Posted by If you’re looking for the best music schools in Australia, we’ve got you covered. Australia is home to some of the best music schools in the world, offering a wide range of programs and courses for aspiring musicians. Whether you’re looking to pursue a music career or simply want to hone your skills, there are plenty of options, listed in this article, to choose from.
In the next section, we will be looking at reasons why you should study music in Australia.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Why Study Music in Australia?
Studying music in Australia can be an enriching experience for students who are passionate about music. Australia is home to some of the world’s best music schools, such as the Australian Institute of Music (AIM).
Studying in Australia provides students with access to world-class lecturers who are experienced in the industry and provide one-on-one tuition designed to bring their musicianship to the next level.
Australia’s music scene is vibrant and diverse, and the country has a rich musical heritage. Studying music in Australia provides students with the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with renowned Australian musicians who are known for their creativity and innovation.
Studying in Australia allows students to live in a safe, world-class study destination with high standards of living.
Potential Careers in Music
Many career opportunities in the music industry can suit both your career goals and talents. Some of the top options for music industry careers include:
1. Music Director: A music director or conductor organizes and leads a musical ensemble, ensuring the group plays together and maintains an appropriate tempo.
2. Sound Technician: A sound technician is an audio specialist with one of the most crucial roles in the music industry. Sound technicians participate in the recording process, ensuring that all equipment needed to create high-quality recordings operates as expected.
3. Music Agent: A music agent represents a musician or musical group, helping to book shows, promotional appearances, and advertising opportunities. The agent helps the musician maximize their earning potential and receives compensation accordingly, often in the form of commissions that scale based on the deals the agent arranges for the musician.
4. Music Teacher: Music teachers instruct students in music theory, composition, and performance. They may work in schools, colleges, or private studios, and they may teach students of all ages and skill levels.
5. Music Producer: Music producers oversee the recording process and help musicians create high-quality recordings. They may work with musicians to develop their sound, arrange songs, and select session musicians.
Criteria for Selecting the Best Music Schools in Australia
The following elements were considered throughout the rating process:
- Faculty Expertise: We assessed the academic qualifications, industry experience, and professional achievements of the teaching staff.
- Facilities: We assessed the facilities for music production, including recording studios with modern equipment.
- Performance Spaces: We considered the presence of concert halls, auditoriums, or other venues for student performances.
- Alumni Success: We examined the achievements of alumni in the music industry, such as successful performances, awards, or notable projects.
List of the 20 Best Music Schools in Australia
Below is a list of the 20 best music schools in Australia:
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne
- Monash University, Melbourne
- The University of Sydney, Sydney
- Australian National University, Canberra
- The University of Queensland, Brisbane
- University of New South Wales, Sydney
- University of Adelaide, Adelaide
- University of Technology Sydney, Sydney
- Macquarie University, Sydney
- Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane
- University of Newcastle, Newcastle
- Griffith University, Brisbane
- University of Tasmania, Hobart
- Western Sydney University, Sydney
- University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba
- Victoria University, Melbourne
- Southern Cross University, Lismore
- RMIT University
- Box Hill Institute, Melbourne
- Excelsia College, Port Macquarie.
20 Best Music Schools in Australia
1. University of Melbourne, Melbourne
- Founded: 1853
- Duration: 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time.
The University of Melbourne is a public research university in Melbourne, Australia. It was founded in 1853 and is the second-oldest university in Australia.
The university has a strong reputation for its research and teaching in various fields, including music.
The Melbourne Conservatorium of Music is the music school of the University of Melbourne and is part of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music. It is located near the Melbourne City Centre on the Southbank campus of the University of Melbourne.
The conservatorium offers a range of majors to suit your musical background, experience, and goals. These majors include Music Studies, Musicology and Ethnomusicology, Performance, Composition, Interactive Composition, and Jazz and Improvisation.
The conservatorium’s curriculum is led by internationally renowned teachers and performers who guide and develop your potential to the fullest.
2. Monash University, Melbourne
- Founded: 1958
- Duration: 3 years
Monash University is a public research university located in Melbourne, Australia. The university has a diverse range of faculties, including the Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music and Performance.
The school is a thriving hub of diverse musical and theatre practices in performance, composition, research, teaching, and industry engagement.
The school offers a Bachelor of Music degree that provides students with the opportunity to advance their practical skills, collaborate with artists, and study with accomplished teaching staff in Music Technology, Performance, or Popular Music.
3. The University of Sydney, Sydney
- Founded: 1850
- Duration: 3 years
The Sydney Conservatorium of Music is a faculty of The University of Sydney that offers a wide range of musical study programs.
