Are you looking to study music at the University of Sydney?
The Sydney Conservatorium of Music is one of Australia’s leading music schools offering a range of courses to meet your interests and career goals.
Below are answers to frequently asked questions about the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
Undergraduate degrees:
Postgraduate degrees:
Postgraduate research:
Yes. Students may be eligible to broaden their expertise through the shared pool of majors and minors. This allows you to follow your interests and study music or another field outside your primary degree.
There are also a range of combined degree and double major degree options available which allow you to combine your interests.
Applications to the Sydney Conservatorium of Music open annually through UAC, typically in the first half of the year. Visit this page to find the latest information on when applications open, key deadlines, and when courses begin.
Prospective students of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music are encouraged to begin planning at least 6–12 months before applying. This allows enough time to prepare for auditions, interviews, and portfolio requirements for music programs at the University of Sydney.
The Diploma of Music is an alternative entry pathway for students who are not offered a place in a Bachelor of Music degree.
You cannot apply directly for the Diploma. Instead:
No. The Bachelor of Music (Performance) is a specialist performance degree. Students focus on one primary instrument or voice, as developing professional performance skills requires many hours of dedicated practice.
If you audition successfully on multiple instruments, you will need to choose the instrument you want to specialise in.
Admission to the Sydney Conservatorium of Music requires an Australian Year 12 qualification (ATAR or equivalent) or an international secondary school qualification.
In some cases, high achievement in auditions and portfolio admission may allow for some flexibility in academic requirements for domestic students through the Creative Arts Special Admission Scheme (CASAS).
Postgraduate applicants must hold a recognised undergraduate degree in music or equivalent professional experience.
Did you get a lower ATAR than expected? Don’t worry, there are other options. Below are the recommended pathways for admissions at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
International students apply through the University of Sydney admissions system. You must:
Note: Online auditions are available for students outside Australia.
Contemporary Music Practice is not listed as a separate course in UAC. Instead, Contemporary Music Practice is a program area within the Bachelor of Music.
How to apply:
Other Bachelor of Music programs include:
Composition for Creative Industries is a program area within the Bachelor of Music, not a separate course in UAC.
To update your application:
Note: The Bachelor of Music (Composition) is a separate course.
Students who complete the Diploma of Music may be able to transition into the Bachelor of Music.
Requirements to transition:
Both programs at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music at the University of Sydney focus on music creation, but they prepare students for different industry contexts.
Composition for Creative Industries (CCI) focuses on professional creative practice. Students learn to:
Digital Music Composition (DMC) focuses on electronic and computer-based music production, including:
You can study both within the Bachelor of Music. One program will be your primary studies, while the other can be taken as a minor.
Entry to the Conservatorium is by audition. If applying in undergraduate or postgraduate coursework*, you must apply for your chosen course and register an audition.
If applying in classical voice or opera, you will also interview.
*Postgraduate research degrees do not require an audition application. A separate pre-screen application is required, more information is available here.
Across three rounds in July, September and December. Visit the below pages for the latest audition dates and application deadlines:
Audition results are usually sent about 10 days after the audition period ends.
You will receive your result through the ACCEPTD audition portal, where your audition application was submitted.
If you missed the July audition round, you can still participate in September. If applying for undergraduate entry, no additional auditions are scheduled after these rounds. Similarly with the December (postgraduate) round, no more auditions can be accepted after December.
Audition dates are fixed because they must align with teaching schedules and admissions timelines, so it’s important to apply early.
Reviewing the audition guide will help you understand the selection criteria and expectations.
The guide includes:
Through the generosity of our donors and benefactors, the Sydney Conservatorium of Music annually awards up to $2 million in merit, equity and travel scholarships.
The University also has a range of scholarships available for domestic and international students, including the MySydney program.
Yes! Our travel scholarships support international study and performance opportunities, helping students expand your artistic skills, deepen your musical expertise, and develop cultural competence.
The Creative Arts Special Admission Scheme (CASAS) helps domestic students, currently undertaking a recognised Year 12, gain admission based on their creative ability and audition performance.
Visit this page for more information and how to apply.
There’s more than one way to gain entry to your dream degree at the University of Sydney.
Our admission pathways, entry schemes and programs help you make the most of your ATAR by recognising your circumstances, high school achievements and other abilities and activities.
The Sydney Conservatorium of Music is located in Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden precinct in the Sydney CBD, near Circular Quay and the Sydney Opera House.
From Semester 1, 2027, several units of study within the Contemporary Music Practice, Composition for Creative Industries and Digital Music Composition programs of the Bachelor of Music will be delivered from a new dedicated teaching and research space in Parramatta, Western Sydney. More information here.
Sydney Conservatorium of Music students have access to:
Our venues are available for hire by students and staff of the University of Sydney, music and production companies, schools, community groups and members of the general public. More information available here.
Performance is embedded throughout all performance degrees at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music to prepare students for professional careers.
Music students regularly perform in:
Learn more about performance ensembles and opportunities.
