Diploma in Music
UndergraduateUNE-MUS-DIP2025
A unique, fully online music course
Get ready to learn from experienced musicians and researchers. Study music online and cover theory and analysis—and build practical skills in musical performance. Follow your passion with electives including songwriting and electronic music production.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Applications close
- 15 June 2025,
- 12 Oct 2025
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 1 year full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 8
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Diploma in Music
About this degree
Upon completion of this degree, students will be able to:
- demonstrate a broad knowledge of theoretical and technical music concepts, with some depth in music theory, music technology and performance;
- demonstrate cognitive and communication skills to analyse and apply music theory to a range of situations;
- demonstrate cognitive, creative, communication and technical skills to analyse and plan approaches to music composition and performance;
- transfer and apply theoretical concepts, music technology skills and creative skills to a range of musical environments; and
- demonstrate initiative, judgement, and personal responsibility in decision-making and problem-solving while working both in collaboration with others and independently.
This program provides students with music training in an online environment. Students build their music performance, aural and music technology skills, with options for further developing their skills in songwriting, composition, performance, music production and knowledge of the historical, cultural and theoretical background of music genres. Graduates of the program will have developed confidence in a wide variety of music skills and knowledge. On completion of the degree, pathways to further study include progression to a bachelor level program in Music or Education.
Recommended study pattern
Core Units
Students must complete 24 credit points from the following units
- MUSI110 Music Theory and Analysis 1 (6CP)*
- MUSI111 Encounters in Music (6CP)*
- MUSI131 Introduction to Cross Cultural Music Concepts and Analysis (6CP)
- MUSI140 Fundamentals of Creative Music Practice (6CP)
- MUSI160 Digital Music and Media Fundamentals (6CP)
**Note: Students complete either MUSI110 or MUSI111 only.
Listed Units
Complete 24 credit points from the following units:
- MUSI208 Composition Structure and Instrumentation (6CP)
- MUSI221 Song writing for Contemporary Performance (6CP)
- MUSI235 Popular Music (6CP)
- MUSI236 Medieval and Early Modern Music (6CP)
- MUSI237 Music in the Age of Empires and Nations (6CP)
- MUSI240 Collaborative Music Creation (6CP)
- MUSI353 Ensemble Leadership (6CP)
- MUSI260 Electronic Music Production (6CP)
To access the course rules and plans go to the UNE Course Handbook.
Award requirements
To qualify for the award a candidate must pass subjects to value of 48 credit points (8 subjects).
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
Information regarding the process for graduating at UNE can be found here: UNE Graduation
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $18,704
The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
The University of New England is the only Australian public university to be awarded the maximum 5 stars for Overall Experience by the Good Universities Guide, 13 years in a row. UNE has delivered distance education since 1955—that’s longer than any other Australian university. Perhaps that’s why students continue to rate UNE so highly for student satisfaction and teaching quality. With over 170 degrees offered online, and more than 22,000 students, UNE is an expert in online education.
Learn more about UNE.
Explore UNE courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 36
Entry requirements
Students must complete the two designated Open Access subjects, with minimum GPA 4.0, in order to gain admission into the Diploma in Music and continue with the remaining subjects.
To be admitted to the Diploma in Music you need to complete two of the following subjects and achieve a minimum GPA of 4.0:
- MUSI110 Music Theory and Analysis 1 OR MUSI111 Encounters in Music
- MUSI131 Introduction to Cross Cultural Music Concepts and Analysis
- MUSI140 Fundamentals of Creative Music Practice
- MUSI160 Digital Music and Media Fundamentals
Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirements
The 4.0 GPA requirement equates to a minimum of a Pass in two subjects.
Be aware that if you fail a subject it is included in your GPA calculation and means you will need to achieve higher grades to obtain admission to the degree.
For this reason, we recommend students consider their study load and academic skills before attempting a subject
Students will be required to successfully complete 2 subjects from the list below with a minimum GPA of 4.0 to be eligible for admission to the Diploma in Music.
- MUSI110 Music Theory and Analysis 1 OR MUSI111 Encounters in Music
- MUSI131 Introduction to Cross Cultural Music Concepts and Analysis
- MUSI140 Fundamentals of Creative Music Practice
- MUSI160 Digital Music and Media Fundamentals
At least one of the following criteria must be met:
- English is the applicant's first language; or
- Satisfactory completion, within five years of the date of application for admission to UNE, of at least one year of full-time or equivalent full-time study at senior secondary, post-secondary or tertiary level in a country in which English is the primary official language or co-official language and in which English was the sole medium of instruction and assessment for the particular period of study claimed, resulting in an AQF award or an award recognised by the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR); or
- A pass grade or better in an English language subject at Australian Year 12 level or overseas equivalent; or
- An IELTS (Academic) overall score of at least 6.0 with no sub-band less than 5.5; or equivalent TOEFL score of at least 213 in the computer-based test; or at least 79 in the internet-based test with no less than 22 in the written component; or a PTE Academic minimum overall score of 57 with no skill less than 50; or
- Satisfactory completion of the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program:
- at the University of New England English Language Centre; or
- an equivalent EAP program at an Australian university NEAS-accredited English Language Centre (subject to certification from the university concerned that satisfactory completion of that university's EAP program would entitle the applicant to be accepted into a comparable award-bearing program at that university); or
- at a non-university NEAS-accredited English Language Provider that has a formal agreement with UNE under which it provides an equivalent EAP Program; or
- a NEAS-accredited TAFE NSW EAP Program.
Students admitted to the degree with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this degree may be eligible for advanced standing. For more information on Advanced Standing or Recognition of Prior Learning, please visit: UNE Advanced Standing
Study method requirements
Depending on subject choice, intensive school attendance may be required.
Career opportunities
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
| Role | Earnings | Employment change |
|---|---|---|
| Actors, Dancers and Other Entertainers | $93K to $120K | Down 30.9% |
| Artistic Directors, Media Producers & Presenters | $93K to $120K | Down 0.7% |
| Music Professionals | $93K to $120K | Up 11.5% |
| Musicians | N/A^ | N/A^ |
| Private Tutors and Teachers | N/A^ | Up 9% |
| Singers | N/A^ | N/A^ |
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Degree FAQs
How long does it take to finish an online degree?
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
There are some degrees that are stricter about when you can take breaks, and about how many years you can take to complete your degree. Please always check with your uni what the limits are.
As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
Through OUA, you can study all year round, so it's possible to fast-track and finish up sooner than studying at a traditional uni would allow. That said, you need to spend around 12 hours a week on each undergraduate subject you do, so taking on extra work to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
How can I pay for my studies?
You may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government, depending on your citizenship status and where you'll be living during your studies. You can also pay upfront with your credit card.
Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
How does studying through Open Universities Australia work?
You might find learning through OUA a little different to how you've studied in the past. It can take time to develop the skills you need for independent online study.
We connect you with subjects and degrees that are taught by leading Australian universities. You can complete single subjects, or follow a degree structure to work towards a specific qualification. Subjects are offered in several study terms throughout the year, so you can choose to study part-time or full-time, continuously or with breaks.
We help you find the subjects or degree that's right for you, and we handle your enrolment in uni and some administration. Your uni sends you your study materials and deals with all academic matters. They're also in charge of your assessment and graduation. If you go on to complete a degree, you'll graduate from the uni offering your degree, for example, RMIT University or Griffith University.
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You have total control over how you study
Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We'll introduce you to flexible study options you didn't even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.You'll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
Once you enrol through us, you'll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you'll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.We'll help you navigate the university world
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When you've made your choice, click 'Apply now' on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We'll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
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