Doctor of Musical Arts
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. More broadly, it is designed to assist musicians to prepare for, or advance a career as an innovative and research-based performer. The course combines high-level performance with rigorous scholarship and writing.
Language requirements for international candidates
An IELTS level of 7.0 with no component below 6.5 is normally required for entry to this degree.
Course structure
The Doctor of Musical Arts can be completed either in three to four years of full-time study or six to eight years of part-time study. As a research degree, the coursework credit points represent one third of the degree structure. The research program, culminating in submission of a thesis and performance, comprises two-thirds of the degree. Students need only enrol in units of study for the coursework component.
Candidature includes:
- successful completion of coursework units of study giving credit for a total of 48 credit points
- during the first full-time year of candidature, or its equivalent part-time, successfully complete the required coursework units of study, obtaining a weighted average mark of 75 per cent for all these units of study
- presentation of performances including (i) the final assessment of Performance Project 2 in the first year of full time study; (ii) a substantial recital at or by the conclusion of the second year of full-time study, or equivalent; and (iii) the final substantial public performance for the degree. Candidates may apply for up to 8 hours rehearsal time plus the performance with an SCM staff accompanist for each recital.
- participation and presentation at research seminars, and
- successful completion of a program of supervised research leading to a substantial public performance and a thesis of 25,000-30,000 words, both of which will be an original contribution to the field concerned.
Candidates normally complete the following units of study
- PERF5600 Research Methods
- PERF5601 Performance Project 1
- PERF5602 Performance Project 2
- PERF5611 Graduate Seminar 1
- PERF5612 Graduate Seminar 2
- PERF6613 Graduate Seminar 3
- PERF6614 Graduate Seminar 4.
Course resolutions
1 Course codes
|
Code |
Course title |
|---|---|
|
QB001 |
Doctor of Musical Arts |
2 Admission
(1)
Except as provided in part 9, Section 47 of the University of Sydney (Amendment) Act Rule 1999 as amended, an applicant for admission to candidature shall:
(a)
submit with the application a research proposal satisfactorily addressing criteria specified by the Faculty and which, in the opinion of the Faculty, is appropriate for study at the doctoral level; and
(b)
successfully perform at an audition in the principal study receiving a minimum audition mark of 80%; and
(i) Bachelor of Music (Performance), or the degree of Bachelor in a related area of study, from the University of Sydney, or equivalent institution, with first or second class (first division) honours; or
(ii) Master of Music (Performance) from the University of Sydney, or the degree of Master by research in a related area from the University of Sydney, or equivalent institution, with a weighted average mark of at least 75% for the performance research components including at least Distinction for the final written research component, or equivalent published research-based work of a substance and standard acceptable to the Faculty; or
(iii) Master of Music Studies, by coursework, from the University of Sydney, or the degree of Master by coursework in a related area from the University of Sydney, or equivalent institution, and with a weighted average mark of at least 80% in the degree; and
(2)
The Faculty may, in accordance with Part 9, section 47 of the University of Sydney (Amendment Act) Rule 1999 (as amended), admit as a candidate for the degree an applicant holding qualifications which, in the opinion of the Faculty, are equivalent to those prescribed in subsection 2(1)(c) and such candidate shall proceed to the degree under such conditions as the Faculty may prescribe.
3 Probationary admission and conditions of candidature
(1)
Candidates admitted pursuant to Section 2 above will be admitted on a probationary basis for one year and:
(a)
during the first full-time year of candidature, or its part-time equivalent, successfully complete the required coursework units of study, obtaining a weighted average mark of 75% for all these units of study; and
(b)
at the end of the first complete year of candidature, or its part-time equivalent, attend an annual review interview during which he or she will present and defend as required a research plan for the following two years, or the part-time equivalent, which extends the research proposal submitted in the candidate?s original application for admission.
(2)
Subject to the fulfilment of the requirements specified in Section 3(1) to the satisfaction of the Faculty, the candidature for the degree of Doctor of Musical Arts will be confirmed.
4 Supervision
0.
Candidates will be appointed a supervisory team consisting of a Supervisor, Associate Supervisor(s) and a performance teacher who may be the Supervisor or Associate Supervisor, or who may be in addition to the Supervisor and Associate Supervisor(s).
5 Method of Progression
0.
A candidate for the degree shall proceed by advanced coursework and research in accordance with Section 7 and as described in the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Handbook.
