“Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy” – Ludwig Van Beethoven
Music impacts our lives in many ways. Music has the tendency to fill the emotions we experience in our daily living, which often gets us excited, enhances our mood or even calms our mind and relaxes our soul.
If you’re passionate about touching people’s hearts through notes and melodies, then a degree in music is what you need as a starting point in your musical career. This article will help students who are aspiring to become musicians to explore the options for music courses in Australia.
What is a Music Degree all about?
Video Credit: Contrabass Conversations
A music degree offers students relevant training, skills and exposure they need to be successful musicians in the music industry. The course typically requires three or four years of full-time studies to complete. Throughout the course, students will gain immense knowledge and skills on theoretical and practical aspects of music.
A Bachelor of Music comes with a variety of majors or specializations for students to choose based on their individual interests and career preference. Here are the following majors or specialization;
Composition and Music Production
Students learn the core concept of music theory and use new technologies as well as old-school techniques to develop their composition skills.
Jazz and Improvisation
Students acquire technical skills and specialise in jazz music or any instrument of interest to become a jazz musician in the future.
Production
Music production comprises general music classes, diverse training in music technology and the basic principles in business courses.
Performance
Performance major requires students to select a particular instrument to study. Instrumental skills and performing methods are required on one-to-one lessons to develop performance skills and technique.
Contemporary
Contemporary studies allow students to study music theories and hone in practical skills by learning to write, perform and produce their own music.
Career Opportunities for Music Degree Graduates
Performing and composing are the two most popular occupations in music industry. Here is a list of options of what you could do with a music degree.
Jazz Musician
Graduates may have the opportunity to be a professional jazz performer in musical theatres, media and entertainment
Sound Engineer
Sound Engineers are responsible for handling equipment for audio recording to ensure high-quality sound projection at all times. Sound Engineers work in the recording studio, conventions, theatres and other venues that need sound projection for the audience.
Pop-Musician
Graduates can utilize their technical skills and performing techniques to pursue their career as a band member or a solo artist.
Music Agent
Music agents support artists with their contract, event, social media and more on a daily basis. They also promote music albums, records and shows for them.
Vocal Coach
A vocal coach, also a pianist helps students pick songs that suit their age, type and abilities. The vocal coach also improves singing techniques for artists during recording sessions and stage performances.
General Entry Requirement to study Music Degree in Australia
*Pre-requisite: Students are required to attend an audition/ interview and prepare a portfolio to proceed for further admission process. The selection process varies depending on universities, contact Excel Education for more information.
|
STPM |
A minimum grade of 3Cs |
|
A-Levels |
A minimum grade of BBC |
|
UEC |
An average grade of B3 |
|
ATAR |
A minimum score of 70 points or above |
|
International Baccalaureate (IB) |
A minimum score of 20 points or above |
*The requirements may vary among universities, for inquiries on other entry requirements, contact Excel Education.
English Requirement to Study Music Degree in Australia
|
IELTS |
Overall 6.5 and 6.0 in all sub-band |
|
TOEFL |
Overall 87, listening: 19, reading: 19, writing: 21 and speaking: 19 |
|
PTE |
Overall Score of 64 and 60 in all sub-bands |
*The requirements may vary among universities, for inquiries on other English Language requirements, contact Excel Education.
Best Universities for Music Degree in Australia
#1 University of Sydney
Image credit: Times Higher Education
Ranked 1st in Qs Top Universities Ranking, University of Sydney offers students a wide range of music programs such as Musicology, Contemporary Music, Digital Music and Media as well as Composition for Creative Industry. Students are given the flexibility to pursue music and other electives including arts, history and design.
|
Program |
Bachelor of Music |
|
Specializations |
|
|
Intake (2021) |
March |
|
Duration |
4 years |
|
Indicative Annual Fees (2021) |
AUD $43,000 |
#2 University of Melbourne
Image Credit: itnews
The University of Melbourne is ranked 2nd for offering a professional music training program for students in areas such as Music Performance, Composition, Musicology, Jazz & Improvisation, and Interactive Composition. The specialization is adjusted based on students’ interest, skills and choice in music
|
Program |
Bachelor of Music |
|
Specialization |
|
|
Intake (2021) |
March & July |
|
Duration |
3 years (Full time) |
|
Indicative Annual Fees (2021) |
AUD$32,296 – $35,040 |
#3 Monash University
Image Credit: ayosuglow
Monash University strives to bring out students’ creative potential by providing advanced practical skills and broadening their knowledge in terms of historical and cultural aspects of music to develop professionals in the music industry.
|
Program |
Bachelor of Music |
|
Specialization |
|
|
Intake (2021) |
February & July |
|
Duration |
3 years (Full time) |
|
Indicative Annual Fees (2021) |
AUD $33,000 |
#4 Griffith University
Image Credit: mbanews
Griffith University is known for developing students to be highly skilled and ready to enter the professional life in the music industry. Students will gain exposure to a diverse musical genre such as classical, contemporary, jazz, popular, electronic, experimental and world music.
|
Program |
Bachelor of Music |
|
Specialization |
|
|
Intake (2021) |
March |
|
Duration |
3 years (Full-time) |
|
Indicative Annual Fees (2021) |
AUD $33,000 |
#5 Edith Cowan University
Image Credit: Edith Cowan University
Edith Cowan provides highly-skilled training for students in their designated major and adapts their learning experience in line with their interest. The course is taught by staffs of world-class academics whose experience embodies every part of today’s music world as well as the future.
|
Program |
Bachelor of Music |
|
Specialization |
|
|
Intake (2021) |
February |
|
Duration |
4 years (Full-time) |
|
Indicative Annual Fees (2021) |
AUD $32,900 |
#6 Australian Institute of Music
Image Credit: Indesignlive
Australian Institute of Music is the only private music school dedicated to converting students into successful and long-standing industry careers in music and music, and, most critical of all, nurtured students to help them carry their craft and passion to the highest level.
|
Program |
Bachelor of Music |
|
Specialization |
|
|
Intake (2021) |
January & May |
|
Duration |
3 years (Full time) |
|
Indicative Annual Fees (2021) |
AUD $24,680 |
Contact us to find out more!
Student enquiries:
Call/Whatsapp: +60182414802
Email: [email protected]
About the Author
Sasvin Ravi
I am a freelance content writer, writing on a weekly basis while discovering my true passion..