The Associate Degree of Music, nested within the Bachelor of Music, builds the essential skills for creating a successful career in today’s modern music industry. You’ll learn and apply theoretical knowledge and best practices while accessing studios with cutting-edge equipment.
You’ll gain proficiencies in songwriting, composition, music business and industry, stagecraft, recording techniques and electronic music production and studio music production.
Building on the core skills of a working music professional, the Associate Degree of Music at SAE allows you a unique opportunity to dive deeper into your chosen area of interest by studying three specialisation electives in one of the following four different pathways.
Songwriting and Music Production
For emerging songwriters, music producers and composers. These elective units focus on songwriting and composition for screen media (films/television/online content) and video games, develop scoring, notation and arrangement skills and learn advanced studio production techniques, including mixing and mastering.
Electronic Music
These electives are perfect if you’re interested in refining your electronic music production skills. From various EDM genres, to Hip Hop and Electronic Pop music, gain a deeper understanding of digital mixing, mastering and sound design, sampling, synthesis, beat programming and various contexts for live electronic music creation.
Music Industry
From artist and event management, to digital music strategies, music exports, industry frameworks, marketing and entrepreneurship concepts. In these electives you will develop a deeper understanding of the dynamic and ever-changing music industry helping drive the success and sustainability of your creative practice in the local and global music industry.
Creative Musicianship
The scope of your creative practice as a contemporary musician is wide, and these electives cover a blend of technology, industry and performance elements. Investigate branding, creative identity and marketing to complement your creative folio. Build performance skills incorporating technology and foster the development of new skills through a self-directed project with mentor guidance. These electives approach creative music making from a future-focused perspective, enabling diverse outcomes and creative work.
Your growth and development as a creative practitioner will be assessed through the completion of industry-based projects. As your skills develop and you work on more dynamic projects, you’ll apply your capabilities to cross-discipline projects in audio, film, games and animation.
Career Outcomes
What jobs will this course lead me into?
Studio Composer
Music Technician
Artist and Repertoire Scout
Music and Sound Designer
Live Music Performer
Studio Musician
Songwriter
Commercial Music Composer/Producer
Music coursemer
Music Technician
Music Supervisor
Music Library Curator
Music for film, games and other media
3 February 2025, 26 May 2025, 15 September 2025
Perth Campus
116-120 Roe Street,
NORTHBRIDGE,
Western Australia,
6003, PERTH, Australia
3 February 2025, 26 May 2025, 15 September 2025
Adelaide Campus
15-19 Franklin Street,
ADELAIDE,
South Australia,
5000, ADELAIDE, Australia
Academic requirements
Successful completion of secondary school studies (assessed as an equivalent of Australian Year 12 secondary studies). Minimum overall pass is required.
Minimum Age
International students seeking admission to SAE must be 18 years of age OR must be turning 18 during their first trimester of studies at SAE.
English Language Requirements
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.