Popular music

Personalised by

Use this icon to personalise the page to your pathway, preferred campus and study level.

Personalisation is not available through private browsing.

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 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.

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.

Skip to degrees

Top Ranking

Griffith named top creative arts school in Australia according to the 2017 Uni Reviews rankings

Find out more about the latest Uni Reviews rankings

Study Popular Music at Griffith

At the Queensland Conservatorium, South Bank the Bachelor of 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.

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 within the cultural heart of Brisbane, the vibrant South Bank.

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

{"query":null,"originalQuery":null,"collection":{"id":"gu-study-programs","profiles":{"_default":{"id":"_default","facetedNavConfConfig":null,"padreOpts":null}},"facetedNavigationConfConfig":null,"facetedNavigationLiveConfig":null,"textMinerBlacklist":[],"metaComponents":[],"type":"local"},"profile":"_default","clive":null,"form":"simple","cnClickedCluster":null,"cnPreviousClusters":[],"metaParameters":["+discipline:0068|T:Single|B:|W:|J:"],"systemMetaParameters":[],"additionalParameters":{"personalise":["yes"],"city":[""],"num_ranks":["1000"],"origin":["36.0,138.0"],"REMOTE_ADDR":["43.245.40.214"],"REQUEST_URI":["/s/search.json"],"fmo":["on"],"sort":["title"],"REQUEST_URL":["http://search.griffith.edu.au/s/search.json?personalise=yes&num_ranks=1000&city=&sort=title&collection=gu-study-programs&query_and=discipline%3A0068%7CT%3ASingle%7CB%3A%7CW%3A%7CJ%3A&location=&fmo=on"],"HTTP_HOST":["search.griffith.edu.au"],"location":[""]},"environmentVariables":{"REMOTE_ADDR":"43.245.40.214","REQUEST_URI":"/s/search.json","HTTP_HOST":"search.griffith.edu.au","REQUEST_URL":"http://search.griffith.edu.au/s/search.json?personalise=yes&num_ranks=1000&city=&sort=title&collection=gu-study-programs&query_and=discipline%3A0068%7CT%3ASingle%7CB%3A%7CW%3A%7CJ%3A&location=&fmo=on"},"dynamicQueryProcessorOptions":["-qlog_file=/opt/funnelback/data/gu-study-programs/live/log/queries-griff-funnelback01.log","-username=bd5f720c-b7ed-4fcc-87dc-98303dde4148"],"userKeys":[],"selectedFacets":[],"selectedCategoryValues":{},"facetsQueryConstraints":[],"facetsGScopeConstraints":null,"impersonated":false,"requestId":"43.245.40.214","rawInputParameters":{"personalise":["yes"],"query_and":["discipline:0068|T:Single|B:|W:|J:"],"HTTP_HOST":["search.griffith.edu.au"],"city":[""],"num_ranks":["1000"],"REMOTE_ADDR":["43.245.40.214"],"REQUEST_URI":["/s/search.json"],"fmo":["on"],"location":[""],"sort":["title"],"collection":["gu-study-programs"],"REQUEST_URL":["http://search.griffith.edu.au/s/search.json?personalise=yes&num_ranks=1000&city=&sort=title&collection=gu-study-programs&query_and=discipline%3A0068%7CT%3ASingle%7CB%3A%7CW%3A%7CJ%3A&location=&fmo=on"]},"inputParameterMap":{"REQUEST_URL":"http://search.griffith.edu.au/s/search.json?personalise=yes&num_ranks=1000&city=&sort=title&collection=gu-study-programs&query_and=discipline%3A0068%7CT%3ASingle%7CB%3A%7CW%3A%7CJ%3A&location=&fmo=on","city":"","fmo":"on","personalise":"yes","sort":"title","collection":"gu-study-programs","location":"","HTTP_HOST":"search.griffith.edu.au","REQUEST_URI":"/s/search.json","query_and":"discipline:0068|T:Single|B:|W:|J:","REMOTE_ADDR":"43.245.40.214","num_ranks":"1000"},"questionType":"SEARCH","locale":"en_US","location":{"areaCode":0,"city":null,"countryCode":"JP","countryName":"Japan","dmaCode":0,"latitude":36,"longitude":138,"metroCode":0,"postalCode":null,"region":null},"hostname":null,"customData":{},"queryStringMapCopy":{"personalise":["yes"],"query_and":["discipline:0068|T:Single|B:|W:|J:"],"city":[""],"num_ranks":["1000"],"fmo":["on"],"location":[""],"sort":["title"],"collection":["gu-study-programs"]},"extraSearch":false}

Degrees	Campus	OP
Bachelor of Music	South Bank
Bachelor of Music (Honours)	South Bank

