The University of Melbourne

Master of Music by Research –

Arts and humanities

The Master of Music by research is a graduate research degree designed for students to develop their potential for research, contribute to understandings of contemporary practice and theory, and, where relevant, develop mastery in their field of practice. Completion of the Master of Music (Research) signifies that the holder has undertaken a substantial piece of original research, which has been conducted and reported by the holder under proper academic supervision and in a research environment

Official
Duration
2 years
Qualification
Masters Degree (Research)
AQF 9
Campus
Southbank
VIC · +1 more campus
Course code
CRICOS 099325E
Data JSON

Campus images supplied directly by the institution.

Course overview

The Master of Music by research is a graduate research degree designed for students to develop their potential for research, contribute to understandings of contemporary practice and theory, and, where relevant, develop mastery in their field of practice. Completion of the Master of Music (Research) signifies that the holder has undertaken a substantial piece of original research, which has been conducted and reported by the holder under proper academic supervision and in a research environment for a prescribed period.

Entry requirements

Requirements are recorded per intake year and per audience. Meeting them does not guarantee an offer.

1. Entry Requirements 1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed: - a Bachelor of Music (Honours) degree, or equivalent, with at least an H2A (75%) weighted average; And for: - Composition: a satisfactory composition folio; - Interactive Composition: a satisfactory interactive composition folio. - Music Performance (including conducting); and Jazz & Improvisation: a satisfactory audition; - Musicology/Ethnomusicology; Music Psychology; Music Therapy and Music Performance: a satisfactory example of scholarly writing. And: - A research proposal See additional requirements below for details specific to your discipline. Exceptional applicants, with substantial professional experience and who have completed an undergraduate qualification in a relevant field, can be considered for entry into Master of Music (Research) in the disciplines of Interactive Composition, Jazz & Improvisation and Ethnomusicology without meeting the requirement of completion of an honours degree or equivalent. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection. 2. In ranking applications, the selection committee will consider: - prior academic performance; and - the research proposal; and - the composition folio, audition, and/or piece of scholarly writing. - The ability of the Faculty to provide the appropriate supervision, facilities and resources for your intended project 3. The selection committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Selection and Admission into Graduate Research Courses Policy. 4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for graduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance Band 6.5 is required. Exceptional applicants, with substantial professional experience and who have completed an undergraduate qualification in a relevant field, can be considered for entry into Master of Music (Research) in the disciplines of Interactive Composition, Jazz & Improvisation and Ethnomusicology without meeting the requirement of completion of an honours degree or equivalent. Additional Requirements Assistance with writing a Research Proposal can be found on the Academic Skills website. _Music Psychology, Music Therapy and Musicology/Ethnomusicology_ Applicants must submit a research proposal of 2,500 words, including the research question and proposed methodology. Research Proposals should include an introduction, literature review, purpose/aims statement, theoretical (or conceptual) framework, methodology (sample, recruitment, ethics, form of data), planned techniques for analysing the data, and significance of the study and what it might achieve. Evidence of Scholarly Ability Applicants are required to submit a copy of their Honours dissertation or a substantial piece of scholarly writing with their application. Evidence of research ability Applicants are normally required to have completed a research project, component, subject or group of subjects that accounts for at least 25% of their work (i.e. Honours year), or 25% of one year accumulated over the length of a Masters course, and which has, or have, been conducted, and assessed, individually. Research carried out in groups should at least have been graded individually. This project, component, or subject(s) may include: - Any obviously research oriented project, subject or sustained piece of scholarly writing conducted for assessment, such as small theses, research essays, long essays, or studios; _and/or_ - Any less-obviously research subjects, including practice-based subjects such as performance or fieldwork, where there is also scholastic rigor as documented in a sustained piece of writing analogous to _and/or_ - Any subjects directed at the formation of research skills, such as methodology and reasoning, such as scientific reasoning, or legal reasoning, where a sustained piece of writing has also been produced For further details, please contact the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music Research Office. _Composition_ - A short research proposal is required and should include a list of possible folio works (by duration and instrumentation or media) together with brief paragraph outlining technical, aesthetic and philosophical issues that pertain to the applicant’s compositional practice and style; - A recent example of scholarly writing of at least 1,000 words; - Three representative works submitted as recordings and in notated score format (where applicable). These should include a major work of over 10 minutes duration, and at least one work written in the last 2 years; and - A CV including a list of works composed (with performances where applicable). _Interactive Composition_ Applicants are required to complete a research proposal of 1,000 words that accompanies your application. This proposal must include: - Title - Statement of the project’s central concern(s) or ‘Research Question' - Explanation of the conceptual framework of the project and/or summary of the research methods to be used - An argument for the relevance and importance of the project - Description of the nature of the final submission – the form that the body of creative work will take and how it will be presented; the nature of the dissertation and its relationship to the body of creative work - An outline of the methodology or approach you intend to take and what you intend to do. For example: - Identify whether the research is qualitative, quantitative or practice-led research - In practice-led research, identify the specific techniques / technologies and approaches that are central to the research - Identify if the research involves analysis of primary works (including a list of the works and performances) - Bibliography – identify some of the key literature, artworks and performances and so on that informs your proposed work Your application will be reviewed by our 2. Entry Requirements 1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed: - a Bachelor of Music (Honours) degree, or equivalent, with at least an H2A (75%) weighted average; And for: - Composition: a satisfactory composition folio; - Interactive Composition: a satisfactory interactive composition folio. - Music Performance (includin Planning reference: missing 2027 requirements use the latest published requirements from 2026; newer explicit 2027 requirements take precedence.

