Graduate Diploma in Music (Practical Music) creative application requirements

The Graduate Diploma in Music (Practical Music) has additional requirements used as part of the selection process. Find out everything you need to know about the audition process.

To be considered for selection into the Graduate Diploma in Music (Practical Music), you need to submit a course application and prepare a recorded audition.

You must read the How to Apply information on the course page, as well as these audition requirements.

Start year intake 2027 timeline

3 August 2026

Applications open.

Review the entry requirements and how to apply information on the Graduate Diploma in Music (Practical Music) course page.

By 31 October 2026

Submit your course application direct to The University of Melbourne.


Upload your audition via the Creative Application Platform (SlideRoom).


Graduate Access Melbourne application due date (domestic applicants only).

What to prepare

  • Applicants should prepare three pieces of music, no longer than 30 minutes in total, demonstrating their skill on the instrument they wish to study.
  • Select each piece from the Western Art Music repertoire (except for electric guitar and bass).
  • Pieces should be of contrasting style, period and composer (e.g. works from the Baroque, Romantic and 20th century repertoires).
  • The audition panel may also ask to hear technical work (scales, arpeggios, etc.).
  • Piano applicants: need to present an audition in one take of approximately 35 minutes duration which contains memorised solo repertoire of an advanced level.

Percussion applicants: If access to all the required percussion instruments is not possible, please contact Brent Miller brent.miller@unimelb.edu.au to discuss alternative arrangements.

Preparing your recorded audition

Please prepare your video-recorded audition as per the audition guidelines outlined above.

  • Your full audition must be video recorded in a single unedited take and uploaded as one file. Pauses between pieces or movements are expected.
  • Recordings must be made no earlier than 6 months before the application closing date.

For applicants requiring accompaniment, you may organise an accompanist to provide backing tracks for your repertoire. Once you have received your backing tracks from an accompanist, you can use them to rehearse and then record your audition.

It is not an expectation that you access or purchase additional recording equipment beyond a basic smartphone, iPad or laptop/desktop device. For smartphones, many recent models already have very good microphones built in.

You will be asked to provide the name and contact details of two referees to submit a referee report on your behalf.

Your referees may submit their referee reports up to 5 days after the Graduate Diploma in Music application deadline. It is strongly recommended that you also contact your referees directly to notify them of your application and the pending deadline.

Inclusivity and accessibility

The University of Melbourne and the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all participants, regardless of their physical, sensory, cognitive, or psychological abilities. Contact the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music if you require assistance.

How to submit your selection tasks

Your audition must be uploaded and submitted via the Creative Application Platform (SlideRoom). We recommend allowing plenty of time to prepare and submit your creative tasks. Applications received after the published closing day cannot be accepted.

How you'll be assessed

All applicants will be ranked according to the outlined criteria, up to the capacity of places in the course.

The audition will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

  • Technical accuracy (in rhythm, tempo, intonation, articulation, loudness)
  • Sound quality (tonal control and expressive range)
  • Performance presence (overall coordination, poise, focus)
  • Musical attention (awareness in listening, phrasing, style and expression)