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Study in Australia

Study Music & Performing Arts in Australia

Programs
94
Universities
31
Tuition from
A$19,500

Music, acting, and performing arts are taught at conservatoriums within larger universities and at specialist schools like NIDA, the Australian Institute of Music, and WAAPA at Edith Cowan. Entry is almost always by audition or portfolio.

Cohorts are small and admission is competitive, particularly for acting. Fees vary widely. These programs are chosen for the training and industry connection rather than a migration outcome.

Migration angle. Performing-arts occupations are not on the skilled lists. This field is about the craft and the network, not permanent residence.

Compare Music & Performing Arts programs

The 60 lowest-tuition Music & Performing Arts degrees for international students, of 94 in our dataset. Tuition is the indicative annual international fee; IELTS is the program’s own overall minimum where it sets one, otherwise the university’s institutional minimum. Confirm both on the course page before you apply.

Music & Performing Arts programs for international students at Australian universities, with university, degree level, duration, annual international tuition, and IELTS requirement, sorted by tuition.
UniversityProgramLevelDurationTuition / yrIELTS
TAFE NSWMulti-campusBachelor of Creative Practice (Music Production and Performance)Undergraduate3 yearsA$19,5006.0
Australian Institute of MusicSydneyGraduate Diploma of MusicGraduate1 yearA$20,0006.0
Box Hill InstituteMelbourneBachelor of Music Industry (Major in Performance)Undergraduate3 yearsA$20,0006.0
Box Hill InstituteMelbourneAssociate Degree of Music IndustryUndergraduate2 yearsA$20,4006.0
Australian Institute of MusicSydneyGraduate Certificate in MusicGraduate6 monthsA$23,1006.0
Victoria UniversityMelbourneBachelor of Applied MusicUndergraduate35 monthsA$24,4006.0
TAFE QueenslandMulti-campusBachelor of Creative Industries (Drama and Performance)Undergraduate3 yearsA$25,0006.0
University of MelbourneMelbourneBachelor of Dance (Degree with Honours)Undergraduate1 yearA$25,0006.5
Queensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneBachelor of MusicUndergraduate3 yearsA$25,9006.0
Melbourne PolytechnicMelbourneBachelor of Songwriting and Music ProductionUndergraduate3 yearsA$26,0006.0
Australian Institute of MusicSydneyBachelor of Music (Composition)Undergraduate3 yearsA$26,4006.0
Australian Institute of MusicSydneyBachelor of Music (Creative Technology)Undergraduate3 yearsA$26,4006.0
Australian Institute of MusicSydneyBachelor of Music (Musicology)Undergraduate3 yearsA$26,4006.0
Australian Institute of MusicSydneyBachelor of Music (Performance)Undergraduate3 yearsA$26,4006.0
University of New EnglandArmidaleBachelor of Music with HonoursUndergraduate14 monthsA$26,4006.0
University of CanberraCanberraBachelor of Acting and PerformanceUndergraduate3 yearsA$26,7006.0
Australian Institute of MusicSydneyAssociate Degree of Music (Performance)Undergraduate2 yearsA$27,2006.0
Australian Institute of MusicSydneyAssociate Degree of Music TheatreUndergraduate2 yearsA$27,2006.0
University of CanberraCanberraBachelor of Contemporary Music PracticeUndergraduate3 yearsA$27,2006.0
Australian Institute of MusicSydneyBachelor of Music TheatreUndergraduate3 yearsA$27,5006.0
University of Southern QueenslandToowoombaBachelor of TheatreUndergraduate3 yearsA$28,2006.0
University of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsBachelor of MusicUndergraduate3 yearsA$29,5006.0
Griffith UniversityBrisbane/Gold CoastDoctor of Musical ArtsPhD4 yearsA$30,8006.0
Flinders UniversityAdelaideHBPF Bachelor of Performance (Honours)Undergraduate1 yearA$32,0006.0
Swinburne University of TechnologyMelbourneBachelor of Circus ArtsUndergraduate3 yearsA$32,4006.0
University of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsMaster of Creative ArtsGraduate2 yearsA$32,5006.0
University of WollongongWollongongBachelor of Performance and TheatreUndergraduate3 yearsA$32,6006.0
Victoria UniversityMelbourneBachelor of MusicUndergraduate3 yearsA$32,7006.0
Flinders UniversityAdelaideBachelor of PerformanceUndergraduate3 yearsA$33,4006.0
