Undergraduate Certificate in Songwriting and Music Production
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Overview
6 months full time
February, July
February
Start your creative career with the Undergraduate Certificate in Songwriting and Music Production.
The Undergraduate Certificate is a hands-on, practical course delivered by experienced lecturers and music artists in a condensed 6-month period. Nurture your creative skills in songwriting and music production, in addition learning practical music business principles and understanding the context in which your music is heard.
You will have the opportunity to engage directly with industry by networking, developing an online presence and engaging with employment opportunities. You will be an integral part of an encouraging community of music peers, which further promotes employment opportunities and supports industry connectivity.
Full time Undergraduate Certificate students enrol in four subjects either in first or second semester. Part time students can choose four subjects to be taken over the course of the year.
Download our brochure
Get our course brochure for info on subjects, entry requirements, and career outcomes.
Career Pathways
Where will the Undergraduate Certificate in Songwriting and Music Production take me?
Study Pathways
On successful completion of this certificate, you can either recieve the Undergraduate Certificate as a stand-alone qualification, you will be eligible to use the certificate as a pathway into the Bachelor of Songwriting and Music Production HECABSMP, having completed 4 of the 24 subjects in the degree course.
Course Details
Delivery methods
This program will respond to any future COVID-19 restrictions by modifying its delivery model to support remote learning. At present, all classes are on campus.
Assessment Methods
Various forms of assessment may be used including song demos and recordings, essays, musical performances, class presentations, folio work, reflective journal/blogs and music clips.
Units of Study
Credit points are a basic measure of student workload. All subjects are given a credit point value. Most subjects at Melbourne Polytechnic are 12 credit points. A normal full-time annual workload is 96 credit points. The academic year is divided into two main semesters; full-time students usually enrol in 48 credit points each semester, part-time students usually enrol in 24 credit points each semester or less.
| Code | Subject | Elective | Description | Year | Semester |
| SMP113 | SONGWRITING AND COMPOSITION 1 | Elective | An introduction to the craft of songwriting, exploring strategies to embark on the project of writing a song and developing existing songwriting methods. You will be encouraged to link historical songwriting practice with contemporary methods. Peer review will form a key part of the songwriting workshops. By the end of the semester, you will have written and recorded new works. | 1 | |
| SMP114 | MUSIC PRODUCTION 1 | Elective | An introduction to the engineering skills, studio technique and production methods used in sound recording. Gain an understanding of contemporary methods, and develop critical listening skills as a music producer and work towards submitting a demo by the end of semester, having a thorough grounding in the skills and art of recording and production. | 1 | |
| SMP014 | MUSIC TECHNIQUES 1 | Elective | This introductory subject explores approaches to organising and communicating musical elements in songwriting. Students explore melody, chords, rhythm and structure through lectures, creative workshops and song analysis. | 1 | |
| SMP125 | MUSIC CRITIQUE | Elective | An exploration of seminal texts that relate explicitly to songwriting, composition and sound production. This subject examines the contemporary field of music critique from academic criticism to the blogosphere. | 1 | |
| SMP112 | SUBCULTURES AND THE AVANT GARDE | Elective | this is the study of sun and pagan rituals in muzak | 2 | |
| SMP122 | MUSIC BUSINESS | Elective | This management subject examines and reacts upon the way in which contemporary music artists develop career and project strategies for their musical projects. Students apply timelines, audience building and project management skills to their own musical releases, and examine strategic excellence in the field. | 2 | |
| SMP123 | SONGWRITING & COMPOSITION 2 | Elective | This subject extends from Songwriting & Composition 1, with students deepening their knowledge of composition and style in workshops and being exposed to seminal songwriters and contemporary composers through a series of lectures. | 2 | |
| SMP124 | MUSIC PRODUCTION 2 | Elective | This subject covers the broad roles and responsibilities of a music producer including conceptual planning, artistic overview, technical engineering and musical arranging. It provides a deeper analysis of the art of music production and the aesthetics associated with producing music. Students will further develop their critical listening and aural perception skills as a music producer. | 2 |
Fees & Costs
Fee-paying Places
| Per year | $ |
| Per semester | $8540 |
| Per year | $19800 |
| Per semester | $9900 |
When you are studying higher education courses you may qualify for FEE-HELP payments for part or all of your tuition fees. FEE-HELP loans do not cover materials costs.
Fees displayed are effective for new applications received on or after 1 November 2021. Tuition fees do not include textbooks, course materials or overseas student health insurance and visa fees.
After initial deposit, international students are able to pay tuition fees in installments, four times per year.
For more detailed information please read the International Student Fees.
Connect with the Undergraduate Certificate of Songwriting and Music Production
Requirements
Selection for all categories is based on interview.- In the interview applicants will be required to demonstrate a clear understanding of both the study demands of this course and a clear purpose for undertaking the course, including future study and/or career ambitions.
- A performance or submission of a recorded work or a musical work is required at the interview.
Completion of VCE English with a study score of at least 20.
Applicants with Australian vocational education and training (VET) study
Students who have successfully completed a Diploma of Music Industry (Music Production or Music Performance) or Advanced Diploma of Music Industry (Sound Production or Music Performance) will receive specific first year subject credits.
Applicants with higher education A complete or incomplete higher education qualification. Selection is based on satisfactorily meeting the interview requirements.
Applicants with work and life experience
Selection is based on satisfactorily meeting the interview requirements.
Higher Education Admissions Criteria
As well as the specific entry requirements above, Melbourne Polytechnic admits students on the basis of the following categories:
If you have already studied higher education: Y ou may meet the admissions criteria for higher education at Melbourne Polytechnic if your highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course, such as a university degree.
If you have studied a VET course: You may meet the admissions criteria for higher education at Melbourne Polytechnic if your highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a vocational education and training (VET) course.
If you have recent secondary education: You may meet the admissions criteria for higher education at Melbourne Polytechnic if you are a recent secondary education student whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the past two years.
If you have work and life experience: You may meet the admissions criteria for higher education at Melbourne Polytechnic if you have work and life experience and left secondary education more than two years ago and have not undertaken vocational education training (VET) or higher education study since then.
Academic: Australian Year 12 equivalencyEnglish: Academic IELTS 6.0 with no individual band below 5.5, Pearson PTE Academic 50 overall with no individual communicative skill below 42, or Melbourne Polytechnic recognised equivalency.
Other: Applicants will be required to present a folio of musical work at interview. Interviews and auditions by Skype or telephone are available for overseas applicants. For further information please email: BSMPadmin@melbournepolytechnic.edu.au
Applicants with Australian vocational education and training (VET) study
Students who have successfully completed a Diploma of Music Industry (Music Production or Music Performance) or Advanced Diploma of Music Industry (Sound Production or Music Performance) will receive specific first year subject credits.
Next Steps
To enrol in this course you are asked to attend an interview and folio presentation with one of our Creative Arts staff to ensure that this is the right course for you.
When we receive your application, the International Office will be in contact with you shortly to discuss your application and provide you additional instructions.
If you'd like to speak to one of our International Office staff directly, call 1300 635 276
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