Diploma in Music (Practical) (D-MUS) // Course structure

Course structure

The Diploma in Music (Practical) consists of a sequence of six Music Performance subjects, a set of applied skills electives – which include ensemble and chamber music subjects – and two Academic/Music Studies elective subjects.

The Diploma of Music (Practical) can be completed within a three-year time frame, by taking Academic/Music Studies electives within the breadth component of you main degree. Up to 25 points of Academic and/or Music Studies elective subjects taken within the Bachelor degree (as breadth subjects) can be cross-credited to the Diploma. These 25 points can be taken in any semester, however must be completed no later than the end of year 2. Students must advise the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music which subjects they wish to cross-credit.

Diploma of Music (Practical) students should seek course advice about structuring their academic programs.

SAMPLE COURSE STRUCTURE

David is undertaking a Bachelor of Arts (B-ARTS) with a major in Creative Writing plus a Diploma in Music (Practical) (DipMus) on piano. He is also interested in Psychology and has chosen subjects in this area, as well as Music as Breadth. His sample course plan is:

YEAR 1, Semester 1
B-ARTS - Creative Writing: Ideas and Practice
B-ARTS - Language
B-ARTS - Mind, Brain and Behaviour 1
Breadth - Music Language Studies 1: The Diatonic World
DipMus - Music Performance 1D
DipMus - The Art of Piano Teaching

YEAR 1, Semester 2
B-ARTS - Myth, Art and Empire: Greece and Rome
B-ARTS - International Politics
B-ARTS - Mind, Brain and Behaviour 2
Breadth - Musics of the World
DipMus - Music Performance 2D
DipMus - Alexander Technique for Musicians

YEAR 2, Semester 1
B-ARTS - Creative Non-Fiction
B-ARTS - Poetry
B-ARTS - Biological Psychology
Breadth – Australia in the Wine World
DipMus - Music Performance 3D
DipMus - Piano Duo and Duet

YEAR 2, Semester 2
B-ARTS - Short Fiction
B-ARTS - Egyptian and Near Eastern Mythology
B-ARTS - Cognitive Psychology
Breadth - Remaking the Body
DipMus - Music Performance 4D
DipMus - Piano Duo and Duet

YEAR 3, Semester 1
B-ARTS - Poetry and Poetics
B-ARTS - Novels
B-ARTS - Underworld and Afterlife
Breadth - Music Psychology
DipMus - Music Performance 5D
DipMus - Chamber Music 5

YEAR 3, Semester 2
B-ARTS - Writing for Theatre
B-ARTS - Backgrounds to English Literature
B-ARTS - Encounters with Writing (Capstone subject)
Breadth - Music and Health
DipMus - Music Performance 6D
DipMus - Chamber Music 6

Subject options

First Year

PLUS

Two 6.25 credit point Music Electives (total of 12.5 credit points)

One 12.5 credit point Music Elective, taken within the breadth component of the new generation degree*.

*Two 12.5 credit point Music Electives must be completed no later than the end of year 2. Students may complete these 2 subjects in this timeframe at their discretion.

**All Music Electives can be found listed here.

Second Year

PLUS

Two 6.25 credit point Music Electives (total of 12.5 credit points)

One 12.5 credit point Music Elective, taken within the breadth component of the new generation degree*.

*Two 12.5 credit point Music Electives must be completed no later than the end of year 2. Students may complete these 2 subjects in this timeframe at their discretion.

**All Music Electives can be found listed here.

Third Year

PLUS

Two 6.25 credit point Music Electives (total of 12.5 credit points)

**All Music Electives can be found listed here.

Last updated: 21 February 2025