University of Queensland

Graduate Certificate in Music

Delivery: Face to Face
Study Level: Postgraduate
Duration: 12 months
Course Type: Graduate Certificate

Refine your performance, ensemble and studio teaching practice through focused part-time music study, with individual course choices shaped by your artistic background and professional direction.

Course overview

The University of Queensland’s Graduate Certificate in Music offers musicians, educators and creative practitioners an opportunity to deepen their artistic practice through focused postgraduate study. The qualification is designed for those seeking to refine their performance, ensemble or teaching expertise without immediately committing to a full master’s degree.

You can shape your studies around practical performance, ensemble participation and instrumental or vocal studio pedagogy. Workshops, studios and seminars encourage critical reflection on musical practice while supporting the further development of your individual artistic direction. With approval, you may also complete one academically relevant course from music or another discipline, allowing you to connect your studies with broader professional or creative interests.

Delivered face-to-face at UQ’s St Lucia campus, the qualification is completed over one year of part-time study and commences in Semester 1. Admission requires an audition and interview with the School of Music. The graduate certificate may also provide a pathway to UQ’s Master of Music, although students using it for admission will not receive credit towards the master’s program.

CSP Subsidised Fees Available

This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.

Key facts

Delivery

Face to Face

Course Type

Graduate Certificate

Duration

12 months (Part time)

Campus

St Lucia

Intake

22nd February, 2027

Units

Fees

HECS, CSP

What you will study

At UQ, a unit represents the value of individual courses that contribute to the total unit requirements of a program. Most UQ courses have a value of two units, though some may vary depending on the program or course structure.

To earn the Graduate Certificate in Music, you must complete eight units or four courses, as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth two units.

Elective units

Select eight units from the following:

Practical Studies 9
Practical Studies 10
Instrumental and Vocal Studio Pedagogy
Ensemble Studies 9
Ensemble Studies 10

With approval from the Program Convenor, you may replace up to two units with one academically relevant Level 3 or higher course. You must meet any applicable prerequisites and obtain endorsement from the relevant course coordinator

Entry requirements

To be eligible for entry, you'll need:

An audition and interview with the School of Music and;
A bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in music or;
Post-secondary study in music or;
Two years full-time equivalent, relevant work experience.

Applicants must arrange an audition with the School of Music, to take place between 1 September and 30 November of the year preceding admission. Applications based on post-secondary study and/or work experience will be assessed individually and applicants may be required to attend an interview test.

You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.0 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.

Contact the university or visit its website for more information.

Recognition of Prior Learning

You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help to reduce the number of units that you need to study to finish your course. Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Career outcomes

Potential career outcomes include:

Head of Music
Composer
Conductor
Music Therapist
Vocal Performer
Instrumental Performer
Singing Teacher
Music School Coordinator
Music Program Director
Music Researcher

Fees and CSP

Indicative annual fee in 2026: $4,770 (Commonwealth Supported Place)

Indicative annual fees are based on your first year of study.

A student’s annual fee may vary by:

The number of units studied.
Choice of units.
Credit from previous study or work experience.
Eligibility for government-funded loans.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

Commonwealth Supported Places

The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.

If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.

Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.

Your student contribution amount is:

Calculated per the course you're enrolled in.
Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
Reviewed and adjusted each year.