Academic qualifications

Values are shown exactly as the institution publishes them.

Prior tertiary weighted average mark

75%

75%

English language

Band minimums apply in addition to the overall score.

  • IELTS AcademicOverall 6.5

Additional requirements

  • Academic entry requirement

    1. Entry Requirements 1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed: - a Bachelor of Music (Honours) degree, or equivalent, with at least an H2A (75%) weighted average; And for: - Composition: a satisfactory composition folio; - Interactive Composition: a satisfactory interactive composition folio. - Music Performance (including conducting); and Jazz & Improvisation: a satisfactory audition; - Musicology/Ethnomusicology; Music Psychology; Music Therapy and Music Performance: a satisfactory example of scholarly writing. And: - A research proposal See additional requirements below for details specific to your discipline. Exceptional applicants, with substantial professional experience and who have completed an undergraduate qualification in a relevant field, can be considered for entry into Master of Music (Research) in the disciplines of Interactive Composition, Jazz & Improvisation and Ethnomusicology without meeting the requirement of completion of an honours degree or equivalent. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection. 2. In ranking applications, the selection committee will consider: - prior academic performance; and - the research proposal; and - the composition folio, audition, and/or piece of scholarly writing. - The ability of the Faculty to provide the appropriate supervision, facilities and resources for your intended project 3. The selection committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Selection and Admission into Graduate Research Courses Policy. 4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for graduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance Band 6.5 is required. Exceptional applicants, with substantial professional experience and who have completed an undergraduate qualification in a relevant field, can be considered for entry into Master of Music (Research) in the disciplines of Interactive Composition, Jazz & Improvisation and Ethnomusicology without meeting the requirement of completion of an honours degree or equivalent. Additional Requirements Assistance with writing a Research Proposal can be found on the Academic Skills website. _Music Psychology, Music Therapy and Musicology/Ethnomusicology_ Applicants must submit a research proposal of 2,500 words, including the research question and proposed methodology. Research Proposals should include an introduction, literature review, purpose/aims statement, theoretical (or conceptual) framework, methodology (sample, recruitment, ethics, form of data), planned techniques for analysing the data, and significance of the study and what it might achieve. Evidence of Scholarly Ability Applicants are required to submit a copy of their Honours dissertation or a substantial piece of scholarly writing with their application. Evidence of research ability Applicants are normally required to have completed a research project, component, subject or group of subjects that accounts for at least 25% of their work (i.e. Honours year), or 25% of one year accumulated over the length of a Masters course, and which has, or have, been conducted, and assessed, individually. Research carried out in groups should at least have been graded individually. This project, component, or subject(s) may include: - Any obviously research oriented project, subject or sustained piece of scholarly writing conducted for assessment, such as small theses, research essays, long essays, or studios; _and/or_ - Any less-obviously research subjects, including practice-based subjects such as performance or fieldwork, where there is also scholastic rigor as documented in a sustained piece of writing analogous to _and/or_ - Any subjects directed at the formation of research skills, such as methodology and reasoning, such as scientific reasoning, or legal reasoning, where