Master of Fine Arts (Contemporary Music)

The MFA aims to provide opportunities for suitably qualified candidates to develop their potential for research, develop mastery in their field of practice and contribute to understandings of contemporary artistic practice and theories of arts and culture. High quality research subjects and independent supervision ensure artistic and intellectual excellence and leadership potential, and learning and training takes place in an international context.

The Master of Fine Arts develops the following skills in its graduate researchers:

· the ability to engage in independent and contextually-informed artistic practice;
· an ability to initiate research projects and to formulate viable research questions;
· a demonstrated capacity to design, conduct and report independent and original research on a closely-defined project;
· an ability to manage time to maximise the quality of research;
· an understanding of the major contours of international research in the research area;
· a capacity for critical evaluation of relevant scholarly literature and artistic practice;
· well-developed and flexible problem-solving abilities appropriate to the discipline;
· the capacity to communicate effectively the results of research and scholarship by oral and written communication;
· an understanding of and facility with scholarly conventions in the discipline area;
· a profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of research and scholarship;
· a capacity to cooperate with other researchers;
· an ability to manage information effectively, including the application of computer systems and software where appropriate to the student's field of study.

The Master of Fine Arts is a graduate degree consisting of 200 points normally taking two years of full-time study or part-time equivalent. The degree requires the completion of two coursework subjects - a research methods and a research seminar subject - along with an individual supervised project of research and practice in the area of Contemporary Music.

Specific Course Entry Requirements

The Selection Committee will evaluate the applicant's ability to pursue the course successfully using the following criteria.

One of:

* an honours degree with at least H2A (75%) average, including a major relevant to the stream to which entry is sought, or equivalent; or
* a relevant undergraduate degree with at least H2A (75%) average and at least two years of documented work experience relevant to the stream to which entry is sought; or
* an undergraduate degree in any discipline and at least five years of documented work experience relevant to the stream to which entry is sought; or
* at least five years of documented relevant work experience related to the stream to which entry is sought and demonstrating outstanding artistic ability, together with evidence of ability in academic writing and research or scholarship appropriate for postgraduate study;

and:

* performance in one or more of an audition, test, interview, workshop, portfolio or folio presentation, as prescribed by the Academic Board for the stream to which entry is sought.

The Selection Committee may conduct further interviews or tests and may call for referee reports and employer references to elucidate any of the matters referred to above.

Communication: Students must be able to participate in and produce performances and exhibitions as required; they will also need to communicate effectively and efficiently in oral and written forms. Communication with fellow students, professional and academic staff, and the wider public about their knowledge and application of practising Arts disciplines is essential.

Creative, Intellectual and Organisational Abilities: Students require the capacity for high-level creative performance or production. They are also expected to have the ability to develop problem-solving skills and to comprehend disciplinary and crossdisciplinary information. Students must have the ability to establish study plans and prioritise training objectives and outcomes.

Behavioural and Social Attributes: Students must possess behavioural and social attributes that enable them to participate in a complex learning environment. They must take full responsibility for their own participation and learning. Students also contribute to the learning of other students in collaborative environments and must therefore demonstrate a wide range of interpersonal skills which consider the needs of other students. Assessment may include the outcomes of tasks completed in collaboration with other students.

Disability: Students who have a disability which may prevent them from participating in tasks involving these inherent academic requirements are encouraged to contact the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/ Adjustments can be provided to minimise the impact of a disability; however, students will need to participate in the course in an independent manner.

At the successful completion of this degree students will be eligible to apply for PhD studies.