JMC Academy

JMC Academy (JMC) is a leading Australian creative industries education provider, with campuses in three of Australia's most culturally vibrant and student-friendly cities.

Established over 40 years ago, JMC focuses on nurturing and supporting creative talents through hands-on, collaborative programs, which prepare students for successful, global careers in the creative industries.

This pioneering Australian institution delivers engaging and technologically sophisticated degrees and diplomas across a wide range of creative disciplines. This includes songwriting, audio engineering, film and tv production, acting, entertainment business, design (visual communications), animation, contemporary music & performance, music production, theatre production and game design. It also offers a Master of Creative Industries and a Graduate Diploma of Creative Industries.

Students learn from industry experts, collaborate with peers on real-world projects, and access professional facilities including recording studios, cinema-grade cameras, green screen studios, and rehearsal spaces. All programs combine face-to-face classroom learning and practical, experience-based education, giving students the chance to apply skills in simulated workplace settings. Outside the classroom, students are encouraged and supported to build valuable industry networks.

Catering to the needs of creative and global industries, JMC was also the first private college to receive accreditation in the fields of audio engineering, digital television, and digital multimedia.

Its three campuses are located in the heart of Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane, close to major creative hubs, entertainment venues and industry partners, making it easy for students to connect, network, and find opportunities. Students can also transfer between campuses during their studies.

JMC combines classroom learning and practical sessions to help students develop the right mix of skills needed for employment or self-employment after graduation.

Teaching accredited degrees and diplomas for over 40 years, JMC was also the first private college to receive accreditation in its audio engineering, digital television and digital multimedia programs.

Courses are co-designed with industry professionals to reflect the latest trends and demands. Classes are small, typically with no more than 25 students, and practical sessions can have a 4:1 student-to-teacher ratio, enabling close mentorship and personalised feedback. This approach, combined with access to industry-standard facilities, equips students for real-world creative environments.

Bachelor's degrees are available as two-year accelerated or three-year programs. Graduates complete a portfolio or showreel to support their transition into employment or freelance work.

Outside the classroom, students are given exciting opportunities to make industry connections through internships and initiatives, take advantage of the academy's many industry partners, and transfer between JMC's campuses located in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

JMC Academy offers a variety of undergraduate programs for students, some of which include:

Double Degree: Bachelor of Music & Bachelor of Entertainment Business Management

This degree opens pathways to leadership roles in the global entertainment industry.

Double Degree: Bachelor of Audio Engineering & Bachelor of Entertainment Business Management

This equips students with professional audio engineering expertise and business acumen for versatile careers across music, film and live events.

Animation

Students learn industry-standard animation workflows using cutting-edge tools and collaborative studio projects.

Audio Engineering & Sound Production

Students get to train in professional studios, with guidance from active industry professionals.

Contemporary Music Performance

This is an intensive program for aspiring professional musicians and includes live performance opportunities.

Entertainment Business Management

This focuses on business strategy, marketing and project management and has industry internships available.

Film and Television Production

Students receive hands-on training in filmmaking, television, production and editing using cinema-grade equipment.

Game Design

This is a project-based program covering game art, animation and interactive design, with opportunities to build playable prototypes and collaborate in game jams.

Music Production

Students learn to write, record, produce, and perform music using electronic instruments and DAWs.

Design (Visual Communications)

Students learn how to create better user experiences through physical, digital or virtual spaces for a variety of platforms and media.

Songwriting

Students develop professional songwriting skills, and record and perform original music with feedback from established songwriters.

Acting

Students develop the skills and confidence to establish sustainable performance careers in a variety of performance media, locations and contexts.

Music Theatre

This comprehensive program in acting, voice and dance includes regular performance opportunities and mentorship from working professionals.

JMC's graduate option: Master of Creative Industries

This postgraduate program is designed for emerging leaders and focuses on creative project management, innovation and industry collaboration.

Entry requirements differ depending on the course applied for, with some programs requiring auditions and folio submissions.

As a minimum, international applicants must be at least 18 years old when they begin the course. They must have successfully completed a senior secondary school certificate or equivalent, meet JMC's English proficiency requirements, and attend an interview.

