Postgraduate Degrees in MusicPostgraduate students can chose to undertake either coursework or research-based degrees. Within the School of Music, we can offer supervision in a wide range of topics including: Psychology of Music; Music Medicine; Musicology; Ethnomusicology; Acoustic and Electro-acoustic Composition; Music Education and Pedagogy; and Performance and Performance Practice.
Coursework Music Degrees
Coursework degrees in Music are administered variously by the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, and the Faculty of Education. Those degrees administered by the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences include:
• Music Practitioner Studies (Graduate Certificate [11240], Graduate Diploma [11340] and Master of Music Practitioner Studies [11540]); and
• Master of Music (Thesis and Coursework) (10620).
For more information on these programs, please consult the website for Faculty Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.
The Graduate Diploma in Education (School Music) (31330) is administered by the Faculty of Education. For more information on this course, please consult the website for Faculty of Education.
Research-Based Music Degrees
Research-based degrees are administered by the Graduate Research School, and include:
• Master of Music Education (Research) (10730)
• Master of Music (Research) (10720)
• Master of Arts (10710)
• Doctor of Musical Arts (20001)
• Doctor of Philosophy (00810)
For more information on these degrees please consult the website for Graduate Research School.
Brief Synopsis of Postgraduate Degrees in Music
For full rules for each of the following degrees, please refer to the website for University’s official Postgraduate Handbook.
Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Preliminary Program
If you do not meet the requirements for direct entrance into either the coursework or research programs, you may be permitted into a Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Preliminary Program on the recommendation of the Head of School. The course of study and research for the program is determined by the Head of School and usually involves a combination of coursework units and research projects over a period of up to one year of full-time study. Although the HDR Preliminary program is considered a preparatory training for research students, entry to a Masters or a Doctorate program is not automatic. At the completion of the program, the Head of School must provide the Graduate Research and Scholarships Office with an assessment of the work completed and a recommendation on suitability for further enrolment. The HDR Preliminary Program is not considered a qualification in itself and no certificate of completion will be awarded. For more information on the HDR Program in the School of Music please consult the website for Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.
Faculty-Administered Degrees
Graduate Diploma in Music Education (31330)
Subject to University General Rule 1.1.1.2(5), the admission requirements for this course are the Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Music Education of this University, or equivalent as recognised by the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Students in this course develop knowledge of contemporary curriculum structures and their relationship to current practices and policies in music education. The Graduate Diploma in Music Education comprises two Music Curriculum units, two Instrumental Music units, two School Experience units and three core educational studies units to a total value of 50 points. The Graduate Diploma in Education (School of Music) (31330) is available for those with a relevant music degree. The course is administered by the Faculty of Education, can be studied full-time in one year or part-time in 2 years. For more information on the units which comprise the course, please consult the website for Faculty of Education.
Music Practitioner Studies (Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, and Masters)
This course, administered by the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, is designed for performers, teachers or any person who has a suitable background in the music profession and who requires professional development at postgraduate level in critical reflection as it relates to music performance, music pedagogy, music medicine, social anthropology and psychology. Applicants are normally expected to have a relevant undergraduate degree in Music with honours, with supporting evidence of practitioner experience. Entry without a pre-existing Honours degree may be possible, but only where candidates are able to demonstrate a minimum of three years professional experience, and be able to fulfil the requirements of an entry test. This program comprises a series of home-based learning assignments delivered through WebCT and textbook materials. This course comprises three levels:
• Graduate Certificate in Music Practitioner Studies (11240)
The Graduate Certificate comprises the units MUSC8911 Study Principles and Practices A and MUSC8912 Study Principles and Practices B, and MUSC8921 Human Musical Development A and MUSC8922 Human Musical Development B. Students are required to attend an intensive four-day residential at the end of January and submit a final essay submission at the end of June.
• Graduate Diploma in Music Practitioner Studies (11340)
The Graduate Diploma comprises the units taken for the Graduate Certificate, plus MUSC8931 Teaching, Learning and Practice A, MUSC8932 Learning and Practice B, MUSC8941 Music as a Social Science A and MUSC8942 Music as a Social Science B. Students are required to attend a second four-day residential in early July and submit a final essay at the end of December.
• Master of Music Practitioner Studies (11540)
The Master of Music Practitioner Studies comprises the units taken at both Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma level, plus MUSC8951 Research Principles and Practices and MUSC8951 Masters Dissertation. The unit MUSC8951 is taught in year two and is the topic of the January residential. Work for a 12,000-word dissertation takes place between April and December of this second year. At the July residential students are expected to give a formal seminar presentation on their chosen dissertation topic.
Master of Music (Thesis and Coursework) (10620)
This degree is designed for professionals or graduates who wish to pursue performance or composition at postgraduate level. The duration of this degree is eighteen months of full-time study and up to three years of part-time study. The degree consists of a combination of coursework units, creative work and two research papers: MUSC8110 Research Seminar (12 points); MUSC8120 Research Seminar (12 points); and MUSC9311 Master of Music Thesis—Composition (48 points) or MUSC9411 Master of Music Thesis—Performance (48 points).
