Australian Institute of Music

Applicants with recent secondary education

Australian Year 12 students (and applicants under 21 years)

To be eligible for admission into an undergraduate degree on the basis of recent secondary education applicants must have:

• completed an Australian Senior Secondary Year 12 Certificate (or its overseas equivalent as assessed by the Department of Education and Training (DET)) in the past 2 years, or
• completed the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma qualification in the past 2 years
• completion of the HSC (Higher School Certificate) or equivalent including a minimum of English Standard in the last two years. Note that any result below a Band 3 in English Standard may require further assessment.

Applicants with higher education study

To be eligible for admission into a Bachelor degree on the basis of tertiary (Higher Education) studies, you need to have completed at least 6 months of full-time study (or the part-time equivalent) at AQF level 5 degree or higher. If you have not completed 6 months, you will be assessed on your secondary results. Please note that other selection criteria, including English proficiency, portfolio and audition/interview will be taken into account.

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study

To be eligible for admission into an undergraduate degree on the basis of Vocational Education & Training (VET) study, you must have successfully completed an AQF VET qualification (Certificate 4 and above). If you have not completed a VET qualification at Certificate 4 or above, you will be assessed on your secondary results (refer 1 above). Please note that other selection criteria, including English proficiency, portfolio and audition/interview will be taken into account.

Applicants with work and life experience

Applicants who do not meet the academic requirements above, (who left secondary education more than two years previously and have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then), will be assessed on their work and/or life experience. Experience could include a combination of factors sufficient to demonstrate readiness for higher education, including mature age entry, professional experience, community involvement or work experience. Applicants may have also undertaken non-formal programs that have helped prepare them for tertiary education or are relevant to the proposed higher education course. Applicants will be required to provide a portfolio that covers all of their relevant music, entertainment and/or business experience plus attend an audition/interview.

For applicants who do not meet the above criteria, admission may be granted by the Dean of Academic Affairs or nominee based on a documented assessment of the applicant’s overall ability to undertake the program of study and to achieve the course learning outcomes.

Applicants who do not satisfy the requirements to enter directly into a Bachelor degree may be offered a place in the Foundation Program. Students who satisfactorily complete the Foundation Program will have a pathway to demonstrate eligibility for entry into an AIM Bachelor degree.

For more information, contact the Australian Institute of Music.

Recognition of prior learning

Applicants may be eligible for credit transfer or recognition of prior learning for their post-secondary studies including completed or partially completed Higher Education awards and completed Vocational Education & Training (VET) qualifications (AQF Diploma and above, or its overseas equivalent as assessed by DET). Specified credit will be granted towards specific units of an AIM undergraduate course on the basis of prior learning in a completed or partially completed HE award or completed VET qualification if it is assessed to be comparable in terms of learning outcomes, volume of learning, content and learning and assessment approaches. Applicants should submit an Application for Recognition of Prior Learning together with all required supporting documentary evidence.

Additional requirements

Applicants are required to submit a portfolio that covers all of their relevant music, entertainment and/or business experience. The portfolio should include:

• Resume/cover letter that covers why you want to study at AIM and include a list of all relevant experience
• Examples of experience (as specified within Individual Course Requirements)
• Certified Academic Transcripts of previous study (if applicable).

All undergraduate courses at AIM require an audition and/or interview to assess skills and aptitude to study. The audition process allows AIM to assess potential and advise on the best course of study. The applicant also has the opportunity to ask questions regarding study at AIM.

Bachelor of Music (all streams)

Applicants for the Bachelor of Music (all streams) are required to provide a portfolio of two musical items. This may include any of the following formats (at least one formats of evidence:

• live performance (to be performed during the interview)
• recorded visual or audio performance
• recorded original composition
• PDF score of an original composition or arrangement
• handwritten score of an original composition or arrangement
• audio mix of a musical work.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

All Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) people can request to apply to AIM Bachelor courses by Special Consideration. Special Consideration can be requested if applicants have not completed school or achieved a requisite ATAR score for entry into their preferred course of study. This admission process by Special Consideration is designed to assess capacity to study at a tertiary level the preferred area of study.

As part of AIM’s commitment to equity and diversity, AIM offers an Indigenous Scholarship available to ATSI students who can demonstrate a passion for the creative arts industry.