The Conservatorium has been providing music education for over a century and is known for its excellence in music education, research, and performance. The Conservatorium offers courses in various areas of music, including classical, jazz, and contemporary music.
The Bachelor of Music program at the Conservatorium offers programs in Contemporary Music Practice, Composition for Creative Industries, Digital Music and Media, and Musicology.
4. Australian National University, Canberra
- Founded: 1946
- Duration: 36months
The Australian National University (ANU) is a public research university located in Canberra, Australia. It was founded in 1946 and is the only university to have been created by the Parliament of Australia.
The ANU School of Music is a part of the Research School of Humanities and the Arts, which forms part of the College of Arts and Social Sciences of the Australian National University.
The School of Music offers degrees in Performance, Composition, Musicology, Music for Film and Video Games, and Music Technology, across bachelor’s degrees, Honours, and Postgraduate Research programs.
5. The University of Queensland, Brisbane
- Founded: April 16, 1910
- Duration: 4 years
The University of Queensland is a public research university in Brisbane, Australia. The university has a rich history and is one of the oldest universities in Australia, having been founded in 1909.
The university is known for its high-quality education and research programs and has produced many notable alumni, including Nobel laureates, Rhodes scholars, and other distinguished individuals.
The School of Music at the University of Queensland is one of Australia’s leading music institutions. The school is dedicated to creating leaders in music performance, composition, education, and research.
The courses offered by the school are led by nationally and internationally acclaimed music professionals and are designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of music theory, history, and performance.
The school offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, including the Bachelor of Music (Honours), Master of Music, and Doctor of Musical Arts.
6. University of New South Wales, Sydney
- Founded: 1949
- Duration: 4 years
The University of New South Wales (UNSW) is a public research university in Sydney, Australia. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various faculties, including the School of the Arts & Media.
The School of the Arts & Media at UNSW offers a music program that provides extensive training in performance, ensemble skills, professional practice, musicianship, and musicology. The program aims to develop students’ skills and knowledge to make music with confidence, artistic conviction, and social commitment.
The program nurtures students’ aspirations to develop their ability to the highest standards in performing, composing, researching, producing, or teaching.
The music program at UNSW is designed to help students discover new ways of creating and presenting music.
7. University of Adelaide, Adelaide
- Founded: 1874
- Duration: The Bachelor of Music (Classical Performance) program at the University of Adelaide is an AQF Level 7 qualification with a standard full-time duration of 3 years.
The University of Adelaide is a public research university in Adelaide, South Australia. It was founded in 1874 and is the third-oldest university in Australia.
The university has a strong reputation for excellence in research and teaching and is ranked in the top 1% of universities worldwide. The university’s Elder Conservatorium of Music is one of the most established musical institutions in Australia and is known for its forward-looking approach to music education.
The Elder Conservatorium of Music offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in music, including:
- Bachelor of Music (Advanced) (Classical Performance)
- Bachelor of Music (Advanced) (Creative Practice)
- Bachelor of Music (Advanced) (Jazz Performance)
- Bachelor of Music (Advanced) (Music Education)
- Bachelor of Music (Classical Performance)
- Bachelor of Music (Creative Practice)
- Bachelor of Music (Jazz Performance)
- Bachelor of Music (Music Education)
- Bachelor of Music Theatre Double Degree
- Bachelor of Arts with Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary) with Bachelor of Music Honours
- Bachelor of Music (Classical Performance) (Honours)
- Bachelor of Music (Jazz Performance) (Honours)
- Bachelor of Music (Musicology) (Honours)
- Honours Degree of Bachelor of Music (Creative Practice)
- Honours Degree of Bachelor of Music (Music Education).
The Conservatorium also offers a range of related studies including Composition, Sonic Arts, Musical Theatre, Musicology, and Jazz Studies.
8. University of Technology Sydney, Sydney
- Founded: 1988
- Duration: 3 years
The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) is a public research university in Sydney, Australia.
The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses across various disciplines, including engineering, business, law, health, and science.
One of the unique courses offered by UTS is the Bachelor of Music and Sound Design. This course is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in artistic, professional, and theoretical skills in the domains of music, sound, and screens.
The course focuses on developing real-world skills for the digital sound industry, allowing students to apply their craft to films, TV, games, online platforms, and music production.
The Bachelor of Music and Sound Design at UTS is a practice-led course that provides students with hands-on experience in the field of music and sound design. Students learn from leading industry figures such as sound designers, songwriters, and producers.
9. Macquarie University, Sydney
- Founded: 1964
- Duration: The Bachelor of Music program at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia has a duration of 3 years.
Macquarie University is a public research university located in Sydney, Australia. The university offers a Bachelor of Music program that is the only one of its kind in Australia.
