5 things you didn't know about the Con
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
Our Diploma of Music offers programs in Classical Performance, Jazz Studies, Composition, Contemporary Music, Digital Music and Media, Composition for Creative Industries, Historical Performance and Chinese instrumental performance.
Studying the Diploma of Music at the Sydney Conservatorium will provide you with vocational training in music skills at a high level if you are aspiring to a professional career in music performance or in music technology. It is also a great pathway to our internationally regarded Bachelor of Music degrees.
Subject areas
Composition; Contemporary Music Practice; Historical Performance; Jazz Performance; Non-orchestral Instrument Performance; Orchestral Instrument Performance; Voice (classical) Performance
Shared pool
Admission, fees and how to apply
Depends on your qualification, citizenship status
The details on this page based on your selections are a guide only, and are subject to change.
English language proficiency
Find out if you need to prove English language proficiency (depends on your country of origin and educational background).
Your fee
How to apply
The Diploma of Music is offered to certain candidates after applying and auditioning for a Bachelor course:
- Click apply above to make a course application
- Register an audition with the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
Or email con.apply@sydney.edu.au if you are interested in the Diploma only rather than a Bachelor degree.
Closing dates
Direct applicants:
Semester 1 - 31 October of the preceding year
Semester 2 - 3 August
UAC applicants: Refer to the UAC website
Commencing semesters
Semester 1 (February)
Semester 2 (August) in the following principal study areas:
- Orchestral performance
- Non-orchestral performance (Classical piano; Collaborative piano; Classical guitar; Organ; Classical saxophone)
- Historical Performance
- Non-western music
- Drum set
The Diploma of Music is offered to certain candidates after applying and auditioning for a Bachelor course:
- Click apply above to make a course application
- Register an audition with the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
Or email con.apply@sydney.edu.au if you are interested in the Diploma only rather than a Bachelor degree.
Closing dates
Direct applicants:
Semester 1 - 31 October of the preceding year
Semester 2 - 3 August
UAC applicants: Refer to the UAC website
We strongly encourage international applicants to apply as early as possible to allow time for visa and travel arrangements.
Commencing semesters
Semester 1 (February)
Semester 2 (August) in the following principal study areas:
- Orchestral performance
- Non-orchestral performance (Classical piano; Collaborative piano; Classical guitar; Organ; Classical saxophone)
- Historical Performance
- Non-western music
- Drum set
What you'll study
In addition to weekly classes/lessons in your principal study area or program, you will complete three semesters of music skills, some analysis and music history studies as well as either performance, contemporary studies, digital and music technology skills or composition options depending on your specialisation.
Applying for admission
To gain entry, applicants will need:
- a secondary education qualification such as the NSW Higher School Certificate (including national and international equivalents), or approved higher education study, including approved preparation courses
- English language requirements where these are not demonstrated by sufficient qualifications taught in English
- pass the audition requirement.
Alternatively, applicants may be granted admission on the basis of:
- having successfully undertaken tertiary studies in music at or above Diploma level to the equivalent of at least one year of study.
Admission pathways are open to domestic applicants on the basis of equity or other adjustment factors, including for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants. For details, visit admission pathways.
Credit for previous study
If you’ve already completed university-level or equivalent subjects, you may be able to apply for credit for previous study.
Assumed knowledge
HSC Music 1 or equivalent music skills.
Course opportunities
All students at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music participate in masterclasses with visiting artists, public recitals and performances in world class venues.
Students may participate in international performance tours each year and may undertake exchange study at an overseas university as an integral part of their course.
Graduate opportunities
Graduates of the Diploma of Music are broadly educated musicians able to apply their knowledge, skills and attitudes creatively and flexibly in a variety of music and music-related professions such as:
- Artist agent
- Arts administrator
- Chamber/orchestral musician
- Orchestra manager
- Concert manager
- Concert soloist
- Contemporary musician
- Ethnomusicologist
- Event producer
- Festival or venue manager
- Jazz musician
- Music producer
- Musicologist
- Piano accompanist
- Private studio teacher
The world is changing, and university education needs to change too
Domestic students
International students