Additional needs/educationally disadvantaged students

AIM may give special consideration for admission to courses to applicants who have suffered educational disadvantage. In particular, applicants with physical disabilities and applicants from geographically isolated areas or economically disadvantaged backgrounds may apply for special consideration.

English language proficiency

All students must be sufficiently competent in the English language to participate effectively in the course of study. Specified English language entry requirements must be met by all students prior to admission. Domestic undergraduate students who have satisfactorily completed Year 12 (or equivalent) studies in Australia (or other English speaking country) are deemed to be proficient in English for admission to AIM. International applicants must have documented evidence of English language proficiency at IELTS 6 or equivalent.

For more information about English language requirements refer to AIM's Policies and Procedures.

Special consideration

Entry to undergraduate AIM courses via Special Consideration involves three components: an email to the Head of Pathways and Engagement (HoPE) to request Special Consideration; the submission of an application for Bachelor entry; and undertaking an interview and a written task related to the chosen course preference. Entry through this pathway means consideration is given to an applicant’s relevant life, work, educational and training experience as preparation for study, in addition to any formal qualifications. The interview assists AIM in ensuring an applicant is selecting the most appropriate course for their interests. The written task assists assessment of an applicant’s likelihood for academic success and the level of academic support that may be required in the first year of study. Interviews will be conducted by the HoPE or their delegate, and may be conducted face-to-face or online.

Acceptance of offer

Applicants who meet the entry requirements will receive a Letter of Offer detailing acceptance and enrolment information.

Deferment

Students are able to defer their offer to study at AIM for up to 12 months from the date of their audition / digital portfolio submission / interview. Chat to our Student Recruitment team for further information about your specific circumstances.

Fees and charges

Students have the choice of three payment options, billed each study period during their course:

• payment of all of the tuition fees using the Government's FEE-HELP Loan Scheme (see FEE-HELP overview and eligibility information below)
• payment of part of the tuition fees through FEE-HELP, with the remainder of the tuition fees paid upfront
• payment of all of the tuition fees upfront.

Australian Institute of Music fees

FEE-HELP

All Australian citizens studying at AIM are eligible to access the Government's loan scheme FEE-HELP via StudyAssist. Similar to HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP is a Commonwealth loan given to eligible fee-paying students to help pay for part or all of their tuition fees.

New Zealand Special Category Visa (SCV) holders and Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders who meet residency requirements may also be eligible for FEE-HELP.

For more FEE-HELP information, visit the Study Assist website.

Centrelink

AIM is recognised as a Higher Education Provider (HEP) by the Australian Commonwealth Government. As such, Australian citizens studying our undergraduate programs at a full-time study load may be eligible for financial assistance through Centrelink.

To discuss your personal circumstances and eligibility, contact Centrelink.

Scholarships

As part of the Australian Institute of Music's 50th anniversary, the Institute will be offering a number of exciting new scholarships available to new students and alumni.

Our Scholarship Program encompasses a range of awards available to both domestic and international students at an undergraduate and postgraduate level, with the intention of celebrating the talent, diversity, and leadership within AIM's communities and supporting access to AIM's courses. To be eligible for selection, you must have been offered a place at AIM.

AIM Scholarship Program

Student support services

Our Student Life Advisors are always available to support you – whether you need help with academic matters, something personal or you’re feeling overwhelmed for any reason.

We also host regular workshops, presentations and support programs, such as:

• Academic Support Sessions for individuals and groups
• Digital Support Sessions, including Logic, Musescore and Sibelius
• Library Support Sessions, including research, referencing and citations
• Life Skills & Wellbeing Workshops for personal development and life/work/study success
• English Language Support Sessions for international students
• Equal Opportunity Access Programs (EOAP), including reasonable adjustments
• One-on-one mentoring and counselling referrals through AIM's partnership with the Australian College of Applied Psychology (ACAP).

Find out more about support services available to AIM students.

Campus life

Our centrally-located campuses in both Sydney and Melbourne include cutting-edge recording studios and music production suites stocked with recording and production software, mixing decks, microphones and more. Our range of equipment encompasses both digital and analogue consoles, suitable for band recording and mixing. Audio workstations are complemented by a comprehensive set of studio microphones – Shure, AKG, Rode, Audio Technica amongst others. Recording capacity includes full instrument set-up and includes Yamaha grand pianos.

AIM students have uncapped access to our rehearsal rooms and production suites, and can even bring external artists on-campus.

Access more information about AIM campuses.