mode
In person
Graduate Satisfaction
83.20%

Masters (Coursework)

Southbank
The Master of Music (Opera Performance) is a professional training program offering elite-level training for opera singers and repetiteurs, at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, Australia's oldest and most prestigious music institution.
Intake Months
Mar
Duration
2 years full-time
Study Mode
In person
Graduate Satisfaction
83.20%

Masters (Coursework)

Penrith
Be a part of intensive musical, therapeutic, and academic studies with an emphasis on clinical musicianship and supervised clinical work.
Intake Months
Mar
Duration
2 years full-time
Study Mode
In person
Domestic Tuition Fees
$21,420 per year / $42,840 total
Graduate Satisfaction
86.00%

Master of Music overview

Master of Music programs allow you to pursue your musical passion by pushing yourself to your highest ability and knowledge. It’s an opportunity to focus your studies on areas as diverse as music therapy and music pedagogy to composition and research in music studies and ethnomusicology.

Although masters degrees in music focussing on teaching performance are available, those who wish to teach should be aware there are additional requirements if they want to work in Australian schools. You will also need to complete a two year Master of Teaching course if working in primary and secondary education interests you.

Most masters of music degrees will take between eighteen months and two years to complete when studied full-time.

Coursework masters

More specific musical skill sets will be best learned by taking a coursework masters in music. These feature fundamental set courses and often have some space for electives as well, depending on your course.

Research masters

Research masters in music allow students to go in-depth into the aspects of music that interest them the most. Those who wish to learn more about the special quality of music that is hard to put into words would do well to pursue a research masters in music. Subjects such as musicology and education in particular have many fascinating areas to explore.

Employment options

Those who wish to pursue careers in the field of musical academia will need to complete a masters in music as a necessary step. A masters in music could also allow you to develop the skills you need for complex musician positions such as professional performing, composition or musicology.

Scholarships and funding

Scholarships for both coursework and research masters of music are available. Want to find out where and what is available? Have a peek at our scholarship search tool to see what kind of financial assistance could secure your studies.

You can also apply for Youth Allowance or Austudy if you are going to study full-time. Read more about this process here.

Prerequisites and selection process

These will vary greatly depending on your institution and what you wish to study. Some master programs are appropriate for those with non-music undergraduate degrees, while others will require a Bachelor of Music and potentially an audition or submission of a musical portfolio. Read more here to find out which course is appropriate for you.