Music student contribution fee increase explained
Music students commencing in 2021 will not be significantly impacted by the government’s new Job Ready Graduates Package in the same way that humanities students will be.
The new government funding program passed the Senate and House of Representatives in October 2020, and will be implemented for those enrolling from 1 January 2021 in universities across the country.
Under the Package, some areas of study including social sciences, humanities and creative arts will see an increased student contribution amount for those in a Commonwealth supported place (CSP).
Music is not one of the areas that has seen a significant change in the student contribution amount, and our full time course fees will only rise around $1000 per year in 2021. In addition, these amounts are based off individual units of study undertaken, rather than the broader course itself.
Those wishing to undertake music study, whether it be through a degree under the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, or a Music major within an Arts degree, or as an elective in any other degree, will pay the same student contribution for their Music units of study. The overall cost of a degree will depend on the other areas of study chosen, as fees are based on the Student Contribution Band of each unit of study selected.
Eligible domestic students with a CSP are still able to defer student contribution amounts through a HECS-HELP loan, and therefore will not be required to repay fees until they meet a certain salary threshold.
The University of Sydney encourages students to follow their passions and interests within their study, as employment will follow. In the annual Graduate Outcomes Survey (GOS) for 2019, undergraduate music students demonstrated a high level of employability, with 73.9% of Con graduates finding full-time employment after graduating in 2018, with an above the national average starting salary of $71,000. 40% chose to pursue full-time further education.
Sydney Conservatorium of Music produces graduates year after year who go on to be world renowned, including:
- Most members of the band Lime Cordiale, whose second studio album just received eight ARIA nominations including Album of the Year
- Independent rock band The Jezabels, with piano and keyboard player Heather Shannon continuing to teach at the Con
- Senior Director, Publishing & Licensing at record label Future Classic, Mitchell Huckstepp
Lime Cordiale - On Our Own (Official Music Video)
Head of School and Dean for the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Professor Anna Reid said that music fees remaining unaffected will allow the Conservatorium to continue to provide a world-class education without bigger debts being carried by students.
Sydney Conservatorium of Music has long been one of the premier institutions for the world's best musicians. Our students follow their passions and go on to a myriad of interesting careers. The slight rise in student contribution fees to study music will still allow our talented musical minds to inspire the world.
The Graduate-Ready Jobs Package intends to align government funding with “study in areas where there is expected growth in job opportunities”. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Dean Professor Annamarie Jagose says humanities, social sciences and creative arts students are amongst the most job-ready graduates.