The program focuses on synergies across production and performance, including theoretical and practical study. Students can acquire a broad range of composition and performance skills, and gain skills in contemporary areas such as world music, vocal studies, musical theatre, audio mixing, songwriting, and interactive sound.
The program also provides students with a deep understanding of contemporary music practices, technologies, and associated industries. The Bachelor of Music program is designed to develop students’ theoretical, practical, and industry-focused skills, as well as their musical training.
10. Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane
- Founded: 1989
- Duration: The Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music) program at Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia has a duration of 3 years for full-time students
Queensland University of Technology (QUT) is a public research university located in Brisbane, Australia. It was founded in 1989 and is one of the largest universities in the country.
QUT has a strong reputation for its music programs, which are offered through the Creative Industries Faculty.
The faculty offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music) degree, which allows students to create new music from their first year while experiencing live and recording studio environments.
Students can choose from creative technologies, music performance, and recording/composing for media.
11. University of Newcastle, Newcastle
- Founded: 1965
- Duration: The Bachelor of Music and Performing Arts program at the University of Newcastle has a full-time duration of 3 years
The University of Newcastle is a public research university in Newcastle, Australia. It was established in 1965 and has since grown to become one of the leading universities in Australia.
The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including music.
The International Centre for Music Studies (ICMuS) is the music school of the University of Newcastle. It is one of the largest music departments in the country and provides students with a first-class education in music, across musicology, performance, and composition.
The center is based at the heart of Newcastle University’s campus, with purpose-built high-specification studios and rehearsal spaces reserved exclusively for use by Music students.
The center offers extensive performance opportunities for its students and has strong links across the region with key venues and institutions including the Sage Gateshead, home of the Royal Northern Sinfonia and Folkworks, the Samling Academy, and Opera North.
The undergraduate music program at the University of Newcastle is designed to provide students with a broad-based education in music, with a focus on performance, composition, and musicology. The program is offered as a Bachelor of Music degree and is available to students who have completed their high school education.
12. Griffith University, Brisbane
- Founded: 1971
- Duration: 36 months
Griffith University is a public research university located in Brisbane, Australia. The university has a strong reputation for its music school, the Queensland Conservatorium, which is one of the leading music and performing arts schools in Australia.
The Conservatorium offers a wide range of specialist degrees, from classical music, jazz, opera, and popular music to musical theatre, acting, music technology, and music education.
The Queensland Conservatorium is committed to producing polished music professionals of the highest caliber. Students learn from award-winning teachers dedicated to providing a state-of-the-art learning experience.
The Conservatorium enjoys strong alliances with national institutions including the Australian National Academy of Music and collaborations with London’s prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama, McGill University in Montreal, and the famous Sibelius Academy in Helsinki.
13. University of Tasmania, Hobart
- Founded: 1890
- Duration: The Bachelor of Music program at the University of Tasmania, Hobart is a full-time course that takes 3 years to complete.
The University of Tasmania is a public research university in Tasmania, Australia. The university has a School of Creative Arts and Media which offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in music, theatre, visual arts, and more.
The Conservatorium of Music is a part of the School of Creative Arts and Media and offers professional education and training in classical and contemporary music.
The Conservatorium’s courses and research programs respond directly and contribute to the rapidly changing contemporary arts and creative landscape by encouraging experimentation as much as specialization.
The Conservatorium of Music provides diverse performance, recording, and creative opportunities, combined with the mentor-style tuition and personal attention made possible by the institution’s smaller size.
14. Western Sydney University, Sydney
- Founded: 1989
- Duration: 3 years
Western Sydney University (WSU) is a public research university in Sydney, Australia. The university has a music school that offers a Bachelor of Music degree program.
The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in music, including performance, composition, sound design, songwriting, and musicology. The program is offered in well-equipped studios and a lecture/workshop/tutorial environment.
The Bachelor of Music at WSU takes an eclectic, modern, and inclusive approach to music repertoire, performance, and sound technologies. The program offers high-level training in music theory, musicology, arranging music, and music analysis.
15. University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba
- Founded: 1967
- Duration: 3 years
The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) is a medium-sized, regional university located in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia.
USQ’s School of Creative Arts offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in music, including a Bachelor of Arts (Music) and a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours) (Music).
The innovative contemporary music program at USQ caters to individual interests and aspirations, allowing students to become versatile musicians with many career options.
The music degrees center around collaboration and allow students the freedom to contribute as a vocalist, instrumentalist, songwriter/producer, or any combination of these.
Students develop their skills through making music with their fellow students in ensembles. These ensembles are central to the practice and regularly showcased, giving students many performance opportunities and great practical experience.
