Master of Music (Research)

The Master of Music by research is a graduate research degree designed for students to develop their potential for research, contribute to understandings of contemporary practice and theory, and, where relevant, develop mastery in their field of practice.Completion of the Master of Music (Research) signifies that the holder has undertaken a substantial piece of original research, which has been conducted and reported by the holder under proper academic supervision and in a research environment for a prescribed period.Except in the disciplines of Music Psychology, Music Therapy and Musicology/Ethnomusicology;

candidates may submit a folio of compositions or a combination of performance folio and related written project.The Master of Music (Research) is offered in the following discipline areas:CompositionInteractive CompositionJazz & ImprovisationMusic PerformanceMusic PsychologyMusic TherapyMusicology/EthnomusicologySee course structure for submission requirements by discipline.

Course structure

A candidate will have appropriately experienced supervisors and an Advisory Committee who, in consultation with the candidate, arranges a course of supervised research designed to suit the individual requirements and interests of the candidate.

Entry requirements

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:

• a Bachelor of Music (Honours) degree, or equivalent, with at least an H2A (75%) weighted average;

And for:

• Composition: a satisfactory composition folio;
• Interactive Composition: a satisfactory interactive composition folio.
• Music Performance (including conducting); and Jazz & Improvisation: a satisfactory audition;
• Musicology/Ethnomusicology; Music Psychology; Music Therapy and Music Performance: a satisfactory example of scholarly writing.

And:

• A research proposal: see mcm.unimelb.edu.au/study/degrees for details specific to your discipline.

Exceptional applicants, with substantial professional experience and who have completed an undergraduate qualification in a relevant field, can be considered for entry into Master of Music (Research) in the disciplines of Interactive Composition, Jazz & Improvisation and Ethnomusicology without meeting the requirement of completion of an honours degree or equivalent.

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking applications, the selection committee will consider:

• prior academic performance; and
• the research proposal; and
• the composition folio, audition, and/or piece of scholarly writing.

3. The selection committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Selection and Admission into Graduate Research Courses Policy.

4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for graduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance Band 6.5 is required.

For more information on the application process and details of folio, audition, scholarly writing sample and research proposal requirements visit the Study Hub.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

Creative, Intellectual and Organisational Abilities: Students are expected to have the ability to develop problem-solving skills and to comprehend disciplinary and crossdisciplinary information. Students must have the ability to establish study plans and prioritise objectives and outcomes.

Behavioural and Social Attributes: Students must possess behavioural and social attributes that enable them to participate in a complex learning environment. They must take full responsibility for their own participation and learning. Students also contribute to the learning of other students in collaborative environments and must therefore demonstrate a wide range of interpersonal skills which consider the needs of other students. Assessment may include the outcomes of tasks completed in collaboration with other students.

Disability: For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Overview, Objectives and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this course are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Apply the best practices of local, national and international standards in their professional performance in their chosen specialisation;
• Demonstrate specialist knowledge in the area of their research in music;
• Pursue an informed program of independent further study in their chosen area of specialisation in music;
• Provide leadership in the profession in their chosen area of specialisation in music;
• Use current technologies and assimilate the potential of emerging technologies to facilitate and heighten the dissemination of skills, knowledge and information;
• Value and participate in projects requiring team-work;
• Apply the experience gained in their training to the practical needs of society as appropriate.