International Students

AMPA has a dynamic and diverse community, where students come from many different parts of the world to follow their creative journey. Sydney, Australia’s largest city, is also one of the world’s most beautiful and exciting places with stunning beaches, entertainment and diverse culinary scene. Complete your degree with AMPA in the cosmopolitan and multicultural heart of Sydney.

About AMPA

The Australian Academy of Music and Performing Arts (AMPA) continues to develop performing artists, composers, producers, choreographers, teachers and industry professionals of the highest standard. AMPA is a registered provider on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) and complies with the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 and the obligations laid down in the National Code 2018. AMPA is also registered and accredited by the Australian Government – Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA).

AMPA currently boasts some of the highest calibre teaching staff in Australia, and you will be immersed in an atmosphere where students are carefully nurtured and guided through the course.

Music Courses

COURSE	LEVEL	DURATION (Full-Time)	CRICOS CODE
Associate Degree of Music (Perf)	Diploma	71 Weeks	057023M
Bachelor of Music (Perf)	Bachelor Degree	104 Weeks	057024K
Graduate Diploma of Music (Perf.)	Graduate Diploma	52 Weeks	081573C
Master of Music (Perf)	Masters	104 Weeks	081572D

Dance Courses

COURSE	LEVEL	DURATION (Full-Time)	CRICOS CODE
Bachelor of Dance	Bachelor Degree	2 Years	085362D
Associate Degree of Dance	Diploma	16 Months	085363C

Degree Requirements

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How to Apply

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Financing your Education

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English Proficiency Requirements

There are minimum English proficiency requirements to be admitted into an AMPA degree. A full list of the different tests and minimum scores can be found below.

TEST	ENTRY OPTION 1	ENTRY OPTION 2*	ENTRY OPTION 3*
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) Test/ Certificate in Advanced English	169	162	154
International English Language Testing System (IELTS Test) – Overall band score	6.0	5.5	5.0
Occupational English Test (OET) – Minimum score for each test component	B	B	B
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE)	50	42	36
Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test (TOEFL iBT)	64	46	35

* Entry Option 2: With 10 weeks ELICOS or approved program

* Entry Option 3: With 20 weeks ELICOS

The above tests or qualifications will be accepted as valid for admission into AMPA courses if the test was taken within 24 months of the proposed course commencement date.

Studying in Sydney

AMPA benefits from a dynamic and diverse community, where students come from many different parts of the world to study music and performing arts in one of the world’s most beautiful and exciting cities. Sydney is Australia’s largest city, famously known for the iconic Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Sydney has also been referred to as the most multicultural city in Australia and one of the most multicultural cities in the world, along with its pristine beaches, national parks, theatres, museums, art galleries, cinemas, restaurants and entertainment venues. Australia as a country is renowned for being safe, tolerant and multicultural.

The AMPA campus is located within 2 minutes walk of Central Station in the heart of the city.

For further information on what to expect when studying in Australia please refer to the Useful Information for AMPA International Students booklet. You can also visit www.studyinaustralia.gov.au – the official Australian government web site for international students studying in Australia. If you need help with finding accommodation go to the Accommodation page for help with preparing your stay in Sydney!

20+

Nationalities amongst
international students

30+

Events each year

78%

Domestic students / TOTAL STUDENT BODY

Student Wellbeing & Safety

AMPA wishes for all students to feel happy and safe. Please refer to the Wellbeing & Safety page for access to a range of resources and assistance available to students.

The AMPA campus is located within 2 minutes walk of Central Station in the heart of the city.

International Student Responsibilities

While studying a degree in Sydney can be an exciting experience, as an international student there are also specific conditions that you need to be aware of.

Compying with your student visa

As an international student you need to be aware of your student visa conditions to ensure you comply with regulations and have a positive study experience. It is also important to be aware that AMPA has legal requirements to notify the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) of information in certain circumstances, for example, if you defer your studies at AMPA.

To maintain a student visa you must hold a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) that is issued by AMPA during the enrolment process.

Ensure you are familiar with your student visa conditions by visiting the DHA website and check conditions that apply to you and your family members online at VEVO. Below are details of only some of the visa conditions that apply to student visas.

