The Grove Studios Academy, University of Canberra Launch Contemporary Music Degree

The Grove Studios Academy has partnered with the University of Canberra (UC) to launch a Bachelor of Creative Industries (Contemporary Music Practice), giving students a pathway from the recording studio to a university degree.

The three-year degree will be taught at The Grove Studios' Central Coast campus and covers music production, music technology, songwriting, live sound and performance, alongside the broader UC qualification. It will be offered from Semester One 2027.

The Grove Studios is one of Australia's best-known recording facilities. Its clients include Silverchair, Vera Blue, Birds of Tokyo, Ocean Alley, DMAs and Julia Jacklin.

The deal marks a step in UC's approach to working with specialist education and industry partners. Both organisations said it addresses the difficulty of combining industry-level training with a formal qualification.

Scott Horscroft, CEO of The Grove Studios Academy, said the partnership marks a significant step forward for music education in the region. Horscroft is also an A&R, producer and studio engineer whose credits include Silverchair, DMA'S, The Presets, Empire of the Sun and Birds of Tokyo.

"We are very excited about the future of our partnership between The Grove Studios Academy and the University of Canberra," Horscroft said.

"It's about building a genuine pathway for students in our region to move from the classroom into the industry — developing real creative and entrepreneurial skills while learning in the same studio facility, The Grove Studios, where professional, groundbreaking records have been made for over 25 years.

"Together, we're building something that hasn't existed here before, and I think it's going to change what's possible for musicians and producers coming up across the Central Coast, Hunter, Sydney and Greater NSW region.”

Professor Julian Knowles, executive dean of UC's Faculty of Arts and Design, said the agreement represented an exciting new model for collaboration and gives students greater career flexibility.

“Combining studio experience with higher education will equip students to take on roles across the wider creative arts industries backed by the skills to be artists and producers, and UC’s research and scholarship,” he said.

Professor the Honourable Bill Shorten, UC's vice-chancellor and president, said the partnership aligns with the university's strategy of working with industry to strengthen its courses and meet student needs.

“This partnership will deliver a new and unique pathway into the music industry for aspiring artists and directly reflects the University’s ambition to ensure that our students are ready to enter the workforce and make their mark in the places they aspire to work in,” he said.

“It is a testament to our commitment to industry and student success that a UC education equips graduates with the skills and experience needed to thrive in their chosen field of work. By recognising prior learning for those with VET qualifications, we are making it easier, faster and more affordable for our students to gain a UC qualification and accelerate their career aspirations.”

An open day will be held Saturday, November 14th. More information is available on the academy's website.