16. Victoria University, Melbourne
- Founded: 1916
- Duration: 3 years full-time or longer for part-time
Victoria University is a public research university located in Melbourne, Australia. The university offers a wide range of courses in various fields, including music.
The university’s music school is part of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music, which is the proud home of the Victorian College of the Arts and the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music.
The music school at Victoria University offers a Bachelor of Music degree that focuses on popular and contemporary music, including international perspectives.
The degree program covers music performance, music theory, songwriting and arranging popular music culture and history, and music technology.
17. Southern Cross University, Lismore
- Founded: 1994
- Duration: The Bachelor of Contemporary Music program at Southern Cross University, Lismore has a duration of 3 years full-time.
Southern Cross University is an Australian public university located in Lismore, New South Wales. The university offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in music and creative arts, including visual arts, creative writing, and digital media.
The university’s music school is located at the Lismore campus, which is in the heart of the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales. The music school offers a Bachelor of Contemporary Music degree that prepares students for a career in the music industry.
The degree program is tailored to the student’s area of interest, whether it’s production, performance, songwriting, or other professional areas of the music industry.
Southern Cross University’s music school has connections with major music festivals such as Splendour in the Grass and Byron Writers Festival. The school also sponsors major music and arts festivals, offering great opportunities for work placements and networking.
18. RMIT University
- Founded: 1887
- Duration: The Bachelor of Arts (Music Industry) program at RMIT University has a duration of 3 years for full-time students and 6 years for part-time students.
RMIT University is a public research university located in Melbourne, Australia. It was founded in 1887 and is the largest tertiary institution in the country. The university offers a wide range of courses, including music industry programs.
The Bachelor of Arts (Music Industry) program at RMIT University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the music industry.
The program covers topics such as sound engineering, artist and event management, journalism, and more. Students will learn about key music technologies, global music cultures, popular music scenes, music business practices, and live music performances.
19. Box Hill Institute, Melbourne
- Founded: 1984
- Duration: The Bachelor of Music Industry (Major in Music Business) is a 3-year full-time course.
Box Hill Institute is a leading vocational and higher education provider in Melbourne, Australia. The institute offers a wide range of courses, including music, business, hospitality, and more.
The music school at Box Hill Institute is one of the most renowned music schools in Australia. The school provides a world-class music education with state-of-the-art facilities and a record label, Tremorverse Records, on campus.
The music school at Box Hill Institute offers a variety of courses in music production, audio and sound production, composition, performance and songwriting, and music business.
The courses are designed to provide students with the core fundamentals of music and set them on the path to continue studying or to start their careers.
The institute also offers a Bachelor of Music Industry (Major in Performance) course designed for musicians who want to take their musicianship to the next level and learn the skills required to have a successful career as a performing artist.
20. Excelsia College, Port Macquarie
- Founded: 1983
- Duration: The Bachelor of Music program at Excelsia College, Port Macquarie has a duration of 3 years full-time/6 years part-time and consists of 144 credit points.
Excelsia College is a Christian higher education provider located in Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia. The college offers a Bachelor of Music program that provides students with the technical, artistic, and analytical training required to become a professional musician.
The course features private tuition for voice and instrument studies and extensive performance and studio experience. The Bachelor of Music program is available to both domestic and international students, and the course duration is 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time.
Excelsia College’s School of Creative and Performing Arts offers three strands of music education: Classical, Contemporary, and Jazz. The Classical strand provides musicians with high-level training in performance, musicianship, ensemble work, musicality, and breadth of musical knowledge required for a life in classical music.
The Contemporary strand prepares musicians for a career in the ever-changing world of contemporary music. The Jazz strand offers multiple experiences in improvisation, ensemble work, arrangement, and performance designed to prepare students for the highly skilled world of jazz musicianship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there scholarships available for music students in Australia?
Yes, many music schools offer scholarships and financial aid. Check with individual schools for specific details.
Can international students apply to these music schools?
Yes, international students are generally welcome. Check each school for specific policies and requirements.
What types of music programs are offered by these schools?
Most of the schools listed in the article offer a variety of programs, including classical, contemporary, jazz, and other music genres.
How do these music schools support students' career development?
They provide career services, industry connections, and unique initiatives to help students succeed in their music careers.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, Australia is a great place to study music, and the country’s music schools offer a high-quality education that prepares students for a successful career in music.
Whether you’re looking for a school that will help you kick-start your career in music or one that offers a more traditional academic approach, there are plenty of great options for music students above.
So, if you’re passionate about music and want to pursue a career in the industry, choose a university above and start your journey.
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