Master of Music Studies

The Master of Music Studies at Griffith University is a coursework degree for musicians who want to sharpen their craft and think harder about how music works. It runs for 1.5 years full time, which usually means three trimesters of study. You will take a set of core units in music research methods and critical listening, then choose electives that suit your interests. The final trimester is typically a capstone project: a recital, a portfolio of compositions, or a research thesis on a music topic. That project is where you pull everything together and show what you can do.

How the degree is structured

Australian master's degrees sit at level 9 of the Australian Qualifications Framework. A master's by coursework usually takes one to two years, and this one sits at the shorter end. You earn credit points for each unit you pass, and you need a set number of points to graduate. Griffith runs on trimesters, so you may have three study periods a year rather than two semesters. That means you can finish faster or spread the load if you need to work. The exact unit list and credit rules are on the official Griffith page for this course.

What you actually study

Expect a mix of practical and academic work. You might analyse music from different eras and cultures, study performance practice, or learn how to write about music for different audiences. There is room to focus on performance, composition, musicology, or music education, depending on which electives you pick. The capstone lets you go deep on one thing instead of sampling everything. Assessment is a mix of performances, written work, and the final project. You will work with staff who are active in the Australian music scene, and Griffith has links to the Queensland Conservatorium and local arts organisations.

Who it suits and what you need

This degree suits people who already have a bachelor's in music or a related area and want to go further without committing to a research-only degree. It also works for teachers, performers, and community musicians who want to update their skills or move into a new area. International students need to meet Griffith's English requirement. For coursework postgraduate programs, IELTS Academic 6.0 to 6.5 overall is the usual standard, though some fields ask for higher. TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and Cambridge C1 Advanced are accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa, so check both. While you study, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight. After you finish, 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 under course code 028003M. Confirm all details on the official Griffith page before you apply.

• Professional musician or ensemble performer
• Composer or arranger for film, television, or games
• Music teacher in schools or private studios
• Community arts officer or music program coordinator
• Arts administrator in orchestras, festivals, or venues
• Music researcher or archivist
• Audio producer or sound designer

Australian industries that hire graduates include performing arts, education, media and broadcasting, community services, and cultural heritage. Many graduates work across several of these at once.