New early offers for talented students in music and visual arts

Early offers

Exceptionally talented students in music and visual arts can now apply for courses at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and Sydney College of Arts prior to receiving an ATAR. Students can receive an early offer based on an audition and interview or by submitting a portfolio of art works and undertaking an interview. The offer applies to domestic students.

“This is an opportunity for the most talented music students in the country to join the Sydney Conservatorium of Music as we shift our focus away from Year 12 results and concentrate on giving talented musicians greater certainty around their future,” said Professor Anna Reid, Dean (Sydney Conservatorium of Music).

Artistic merit

Mr Andrew Lavery, Director of Sydney College of the Arts, said: “Now more than ever, it is important for us to support our visual artists. By foregrounding artistic merit, this scheme is an opportunity for Australia’s most talented artists to undertake university training in a renowned art school.”

Auditions open

Professor Matthew Hindson, Deputy Dean at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, said the new admissions scheme meant the music school could choose the best of the best students.

“We know that there are so many exceptional young musicians and visual artists who have a really bright future ahead of them,” Professor Hindson said. “Once they have passed their audition or portfolio assessment, these outstanding applicants will have certainty that they can study at the nation’s premier tertiary music institution. And we really look forward to having them study here, with us."

Music students can register now for auditions to be held in July and September.

Eligibility

The scheme applies to domestic students undertaking a recognised Year 12 qualification. The available degrees using the new admissions scheme include:

• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Music (Composition)
• Bachelor of Music (Performance)
• Bachelor of Visual Arts

No specific application is needed to enter in the scheme. Applicants will be automatically assessed through audition or portfolio performance, and Year 11 and 12 academic results to date.

Domestic applicants outside of NSW should submit academic results to the Conservatorium or the Sydney College of Arts as part of the audition or portfolio application.

Personal feedback

Visual arts students can register to attend Portfolio Day to get advice on preparing a portfolio. This is an opportunity for students to hear from our academic staff and receive personalised feedback on their portfolio and visual arts practice.

Enrolled students will also have the opportunity to combine their talents and study interests by choosing elective subjects from over 100 different study areas in the university as part of the shared pool of majors and minors.

If you have any questions about the scheme, please call 1800 SYD UNI (1800 793 864) or +61 2 8627 1444 (outside Australia), 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.