Master of Music

The Master of Music at The Australian Institute of Music is a two-year postgraduate qualification for musicians who want to take their performance, composition or music practice to a professional level. You'll spend most of your time making music, in one-to-one lessons, ensemble rehearsals, recording sessions and workshops, rather than sitting in lecture theatres. The degree is built around your own creative work, so you choose a focus area and develop it across the two years with guidance from staff who are working musicians.

How the degree is structured

Australian master's degrees by coursework usually run for one to two years full time, and this one sits at the two-year end. Study is organised into units of study, each worth a set number of credit points, delivered across semesters or trimesters. You'll complete core units in music practice and research methods, then choose electives that suit your direction, performance, composition, arranging, production or musicology, depending on what the institute offers in a given year. The final stage is normally a capstone project: a major recital, a portfolio of original works, or a research thesis with a performance component. That project is where you pull together everything you've learned and present it publicly or submit it for examination.

Work-integrated learning and industry connections

Music is a field where you learn by doing, and this degree includes professional experience. Placements or industry projects might involve performing with professional ensembles, working in recording studios, collaborating with community music organisations, or taking on teaching and workshop facilitation. The Australian Institute of Music is based in Sydney, which gives you access to the city's live music venues, studios, festivals and arts organisations. Staff and visiting artists often have current industry roles, so the connections you make can lead to gigs, session work or teaching opportunities after you graduate.

Skills you'll gain

By the end of the degree you should be able to perform at a high level, compose or arrange original music, run a rehearsal or recording session, critique your own work and others', and manage a creative project from concept to performance. You'll also build the professional skills that working musicians need: promoting your work, budgeting a project, negotiating contracts and using music technology. Research and writing skills are part of the package, especially if you choose the thesis pathway.

Who this suits

This master's is for people who already have a bachelor's degree in music or equivalent professional experience and want to deepen their practice, prepare for further study such as a doctorate, or move into a specialist role. It suits performers who want to refine their craft, composers who want to develop a substantial body of work, and music teachers or community musicians who want to upskill. If you're an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and after you finish you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, which lets you stay and work in Australia. English proficiency is required, IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common standard for coursework postgraduate degrees, though some fields ask for higher. Check the official page for exact entry requirements, tuition and unit details.

• Professional musician or solo performer
• Composer or arranger for film, television, games or concert music
• Session musician or orchestral player
• Music producer or recording studio engineer
• Music teacher or private instrumental tutor
• Community music facilitator or arts administrator
• Creative director or producer for festivals and events
• Music therapist (with additional accreditation)

Graduates work across Australia's music and creative industries: live performance venues, recording studios, film and television production, arts festivals, community arts organisations, schools and private teaching practices. Some go on to doctoral study or research roles.