Admission Requirements - Undergraduate Courses
To gain entry to all courses, including the Diplomas and the combined BMusStudies/BA, applicants will need to:
- Gain an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR).
- Undertake a practical audition or submission, as well as an interview for some specialisations.
- Undertake a written Music Skills test or Jazz Aptitude test.
Applicants without an ATAR from the NSW Higher School Certificate may be granted admission on the basis of equivalent secondary school level qualifications (including overseas qualifications); or on the basis of having successfully undertaken other tertiary studies; or in a special admission category such as mature age entry.
Criteria for admission into Conservatorium undergraduate degrees and diplomas include:
- Demonstrated level of skill or achievement in the applicant’s proposed Principal Study.
- Assessment of the applicant’s ability to succeed in the course they wish to enter.
- Assessment of the applicant’s potential for further development.
In order to assess and rank applicants, the Conservatorium uses the information gained from:
- Auditions.
- Interviews.
- ATAR and / or other measures of academic achievement at secondary school or tertiary level.
- Jazz Aptitude Test for applicants for Jazz Performance Principal Study.
- Submitted portfolios for Composition and Musicology Principal Study.
The selection process is competitive and available places are offered on the basis of merit to the candidates who best meet the above criteria.
In selecting students, the Conservatorium is committed to principles of fairness, equity and anti-discrimination.
Music Skills
Applicants should be aware that prior music skills development is essential for successful study at the Sydney Conservatorium. The Music Skills Test, held at the Conservatorium during the audition/interview period, is designed to assess whether applicants have a sufficient level of music literacy in harmony and aural perception to cope with the demands of the course.
As a guide, the minimum level of skills possessed by applicants should be at the level of the New South Wales Music 2 syllabus (formerly 2 Unit Music) or AMEB Level 6 Musicianship or equivalent. Results of the Music Skills Test are not used to determine admission to courses but to provide information for streaming into Aural and Harmony subjects at enrolment.
Jazz Performance applicants have a Jazz Aptitude Test instead of a Music Skills Test.
English Proficiency
Applicants from non-English speaking backgrounds may be required to sit an English proficiency test. International applicants must meet English language requirements. As a guide, the Conservatorium generally requires an English proficiency of:
TOEFL (Paper based) 575 or better, plus
TWE (Test of Written English) at 4.5 or better
TOEFL (Computer based) 233, Essay Rating 4.5
IELTS Overall band score of 6.5 or better with minimum of 6.0 in each band
Audition / Submission Requirements
Audition/submission criteria for Principal Study at the Major and Minor levels of study are detailed on within the Audition section of this website. They are also available on the Conservatorium’s website.
Audition Videotape / DVD
Where possible, all applicants should attend a live audition at the Sydney Conservatorium. Interstate and overseas applicants who cannot attend in person may submit a standard VHS videotape in PAL format or DVD. These auditions should be sent to the Student Administration Office at the Conservatorium, together with a statement signed by both the applicant and their teacher certifying that it is a true recording. The recordings must be no older than six weeks at the time of despatch.
Accompaniment for live auditions
- Jazz applicants must use Conservatorium accompaniment which is provided without charge.
- Brass, Percussion, Strings (except Guitar) and Woodwind applicants must have accompaniment. These applicants need to arrange their own, either with their usual accompanist or by making a booking with a Conservatorium-accredited accompanist from the list sent with the audition notification letter.
- Voice (Classical) applicants must have accompaniment but may either arrange their own (as for Brass etc above) or use a Conservatorium accompanist for a fee of $50 (incl. GST) payable to the Conservatorium.
Auditions for February entry in 2009 will take place over three sessions:
- 19th September 2008
- 3rd October 2008
- 24th November - 28th November 2008
Students can indicate their preference for one or more of the sessions. However an applicant can only attend one audition per instrument.
Advanced Standing
Applicants who have successfully completed at least one year of Principal Study at a University, may audition for entry into second or third year in Principal Study. Candidates wishing to audition for advanced standing should contact the relevant Chair of Unit to discuss audition requirements.
Music Education interview
Applicants for the Music Education specialisation in the Bachelor of Music [BMus(MusEd)] attend a brief Music Education interview in addition to the Principal Study audition or interview. The interview will be held on the same day as the Principal Study audition/interview. Applicants will receive a Music Education questionnaire with the notification of audition letter. The completed questionnaire must be taken to the Music Education interview along with a resume, references and other supporting material.