Applicants for the Master of Music (performance) are expected to hold a Bachelor of Music with at least upper second-class honours. Applicants who have not received their undergraduate degree from this University, or whose degree was awarded three years or more before the time of application, may be required to pass an admission audition before lodging a formal application of admission to the Faculty of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences. The assessment for the MMus (performance) comprises a public recital of 65 to 80 minutes’ duration, which demonstrates advanced technical and interpretative accomplishment, and a lecture/recital of 45 minutes’ duration. In addition, candidates must present two research papers based on topics related to one or more aspects of the performance. Each research paper should be approximately 6,000-8,000 words. Applicants for the Master of Music (composition) are expected to hold a Bachelor of Music with at least upper second-class honours. A portfolio of compositions must be submitted to the School of Music before lodging an application for admission to the Faculty. The assessment for the MMus (composition) comprises a composition folio and a lecture/demonstration of 45 minutes’ duration. In addition, candidates must present two research papers based on topics related to one or more aspects of the composition folio. Each research paper should be approximately 6,000-8,000 words.
Graduate Research School-Administered Degrees
Master of Music Education (research) (10730)
This degree is designed for professionals or graduates who wish to undertake research into the teaching of music. The duration of this degree is two years of full-time study and up to four years of part-time study. The degree is suitable for candidates with a background in Music and Education, particularly those with undergraduate degrees in Music Education. The degree can only be taken through the School of Music. To gain admission, students require a Bachelor of Music Education with at least upper second-class honours. Students enrolled in this degree must present for examination a 50,000-word thesis. The thesis for the Master of Music Education is externally assessed.
Master of Music (research) (10720)
This degree is designed for music practitioners or graduates who wish to undertake advanced study in performance or composition. The thesis component differentiates this course from the Master of Music (10620) outlined above. The duration of this degree is eighteen months of full-time study and up to three years of part-time study. Applicants are expected to have a Bachelor of Music with at least upper second-class honours. Applicants for the Master of Music (performance) who have not received an undergraduate degree from this University, or whose degree was awarded three years or more before the time of application, may be required to pass an admission audition before lodging a formal application. Applicants for the Master of Music (composition) must submit a portfolio to the School of Music of compositions before lodging an application for admission to the Faculty.
The assessment for the MMus (performance) comprises one recital of 65 to 80 minutes' duration, which demonstrates advanced technical and interpretative accomplishment, and a thesis of 12,000 to 15,000 words on a topic related to one or more aspects of the performance.
The assessment for the MMus (composition) requires candidates to submit a portfolio of compositions, and to present a thesis of 12,000 to 15,000 words on a topic related to one or more aspects of the composition.
The thesis for the Master of Music (research) is externally assessed.
Master of Arts (research) (10710)
The Master of Arts is a broad-based degree which allows students to pursue research topics in a range of disciplines from the Humanities and Social Sciences. The duration of this degree is two years of full-time study and up to four years of part-time study. Students enrolled in this degree must present for examination a 50,000-word thesis. The thesis for the Master of Arts is externally assessed.
Doctor of Musical Arts (20001)
The Doctor of Musical Arts can be taken in either performance or composition and consists of a combination of thesis and creative work. The duration of this degree is three years of full-time study and up to six years of part-time study. Applicants must hold a Master of Music degree. In exceptional circumstances a candidate who does not hold a MMus degree may be admitted to the course subject to a qualifying examination or preliminary study. Entry requirements are as follows: an audition in performance or a portfolio of compositions submitted to the School of Music. In certain circumstances, on the recommendation of the Head of School and coordinating supervisor, students may apply to upgrade their enrolment from a MMus (research) to a DMA. Such applications must be lodged through the Board of the Graduate Research School.
The assessment for the Doctor of Musical Arts (performance) comprises: two recitals, each of 70 to 90 minutes' duration, which demonstrate professional executant skill and interpretive ability; a 45-minute lecture/demonstration followed by a 15-minute discussion session; and a thesis of 30,000 to 40,000 words on a topic pertinent to one or more aspects of the performances.
The assessment for the Doctor of Musical Arts (composition) comprises: a portfolio of original compositions in a variety of genres, deemed to be of sufficient scale and duration, which show the highest level of technical accomplishment and imaginative resource; a 45-minute lecture/demonstration followed by a 15-minute discussion; and a thesis of 30,000 to 40,000 words on a topic pertinent to one or more aspects of the composition portfolio.
The thesis for the Doctor of Musical Arts is externally assessed.
Doctor of Philosophy (00810)
A PhD program comprises an independent, supervised research project mutually agreed upon by a student, supervisor, Head of School and the Board of the Graduate Research School. The duration of this course is four years full-time study and up to eight years part-time study. A PhD thesis must be a substantial and original contribution to scholarship, demonstrating mastery of the subject as well as an advance in that field of knowledge. The thesis should show a candidate's ability to document and interpret results, formulate theories and discuss the results in the light of the current literature to a level of competence required in published materials. The PhD is assessed on the basis of a thesis submitted at the end of the course and examined by three external examiners. |
