Master of Music (Performance Studies)

Realise excellence    

Our Master of Music (Performance Studies) challenges you to reach the highest standards of professional performance. It’s an intensive, skill-based degree focusing on traditional approaches to classical or jazz performance.

What will you do?

  • Advance technical mastery within your specialisation.
  • Benefit from weekly one-to-one lessons with performance staff.
  • Prepare and present programs of major repertoire.
  • Study leading twentieth century and contemporary composers.
  • Negotiate your own learning outcomes and modes of assessment for creative projects.
  • Develop advanced solo and ensemble performance skills.

Where could it take you?

You might travel the globe as an orchestral musician. You could grace the stage of every jazz venue in New Orleans and New York. Perhaps you’ll curate concerts, teach in private studios or find international stardom as a soloist.

Please note: This degree program contains some courses with practical elements where on-campus attendance is required.  If you are student in this program and unable to attend campus, please contact the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics for enrolment advice.


  • In partnership with Australian String Quartet
  • Demonstrate your ability for advanced study
  • Study at Australia's most distinguished tertiary music school

Entry Requirements

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Before applying make sure you understand the eligibility and entry requirements for your chosen degree.

Look out for any prerequisites or assumed knowledge subjects. Some degrees also have additional entry requirements like interviews and auditions.

Domestic applicants

SATAC Code 3CM102
Deferment Yes - 2 year
Intake February and July
Additional Entry Requirements
Applicants must submit a high quality DVD (or electronic file via Dropbox or Youtube) of varying and contrasting work of 25 minutes duration to the Elder Conservatorium of Music. It should include four or more music pieces of different styles or by different composers and a letter of verification from the music teacher or qualified person confirming that the performance is a true representation of the applicant's own work. Classical voice applicants must present works in four languages: English, French, German and Italian. The recording must clearly state the date on which the recording was made and whether it represents a live performance, commercial release or radio broadcast. Conducting applicants: Applicants will be given the opportunity to do a live audition but may instead submit a video recording of their conducting. This recording must include two contrasting pieces, may be with an orchestra or ensemble, or should that not be possible, with two pianos playing an orchestral reduction. Audition duration: 15 minutes. For information regarding audition requirements, please visit the Elder Conservatorium of Music - https://able.adelaide.edu.au/music/study/auditions.
Selection Criteria
Graduate entry

Higher Education Study A completed Bachelors degree in Music or equivalent.

  • Admissions Transparency Data
    Student Profile
    Applicant background Semester one/Full year intake 2023
    Number of students Percentage of all students
    International students N/A N/A
    All students 2 100.0%

Ready to Apply?

Find out more about the application process and start your studies at the University of Adelaide.

Be sure to check the critical dates to avoid missing application deadlines.

Apply

Fees and Scholarships

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Domestic applicants

Indicative annual tuition fees
Australian Full-fee place: $33,000

Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.

FEE-HELP
This is an Australian full-fee program. As a domestic student you may be eligible to:

  • receive a zero interest government assistance package to cover your course fees and
  • use over $100,000 in HELP assistance over your lifetime
Check your eligibility today at Study Assist

Scholarships

These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.

Find a Scholarship.

Careers

Career Readiness

Graduates from this program have various performance opportunities in public and private practice, and often undertake teaching in the private studio.

The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Industry Placement

Proudly in partnership with Australian String Quartet

Potential careers

Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:

Music Coordinator;  Music Festival Director;  Music Journalist / Music Critic;  Music Researcher;  Musician;  Musician / Singer

Degree Structure

Over two years, students take 24 units in the major performance area of specialisation and 24 units of electives. Electives are selected from a range including minor recitals, Negotiated Projects, Professional Projects, and advanced music ensemble work.

Options are built into the curriculum, so that entry and exits via lower level postgraduate programs are possible. Students can exit after two semesters with a Graduate Diploma in Music (Performance). Those students with more advanced skills and experience in performance can be given status for 24 units, enter the second year of the program and undertake the remaining 24 units in one year of study on campus.

Academic Program Rules

The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

Example Study Plan

Study plans available on Faculty of Arts website.

Assessment

Assessments include recitals and assessment of workshops/seminars. Students must pass the Major Recital in the first year of the program to progress into the second year of study. If students fall within the "Additional Assessment" range for the Major Recital, on successful completion of the additional/replacement assessment, they will exit with the Graduate Diploma and will not be able to continue with the Masters program.

Further Study

Testimonial

What makes my degree unique are the performance skills, unique repertoire analysis methods and the pursuit of music performance.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Last updated: Wednesday, 11 Oct 2023