If you dream of a career as a Songwriter, Recording Artist, Session Musician, or if you want to work as a Music Director, Composer, Music Teacher or Music Arranger, the Music Performance course is for you.
The Music Performance course balances creative, technical and industry-related skills, with a focus on contemporary music performance and songwriting. Working closely with our ARIA award-winning teaching staff and a wide range of industry professionals, you will extensively develop your ability in solo and collaborative music performance, music analysis, songwriting and technical musicianship.
Music Performance students choose one area of specialisation: vocal, instrumental or singer/songwriter. All students are mentored in this specialisation by industry experts and also receive a one-on-one weekly lesson in their main instrument. You will also work alongside students from other courses to gain a well-rounded understanding of processes involved in the music industry.
This course can also be studied as part of the Bachelor of Arts (Music) + Bachelor of Applied Business (Entertainment Management) double degree.
Collarts offers two qualifications within the Music Performance course, a Bachelor of Arts (Music) and a Diploma of Arts (Music). The Diploma is embedded within the Bachelor Degree.
The Diploma consists of the first 2 trimesters of the 6 trimester Degree. Students may receive an offer into the Diploma or Bachelor Degree depending on their application and/or entry requirements. If students apply for, or receive an offer for the Diploma course, they may use the Diploma as a pathway into the Bachelor Degree. If they successfully pass the Diploma level qualification, they may then begin the Bachelor Degree in the 3rd trimester should they so choose.
If students apply for, or receive an offer for the Bachelor Degree, they must complete all 6 trimesters including trimesters 1 and 2, which are also considered a part of the embedded Diploma. If a student enrols into the Bachelor Degree and chooses to finish the course at the end of their 2nd trimester and they have successfully completed both trimesters, they may exit the course with the Diploma level qualification. Students enrolled in the Diploma and Degree will have classes together in the first two trimesters of their course.
Please see course matrix above, outlining the embedded Diploma within the Bachelor degree.
The Bachelor of Arts (Music) balances creative, technical and industry-related skills, with a focus on contemporary music performance and songwriting. The Degree can be completed in six trimesters (two years) of full-time study. Throughout the course, students will:
Throughout the Degree, you will:
FEE-HELP available to eligible students (no upfront fees), learn more here.
The Diploma of Arts (Music) balances fundamental creative, technical and industry-related skills, with a focus on contemporary music performance and songwriting. The diploma can be completed in two trimesters of full-time study and you have the opportunity to progress into the Bachelor Degree (subject to academic performance).
Throughout the Diploma, you will:
FEE-HELP available to eligible students (no upfront fees), learn more here.
The Bachelor and Diploma of Arts (Music) are delivered at the Wellington Street and Brunswick Street Campuses and is
Applicants must complete an audition. The audition process will assess musicianship skills and the applicant’s aptitude and understanding of their chosen course of study.
Bachelor of Arts (Music)
Diploma of Arts (Music)
For intake dates, duration and links to learn more, click here.
To be eligible to apply for Collarts' Bachelor Degrees, you need to have successfully completed ONE of the following:
To be eligible to apply for Collarts' Diplomas, you need to have successfully completed ONE of the following:
If none of the above qualifications have successfully been completed, applicants must be 20 years of age or older with 2 years of work experience to apply.
Collarts does not have subject prerequisites and does not require a minimum ATAR rank.
For more information on FEE-HELP, Fees and Tuition Assurance, click here.
For more information on International Student Fees, click here.
Admissions Requirements
ALL APPLICANTS: must complete an audition and interview. The audition and interview process will assess musicianship skills and the applicant’s aptitude and understanding of their chosen course of study.
• Performance: As part of the audition process, applicants will perform two contrasting pieces which
demonstrate their ability and style as a performer. These pieces may be performed solo, but the use of
accompanist(s), or a quality backing track, is preferred. Applicants should bring all elements required for their performance (instrument, guitar leads etc) to the audition.
• Music Theory: Applicants will be asked to complete a short written music theory test, to assess their
level of understanding. It is not a pass/
placed in upon successful audition.
• Interview: The audition will conclude with a short informal interview to discuss an applicant’s experience in the creative industry and areas of interest.
Diploma – Applicants are required to successfully complete VCAL, VCE, IB or state/international year 12 equivalent. If students have not completed the year 12 requirements, they must be at least 20 years of age. The diploma can be used as a pathway into the Bachelor degree. There
Bachelor – Applicants are required to successfully complete VCE, IB or state/international year 12 equivalent. VCAL students are not eligible for the Bachelor until they have successfully completed the diploma. If students have not completed the year 12 requirements, they must be at least 20 years of age. There
Course Intake Dates: We run 3 intakes throughout the year, February, May, and September. Please see our Course Dates page for more information.
How To Apply
Non-Year 12 applicants may apply directly on the website, and a Future Student Coordinator will be in touch to arrange an interview.
Year 12 applicants MUST apply through VTAC. VTAC opens in August each year. Place the appropriate Collarts course into one of your preferences and a Future Student Coordinator will be in touch to arrange an interview.
