Diploma of Music
Do you see yourself on stage in front of thousands?Producing beats and EDM hits?
Working in a studio producing records?
Building and designing your own live events?
Then studying Music as SAE is where you need to be.
Available at
Adelaide,
Brisbane,
Byron Bay,
Melbourne,
Perth,
Sydney
Fees
Diploma of Music
International Fees
Indicative Total Course Fees*
$29,020 AUD
* The Indicative Total Course Fee reflects the students are charged fees on a per unit basis and the fee for a unit may increase.
Duration(s)
2 Trimesters Full Time (Fast Track)
Complete your course faster by studying the course units over approximately 7 months (2 trimesters).
Diploma of Music
Course Durations
2 Trimesters Full Time (Fast Track)
Complete your course faster by studying the course units over approximately 7 months (2 trimesters).
3 Trimesters Full Time
Whilst still classified as a full-time study load, you will complete the course units over one year. (3 trimesters)
Part-time option available
If you want to take a little longer, that’s ok too. We’ll help you work out the best study load to suit your needs.
Note: Part-time is not available for international students.
We understand that things can change, so you'll have the flexibility to change your study load throughout your course if you need to.
Start Date(s)
September 2023
Diploma of Music
Start Dates
Adelaide
September 2023
February 2024
May 2024
Brisbane
September 2023
February 2024
May 2024
Byron Bay
September 2023
February 2024
May 2024
Melbourne
September 2023
February 2024
May 2024
Perth
September 2023
February 2024
May 2024
Sydney
September 2023
February 2024
May 2024
Entry Requirements
Diploma of Music
Domestic Entry Requirements
Domestic students must meet one of the following criteria:
Completion of a Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (QCE, WACE, HSC, SACE, etc) (like your Year 12 certificate or equivalent); OR
Completion of a Certificate III level qualification, or higher, issued under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF); OR
Diploma of Music
International Entry Requirements
International Entry Requirements
Minimum age requirements
International students seeking admission to SAE must be 18 years of age OR must be turning 18 during their first trimester of studies at SAE.
Academic requirements
Successful completion of secondary school studies (assessed as an equivalent of Australian Year 12 secondary studies). Minimum overall pass is required.
English language requirements
International English Language Testing System (IELTS): An overall score of 5.5 or higher with no individual band lower than 5.0 (only the Academic Test is accepted), OR
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 63 overall (internet-based test); OR
Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic score of 36 or higher, OR
Completion of Year 12 English in an Australian secondary school or college or equivalent with a minimum result of “Satisfactory” or equivalent.
DIPLOMA OF MUSIC
The Diploma of Music, nested within the Bachelor of Music, builds the foundational skills underpinning a successful career in today’s modern music industry. You’ll learn and apply theoretical knowledge and best practices while accessing studios with cutting-edge equipment.
You’ll develop foundational and generalized skills in songwriting, music production, electronic music production, music industry and collaborative music making.
Through hands-on training, we’ll help you amplify your talents, refine your skills and sharpen your craft in a matter of months. You’ll be guided by master lecturers who will mentor you in all key areas, while also giving you great insight into the music industry.
Upon completion, you will be eligible for up to 80 credit points towards the Bachelor of Music.
Career Outcomes
What jobs will this course lead me into?
- Studio composer
- Music Producer
- Music Technician
- Artist and Repertoire Scout
- Music and Sound Designer
- Voice over Recordist/Engineer
Michael Weir
"There’s so much to enjoy about studying at SAE, like the expert advice you get from the lecturers every day. The studios are incredible, and it’s an exciting place where everyone’s got a creative mindset. They’re following their passions and their dreams, so it’s got a really nice vibe to it." SAE Alumni | Current Job: Professional Musician
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Bill Day
“Studying at SAE provided me with a structure, and connected a lot of the dots, so when I went out into the industry and an engineer started talking about live sound, I was able to understand that because of the rounded education I got from my time at SAE.” SAE Alumni | Current Job: DJ Bill Day AKA Mr Bill
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Why study a Diploma of Music at SAE?
Develop your craft in the music styles you love - write and record your songs/compositions and explore music productions in small and large studio environments.
Get in-depth knowledge of the music industry with practical, collaborative, industry standard mentoring and develop business acumen/entrepreneurial ideas.
Realise your artistic vision and identity as a musical artist through experimentation and exploration of stagecraft, various music making contexts and current and emerging technologies.
Get a range of approaches to learning and teaching - virtual and on-campus that provides flexibility, real-world application and support for students.
Learn in world class studio environments
Advanced-techniques and strategies to use software adopted by the industry - like Ableton, Pro Tools, and Logic.
