Bachelor of Arts (Music Industry)
Student type:
Quick facts
-
Entry score
-
Duration
Full-time 3 years -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
Next intake
February, JulyEntry score
ATAR 70.45
Duration
Full-time 3 years
Location
Melbourne City
Overview
Take an innovative approach by studying music in local and global contexts. You'll study in the centre of Melbourne, exposing you to thriving local scenes, buskers, bars, clubs, theatres and festivals - in the exciting music capital of Australia.
Through your studies you will explore contemporary trends and issues through a combination of practical, project-based work and academic, theoretical study. You will also learn about key music technologies, global music cultures, popular music scenes, music business practice and live music performance.
Beyond the specifics of the music industries, you will also investigate broader cultural, social and historical perspectives by undertaking a sequence of contextual courses.
You'll be ready for a variety of careers within the music industries and the broader creative industries.
Graduates in this program can expect to work in a diverse range of roles, including artist management, live sound engineering, journalism and teaching.
Details
Course content is delivered by experienced academic staff with many years of industry and research experience. Our on-going teaching staff have first-hand knowledge and experience of music performance, studio recording, international touring, music journalism, event coordination and music business. In addition, the program employs guest lecturers and sessional tutors from cultural organisations, arts bodies and music business. This enables our students to experience the breadth and depth of employment possibilities in the music industries.
All programs are delivered in English. You will have access to online resources through the myRMIT student portal.
Work placements can be taken in broad ranging, music industry-related organisations. The program has established industry links with a wide range of professional and community organisations in Australia. We have formal partnerships with the Mushroom Group, a leader in the recording and publishing industries, and Creative Environment Enterprises, a cutting edge organisation in the field of music sustainability. We also draw on the expertise of the peak advisory body for musicians in Melbourne, Music Victoria.
RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.
This program is studied via a variety of teaching and learning modes, such as lectures, seminars, work integrated learning and problem-solving workshops. The final year involves an industry placement.
Contextual studies
You will study one of five contextual strands as part of your degree program. The five contextual strands are: Asian Media and Culture; Cinema Studies; Politics Economies Communication; Literary Studies; Approaches to Popular Culture.
Electives
Music Industry students can also take advantage of a rich choice of electives offered in the School of Media and Communication, as well as from across the University.
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts (Music Industry) | City Campus |
3 years (6 semesters) full-time
|
3 years (6 semesters) full-time
|
BP047 | 065131G |
Choose a program structure
Program code: BP047
Career
Graduates are employed in a variety of areas within the music industries and the broader creative industries. Completion of the degree offers you the opportunity to find employment in these industries through industry-based projects and placements.
RMIT students experience a high level of employment upon graduation due to their professional skill level. The program provides a broad overview of the music industries, and our graduates work in areas such as:
- live sound engineering
- studio production
- artist management
- event management
- distribution
- promotion
- performance
- marketing
- journalism
- research
- teaching.
Admissions
*ATAR refers to the lowest selection rank to which an offer was made (including consideration of any adjustments) for current and recent year 12 applicants.
RMIT is committed to providing transparency to the admissions process. In line with this commitment, we provide you with information that will help in making informed choices about your undergraduate study options.
RMIT admits students from a range of educational pathways, including Year 12 results, previous higher education or vocational education study, work experience, and for some programs - interviews, auditions or portfolios.
Gain a better understanding of the Admission criteria for this program by viewing RMIT’s Admission information.
The highest level of education you have previously completed will determine which category applies to you.
Entry to this program is competitive. Applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement, e.g., ATAR or GPA (including any adjustments).
Applicants with recent secondary education (current or within the past two years)
Successful completion of an Australian Year 12 senior secondary certificate of education or equivalent in 2016, 2017 or 2018. If applicable, this includes equity access schemes and any other adjustment factors.
School Network Access Program (SNAP)
The SNAP access scheme is designed to increase tertiary access and participation of eligible students from SNAP partner schools.
