Courses_
Master of Music Studies (Opera Performance)
Overview
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
Your fee
How to apply
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 make sure you follow the specific audition requirements found in the postgraduate audition requirements PDF located on the right hand 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
Indicative Postgraduate Student Contribution Amount
The student contribution amount for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the amount payable in Year 1 for a standard full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact student contribution that you pay will depend on the calendar year in which you undertake your study, and the specific units of study in which you ultimately enrol. For further information about how to calculate your specific total student contribution, please refer to the University's Tuition Fees website.
Annual review and fee increases
Importantly, student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the University, and will increase each year of your period of study (subject to a Commonwealth specified cap), effective at the start of each calendar year.
Indicative Postgraduate Domestic Tuition Fee
The tuition fee for a domestic postgraduate student is an indication only of the fees payable in Year 1 for a standard full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). Depending on the calendar year in which you undertake your study, and if your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL, your tuition fee will differ from the indicative amount.
Annual review and fee increase
Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review by the University, and will increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.
Additional incidental costs
For some courses there are incidental costs additional to the student contribution and/or course fee. Some of these incidental costs are significant, for example, course-specific materials, tools, protected clothing and equipment. Further information about these costs is available from https://sydney.edu.au/students/materials-and-equipment.html.
Visa/MasterCard/American Express/JCB surcharge
Please note that a surcharge of 1.53% will apply for payments made by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or JCB. The surcharge is subject to review and may change. Information about payment methods and the surcharge is set out at: http://sydney.edu.au/study/finances-fees-costs/fees-and-loans/paying-your-fees.html.
Potential for inaccuracy
Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about fees.
International students
Indicative International Tuition Fees for Postgraduate Students
The tuition fee for international postgraduate students is an indication only of the fees payable in Year 1 for a standard full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). Depending on the calendar year in which you undertake your study, and if your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL, your tuition fee will differ from the indicative amount.
Annual review and fee increases
Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review, and will increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.
Additional incidental costs and health insurance
For some courses there are incidental costs additional to the tuition fees. Some of these incidental costs are significant, for example, course-specific materials, tools, protective clothing, and equipment. Further information about these costs is available from https://sydney.edu.au/students/materials-and-equipment.html. In addition to the fees indicated here for the course of study, International Students studying on an Australian Student Visa must have appropriate health insurance for the duration of their studies on a Student Visa through a government approved provider of the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme. This is a requirement of the Australian Government, unless otherwise exempted by the Government. Further information is available from https://sydney.edu.au/study/finances-fees-costs/living-costs/health-insurance.html.
Visa/MasterCard/American Express/JCB surcharge
Please note that a surcharge of 1.53% will apply for payments made by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or JCB. The surcharge is subject to review and may change. Information about payment methods and the surcharge is set out at: http://sydney.edu.au/study/finances-fees-costs/fees-and-loans/paying-your-fees.html.
Potential for inaccuracy
Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about fees.
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.