a sustained piece of writing has also been produced For further details, please contact the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music Research Office. _Composition_ - A short research proposal is required and should include a list of possible folio works (by duration and instrumentation or media) together with brief paragraph outlining technical, aesthetic and philosophical issues that pertain to the applicant’s compositional practice and style; - A recent example of scholarly writing of at least 1,000 words; - Three representative works submitted as recordings and in notated score format (where applicable). These should include a major work of over 10 minutes duration, and at least one work written in the last 2 years; and - A CV including a list of works composed (with performances where applicable). _Interactive Composition_ Applicants are required to complete a research proposal of 1,000 words that accompanies your application. This proposal must include: - Title - Statement of the project’s central concern(s) or ‘Research Question' - Explanation of the conceptual framework of the project and/or summary of the research methods to be used - An argument for the relevance and importance of the project - Description of the nature of the final submission – the form that the body of creative work will take and how it will be presented; the nature of the dissertation and its relationship to the body of creative work - An outline of the methodology or approach you intend to take and what you intend to do. For example: - Identify whether the research is qualitative, quantitative or practice-led research - In practice-led research, identify the specific techniques / technologies and approaches that are central to the research - Identify if the research involves analysis of primary works (including a list of the works and performances) - Bibliography – identify some of the key literature, artworks and performances and so on that informs your proposed work Your application will be reviewed by our 2. Entry Requirements 1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed: - a Bachelor of Music (Honours) degree, or equivalent, with at least an H2A (75%) weighted average; And for: - Composition: a satisfactory composition folio; - Interactive Composition: a satisfactory interactive composition folio. - Music Performance (includin

Intakes and tuition

Tuition is recorded per intake with the institution's own basis. Superseded rows are kept so fee changes stay visible.

IntakeCampusStartsApplications closeTuitionFor
2027 · Semester 1Southbank——$45,125per yearInternational students

Where it is taught

  • 234 St. Kilda Road,Southbank (SouthBank campus)

    Primary

    234 St. Kilda Road, Southbank, VIC

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  • Southbank

    234 St Kilda Road, Southbank, MELBOURNE, VIC, 3006, MELBOURNE, VIC

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References

Official course page, institution website and the sources behind this profile.

  1. Master of Music by Research –study.unimelb.edu.au
  2. The University of Melbourneunimelb.edu.au
  3. CRICOS provider recordOfficial source
  4. Information for international students from ChinaOfficial source
  5. English language requirementsOfficial source
  6. Graduate coursework entry requirements for international applicantsOfficial source
  7. Graduate research entry requirements for international applicantsOfficial source
  8. Undergraduate entry requirements for international applicantsOfficial source
  9. Australian Year 12 international entry score guideOfficial source
  10. GCE A Levels entry score guideOfficial source
  11. International Baccalaureate entry score guideOfficial source
  12. Trinity College Foundation Studies entry score guideOfficial source
  13. Official course catalogue and course-specific entry requirementsOfficial source
  14. QS World University Rankings 2027Official source

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Master of Music by Research – at The University of Melbourne: Fees & Entry Requirements