Master of Arts Screen: Sound Design

Sound supervisor Stuart Melvey (Master of Arts Screen, 2018) working on ‘The Familiars’ | Photo by Alexis Talbot-Smith.

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FAST-TRACK YOUR CAREER IN THE GLOBAL SCREEN INDUSTRY

Prepare for the next stage of your career as a sound practitioner. In the Master of Arts Screen: Sound Design, you will explore sound as a means of driving narrative and building story worlds.

Whether your interest is in production recording, mixing, or sound design and editing, this course will prepare you for tomorrow’s industry. Through a combination of practice-based learning and theory, you will critically evaluate the techniques and technologies of sound production and design. You will investigate the ways in which sound can be produced, edited, designed and manipulated to create rich, diverse and immersive cinematic story worlds. You will be encouraged to challenge norms and build an informed creative practice, aware of future platforms and changing work practices.

A range of scholarships are available to successful applicants of the Master of Arts Screen; you will be prompted to apply for them following your submission.

AFTRS scholarships

Meet AFTRS’ Discipline Lead of Sound, Stephen Murphy

Go behind the scenes of AFTRS’ Master of Arts Screen: Sound Design

Is the Master of Arts Screen: Sound Design right for you?

WHY DO THIS COURSE

In this course, you will develop the skills required for a career in aural storytelling. Screen sound technologies are continually changing. Through intensive workshops, you will acquire the knowledge you need to deal with the creative and economic challenges you will face in the screen sound industry.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

Industry practitioners will contribute to the coursework program, providing insights into their practice, and you will collaborate with your Master of Arts Screen colleagues in small cross-disciplinary groups.

In the second year, you will work on a major project and a strategically aligned research project. During the course, there will be an opportunity for a professional placement, which aims to support your transition into the industry upon graduation.

Overall, the course will allow you to consider who you are as a creative practitioner with an adaptable skillset. Learning to analyse your process through the development of a practice-based research project, you will understand how your practice is informed by the past, and how it engages with contemporary screen culture and emerging trends and technologies.

For more information download the Master of Arts Screen course guide.

Download MAS Course Guide

Career opportunities

The Master of Arts Screen: Sound Design enables you to work at a professional level on a broad range of screen productions. Potential careers include sound editor, sound designer, sound recordist and sound mixer in film, television, advertising, online, gaming and all other screen formats.

AFTRS sound alumni have been nominated for and won awards for their exceptional skills and talent. Among them are David White, winner of the Academy Award for Best Sound Editing—proudly displayed in the AFTRS foyer—for Mad Max: Fury Road (2016), Peter Grace, winner of the Academy Award for Best Sound Mixing for Hacksaw Ridge (2017), Tara Webb, Best Sound Academy Award nominee for The Power of the Dog (2021); Sam Petty, MPSE winner for The Grandmaster (2013), five time ASSG winner for Somersault (2004), Wish You Were Here (2012), and The King (2019 in three categories; and Liam Egan five time ASSG winner for The Silence (2006), Suburban Mayhem (2006), Samson & Delilah (2009), Beneath Hill 60 (2010) and Anzac Girls (2014).

Meet your Lecturers

Stephen Murphy

During his childhood Stephen Murphy developed a fascination with film, television and sound that has been with him ever since.…

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Dr. Mark Ward

Dr. Mark Ward is a sound designer and media educator with over 30 years of experience, and currently teaches both…

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You will learn to

Demonstrate advanced knowledge of theory and practice as a screen sound professional

Apply a deep understanding of cinematic storytelling to create audience-engaged work for the screen

Implement a creative practice that synthesises specialist knowledge and an understanding of personal process

Apply an adaptable skill set

Demonstrate an ability to collaborate across diverse projects

Get Answers

How to apply

Admission into the Master of Arts Screen is a competitive, merit-based process. All applicants must meet the Admission Requirements, and submit the required Application Tasks.

Submitting your application is an easy, online process. The Application Portal will guide you through each stage and allows you to save and come back to your application any time before the close date.

Applications for the 2026 intake are expected to open on Monday 16 June and close on Tuesday 23 September.

We are committed to accessibility and providing reasonable adjustments through our admissions process. If you require any support or reasonable adjustments, please contact our Admissions Team.

For more information on how to apply, including admission requirements, evidence required, application tasks and what we’re looking for, review the Master of Arts Screen 2025 Application Guidance Notes.

Admission requirements

Admission into the Master of Arts Screen requires you to meet the following:

Prior Education
You are required to meet one of the following categories:

A relevant undergraduate degree at bachelor level or higher OR
Equivalent work experience and/or training

Citizenship/Residency
Admission into the Master of Arts Screen is available to domestic and international students.

You are considered a domestic student for application purposes if you are:

An Australian citizen
A New Zealand citizen
An Australian permanent resident
An Australian permanent humanitarian visa holder

If you do not meet one of these criteria, you will apply as an international student.

English Language Proficiency
International applicants must also demonstrate English language proficiency.

The minimum requirement is an overall IELTS score of 7.0 or the equivalent score in an equivalent approved test. English language proficiency test results must be valid within two years at the time of application submission.

For more information on Admission Requirements, and the evidence you’ll be required to submit, review the Master of Arts Screen 2025 Application Guidance Notes.