Practical, immersive training
Learn as you collaborate on real-world projects and briefs. Build a portfolio to share with an employer or first client.
Creative collaboration
Create music for games film/screen and for live performances by collaborating with SAE students from other creative areas.
Pathway to a Bachelor qualification
Completing one of the three stages of the Bachelor of Music, this course provides an excellent pathway for continued study.
You'll be learning on industry leading equipment and software
YOUR CAREER IN MUSIC BEGINS NOW
What you'll learn
Foundational skills for composing music and lyrics
Recording, sampling, sequencing and synthesis
Experiment with project design and content for creative media
Composing or arranging original music
We consult closely with industry professionals so you can expect a course that’s highly relevant and equips you with sought-after skills. Some of our partners include:
Course Structure
The Diploma of Music is nested within the Bachelor of Music and shares the first stage which provides foundational learning and applied skill.
Stage 1: Foundational skills development
In Stage I, students will undertake a number of foundational modules which will give students the essential technical skills and knowledge not only relevant to the chosen discipline area but also a second area of interest. Alongside this, students develop an understanding of the creative process, project design and management, core communication practices in academic and industry contexts, ownership, distribution, and copyright in the creative industries. Students will also undertake deliberate practice and weekly rituals including reflective journaling that will assist students in identifying the skills, knowledge, and behaviours required to develop their creative media practice throughout their studies.
Credit points: 10
Thinking about Audio will introduce you to creative and scholarly thinking in your discipline. By examining leading thinkers and movements in your discipline, you will develop an understanding of key practical and transferable skills that will enable you to develop a deeper understanding of the learning process, research, and the nature of creativity and scholarship. This forms an essential foundation for your studies and your future career by fostering your skill as an independent learner and reflective practitioner.
Thinking about Audio will introduce you to creative and scholarly thinking in your discipline. By examining leading thinkers and movements in your discipline, you will develop an understanding of key practical and transferable skills that will enable you to develop a deeper understanding of the learning process, research, and the nature of creativity and scholarship. This forms an essential foundation for your studies and your future career by fostering your skill as an independent learner and reflective practitioner.
Credit points: 10
This unit will help you develop foundational skills for composing music and lyrics effectively, and effectively and communicating musical concepts in different forms. You will learn to identify, employ and communicate music theory concepts including rhythm, harmony, melody, notation, structure, form, texture and genre, for application in your own creative work. Through iteration, peer review and mentor feedback, students will develop their songwriting skills through the development of several projects culminating in several pieces of music that form the beginnings of a portfolio of works.
This unit will help you develop foundational skills for composing music and lyrics effectively, and effectively and communicating musical concepts in different forms. You will learn to identify, employ and communicate music theory concepts including rhythm, harmony, melody, notation, structure, form, texture and genre, for application in your own creative work. Through iteration, peer review and mentor feedback, students will develop their songwriting skills through the development of several projects culminating in several pieces of music that form the beginnings of a portfolio of works.
Credit points: 10
This unit introduces you to core skills and concepts of electronic music production. You will work on a range of music projects to develop skills in recording, sampling, sequencing and synthesis. You will develop your abilities across contemporary tools and technologies to produce original music in a DAW using a combination of MIDI and audio manipulation. You will also learn how to produce a variety of sounds to satisfy a brief and add effects to enhance the sonic qualities of your productions.
This unit introduces you to core skills and concepts of electronic music production. You will work on a range of music projects to develop skills in recording, sampling, sequencing and synthesis. You will develop your abilities across contemporary tools and technologies to produce original music in a DAW using a combination of MIDI and audio manipulation. You will also learn how to produce a variety of sounds to satisfy a brief and add effects to enhance the sonic qualities of your productions.
Credit points: 10
This unit introduces you to core skills and concepts of studio and analogue music production. Across a range of projects, you will develop skills around microphone techniques, analogue signal flow and engineering techniques, recording and mixing. You will develop your abilities across contemporary tools and technologies to produce original music in a DAW using studio production techniques. You will also learn how to produce a variety of sounds to satisfy a brief and add effects to enhance the sonic qualities of your productions.
This unit introduces you to core skills and concepts of studio and analogue music production. Across a range of projects, you will develop skills around microphone techniques, analogue signal flow and engineering techniques, recording and mixing. You will develop your abilities across contemporary tools and technologies to produce original music in a DAW using studio production techniques. You will also learn how to produce a variety of sounds to satisfy a brief and add effects to enhance the sonic qualities of your productions.
