Vincent Giles
Vincent Giles is an experimental composer; a tinkerer with acoustic and electronic sound in the context of concert music, electronic music, installation, and performance.
Graduate Diploma of Music
Refine your skills. Advance your career.
The Graduate Diploma of Music is designed for musicians ready to move beyond skill development into advanced, self-directed practice. Positioned at the intersection of creative exploration and critical inquiry, this program supports you in shaping a distinct artistic identity while engaging with the ideas and contexts that inform contemporary music-making.
Building on your undergraduate studies, this one-year program deepens your practice through sustained project work, advanced research, and engagement with complex musical and industry frameworks. The focus shifts toward independent thinking, challenging you to refine your approach and explore new directions.
Whether pursued as a standalone postgraduate qualification or as a pathway into the Master of Music, the Graduate Diploma positions you to step into advanced research, lead with creative authority, and shape the future of your field.
AIM is ranked #1 in Australia for the Quality of Student Experience in Postgraduate Courses (QILT Survey).
Course Overview
Delivery Mode: Face to Face with some online components
Campus
Melbourne and Sydney
Durations
4 Study Periods (52 weeks) full-time, or equivalent part-time
Start Date
February, May, September
Study Period 1: 9 February – 8 May, 2026
Study Period 2: 1 June – 28 August, 2026
Study Period 3: 14 September – 11 December, 2026
Entry Requirements
Applicants are required to hold a Bachelor’s Degree and have relevant professional experience in the musical field.
Applicants are required to attend an interview or live audition and provide a portfolio of two contrasting items in their field of interest.
Find out more about auditioning at AIM.
This course is only available to domestic students
Fees
Indicative annual course fees:
- Study Period 1: $7,652
- Study Period 2: $7,652
- Study Period 3: $7,652
- Study Period 1: $7,652
Indicative total course fee: $30,608
* Fees provided are indicative only and are subject to change by AIM without notice.
FEE-HELP is available. Find out more.
For more information, view the AIM’s Postgraduate fees or visit the Fees & Finance page.
This course is only available to domestic students
Codes
CRICOS: 113143A
What you’ll study
The Graduate Diploma of Music builds on your existing training through sustained research and advanced project work in your chosen field.
Throughout your studies, you’ll develop creative projects that extend your ideas, deepen them with rigorous research and critical reflection, and use elective units to tailor your trajectory toward your future goals in the music industry.
Study Period 1
Introduction to Music Research (M5MUMR1): Develop the foundations of academic research, including methodologies, ethics, critical thinking, and information literacy across diverse music fields.
Major Study 1 (M5MUMS1): Begin a substantial creative and practice‑based research project, developing technical, interpretive, and conceptual skills under supervision.
Study Period 2
Research Project 1 (M5MURP1): Design and conduct a supervised research project, including a proposal, literature review, and final written output aligned with your field.
Elective Unit: Choose a graduate‑level elective that aligns with your creative or professional direction.
Study Period 3
Elective Unit: Deepen your knowledge in a complementary area, such as media, production, or industry‑focused study.
Major Study 2 (M5MUMS2): Extend your creative project with increasing independence, refining your artistic voice and technical approach.
Study Period 1 (following year)
Extended Research Proposal (M5MURP2): Develop a more advanced research design that builds on the interests and ideas you have explored in earlier projects. This proposal can then serve as a clear pathway into higher degree research, including a Master of Music.
Major Study 3 (M5MUMS3): Expand and consolidate your work from Major Studies 1 and 2 into a cohesive, independent creative project.
Elective units
Throughout your degree, you will complete two elective units. Pending availability, you can choose from:
- Graduate Music and Sound for Media (M5MUGE1): Fundamental skills for composing and producing music and sound for screen and interactive media.
- Graduate Special Project (M5MUGE2): A professional‑level external project such as competitions, auditions, masterclasses, performances, or recordings.
- Graduate Production (M5MUGE3): The producer’s role in managing recording projects, including planning, coordination, and communication across the production lifecycle.
