Master of Music (Performance)

The Master of Music (Performance) is a two-year postgraduate degree for musicians who want to take their playing to a professional level. It's offered by the Academy of Music and Performing Arts and is registered on CRICOS (course code 081572D), which means it's available to international students. Most of your time goes into one-to-one lessons with a principal study teacher, daily practice, ensemble work and performance. You'll also study repertoire, interpretation, performance practice and the craft of putting a recital together. Assessment is mostly through performance, recitals, concerto and chamber performances, technical exams, rather than written papers.

How the degree is structured

As a master's degree in Australia, this sits at AQF Level 9. A master's by coursework usually runs one to two years full-time, and this one is two years. You'll enrol in units of study each semester or trimester, and each unit carries credit points. You need to pass the required number of credit points to graduate. There is normally a capstone component, a major final recital, a research project, or both, that lets you show what you can do at the end of the degree. Some master's programmes also offer a research pathway if you're thinking about further study. The exact unit list and credit-point rules are set by the Academy, so check the official page.

Performance training and work-integrated learning

Music performance is a field where you learn by doing, so work-integrated learning is built into the degree. That can mean public recitals, chamber music, orchestral or ensemble engagements, accompanying, teaching in the Academy's preparatory programmes, or community and school performances. Some students take part in professional engagements or competitions. Placements and performance opportunities vary, so ask the Academy what's available in your specialisation. You'll finish with a public recital and a portfolio of performances you can use for auditions and job applications.

Who it suits

This degree suits graduates with a bachelor's degree in music or equivalent performance experience who want to work as performers, teachers or arts professionals. You might be a violinist preparing for orchestral auditions, a pianist building a recital career, a singer moving into opera or contemporary work, or a teacher who wants a postgraduate qualification. It also suits people returning to study after time in the industry. International applicants need to meet English requirements, IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common coursework-postgraduate standard, with TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the university's own English programmes accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa. As an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session. After graduating, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may let you stay and work in Australia, depending on your circumstances. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register, and you should confirm fees, intake dates and entry requirements on the official page.

• Professional performer, soloist, chamber musician, orchestral player or session musician
• Music teacher or instrumental tutor in schools, private studios or community programmes
• Arts administrator or producer in arts organisations, festivals and concert venues
• Accompanist or repetiteur for opera companies, ballet schools and choirs
• Music director or conductor for community and youth ensembles
• Composer or arranger for film, television and live performance
• Performing arts educator in TAFE, universities or private colleges
• Music therapist (with further training)

Australian employers in these areas include symphony orchestras, opera companies, arts centres, music schools, private studios, community arts organisations, festivals, recording studios, film and television production companies, and education providers. The creative arts sector is concentrated in the capital cities, but regional touring and community music also offer work.