Master of Music (Performance) at AMPA

The Master of Music (Performance) at the Academy of Music and Performing Arts is a two-year postgraduate degree for musicians who want to deepen their creative practice, strengthen their professional identity and develop advanced research skills. The program is designed for accomplished graduates and working musicians seeking focused development in a specialist performing-arts environment.

Individual tuition sits at the centre of the AMPA experience. Students receive 18 individual one-hour Principal Study lessons during every semester, working closely with a teacher on their chosen instrument or voice. During the first two stages, students may also take a Second Study with 18 individual 30-minute lessons or select electives that complement their professional goals.

The flexible curriculum allows students to shape their studies around their interests. Elective options can include music theatre, music industry, studio teaching, recording, production and chart writing. This makes the degree suitable for musicians who want to combine performance with another creative or professional strength.

Ensemble study develops the collaborative skills required to rehearse, direct and perform with other musicians. Depending on the ensemble and repertoire, students can build experience in improvisation, transcription, interpretation, sight-reading, accompaniment, rehearsal techniques and ensemble direction. Weekly recorded performance workshops provide further opportunities to perform, receive feedback and develop confidence in a live theatre environment.

Academic study explores musical scholarship, critical inquiry and practice-led research. In the later stages of the degree, students transition into postgraduate research units that develop analytical writing, critical thinking, creative thinking, synthesis and conceptualisation. Students learn to connect their artistic practice with a clearly defined research question and communicate their ideas at an advanced academic level.

Applicants normally need a completed Bachelor of Music or an equivalent undergraduate music degree. Admission includes a performance audition or portfolio presentation followed by an interview. International applicants who cannot attend in Sydney may be invited to complete the audition and interview online or submit recorded material.

Applicants whose previous education was not completed in English normally need an accepted English result. Current direct-entry examples include IELTS 6.0 overall, PTE Academic 50, TOEFL iBT 64 or Cambridge English Advanced 169. Lower scores may be accepted together with an approved English-language pathway. Test results generally need to have been completed within 24 months of the proposed course commencement.

The program runs for four semesters over two years, with postgraduate intakes in January and July.

International tuition is around A$13,100 per semester, giving an indicative total tuition fee of A$52,400 over four semesters. Additional charges include a one-off A$500 application fee and an enrolment fee. Tuition and other charges are reviewed annually, so students should request a current written quotation from Asia Pathway. Living costs, health insurance, visa expenses, accommodation and personal study materials are additional.

Graduates can use the degree to support advanced work in performance, composition, production, studio teaching, arts administration and other creative-industry roles. The research component can also prepare qualified graduates for doctoral study or further academic development. Career and further-study outcomes depend on each student’s specialisation, experience and any additional professional requirements.

Connect with Asia Pathway for more details about this course.