Credit points: 10
This unit will introduce you to the mindset and skillset of the creative entrepreneur, and transform your approach to problem-solving. You will analyse historical and contemporary models of leadership and best practice in entrepreneurship, and use tools for project design that include ideation, problem framing, and pitching. The skills in this unit will assist you in developing your creative thinking, exploration, and experimentation methods, allowing you to experiment with project design and content for creative media.
This unit will introduce you to the mindset and skillset of the creative entrepreneur, and transform your approach to problem-solving. You will analyse historical and contemporary models of leadership and best practice in entrepreneurship, and use tools for project design that include ideation, problem framing, and pitching. The skills in this unit will assist you in developing your creative thinking, exploration, and experimentation methods, allowing you to experiment with project design and content for creative media.
Credit points: 10
The music industry is a complex and multifaceted creative marketplace. An understanding of the fundamental operations of the business side of the music industry is essential for budding artists, managers or entrepreneurs to be able to forge a successful career.
In this unit you will be introduced to the global music business and discover the roles and responsibilities of practitioners, the networks available and the business opportunities that exist. You will also study the trends within technology and media that has an impact on the industry. Finally, you will plan for your future career by identifying career aspirations, targeting goals and developing a professional development plan.
The music industry is a complex and multifaceted creative marketplace. An understanding of the fundamental operations of the business side of the music industry is essential for budding artists, managers or entrepreneurs to be able to forge a successful career.
In this unit you will be introduced to the global music business and discover the roles and responsibilities of practitioners, the networks available and the business opportunities that exist. You will also study the trends within technology and media that has an impact on the industry. Finally, you will plan for your future career by identifying career aspirations, targeting goals and developing a professional development plan.
Credit points: 10
Understanding musical genres is a core skill for successful songwriters and music producers. This module builds on your knowledge of music with a focus on musical genres and styles, genre structure, texture, melody, harmony, and rhythm, as well as aspects of history and social connections.
Knowledge of musical genres is developed through a broad range of activities and projects incorporating analytical listening, transcription, group performance and composition within the specific genres.
Understanding musical genres is a core skill for successful songwriters and music producers. This module builds on your knowledge of music with a focus on musical genres and styles, genre structure, texture, melody, harmony, and rhythm, as well as aspects of history and social connections.
Knowledge of musical genres is developed through a broad range of activities and projects incorporating analytical listening, transcription, group performance and composition within the specific genres.
Credit points: 10
In Music Studio 1 you will learn the professional application of a range of songwriting and music production techniques. This includes working with other producers, writers, performers and external musicians to produce a recording, contributing to a sample library, remixing an existing track and working to a commercial client brief. These activities will require you to be adaptive, respond to challenges, solve problems, be self-directed and successfully communicate with others. Through working in these applied contexts, you will deepen your knowledge of songwriting and music production, so that you can respond creatively to a fast-turnaround brief.
In Music Studio 1 you will learn the professional application of a range of songwriting and music production techniques. This includes working with other producers, writers, performers and external musicians to produce a recording, contributing to a sample library, remixing an existing track and working to a commercial client brief. These activities will require you to be adaptive, respond to challenges, solve problems, be self-directed and successfully communicate with others. Through working in these applied contexts, you will deepen your knowledge of songwriting and music production, so that you can respond creatively to a fast-turnaround brief.
CRICOS Course Codes
(2 TRIMESTERS)
113148G (3 TRIMESTERS)
Australian Qualification Framework
AQF LEVEL: 5
FULLY ACCREDITED BY TEQSA
FEE‑HELP* is an Australian Government loan scheme that assists eligible fee paying students pay all or part of their tuition fees. It cannot be used for additional study costs such as accommodation or text books. The total amount of FEE‑HELP a person can use is known as the ‘FEE‑HELP limit’.
Once a person begins using FEE‑HELP, the amount of FEE‑HELP they have left to use is known as their ‘FEE‑HELP balance’.
* Terms and conditions apply. For the latest updates regarding FEE-HELP please refer to sae.edu.au/fees
For information on tuition fees visit the Fee Schedule section of the website.
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Easy transition into the Bachelor Course
SAE Diploma, Associate and Bachelor Degrees are structured in an integrated course framework.
This means that when you complete an SAE Diploma you will be awarded the maximum credit points available, providing you with the opportunity to seamlessly transition into the higher-level Associate and Bachelor degree qualifications if you choose to do so.
CREDIT AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING
SAE may recognise your prior learning and may grant credit towards satisfying the requirements for a higher-level program. This is applied where previous learning is considered equivalent to the content and learning outcomes prescribed for units within the program.
For full details, please refer to SAE's policy on recognition of prior learning and credit transfers.