6 Units of Study
0.
The units of study which are prescribed for the award of the Doctor of Musical Arts are set out in the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Handbook.
7 Requirements for the award of the Doctor of Musical Arts
(a)
successfully complete coursework units of study giving credit for a total of 48 credit points and in accordance with the specifications in the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Handbook; and
(b)
present performances and at research seminars in accordance with the specifications in the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Handbook.
(c)
successfully complete a 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 concerned and in accordance with the specifications in the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Handbook.
8 Examination of the research
(1)
A candidate shall notify the Faculty in writing of his or her intention to present the final public performance and his or her intention to submit the thesis three months prior to the date of the performance or submission of the thesis, whichever is the earlier.
(2)
The procedures for examination of the research incorporating both final performance and thesis shall be as prescribed by the Academic Board for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy; and
(a)
the performance shall be recorded and presented to the examiners for examination together with the thesis; and
(3)
The designated Faculty Officer shall report the result of the examination of the final public performance and thesis to the Faculty, which shall then make a recommendation in accordance with the resolutions of the Academic Board on the Examination of the Doctor of Philosophy.
9 Satisfactory Progress
(1)
At the end of each year each candidate shall provide evidence of progress and attend a progress review interview to the satisfaction of the Faculty.
(2)
If a candidate fails to submit evidence of progress or if the Faculty considers that the evidence submitted does not indicate satisfactory progress, the Faculty may call upon that candidate to show cause why that candidature should not be terminated by reason of unsatisfactory progress towards completion of the degree and where, in the opinion of the Faculty, the candidate does not show good cause the Faculty may terminate that candidature or may impose conditions on the continuation of that candidature.
10 Time Limits
(a)
A full-time candidate shall not submit a thesis for examination earlier than at the end of six semesters of candidature from the date of first enrolment and, unless otherwise determined by Faculty, not later than at the end of eight consecutive semesters of candidature from the date of first enrolment; Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection 10(1)(a), the Faculty may, on the recommendation of the supervisor and the program coordinator, permit a candidate to submit a thesis for examination up to one semester earlier than prescribed if, in the opinion of Faculty, evidence has been produced that the candidate has made exceptional progress in his or her candidature; A candidate whose candidature has been part-time throughout shall submit the thesis for examination not earlier Resolutions of the Faculty than at the end of eight consecutive semesters of candidature;
(b)
Subject to section 12, the Faculty may permit a candidate to submit the thesis for examination after a period of time greater than the maximum periods specified provided that an acceptable, formal written request is made;
(c)
The earliest and latest dates for completion of requirements for award of the degree shall be adjusted for those candidates wishing to proceed on a part-time basis following their admission to candidature on a full-time basis, and vice versa;
(d)
Time spent by a candidate in advanced study before admission to candidature at the University of Sydney, or another University, or at another institution which may be deemed by the Faculty to be equivalent, may be deemed by the Faculty to be time spent after such admission.
11 Suspension of candidature
(1)
A candidate must be enrolled in each semester in which he or she is actively completing the requirements for the award. A candidate who wishes to suspend his or her candidature must first obtain approval in writing from the Faculty.
(2)
The candidature must be deemed to have lapsed where a candidate has not re-enrolled in accordance with subsection 11(1) and has not obtained written approval from the Faculty for suspension of the candidature.
(3)
A candidate whose candidature has lapsed must apply in writing to the Faculty for re-admission. If re-admitted to candidature, the candidate shall complete the degree requirements under such conditions as may be determined by the Faculty and shall proceed under such by-laws, rules and resolutions as prevail at the time of the re-enrolment.
(4)
Except where the Faculty determines otherwise in any particular case, a candidate who re-enrols after a suspension of candidature for any period shall proceed under the by-laws and resolutions in force at the time of re-enrolment.
12 Lapse of candidature
(1)
Unless the Faculty otherwise determines in any particular case, candidature will be deemed to have lapsed if a candidate has:
(2)
A candidate whose candidature has been deemed to have lapsed in accordance with subsection 11(2) shall not be permitted to re-enrol as a candidate for the degree unless again selected for admission.
13 Application of Rules
(1)
Where no specific intention of the Faculty appears in these resolutions in respect of any matters affecting or governing any aspect of a candidature, these resolutions shall be subject to the provisions of the Rules, resolutions and by-laws specified in Section 1 of the Resolutions of the Senate governing the degree; and