Bachelor of Music (Composition and Music Production)

The Bachelor of Music (Composition and Music Production) is a three-year degree for people who want to write music and make recordings, not just study them. You will spend your time composing for different settings, film, games, concert works, songs, and learning how a piece moves from an idea in your head to a finished track. That means notation and arranging on one side, and studio work on the other: tracking, editing, mixing and mastering. You will also work with software that the industry actually uses, and learn how to produce music for a brief.

How the degree is structured

Australian bachelor degrees are normally three years full time and sit at level 7 of the Australian Qualifications Framework. At the Australian Institute of Music, the year is usually split into trimesters or semesters, and you enrol in units of study that carry credit points. You need to pass a set number of credit points to graduate, made up of core units and electives. Composition and production units build on each other, so you start with fundamentals and finish with more ambitious projects. Most students complete a capstone project in their final year, a portfolio of original work, a major composition, or a recording project, which is where you pull everything together. Work-integrated learning is part of the picture too: studios, production houses and performance venues are where composers and producers learn the professional side of the job, and the institute arranges industry placements or projects in many units.

What you actually study

Expect to study harmony and theory, orchestration, arranging, songwriting, screen composition, sound design, and studio production. You will learn to read and write music, run a recording session, edit audio, and mix a track that stands up next to professional releases. You will also get used to working to deadlines and taking feedback, because that is what the job is. By the end you should have a portfolio you can show to a client, a label, or a game studio.

Who it suits

This degree suits someone who already plays an instrument or writes songs and wants to turn that into a career. You do not need to be a trained composer, but you do need to be willing to put in the hours in the studio and at the desk. It also suits people who want to work in film, television, advertising, games, or as an independent artist. International students should note that a Student visa allows you to work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream is available after you finish if you meet the requirements. English proficiency is required for entry, with IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall being the common undergraduate standard. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register, and you should confirm all details, including credit points, unit lists and placement options, on the official page.

• Composer for screen and games, writing music for film, television, streaming, advertising and interactive media. Australian production companies, game studios and post-production houses hire for these roles.
• Music producer, running sessions, shaping arrangements and overseeing recordings in studios and home setups. Work comes through record labels, artist management, and independent releases.
• Songwriter, writing for yourself or for other artists, often in collaboration with publishers and sync agencies.
• Sound designer and audio editor, creating and editing sound for film, TV, podcasts, games and online content. Broadcasters, audio post houses and digital media companies are common employers.
• Studio engineer or mix engineer, recording, editing and mixing music for clients. Many work freelance across several studios or run their own space.
• Live sound and production technician, working at venues, festivals and touring productions. The live music sector in Australia employs a steady stream of production staff.
• Music director or arranger, preparing arrangements and directing ensembles for performances, recordings and events.
• Independent artist, releasing your own music, building an audience, and managing your own production and distribution.

Graduates also move into music education, arts administration, and content creation for online platforms. The Australian music industry spans recording, live performance, screen, games and advertising, and many roles combine several of these areas.