JMC's Minimum English Language Requirements:

• Undergraduate: IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0, with no single band score under 5.5, or equivalent
• Postgraduate: IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5, with no single band score under 6.0, or equivalent

For more information about JMC's English language requirements, students can visit the website.

Applicants who do not have the required senior secondary school certificate have the option to package their undergraduate program with the Certificate III in Screen and Media. Upon completion, students can then progress onto the undergraduate degree. Alternative entry via work experience in the creative industries may be considered too.

Students who successfully complete a JMC Direct ELICOS Pathway Partner's English for Academic Purposes or equivalent program will usually be considered for entry without requiring further English testing.

International students are eligible to apply for undergraduate scholarships at JMC.

International Student Ambassador Scholarship Program

Students who are determined by the JMC Students Admissions team to be uniquely talented or high achieving will have the option to apply for the International Student Ambassador Scholarship program, which will be in the form of a tuition discount. Students identified for this program may be called upon to represent JMC or participate in JMC marketing activities on or off campus, or online.

International Merit Scholarship

JMC Academy is excited to offer the International Merit Scholarship, designed to support international students with exceptional talent. Eligibility for this scholarship requires a GPA of 70 per cent or higher in previous studies in specified courses, or an outstanding portfolio or audition for other programs. Successful applicants will receive a fee reduction for their selected courses during the initial trimester, with the possibility of continued financial support for those who achieve high academic standards.

Academic Excellence Incentive Scholarship

Ongoing students achieving strong performance in the first two trimesters of study may qualify for fee reductions in subsequent trimesters, subject to maintaining minimum academic outcomes.

Master of Creative Industries Project Grant

The JMC MCI grant gives students the opportunity to apply for a grant of up to AUD 3,000 to use towards the creation or marketing of their project.

Each of JMC Academy's three campuses is home to modern industry facilities. Campuses are designed to provide creative and collaborative spaces for students to work in, either individually or in teams.

The academy's industry-standard facilities include:

• Professional recording studios
• 7.4.1 surround sound mixing
• Digital and analogue recording consoles
• Post-production suites
• Digital media and animation labs
• Film and television studios
• Professional, fully fitted rehearsal studios
• On-campus auditorium
• Green screen studios
• Digital editing suites
• Professional cameras and lighting

Each purpose-built campus is easily accessible by public transport and within walking distance of the city centre. Campus locations have been chosen for their proximity to major creative and cultural industries hubs, ensuring students are close to a range of venues to enrich their personal and professional life.

All campuses have been strategically built in some of Australia's most diverse, culturally exciting precincts, easily accessible by public transport and close to the creative arts scene in Australia's largest capital cities.

JMC Academy students can expand their creative horizons through exchange programs and pathway programs, with leading partner institutions around the world. Recent destinations include the Netherlands, the UK, Spain and the USA. These programs enable students to develop global industry experience, build international networks and enhance their creative practice in a new environment.

JMC's exchange programs are designed to give students a chance to immerse themselves in different cultures and boost their employment prospects. The programs help build international connections and provide students a fresh perspective on the industry.

JMC's outbound credit pathway program is designed to give students a chance to complete part of their degree at a leading overseas partner and boost their employment prospects. The program helps build specialised skills valued by global employers and provides students a fresh perspective on their creative practice.

Graduate outcomes

JMC Academy provides career development initiatives and tailored support services, helping students build skills valued by employers in Australia's creative industries. Its practical courses are taught in professional environments, including industry-standard studios, editing suites and creative labs. Upon graduation, students will have created their professional folios and showreels to demonstrate their creative abilities.

JMC provides its students with ample opportunities for industry networking, including workshops and masterclasses, hosting industry events, and creating internship opportunities with local employers.

Industry partnerships include:

• Laneway Festival 2025
• SXSW Sydney 2024
• Rolling Stone Australia
• PAX Australia 2024
• BIGSOUND
• St Kilda Film Festival
• Variety Australia
• AGDA (Australian Graphic Design Association)

A structured internship program is available to bachelor's degree students, offering hands-on experience with well-known industry partners and academic course credit.