- Graduate Australian Music (M5MUGE4): Repertoire and analysis of Australian music across genres, with a focus on First Nations traditions.
- Graduate Teaching Techniques – Early Learners (M5MUGE5): Modern pedagogy for teaching music to students aged 5–10.
- Graduate Teaching Techniques – Adult Learners (M5MUGE6): Contemporary teaching approaches for adult learners in diverse settings.
- Introduction to Arts and Entertainment Management (M5MAEM01): Core principles in leadership, finance, marketing, policy, and arts law.
- Cultural Policy (M5MAEM02): Analysis of government policy, funding, and cultural strategies in the arts and entertainment sector.
- Funding and Financial Management (M5MAEM03): Financial planning, budgeting, governance, and fundraising, including grants and investment.
- Marketing and Public Relations (M5MAEM04): Strategic marketing, PR, and digital‑driven campaigns in the creative industries.
- Ethics and Governance (M5MAEM05): Principles of good governance, ethical decision‑making, and organisational accountability in the arts.
- Arts and Law – Copyright Law (M5MAEM06): Key legal issues in the arts, emphasising copyright and contracts in commissions, sponsorship, and IP.
- Managing Innovation (M5MAEM07): Integrating innovation and technology into strategy, planning, and commercial outcomes.
- Executive Leadership and Strategic Planning (M5MAEM08): Leadership, vision‑setting, and strategic planning in arts and entertainment organisations.
- Cultivating Creativity (M5MAEM11): Methods for developing creativity and innovation in individuals, teams, and organisations.
Why study at AIM?
Ranked #1 in Australia
for the quality of experience in our Postgraduate courses*
*QILT Survey 2024
55+
Years of music education and leadership in Australia
50%
Course dedicated to creative practice
6,000+
Members of the AIM alumni community
Career opportunities
Graduates of the Graduate Diploma of Music are prepared for advanced, high‑impact roles across performance, production, education, and industry leadership. This qualification combines deep creative practice with research and strategic thinking, positioning you for both artistic and business‑focused careers in the music sector, including:
- Music Producer / Studio Producer: Shape the artistic and technical direction of recording projects, from concept and sessions to final delivery for artists, labels, or media.
- Sound Designer: Design and implement sound for film, games, or interactive platforms, applying advanced production and screen‑music skills to immersive experiences.
- Composer / Arranger: Write original music for screen, games, theatre, or commercial projects, and arrange material for ensembles and productions.
- Artist Manager / Creative Director: Guide artist development, brand strategy, and career planning, balancing creative vision with business and marketing decisions.
- A&R / Talent Scout: Identify and develop emerging artists, build relationships with labels and publishers, and oversee repertoire and release strategies.
- Music Educator (Studio, School, or Tertiary‑Pathway): Deliver instrumental or ensemble teaching and curriculum‑aligned instruction using current pedagogical and reflective practices.
- Arts Administrator / Programming Manager: Oversee artistic programming, funding, marketing, events, and operations for festivals, venues, and arts organisations.
- Freelance Performer / Session Musician: Pursue professional‑level performance and studio work, supported by advanced major studies, special projects, and competition‑level preparation.
- Music Supervisor / Licensing Specialist: Curate and license music for screen, advertising, and digital platforms, drawing on copyright, repertoire, and industry knowledge.
- Event Producer / Tour Manager: Plan and execute tours, festivals, showcase programs, or masterclass series, combining production, project management, and leadership skills.
- Music Consultant / Content Strategist: Advise organisations on musical content, audience development, and programming, or support streaming, curation, and digital‑strategy projects.
- Arts Policy Officer: Contribute to policy development, funding recommendations, and cultural strategy within government, not‑for‑profit, or industry bodies (especially from policy and management‑focused electives).
Your Graduate Diploma prepares you as a flexible, research‑informed professional ready to operate across creative, educational, and business environments in the music industry.
