Master of Music Therapy

University of Melbourne

Australia, Melbourne

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University of Melbourne

Australia , Melbourne

Key Facts

Program Level

Master by Course Work

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

Mix

Course Code

055550D

Application Fee

AUD 154

Campuses

Southbank

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesJuly-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 2 year(s)

Tuition Fee

AUD 42,976 / year

Next Intake July-2026

Master of Music Therapy

About

Overview

Online information session: Meet your future Academics (Tuesday 24 June)
Join us for our online information session to gain further insight into the post-graduate programs available in your area of interest. You will have the chance to meet, interact and ask questions with our academics and immerse yourself in the world of the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music.

Register

The Master of Music Therapy provides a course of study for those wishing to practice as music therapists in settings such as hospitals, special schools, aged care facilities, community health programs and private practice.

The two-year program provides advanced knowledge of the theory, practice and research of music therapy. You will learn traditional and ground-breaking theoretical approaches to practice with people across the life span, from preschool aged children through to older adults, with Music Therapy Methods classes covering voice and guitar skills, improvisation, songs and performances with dyads and groups, as well as receptive music therapy. A major component of the course consists of four clinical training placements supervised by qualified music therapists in settings such as hospitals, schools, residential care and the community.

On satisfactory completion of the Master of Music Therapy, graduates will be eligible for Registration as Music Therapists (RMT) with the Australian Music Therapy Association (Inc.).

The Master of Music Therapy is available in two cohorts:

On-Campus delivery; or
Blended delivery.

On-Campus delivery

Taught via a combination of online lectures, on-campus tutorials and online tutorials for students who live in the Melbourne area. You will also participate regularly in placements, amounting to a minimum of 640 hours across the two years.

The weekly timetable and dates of intensive learning days will be confirmed by December of the preceding year.

Blended delivery

Taught via a combination of online lectures, online tutorials and on-campus intensive learning periods, where approved work placement arrangements are available. Music therapy skills subjects and tutorials are workshop based, and so attendance at the intensive learning days is essential. You will also participate regularly in work placements, amounting to a minimum of 640 hours across the two years. Placement will be carried out in your home state where suitable supervision from a qualified Music Therapist is available.

The weekly timetable and dates of intensive learning days will be confirmed by December of the preceding year.

The Placement Coordinator will organise placements in a range of areas to provide students with a broad experience. Every effort will be made to arrange placements in your region; however, in some cases this may prove impossible. In this case, placements based in another city may be an alternative, with the cost of travel and accommodation covered by the student.

For students living in QLD, please note that the University’s placement agreement with Queensland Health will be due for renewal in 2025. Therefore, we cannot guarantee placements with QLD Health beyond 2024. Further information will be provided during the audition.

Who is this course for?

The Master of Music Therapy has been developed specifically for people who have completed a Bachelor's degree and have a high level of formal music training.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Admission criteria

To be considered for entry into this course, you must have:

An undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in any discipline, AND
12.5 credit points of psychology studies at tertiary level, or Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) from the approved list, AND
High-level music skills - equivalent to 8^th grade practical and 5^th grade theory according to the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB), AND
Documented relevant work experience in community or health-related fields.

You must also submit a supplementary application, submitted digitally via Fine Arts and Music’s SlideRoom):

A practice portfolio, AND
A personal statement.

Shortlisted applicants must also audition and attend an interview.

Meeting the published entry requirements for this course does not guarantee selection.

Don't meet the prerequisite subject requirements?

You may have the option to enrol in specific single subjects through the University's Community Access Program, even if you are not enrolled in a course. Completing these prerequisite subjects may qualify you for entry into this course. This option is not available to student visa holders or applicants. Learn more about single subject study.

English language requirements

All applicants to the University of Melbourne must satisfy the English language requirements. This may be achieved in a number of ways, including recognised previous study taught and assessed entirely in English or an approved English language test. If you are from a non-English speaking background, the required standard of English for this degree is one of the following English proficiency test scores:

English language test score requirements
If you need to undertake an English language test, you must meet one of the scores* below:

IELTS

6.5

with no band less than 6.0
TOEFL

79+

with writing 21; speaking 18; reading 13; listening 13
PEARSON

64+

with no communicative skill below 60
CAMBRIDGE

176+

with no skill less than 169
*Accepted tests: IELTS (Academic English Only); TOEFL Internet-based test; Pearson Test of English Academic; Cambridge English: Advanced/Certificate of Advanced English (CAE). If a test displays N/A, it means it is not accepted for this course.

About selection

When assessing applications, the Selection Committee will consider your previous studies and academic performance.

The Selection Committee may request additional information to clarify any aspect of an application, according to the University’s Academic Board rules regarding selection instruments.

Meeting the published entry requirements for this course does not guarantee selection.

The Selection Committee will also consider your demonstrated music skills, relevant work experience and practice portfolio.

If your application is shortlisted, you must attend an audition and interview, both of which will also be assessed as part of your application.

Your practice portfolio must include six pieces of music as follows:

Three pieces presented on your primary instrument, covering a range of contrasting styles. The pieces may be a combination of classical, jazz, improvisatory work etc. The three primary instrument recording must be completed in a single take.
Three vocal songs accompanied by your own guitar playing. The pieces should demonstrate your vocal skill across a range of genres, styles or decades. Your guitar accompaniment should demonstrate a minimum of basic skills, including a minimum of 6 first-position chords; barre chords; bass runs; and various accompanying styles such as strumming and picking techniques. Only one song can be an original composition, and one song in a language other than English is permitted (but not required). The three voice and guitar recordings must be completed in a single take.
The two recordings (3 primary instrument pieces and 3 vocal pieces) must be edited into a single file and uploaded via the supplementary application form. (If your primary instrument is guitar or voice, you are still required to complete all six recordings)

Your personal statement should detail your reasons for wanting to undertake the Master of Music Therapy course.

Practice portfolio song suggestions can be found here.

English Program Requirements

English language test score requirements

If you need to undertake an English language test, you must meet one of the scores* below:

IELTS

6.5

with no band less than 6.0

TOEFL

79+

with writing 21; speaking 18; reading 13; listening 13

PEARSON

64+

with no communicative skill below 60

CAMBRIDGE

176+

with no skill less than 169

*Accepted tests: IELTS (Academic English Only); TOEFL Internet-based test; Pearson Test of English Academic; Cambridge English: Advanced/Certificate of Advanced English (CAE). If a test displays N/A, it means it is not accepted for this course.

Career

Professional accreditation

Graduates of the Master of Music Therapy course are eligible for Registration as Music Therapists (RMT) with the Australian Music Therapy Association (Inc.).

Learning outcomes

On completion of this course, graduates will:

Be able to understand and identify, use and evaluate concepts and principles of music therapy and the various theories that underpin the practice of music therapy;
Have acquired the skills in musicianship and the advanced knowledge of music styles and idioms, including improvisation, which will enable them to direct creative music activities for clients within the music therapy context;
Have acquired skills in the assessment, design, implementation and evaluation of music therapy programs in a diverse range of clinical/special education settings;
Understand relevant clinical conditions and the application of music as a treatment/special education modality;
Be able to carry out independent research and analysis into music therapy and to think creatively about issues arising in their practice;
Appreciate the ethical responsibilities of music therapists in health and special education facilities and to the individuals within those facilities;
Be committed to enhancing the well being of clients.