Work Limitations

Once your course has commenced, you are permitted to work in paid employment up to 48 hours per fortnight in term time. A fortnight means the period of 14 days starting on a Monday. For more information see the DHA website.

Maintain Course Requirements

To maintain your student visa you must remain enrolled in your course and meet AMPA’s course progression requirements. If you are not meeting course progression requirements AMPA will be in contact with you to commence an intervention strategy to assist you to get back on track in your studies and meet standard requirements.

If after an intervention you are still unable to meet course progression requirements, you may be excluded from AMPA as per the Students at Academic Risk Policy. You will have the right to submit a complaint about this decision as per the Academic Appeals Policy. If you appeal the decision and your appeal is unsuccessful or you do not appeal the decision, you will be reported to DHA for failure to maintain course progress (or attendance), and this may result in your visa being cancelled.

Full-Time Study

International students must enrol in a full-time load at AMPA. The full-time study load is 20 credit points per session. AMPA operates within an undergraduate framework of 3 Teaching sessions (Trimesters) per year. Credit points apply to all units and represent a measure of the student workload and contact hours for each unit. All undergraduate units at AMPA are either 2, 4 or 6 credit points each.

Generally, International students enrol in 7, 8 or 9 units per session at AMPA.

Dance majors = 7 units / trimester
Contemporary, Classical, Composition and Music Production majors = 8 units / trimester
Music Theatre majors = 9 units / trimester

As a guide for Undergraduate European students:

2 AMPA credit points = 3 ECTS credits
4 AMPA credit points = 6 ECTS credits
6 AMPA credit points = 9 ECTS credits
20 AMPA credit points = 30 ECTS credits

As a guide for Undergraduate US students:

2 AMPA credit points = approx. 1.5 US Credit Hours
4 AMPA credit points = approx. 3 US Credit Hours
6 AMPA credit points = approx. 4.5 US Credit Hours
20 AMPA credit points = approx. 16 US Credit Hours

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

Student visa holders and their dependents are required to hold Overseas Student Heath Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their visa. OSHC provides medical and hospital insurance during your stay in Australia.

You can elect for AMPA to organise your OSHC during your acceptance process or you can purchase your own OSHC using an Australian Government approved provider. Students from certain countries including Norway, Sweden and Belgium may have special arrangements under their own national schemes and are requested to contact DHA for further information.

Under 18

For a student visa holder under 18 years of age, you must maintain the accommodation, support and general welfare arrangements for the duration of your stay in Australia. Refer to the Under 18 Student Policy in the Student Handbook.

Am I required to have music theory knowledge to enter a music performance degree?

While knowledge of music theory is recommended, there are a number of course options if this is not your “forte”. This includes ensuring that you start in the right course to ensure that you are supported through your course progression journey, as well as a short course to help prepare for your first day.

Change of Contact Details

You must notify AMPA within seven days of the following:

• your new address and contact details after arrival in Australia

• any changes to your address and contact details during your enrolment at AMPA

Updating your address and contact details are important as DHA may need to contact you if there are any visa problems and if your details are not accurate you may risk having your visa cancelled without your knowledge.

Deferral or Withdrawal

AMPA recognises that a student may need to request to defer or withdraw from their course of study at any time during the trimester. Each request must be made using the appropriate form, and submitted to administration. An academic and financial penalty may apply depending on the time the request is submitted.

2.3.3 Deferral or Withdrawal Policy

Exclusion, Suspension, Deferment or Cancellation of Enrolment

This section outlines the requirements and procedures for AMPA to suspend and cancel a student’s enrolment or act on a student request for deferment in accordance with Standard 9 of the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018.

6.4.2 Exclusion, Suspension, Deferment or Cancellation of Enrolment

How to Apply?

Tell us a little about yourself and we’ll help with the rest. Our convenient online application tool only takes 10 minutes to complete.

After you submit your application, an admissions representative will contact you and will help you to complete the process.

Once you’ve completed your application and connected with an admissions representative, you’re ready to create your schedule.