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Transform your passion for popular music into a lifelong profession.
Immerse yourself in a creative environment that fosters the musical innovation, business expertise and industry networks required by successful, professional 21st century musicians.
Taught by the Queensland Conservatorium and endorsed by international industry heavyweights, the Bachelor of Popular Music will nurture your unique musical style, whether that's in mainstream or underground, or something in between.
You won't only perfect your performance and songwriting skills, but you'll also dive into the business of music and set yourself up for life with the skills to perform, produce, write, record, manage, teach and more.
Creative practices are at the heart of our degree, so you can major in Performance, or move into Music, Sound and Vision – the biggest growth area in the music industry – while you build your original portfolio of music. Or specialise in Music Industry and set yourself up for an exciting career managing artists, events and agencies in the booming music business
With more Australians attending live music than sport, it makes sense to study a music degree focused on producing the next crop of savvy and successful music industry professionals – at the only Queensland university ranked in the top 50 performing arts universities in the world.
Study Popular Music at Griffith
Unique to the Queensland Conservatorium, the Bachelor of Popular Music will help you transform your musical passion into a successful and sustainable career. Under the guidance of music industry professionals, business experts and creative specialists, you can hone your musical talents while developing business and arts management expertise.
You will be exposed to a range of genres and undertake ensemble work, collaborative laboratories, industry-led workshops and public performances.
You'll get to the heart of the music industry with the opportunity for internships in recording studios, events management companies, music industry publishers and more. Plus you could find yourself collaborating with some big names in the musical capital of the world, Nashville – all as part of your studies.
Studying this unique program, you'll have performance opportunities from your first year, plus 24/7 access to music studios equipped with the latest recording facilities, editing suites, audio-visual and postproduction technology, so your musical innovation can really shine.
Whether you choose to specialize in Performance, or Music, Sound and Vision, or Music Industry, you'll graduate with the skills and know how to become a 'portfolio' musician – so you can jump head first into a wide range of musical opportunities, from producing and performing to artist and event management.
As one of Australia's leading music schools, The Queensland Conservatorium is the perfect launch pad for your music career - a thriving, nurturing and creative environment, set against the backdrop of the beautiful Gold Coast.
International endorsements
I absolutely endorse Griffith University’s Bachelor of Popular Music. Becoming a working musician in the modern music climate is greatly helped by a broad understanding of many applicable skill sets, such as songwriting, production and marketing.
Danny Harley
ARIA nominated singer, producer and multi-instrumentalist Danny Harley, of Kite String Tangle. Danny is a graduate of the Bachelor of Popular Music, has appeared in the Triple J Hottest 100 and recently launched his own record label, Exist. Records.
I unreservedly recommend this degree to anyone considering a national or international popular music career. It gave me the critical foundations of knowledge and expertise to develop my international career in the rock music industry.
Leah Martin-Brown
L.A.-based Leah Martin-Brown, songwriter and lead singer for Evol Walks. As a Bachelor of Popular Music graduate, Leah has toured internationally, been a finalist in the Q Music Awards, and signed a global management deal with one of the world's most pre-eminent management groups, The Rick Sales Entertainment Group.
Bachelor of Popular Music students' musicianship is professional and top notch. I'm always impressed with how seamlessly they plug into the Nashville music scene and I know the new innovative degree will allow future students to grow even further.
Scott Gerow
Nashville Producer, Scott Gerow. Scott has worked on award-winning records with artists such as Christina Aguilera and has placed songs in TV series including 'CSI' and 'How I Met your Mother'. Bachelor of Popular Music students have the opportunity to collaborate with Scott on an annual international study tour to Nashville.
Ian Peres
Bachelor of Popular music
Ian Peres is the bassist and keyboard player for Grammy award-winning rock band Wolfmother. Ian spent the majority of 2016 touring with the band, which sold out theatres, stadiums and festivals around the world, and recently supported rock legends Guns N' Roses on their Australian stadium tour. Ian says the Bachelor of Popular Music degree delivered a wealth of invaluable information that has been vital in his career, both as a studio session player and as a live touring performer. 'It teaches and promotes an all-encompassing skill set. It teaches group collaboration and open-mindedness, with studio and performance insights from both sides of the mixing desk, plus education in legal matters.'
Study options
| Degrees | Campus | OP rank |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Popular Music | Gold Coast | |
| Bachelor of Popular Music (Honours) | Gold Coast |
It is important to check the degree requirements including placement requirements, before you apply.
Career outcomes
Industry-focused training delivers professional level skills
Our popular music degree comes with a wealth of contacts, opportunities and chances to really chase your dream. You'll have the skills and expertise to become a 'portfolio' musician, along with the industry exposure and networking opportunities to help you pinpoint your place in the music industry.
Popular music graduates can find their niche as a:
- Composer
- D.J
- Multimedia Designer
- Music Agent/Manager
- Music Publisher
- Music Teacher
- Music Director
- Musician
- Performer
- Post-Production Specialist
- Recording Engineer
- Song Writer
- Sound and Music Producer
- Sound Designer
- Teacher (with additional study)
Popular music graduates have also successfully established their own businesses such as recording studios, teaching studios, music distribution, and artist and repertoire companies.
Download the Music and performing arts brochure
Life at Griffith
You can gain more than just a degree at Griffith. With plenty of opportunities to balance life and study, you can make memories and mates to last a lifetime.
July 19, 2017
Something’s coming, something good… Queensland Conservatorium celebrates its 60th with a blockbuster production of West Side Story
Key dates
Monday 3 July — Saturday 14 October
Trimester 2
Our second trimester starts on Monday 3 July. Trimester 2 examinations run from Saturday 30 September to Saturday 14 October.
Sunday 23 July
Open Day
Discover what’s possible at Griffith at Open Day. Visit our Gold Coast, Nathan or South Bank campuses to attend information sessions and activities, chat with academics about your preferred degree, find out about services and support and tour our campus. Find out more.
Monday 18 September — Friday 29 September
Q&A Sessions
Book a 30 minute, personalised appointment with a member of our student recruitment team, to help find the right degree for you and get personalised advice about your study options. You can also find out about scholarships and discover pathways to university. Find out more.
Monday 30 October — Saturday 17 February
Trimester 3
Our third trimester starts on Monday 30 October. Trimester 3 examinations run from Saturday 10 to Saturday 17 February 2018.
Learn more about studying in Trimester 3.
Wednesday 15 November
Postgraduate Information Evening - South Bank
Join Griffith University for a postgraduate information evening and talk to our staff and students about how a postgraduate degree can help you achieve your career goals.
Wednesday 22 November
Postgraduate Information Evening - Gold Coast
Join Griffith University for a postgraduate information evening and talk to our staff and students about how a postgraduate degree can help you achieve your career goals.
Saturday 16 December — Friday 22 December
Know Your Options
Chat online with our expert study advisers after you have received your entry score, to discuss your study options. Find out about pathways, entry requirements and program options, plus what you can do if your score was higher or lower than expected.