Applicants with Vocational Education and Training study
Satisfactory completion of an Australian Certificate IV or above (or equivalent).
Applicants with Higher Education study
Satisfactory completion of at least two courses (subjects) at an Australian undergraduate level (or overseas equivalent).
Applicants with Work and Life Experience
Successful completion of an Australian senior secondary certificate of education (Year 12) or overseas equivalent.
Prerequisites: VCE Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL (or equivalent) or achieve an overall score of at least 155 in the STAT multiple choice.
If you are not studying year 12 in 2018 you must submit:
- a personal statement outlining your:
- reasons for wanting to study this program
- awareness of current music industry issues
- career aspirations
- evidence of any music performance, production or other relevant industry experience. Evidence may include YouTube, Sound Cloud or other website links.
For collaborative work, applicants must detail their role, and the role of the collaborator(s).
Applicants studying year 12 in 2018 will be considered on the basis of academic achievement, e.g. ATAR.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
The Indigenous Access Program will support your application into RMIT programs through an informal interview process with support from the Ngarara Willim Centre. Your relevant life, work, educational and training experience as preparation for study, in addition to any formal qualifications, are all considered.
Elite Athlete Program
The RMIT Elite Athlete Program (REAP) supports elite athlete and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence.
You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent senior secondary school qualification) with a minimum 65% average (check calculator below).
For information on international qualifications and corresponding entry requirements that are equivalent to an Australian Year 12, see the Entry requirements by country web page.
Equivalent qualifications may also include completion of the RMIT Foundation Studies program or a recognised post secondary diploma in the relevant discipline with the required grades.
Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee entry. Your application will still need to be assessed and accepted.
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
- TOEFL (Paper Based Test): minimum score of 580 (TWE 4.5)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component.
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Pathways
Graduates of the following programs may be eligible to apply for exemptions:
- Advanced Diploma of Music Industry (Sound Production)
- A Diploma or Advanced Diploma of music - practical, sound production, music business (available at other institutions) or equivalent.
Fees
In 2019, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$6,566 to AU$10,958*.
* Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.
Additional expenses
Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$303 maximum fee for 2019.
Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
Learn more about fees for undergraduate study.
Defer your payment
You may be eligible to apply for a HECS-HELP loan, which can be used to defer payment of up to the full amount of your student contribution fees. You may also be eligible to apply to defer payment of your SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme.
All undergraduate and honours degrees have Commonwealth supported places (CSP) available. In 2019, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$6,566 to AU$10,958.
In a CSP, your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your share of the fee (student contribution) is set each year by the Australian Government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of the courses in which you enrol, not the overall program.
How much can I expect to pay for my Commonwealth supported place?
Courses (subjects) fall into one of three bands. The band determines the student contribution amount for the course.
Amounts listed in the table below are based on a standard, full-time study load (96 credit points per year) with all courses in the same band. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load or for enrolment in courses (subjects) from a combination of bands.
You can learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees for units from different bands at fees for Commonwealth supported students.
Maximum student contribution amount for Commonwealth supported places in 2019
Student contribution band by course (subject) |
Maximum annual student contribution amount in 2019 |
Band 1: humanities, behavioural science, social studies, clinical psychology, foreign languages, visual and performing arts, education, nursing |
$6,566 per standard year |
Band 2: mathematics, statistics, computing, built environment, other health, allied health, science, engineering, surveying, agriculture |
$9,359 per standard year |
|
$10,958 per standard year |
HECS-HELP Loans
The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the HECS-HELP loan scheme, which allows eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) to defer payment of up to the full amount of their student contribution.
SA-HELP Loans
You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.
How does a HELP loan work?
If your HECS-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to the full amount of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You will only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying).
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.
The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2019 is $303.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
The annual tuition fee for 2019 is AU$28,800.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2019 commencement is AU$89,280.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
- Some programs incur additional expenses.
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living ;in Melbourne.



