Music Courses

For admission as a candidate, an applicant will:

• hold a bachelor degree with first-class or second-class honours (Division A) or equivalent qualification from a recognised institution or
• hold a masters degree from a recognised institution or equivalent qualification deemed by the Dean, Griffith Graduate Research School to be of a standard comparable at least to a bachelor degree with second class honours (Division A) or
• possess a record of research or a qualification granted by a professional or other body, deemed by the Dean, Griffith Graduate Research School to be of a standard comparable at least to a bachelor degree with second-class honours (Division A)
• have been enrolled in a research Masters degree at the University for not less than one year as a full-time candidate and two years as a part-time candidate and will have had their work as a research Masters candidate certified by the Dean to be of a standard required for candidature in a professional doctorate.

Students admitted to the Doctor of Musical Arts program will normally have at least five years professional experience.

A portfolio assessment and/or interview will be part of the admission process. If specialist equipment or computer programs are required, this must be stated within the application. In cases where the candidate does not meet all formal criteria, the Dean, Griffith Graduate Research School can establish equivalence on the basis of curriculum vitae, portfolio and publications.

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

• Higher Degree Research Policy

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.

To be eligible for admission to this 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/or
• submit a folio of creative works

OR

• have extensive experience in music with a minimum of five years equivalent work experience in one of the specialised fields offered (composition, performance, conducting, pedagogy, music studies) and
• successfully undertake an audition and interview; and/or
• submit a folio of creative works.

Degrees from overseas institutions must be assessed as equivalent to a recognised Australian bachelor-level degree.

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

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.

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.

Admission requires:

• a bachelor's degree of higher award from the University of Sydney, or an equivalent qualification, in an appropriate discipline as determined by the School; or
• a graduate certificate from the University of Sydney, or an equivalent qualification, in an appropriate discipline as determined by the School; or
• completion of the requirements of an embedded graduate certificate in an appropriate discipline, as determined by the School, from the University of Sydney, or an equivalent qualification; or
• in exceptional circumstances the Head of School and Dean may admit applicants without these qualifications but whose evidence of experience and achievement is deemed by the Head of School and Dean to be equivalent, and
• successful completion of an audition and an interview.

Applicants who do not have a recognised tertiary award but who demonstrate an equivalent musical ability and maturity at the audition and interview, and who can show considerable performing experience may be admitted.