Degree Structure

Students must outline their program of study on admission and confirm the components of their proposed study, assessment items and relative weighting within the authorised enrolment period. Variation from a proposed program will need the approval of the Convenor.

The program comprises 48 units of coursework and is structured as coursework and an individual program of study. Formal tuition is normally undertaken within the two semester academic program. During the summer/winter vacation, students normally continue with their individual study, as approved by their teacher/supervisor, and may submit academic work at any time.

Areas of Study

There are three Areas of Study - Music Performance, Musicology and Composition. The Areas of Study in each field are designed to be appropriate to the professional practice in that discipline. Therefore there is some diversity in the relationship between different forms of presentation and written/oral assessment requirements, and between taught coursework and projects pursued on an individual basis. For example: Voice students could take part in Opera Australia Extra Chorus, to be documented by videotape, program etc, or undertake ANU operatic language courses as coursework components.

Whilst external components are accepted, the School is unable to support such studies financially.

Music Performance (Including Jazz)
Performance studies must be undertaken in both solo and ensemble contexts, though solo recitals may include accompaniment and chamber music where appropriate and as approved. Students wishing to specialise in chamber music, accompaniment, orchestra or opera may request a variation to the program of study and to the assessment requirements. The following represents a usual program of study.

• Graduate Performance: Individual (24 units)
• Graduate Performance: Ensemble (12 units)
• Individual Study (12 units)

Musicology
The musicology program is designed for those students wishing to undertake a range of specialised musicological studies, leading towards further research in music. Coursework  normally consisting of two semesters of Musicology Seminar and two elective courses chosen from the elective program in musicology. Alternatively, students may incorporate a range of interdisciplinary coursework options, e.g. languages, anthropology, philosophy, Asian studies, Australian studies. The individual project may consist of a research project leading to a thesis of 20,000-25,000 words, or a supervised professional placement in one of the national collecting institutions. Such placement is subject to the agreement of the relevant institution.

• Coursework (24 units)
• Individual project (24 units)

Composition
Composition studies seek to further develop students’ skills, knowledge, creativity and experience in a contemporary context. Taught through studio practice, it leads to a series of works designed according to student needs. The student’s study will be complemented by an individual program which will require relevant written or other documentation as the object of assessment. It normally consists of:

• Graduate Composition Studies: (24 units)
• Graduate Composition Individual Folio: (24 units)

The information published on the Study at ANU 2010 website applies to the 2010 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2009 website.