Turn Your Passion into a Career: Top Music Universities in Australia

Whether you dream of performing on stage, composing for film, producing music or building a career behind the scenes, studying music can help turn your creativity into professional skills.

Australia offers a range of universities and specialist institutions where International Students can study music at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Depending on the programme, students may explore areas such as performance, composition, music production, songwriting, musicology and creative technologies.

Choosing among music universities in Australia involves more than finding a university that offers a music degree. Course structure, specialisations, facilities, audition requirements and opportunities to perform or collaborate can all influence which programme is right for you.

If you’re considering studying music in Australia, here are some universities worth exploring.

Why Study Music in Australia?

Studying music in Australia can give International Students the opportunity to develop their creative and technical abilities while experiencing the country’s diverse arts and cultural scene.

Depending on the university and programme, students may have opportunities to participate in performances, ensembles, collaborative projects, recording activities and other practical learning experiences.

Reasons students may consider studying music in Australia include:

However, music degrees can differ considerably between universities. Some focus strongly on classical performance, while others provide options in contemporary music, composition, production or interdisciplinary creative practice.

What Universities in Australia Offer Music Degrees?

There are several universities across Australia offering music-related programmes for International Students.

Here are some institutions you may want to explore.

The University of Melbourne

University of Melbourne offers music study through the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, part of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music.

Students interested in music can explore areas including performance, composition, musicology, interactive composition and other areas depending on the programme and study level.

The university’s Southbank campus is home to the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music and places students within Melbourne’s wider arts precinct.

This can be an attractive option for students who want to study music within a conservatorium environment while being part of a comprehensive university.

Prospective students should carefully check admission requirements, as auditions, portfolios or other supplementary requirements may apply to certain music programmes.

Explore Music at the University of Melbourne

The University of Sydney – Sydney Conservatorium of Music

University of Sydney is home to the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Located close to Sydney’s CBD and Royal Botanic Garden, the Conservatorium provides a specialist environment for students pursuing music studies.

Depending on the degree, students can explore areas such as:

• Performance
• Composition
• Contemporary music
• Musicology
• Creative music
• Music education

Some programmes have specific audition or portfolio requirements, so International Students should review the admission process well before application deadlines.

Students who want a conservatorium-style music education within a major Australian university may want to include the University of Sydney when comparing their options.

Explore the Sydney Conservatorium of Music

Monash University

Monash University provides another option for students interested in studying music in Melbourne.

Music study at Monash can allow students to develop their musicianship while exploring different creative and academic areas.

Depending on the programme and specialisation, study may cover areas such as performance, composition, creative music technologies and music research.

Students should compare the degree structure carefully, particularly if they have a specific instrument, performance style or area of music they want to pursue.

Explore Music at Monash University

Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University

Griffith University is home to the Queensland Conservatorium, providing specialist music education in Brisbane.

Students can explore different areas of music depending on their chosen programme, which may include performance, composition, musical theatre, popular music and other creative disciplines.

A conservatorium environment may particularly appeal to students who want music to be central to their university experience.

As with other performance-based degrees, prospective students should check whether their chosen programme requires an audition or other supplementary application materials.

Explore Queensland Conservatorium

Australian National University

Australian National University offers music study through the ANU School of Music in Canberra.

Students can explore music within a broader university environment and may have opportunities to develop skills across performance, composition, music technology and other areas of musical practice.

ANU may be worth considering for students who want to combine practical music development with academic study and interdisciplinary opportunities.

Explore the ANU School of Music

University of Queensland

University of Queensland also offers opportunities for students interested in music.

Depending on the programme, students may explore music through performance, academic study and other areas within the discipline.

UQ can be worth comparing with specialist conservatorium options, particularly for students who want music to form part of a broader university education.

Explore Music at UQ

Which Music University in Australia Is Best for International Students?

There is no single best music university in Australia for every International Student.

Music is particularly personal because the right programme can depend on your instrument, preferred genre, career ambitions and the type of training you want.

Instead of choosing a university based only on its overall ranking, compare:

A highly ranked university is not automatically the best choice for every musician. The programme itself, the training available and how closely it matches your goals can be more important.

Do You Need an Audition to Study Music in Australia?

For some music degrees, yes.

Performance-focused programmes commonly have additional selection requirements beyond academic grades. Depending on the university and course, you may be asked to submit or complete:

Requirements vary significantly between universities and even between specialisations within the same music degree.

International Students should therefore check audition requirements early, particularly if applications require recorded material or auditions have separate deadlines.

How Much Does It Cost to Study Music in Australia?

The cost of studying music in Australia depends on the university, qualification and programme.

International tuition fees vary between institutions, so students should check the current published fee for their chosen course and intake.

In addition to tuition fees, music students may need to budget for expenses such as:

• Accommodation
• Food and groceries
• Public transport
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
• Student Visa costs
• Instruments and equipment
• Instrument maintenance
• Sheet music and learning materials
• Software or technology
• Personal expenses

Depending on the programme, there may also be costs associated with performances, specialist equipment or other course activities.

What Can You Do with a Music Degree?

A music degree does not lead to only one career.

Graduates may pursue opportunities across performance, education, production, composition and the broader creative industries.

Depending on their qualifications, skills and experience, possible career directions can include:

Some careers may require additional qualifications, professional experience or specialised training.

Students should consider what they want to do after graduation when comparing degrees. Someone interested primarily in professional performance may prioritise different programmes from someone interested in music production or composition.

Are Scholarships Available for Music Students in Australia?

Australian universities may offer scholarships to eligible International Students, including students undertaking music or creative arts programmes.

Depending on the institution, scholarships may consider:

• Academic achievement
• Musical ability
• Audition performance
• Course or faculty
• Nationality
• Leadership
• Financial circumstances
• Other eligibility criteria

Scholarship values and eligibility requirements can change between universities and intakes.

Some music-specific awards may also have separate applications, auditions or deadlines, so students should research scholarship opportunities early.

How Do You Apply for a Music Degree in Australia?

The application process varies depending on the university and programme.

International Students will generally need to choose their course, check academic and English language entry requirements and prepare the required documentation.

These may include:

• Passport
• Academic transcripts
• Graduation certificates
• English language results
• CV or résumé
• Personal statement
• Audition recording
• Music portfolio
• Composition portfolio
• Other supplementary documents

For performance and other selective music programmes, completing the standard university application may only be one part of the process.

Make sure you check both the university admission requirements and the music programme’s audition or portfolio requirements.

If you receive an offer, review whether it is conditional or unconditional and what requirements you need to meet before accepting.

International Students will also need to consider the applicable Australian Student Visa requirements.

FAQ: Music Universities in Australia