Overview
In response to COVID-19, the University of Sydney has reviewed the availability of courses to be delivered remotely for students commencing their studies in 2021 and 2022.
Students commencing this course in 2021 and 2022 are required to commence their studies in-person on campus. Remote study is not available for this course. Applicants will be eligible for admission only if they are able to demonstrate they are physically present in Australia on the date specified in the offer made to them by the University.
About this course
The Sydney Conservatorium of Music has a long tradition of producing singers of exceptional quality for concert and opera stages in Australia and worldwide. Your development as a singer and performer will be mentored and supported to reach your potential by teaching staff who are internationally experienced active performers, teachers and researchers.
At both an undergraduate and graduate level your focus will be on thorough technical and stylistic preparation for imaginative and engaged performance. Interpretative skills are supported by expert tuition in lyric diction as well as separate language classes.
A limited number of Commonwealth Supported Places are available. Complete your application as soon as possible in order to be considered for a place in 2020.
Subject areas
Shared pool
Your entry requirements
English language proficiency
Find out if you need to prove English language proficiency (depends on your country of origin and educational background).
For academic requirements check the ‘Admission requirements’ section on this page.
Your fee
How to apply
- Submit an online application direct to the University of Sydney by clicking apply from this page
- Take note of the application number (IPU or student ID)
- Register audition directly to the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
Applying for a Commonwealth supported place (CSP)
There is no separate application required to apply for a CSP. Once you apply for admission, if you are successful in securing a CSP, you will receive notification via an offer of admission.
A Commonwealth supported place (CSP) is not guaranteed as there are a limited number of CSPs available for postgraduate courses. The number of available CSPs for a course can change each semester/year. CSPs are also not automatically awarded for course transfers and upgrades.
CSPs are awarded for the duration of a course based on academic merit determined by the University and eligibility criteria specified by the Australian Government. Learn more about CSPs. If you do not qualify for a CSP you may be offered a domestic fee-paying place.
Closing dates
Semester 1 - 31 August
We strongly encourage applicants to apply as early as possible, offers are made on a rolling basis and Opera places are limited.
Please check the scholarships website for separate closing dates.
Starting date
Semester 1 (February)
- Submit an online application direct to the University of Sydney by clicking apply from this page
- Take note of the application number (IPU or student ID)
- Register audition directly to the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
Closing dates
Semester 1 - 31 August
We strongly encourage applicants to apply as early as possible, offers are made on a rolling basis and Opera places are limited.
Please check the scholarships website for separate closing dates.
Starting date
Semester 1 (February)
What you'll study
Our opera studies course at graduate level offers intensive focus on core operatic skills in singing, languages, role preparation and repertoire, stagecraft, acting, dance, ensemble, opera history and theatre studies.
Two staged operas with orchestra per year are ideal opportunities for you to immerse yourself in all aspects of the craft of opera, and to acquire experience in singing entire roles.
Applying for admission
- Submit an online application direct to the University of Sydney by clicking apply from this page. International applicants can apply through a University overseas representative (education agent) if they wish
- Take note of the application number (IPU or student ID)
- Register an audition using your application number via the Sydney Conservatorium of Music website.
Entry is by audition, which is held at the Conservatorium. If you are unable to attend in person, you may upload a video audition in the audition application.
Please follow the specific audition requirements in the downloadable PDF, located on the right side of the Conservatorium's admission website.
Completion requirement
To qualify for the award of the Master of Music Studies (Opera Performance) a candidate must complete 96 credit points, including:
(a) Core advanced units of study; and
(b) A capstone experience as described in the handbook.
(c) Candidates may also apply to undertake an optional 12 credit points of research as part of their degree.
Assumed knowledge
Applicants who do not have a recognised tertiary award but who demonstrate an equivalent musical ability and maturity at the audition and interview, and who can show considerable performing experience may be admitted.
Admission requirement
Available places will be offered to qualified applicants in the order in which complete applications are received, and according to the admissions criteria. A successful application for admission to the Master of Music Studies (Opera Performance) requires:
(a) a master's degree in an appropriate discipline as determined by the faculty; or
(b) a pass bachelor's degree with a credit average, or an honours bachelor's degree from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification in an appropriate discipline as determined by the faculty; or
(c) an award of graduate diploma from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification in an appropriate discipline as determined by the faculty; or
(d) completion of the requirements of the embedded graduate diploma in this discipline from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification; and
(e) successful completion of an audition and an interview.
Career Pathways
The Opera Studies program will help you to develop the personal attributes needed for a career in performance, teaching or other fields such as:
- Opera singer
- Concert and Oratorio singer
- Professional Ensemble singer
- Professional Opera Chorus singer
- Singing teacher (primary, secondary, tertiary and/or private)
- Music research/academia
- Broadcaster
- Music writer/blogger/critic
- Artist agent
- Arts administrator
The world is changing, and university education needs to change too
Domestic students
International students
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) available for eligible domestic students
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) are available for this course for eligible domestic students. This means that your course fees are subsidised by the Australian Government and you pay a student contribution amount (SCA). CSP places are limited in number and are allocated based on academic merit.