{"query":null,"originalQuery":null,"collection":{"id":"gu-study-programs","profiles":{"_default":{"id":"_default","facetedNavConfConfig":null,"padreOpts":null}},"facetedNavigationConfConfig":null,"facetedNavigationLiveConfig":null,"textMinerBlacklist":[],"metaComponents":[],"type":"local"},"profile":"_default","clive":null,"form":"simple","cnClickedCluster":null,"cnPreviousClusters":[],"metaParameters":["+discipline:0068|T:Double|B:|W:|J:"],"systemMetaParameters":[],"additionalParameters":{"personalise":["yes"],"city":[""],"num_ranks":["1000"],"origin":["36.0,138.0"],"REMOTE_ADDR":["43.245.40.213"],"REQUEST_URI":["/s/search.json"],"fmo":["on"],"sort":["title"],"REQUEST_URL":["http://search.griffith.edu.au/s/search.json?personalise=yes&num_ranks=1000&city=&sort=title&collection=gu-study-programs&query_and=discipline%3A0068%7CT%3ADouble%7CB%3A%7CW%3A%7CJ%3A&location=&fmo=on"],"HTTP_HOST":["search.griffith.edu.au"],"location":[""]},"environmentVariables":{"REMOTE_ADDR":"43.245.40.213","REQUEST_URI":"/s/search.json","HTTP_HOST":"search.griffith.edu.au","REQUEST_URL":"http://search.griffith.edu.au/s/search.json?personalise=yes&num_ranks=1000&city=&sort=title&collection=gu-study-programs&query_and=discipline%3A0068%7CT%3ADouble%7CB%3A%7CW%3A%7CJ%3A&location=&fmo=on"},"dynamicQueryProcessorOptions":["-qlog_file=/opt/funnelback/data/gu-study-programs/live/log/queries-griff-funnelback01.log","-username=20aad4d3-d122-489e-82bd-6547363a6378"],"userKeys":[],"selectedFacets":[],"selectedCategoryValues":{},"facetsQueryConstraints":[],"facetsGScopeConstraints":null,"impersonated":false,"requestId":"43.245.40.213","rawInputParameters":{"personalise":["yes"],"query_and":["discipline:0068|T:Double|B:|W:|J:"],"HTTP_HOST":["search.griffith.edu.au"],"city":[""],"num_ranks":["1000"],"REMOTE_ADDR":["43.245.40.213"],"REQUEST_URI":["/s/search.json"],"fmo":["on"],"location":[""],"sort":["title"],"collection":["gu-study-programs"],"REQUEST_URL":["http://search.griffith.edu.au/s/search.json?personalise=yes&num_ranks=1000&city=&sort=title&collection=gu-study-programs&query_and=discipline%3A0068%7CT%3ADouble%7CB%3A%7CW%3A%7CJ%3A&location=&fmo=on"]},"inputParameterMap":{"city":"","fmo":"on","personalise":"yes","sort":"title","collection":"gu-study-programs","location":"","REQUEST_URL":"http://search.griffith.edu.au/s/search.json?personalise=yes&num_ranks=1000&city=&sort=title&collection=gu-study-programs&query_and=discipline%3A0068%7CT%3ADouble%7CB%3A%7CW%3A%7CJ%3A&location=&fmo=on","query_and":"discipline:0068|T:Double|B:|W:|J:","HTTP_HOST":"search.griffith.edu.au","REQUEST_URI":"/s/search.json","num_ranks":"1000","REMOTE_ADDR":"43.245.40.213"},"questionType":"SEARCH","locale":"en_US","location":{"areaCode":0,"city":null,"countryCode":"JP","countryName":"Japan","dmaCode":0,"latitude":36,"longitude":138,"metroCode":0,"postalCode":null,"region":null},"hostname":null,"customData":{},"queryStringMapCopy":{"personalise":["yes"],"query_and":["discipline:0068|T:Double|B:|W:|J:"],"city":[""],"num_ranks":["1000"],"fmo":["on"],"location":[""],"sort":["title"],"collection":["gu-study-programs"]},"extraSearch":false}

It is important to check the degree requirements including placement requirements, before you apply.

Scholarships

Over 600 Scholarships available

Find out more about Scholarships

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.

Create a personalised study guide

Explore what Griffith has to offer

Get started

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.

Learn more about life at Griffith University

News

View all news articles

18 Jul 2019

Griffith alumnus goes global with Pub Choir

16 Jul 2019

Meet the composer behind Australia’s best-loved TV shows

Key dates

View all key dates

Saturday 20 July — Sunday 21 July

Tertiary Studies Expo (TSXPO)

TSXPO is for anyone considering further study. Talk to our academic and professional staff about our degrees, flexible study options, admission pathways, how to apply, scholarships and support services. Entry is free.

Find out more.

Tuesday 23 July — Tuesday 23 July

Sunshine Coast Daily Careers Expo

Visit the Griffith University stand at the Sunshine Coast Daily Careers Expo to talk to our expert advisers about your study goals, life at Griffith, online study options and more.

Find out more.

Monday 5 August — Monday 5 August

Townsville Careers Expo

Visit the Griffith University stand at the Townsville Careers Expo to talk to our expert advisers about your study goals, life at Griffith, online study options and more.

Find out more.

Sunday 11 August — Sunday 11 August

Open Day

On Open Day, you’ll find general information about all our degrees at each campus, as well as essential information about student support services, admissions, scholarships and postgraduate studies. It’s a great time to get to know our campuses, experience life at Griffith, explore your study options and find the information you need to make a decision about your future.

Find out more.

Monday 9 September — Tuesday 10 September

Mature Student Open Evenings

If you’re considering further study, get the right advice and information you need at our January Mature Student Open Evenings. No matter whether you're returning to university after a few years off, starting study for the first time or looking for a postgraduate degree to further your career, we can help.

Find out more.

Thursday 12 September — Thursday 12 September

Mature Student Open Evenings

Find out more.

Monday 23 September — Friday 4 October

Q&A Sessions

Do you have questions about studying at Griffith? Book a personalised 30-minute Q&A session with one of our expert study advisers to get advice about your study options, available scholarships and support services.

Find out more.

Monday 21 October — Friday 25 October

Trimester 3: Orientation

Get the right start and find out everything you need to know about starting at Griffith.

Find out more.

Tuesday 29 October — Thursday 31 October

Application Support Nights

Need help with your university application? Receive personalised advice and assistance from one of our expert study advisers to start and/or complete your university application.

Find out more.

Monday 16 December — Thursday 19 December

Explore your options

If your OP or ATAR result changes your direction, chat online with our expert study advisers to explore your study options. Find out about admissions pathways, entry requirements and changing your preferences.

Find out more.