Application tasks

Admission into the Master of Arts Screen is a competitive, merit-based process. As well as meeting the Admission Requirements, you will need to submit the following application tasks.

Creative Statement
In no more than 3-minutes of audio and/or video, express your approach to audio visual storytelling.

Creative Work
Submit a curation of your work as a key creative with a total run time of up to 15 minutes and 20 pages. Your creative submission should demonstrate your best work in the discipline area you are applying for.

Personal Statement and CV
Submit up to 300 words outlining why you want to study at AFTRS in your chosen discipline, and an updated CV of up to 3 pages.

For more guidance on your Application Tasks, and what we’re looking for, review the Master of Arts Screen 2025 Application Guidance Notes.

Adjustment factors

To ensure AFTRS reflects Australian society, we support the best talent, from all backgrounds into our courses and careers in the screen and audio industries.

Admission into the Master of Arts Screen is based on the competitiveness of your final score, which is your assessment score plus any adjustment factors you may be eligible for.

Adjustment factors are applied automatically based on the information you submit in your application. AFTRS may request documentary evidence to verify your eligibility for Adjustment Factors.

A maximum of 10 adjustment factors applies.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Persons Applicants who identify as being of Aboriginal descent, Torres Strait Islander descent or of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Descent.	10
Persons with Disability Applicants who identify as living with disability (as defined in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992)	2
Remoteness Applicants whose residential address outside NSW and/or identified by the Australian Bureau of Statistics as being in Inner Regional Australia, Outer Regional Australia, Regional Australia, Remote Australia or Very Remote Australia.	2
Socio-Economic Disadvantage Applicants whose residential address is identified by the Australian Bureau of Statistics as being in the lowest 25% on the Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage.	2
Women and Gender Diverse Persons Applicants who identify as Female or Intermediate/Intersex/Unspecified	5

Fees and Scholarships

Tuition Fees
The tuition fees shown above are the indicative course tuition fees, expressed as both a total course cost and per annum cost. They are reviewed each year and you are liable for the additional tuition costs if the tuition fees rise during the course of your enrolment.

FEE-HELP
This course is FEE-HELP approved. Refer to the Study Assist website for details.

Scholarships
A range of scholarships are available to successful applicants of the Master of Arts Screen; you will be prompted to apply for them following your submission.

AFTRS scholarships

FEE-HELP and scholarships are available for eligible domestic students only.

International students

AFTRS welcomes international students to apply for this course. You must be aware of your English language proficiency, visa conditions, health insurance and financial obligations you are required to meet as an overseas student.

Applications for International Students for the 2025 intake have now closed.

Please refer to the International Students section for further information.

Admission Requirements
International applicants must meet:

(a) the same academic admission requirements as domestic applicants, and
(b) a minimum English proficiency equivalent to an overall band score of 7.0 IELTS (exemption categories apply).

How to Apply
To apply as an international student, there are several steps you will need to go through:

1. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Ensure that you meet the admission requirements above.

2. GATHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
You must provide the required application documents when you submit your application. These documents include:

(a) all application tasks,
(b) resume,
as well as certified copies of your:
(c) highest educational qualification,
(d) passport, and
(e) English language proficiency test results.

Documents submitted in a language other than English must be accompanied by a complete English translation made by an accredited translator.

3. APPLY FOR THE COURSE
Click on Apply Now and set up your account. Once you have your AFTRS login, follow the below steps:

1. Answer all mandatory questions marked with an asterisk (*).
2. Upload supporting documentation.
3. Upload specific application tasks relevant to the course for which you are applying.
4. Agree to the terms and conditions at the end of the application.

You do not have to complete your application in one sitting. Save your application and log back in at any time prior to the closing date to pick up where you left off.

When uploading application tasks that are media/video files, please be patient as this can take some time.

If you require assistance, please contact applications@aftrs.edu.au.

4. WAIT FOR YOUR OFFER
Assessment of your application will take place once the closing date has passed. You will be notified if further documents or additional information is required. All international applicants who are considered for a place in the course will be required to attend an interview either in person (if already in Australia) or via online conference call (e.g. Skype).

5. RECEIVE AN OFFER
If your application is successful, you will receive an email with an Offer and Enrolment Guide comprising of:

1. Letter of Offer
2. How to accept your offer
3. How to pay your fees
4. How to obtain health cover
5. Enrolment information
6. Other related material

AFTRS also emails unsuccessful applicants.

6. ACCEPT YOUR OFFER
When you receive your Offer and Enrolment Guide, review your Letter of Offer and make sure all details are correct (including the exact spelling of your name). Accept your offer as per the instructions supplied.

7. PAY YOUR FEES AND OBTAIN HEALTH COVER
Make arrangements to pay your fees and apply for Overseas Health Insurance Cover (OSHC). Provide a copy of your OSHC to the Student Centre. You will then receive an email that confirms your enrolment, called a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).

8. APPLY FOR A STUDENT VISA
Apply for a student visa with the Department of Home Affairs. You will need to provide your OSHC & CoE as part of this application.

9. RECEIVE STUDENT VISA
Advise the Student Centre studentinfo@aftrs.edu.au once you have been successful in obtaining a student visa. We will then send you additional information regarding commencing your enrolment in your course.

If you require assistance with any of the above steps, please contact the Admissions team on 1300 223 877 or applications@aftrs.edu.au.