University of WollongongWollongongBachelor of Creative ArtsUndergraduate3 yearsA$33,6006.5
Griffith UniversityBrisbane/Gold CoastBachelor of MusicUndergraduate3 yearsA$34,0006.5
University of WollongongWollongongDoctor of Creative ArtsPhD4 yearsA$34,0007.0
Western Sydney UniversitySydneyBachelor of MusicUndergraduate3 yearsA$34,8006.5
University of MelbourneMelbourneMaster of DanceGraduate1.5 yearsA$35,3006.5
University of QueenslandBrisbaneMaster of MusicGraduate1.5 yearsA$35,5006.5
CQUniversity AustraliaMulti-campusBachelor of Music (Specialisation)Undergraduate3 yearsA$36,0006.0
CQUniversity AustraliaMulti-campusBachelor of Theatre (Specialisation)Undergraduate3 yearsA$36,0006.0
University of Western AustraliaPerthDoctor of Musical ArtsPhD3 yearsA$38,4006.5
University of Western AustraliaPerthMaster of Music (Research)Graduate1 yearA$38,4006.0
Griffith UniversityBrisbane/Gold CoastBachelor of ActingUndergraduate3 yearsA$38,5007.0
Griffith UniversityBrisbane/Gold CoastBachelor of Musical TheatreUndergraduate3 yearsA$38,5006.5
University of QueenslandBrisbaneBachelor of Music (Honours)Undergraduate1 yearA$38,9006.5
National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA)SydneyMaster of Fine Arts (Writing for Performance)Graduate2 yearsA$40,0006.5
University of MelbourneMelbourneMaster of Theatre (Voice)Graduate1.5 yearsA$40,4006.5
University of SydneySydneyGraduate Diploma in Music (Opera)Graduate1 yearA$40,5007.0
Edith Cowan UniversityPerthBachelor of Creative and Performing Arts HonoursUndergraduate1 yearA$40,7006.0
Edith Cowan UniversityPerthBachelor of MusicUndergraduate4 yearsA$40,7006.0
Edith Cowan UniversityPerthBachelor of Music HonoursUndergraduate1 yearA$40,7006.0
Edith Cowan UniversityPerthBachelor of Performing ArtsUndergraduate3 yearsA$40,7006.0
Edith Cowan UniversityPerthMaster of Arts (Performing Arts)Graduate2 yearsA$40,7006.0
Queensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneBachelor of Creative Arts (Acting)Undergraduate3 yearsA$40,7006.5
University of MelbourneMelbourneMaster of MusicGraduate2 yearsA$40,7006.5
UNSW SydneySydneyMaster of DesignGraduate2 yearsA$40,7006.5
Griffith UniversityBrisbane/Gold CoastMaster of MusicGraduate1.5 yearsA$41,0006.0
National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA)SydneyBachelor of Fine Arts (Costume)Undergraduate3 yearsA$41,0006.5
National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA)SydneyBachelor of Fine Arts (Properties and Objects)Undergraduate3 yearsA$41,0006.5
National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA)SydneyBachelor of Fine Arts (Technical Production)Undergraduate3 yearsA$41,0006.5
National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA)SydneyMaster of Fine Arts (Directing)Graduate2 yearsA$41,0006.5
Queensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneBachelor of Creative IndustriesUndergraduate3 yearsA$41,0006.0
University of TasmaniaHobart/LauncestonAssociate Degree in MusicUndergraduate2 yearsA$41,3006.0

Figures are approximate, drawn from this site’s database and each program’s official course page, and change annually. A dash means the figure is not published at program level.

Typical entry requirements

Entry to a bachelor degree needs a completed senior secondary qualification (or a recognised foundation year) that meets the university's minimum, plus an English test, usually IELTS 6.0 to 6.5 (PTE Academic 50 to 58). Entry to a postgraduate coursework degree needs a relevant bachelor degree, often with a credit average, and IELTS 6.5 (PTE 58). Registration-based fields (nursing, teaching, psychology, architecture) set higher English bars and additional requirements. Always confirm the exact requirements for the specific program.

Music & Performing Arts in Australia: common questions

Do I need to audition to study music or acting in Australia?

Almost always. Performance programs require a live or recorded audition; some also want a written application or interview. Music production and music business programs may accept a portfolio instead.

Related

Program counts and tuition figures are drawn from this site’s database and are approximate. This is general information, not admissions or migration advice.

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