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Research Degrees

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Candidates undertake supervised research projects in composition, musicology, music education, performance and interdisciplinary applied research. Topic areas include Western historical musicology, music analysis, music technology, ethnomusicology, sociology of music, popular music studies, electronic and score-based composition, intercultural studies, SE Asian music, acoustics, Australian Indigenous studies, physiology, psychology, music therapy, music perception and cognition, performance practice, stylistics, and historical interpretation.

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy is awarded by the University to appropriately qualified candidates who have fulfilled a program of research and submitted a thesis. The thesis requirements can be met by a portfolio of musical compositions where the thesis includes prefatory analytical notes for each composition. In the case of a PhD by performance and thesis, a candidate presents three public recitals in addition to the preparation and submission of a thesis.

Intending candidates should refer to the admission and degree requirements in the University of Sydney Statutes and Regulations and the Postgraduate Research Studies Handbook. They should also discuss their application and intended research with the Associate Dean (Graduate Studies) in the first instance.

Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)

The Doctor of Musical Arts program is designed to meet the need for a professional doctorate in music performance, in particular the need to prepare musicians to participate in the professional research culture of a university environment. The course combines high-level performance with rigorous scholarship and writing. More broadly it is designed to assist musicians to prepare for, or advance a career as an innovative and research-based performer.

Candidates undertake units of study in research methods for performance, graduate seminars and performance projects. A completed program of supervised research leading to a substantial public performance and a thesis of 25,000 - 30,000 words, both of which shall be an original contribution to the field of concern.

Master of Music (Applied Research in Music Performance)

The Master of Music (Applied Research in Music Performance) offers candidates broad opportunities for interdisciplinary research at the Conservatorium in the areas of music performance, including psychology of music, music perception and acoustics. It caters specifically for students wishing to enter this field from a music background and requires an undergraduate music degree. This research degree may stand alone or serve as preliminary to PhD study in the discipline.

The aim is to provide training and supervision to students undertaking research into physiological, psychological, sociological, organisational, economic, industrial, perceptual, acoustic or other interdisciplinary aspects of music performance. The degree aims to encourage interdisciplinary approaches to research into music performance and, where appropriate, to foster links with the music profession and arts industry with the aim of promoting excellence in music performance.

Master of Music (Composition)

The Master of Music (Composition) facilitates the development of advanced compositional skills and allow candidates to work on compositions of a length and complexity not possible during undergraduate award programs. Candidates can specialise in areas which include, electronic, electroacoustic, ensemble/orchestral and musical theatre composition.

The program enables students to develop skills in, and an understanding of all aspects of the successful completion of a composition project, and where possible the opportunity to hear their pieces by drawing on the performance resources of the Conservatorium. Candidates are exposed to theoretical, philosophical and sociological aspects of composition.

Master of Music (Music Education)

The Master of Music (Music Education) program consists of two streams of study. The first stream of study is a semester-based series of seminar topics selected from the following six fields: Foundations of Music Education; Comparative Music Education; Curriculum Design for Music Education; Technology in Music Education; Multicultural Studies in Music Education; and Sociology of Music Education.

A concurrently running research stream provides instruction in research methodology which underpins the writing of a thesis, the major component of the degree. The term ‘thesis’ is interpreted loosely in this context, and refers to any form of research-based work approved by the Conservatorium.

Master of Music (Musicology)

The Master of Music (Musicology) aims to train students to become independent scholars in musicology and to communicate their findings in appropriate written and spoken forms. This research degree may stand alone or serve as preliminary to PhD study in the discipline.

Candidature includes units of study in musicological research methods and musical analysis and attendance at musicology research workshops, which supplement classes and individual research to provide a forum for discussion. Candidates are required to present reports of their research in these workshops.

Master of Music (Performance)

The program for the Master of Music (Performance) requires both skills as a performer and those of academic research, including the writing of research-based documentation to support a candidate's repertoire and instrumental or vocal practice. This necessitates an approach that extends the boundaries of musical performance, questions stylistic practices, historicises approaches to performance, proposes new interpretative models for music and incorporates critical and analytical thinking into candidates' performances.

Candidature includes individual lessons together with master classes and performance workshops, and participation in research method and music analysis seminars. On successful completion each candidate will be able to organise and present performances which demonstrate independence of thought, critical powers, interpretative capacities and high potential as a musician and scholar.