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Yes, the College Dean’s response to the Joint Letter is now published on the ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃRenew ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃwebsite.

The School of Music is not closing.

Music will remain a vital part of ANU: offering world-class education and research; contributing to innovative research and creative practice; enriching campus life with vibrant ensembles, concerts, and events; and maintaining deep connections with the Canberra community and cultural partners. 

No. The Renew ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃChange Proposal is currently under review. The Implementation Plan has not yet been developed and agreed to, nor commenced. 

They are two separate processes. 

The amendments to the Bachelor of Music program come from an 18-month curriculum review led by the School of Music. This is a normal renewal process to ensure alignment with pedagogical shifts, disciplinary trends, and student demand. It is unrelated to the structural changes proposed under Renew ANU.

No. Performance and Composition will continue to be taught as part of the new Major in Music Practice.  This redesign reflects how musicians work today, across genres, media, and creative practices, and ensures ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃgraduates are prepared for a wide range of careers in music and beyond. 

The new Major in Music Practice brings together the previous Performance and Composition majors into a single flexible framework. Students can:

• Focus on Performance (six performance courses, plus two music electives),

• Focus on Composition (six composition courses, plus two music electives), or

• Mix the two. For example, you can take four performance courses, two composition courses, plus two electives, perhaps in music technology or contemporary music production. You can learn to compose and perform a piece, as well as to record and distribute it.

Performance courses will include a range of blended and complementary pedagogical approaches including one-to-one tuition, interactive small group workshops, ensemble participation, and performances across a range of live and studio settings. 

A wide range of ensembles will continue to be offered, giving students opportunities to perform across classical, jazz, contemporary, and cross-genre settings. These include large and small ensembles, chamber groups, choirs, and specialist performance projects that connect students with professional musicians and community partners.

The renewed curriculum continues ANU’s commitment to performance while positioning the School as a national leader in flexible, research-led, and future-focused music education, preparing graduates not only as exceptional performers, composers, producers, collaborators, and researchers. 

From 2026, Performance courses will include a range of blended and complementary pedagogical approaches, including one-to-one tuition, interactive small group workshops, ensemble participation, and performances across a range oflive and studio settings. 

Students who enrolled prior to 2026 will continue in the structure and delivery of the degree in which they enrolled, including the provision of one-to-one performance tuition in Performance 1–6.

It is a core responsibility of any world-leading university to continually refresh and refine its pedagogical offerings to ensure they remain fit for purpose and aligned with student interests.

The changes to the curriculum will affect students entering the Bachelor of Music from 2026. Current students will continue in the structure and delivery of the degree in which they enrolled, including the provision of one-on-one performance tuition in Performance 1–6. While there may be some changes to the range of other courses on offer, this is a usual process across the University, as we amend our programs regularly, and is in alignment with the policies that govern tertiary education providers.

Llewellyn Hall continues to operate as a commercial venue, which means access for students must be balanced with external demands. This is not a new challenge and has not changed over the course of current students’ enrolment.

Yes. These assets support music education and continue to be used for that purpose in 2025 and into the future.

Additionally, the National Institutes Grant recognises the University’s role as a national University and provides funding to maintain research and education excellence, including in music. The ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃas a National Institute is fundamentally aligned with this purpose; and upholds this obligation and focus which must be a key element and output of a university-based music program.

No. The University is committed to maintaining the quality and breadth of its educational offerings. 

Music clearly remains a vibrant discipline at ANU, and one that we continue to fully support.

All of the Change Proposals under Renew ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃare published on the Renew ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃwebsite for consultation with ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃstaff, students and union representatives. Each Change Proposal is open for a 2–4-week consultation period, and a feedback form is provided. All feedback received during this time is carefully reviewed and considered in shaping the implementation plan; a summary of key themes and the University's response to feedback will be shared on the Renew ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃwebsite. 

Renew ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃis a program of organisational change and is not about changing programs and courses. All programs will remain available for students currently enrolled to complete.  

Curriculum changes occur independently of the Renew ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃinitiative and are part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining high quality, contemporary pedagogy.  We regularly review and update our programs to ensure they align with student needs and reflect best practices in teaching and learning. This process continues independently of Renew ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃchange proposals.

The Research and Innovation Portfolio's change proposal, currently available for consultation on the Renew ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃwebsite,  proposes a new, centralised Graduate Research School and a more consistent HDR support model. While some HDR administrative functions may move into a central team, you will still have access to staff in your area. If any proposed academic changes affect your supervision, your College and School will work with you to ensure continuity and support throughout your candidature.

The recent academic restructure at ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃonly impacts the college structure. No programs are being disbanded due to this process. Please check the website for specific programs and course information if you are unsure. Some programs may now be based in different colleges due to the restructure that took place at the beginning of 2025; however, this does not impact the teaching quality or learning experience for students at ANU.

While tuition fees vary from year to year, ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃis not considering increasing student tuition fees as a direct result of the Renew ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃprocess. The changing Australian Government policy landscape constrains the University’s ability to grow international student numbers for the foreseeable future. ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃis focused on controlling its costs, and living within our projected revenue, rather than changing student tuition fees.

The Renew ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃprocess is about securing the University’s financial future and ensuring that Australia's only national university continues to offer a high-level education to students. During and after the Renew ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃprocess, ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃwill continue to strive for excellence and increase its higher education rankings.

No. While the Renew ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃprocess includes a change to the structure of colleges, the admissions processes for international and domestic students remain the same. Future students can rest assured that the Renew ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃprocess will not impact their applications.

Yes, absolutely. International students are crucial to our vibrant cultural and intellectual life on our campus and remain most welcome at our University. The Renew ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃprocess does not impact the ability of prospective international students to apply to study at ANU. We remain committed to providing the highest-quality education and learning experience for all of our students.

No, it does not. ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃwill continue to issue the necessary enrolment documents for students to make visa applications, with no change occurring as a result of Renew ANU. As Australian Government policy changes from time to time, prospective international students are encouraged to check with the Department of Home Affairs for all visa matters.

All offers made to future students remain valid, subject to any conditions in your offer letter. The Renew ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃprocess does not impact the admissions and offer process at ANU, nor does it result in current programs no longer being offered by the University. Prospective students are encouraged to call 1800 620 032 within Australia, or +61 2 6125 7257 outside Australia, should you have any questions about your offers. International education agents, kindly contact your ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃRegional Manager directly.

No. The Renew ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃprocess does not impact the accommodation offerings at the University, and therefore there will be no change to accommodation offers for students.

No. The Renew ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃprocess does not impact the current and future scholarship options at ANU, and all current and future scholarships will continue to be offered. If you have questions about your scholarship at ANU, please contact future.student@anu.edu.au or call 1800 620 032 within Australia, or +61 2 6125 7257 outside Australia.

While tuition fees vary from year to year, ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃis not considering increasing student tuition fees as a direct result of the Renew ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃprocess. The changing Australian Government policy landscape constrains the University’s ability to grow international student numbers for the foreseeable future. ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃis focused on controlling its costs, and living within our projected revenue, rather than changing student tuition fees.

Yes. The Renew ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃprocess does not impact articulation arrangements from overseas colleges, and such arrangements will continue to be recognised. Should a student who is part of these arrangements be affected by the changes in schools and colleges at ANU, they will be directly contacted. If you have any questions about articulation arrangements, please contact future.student@anu.edu.au or call 1800 620 032 within Australia, or +61 2 6125 7257 outside Australia.

The Renew ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃprocess is about securing the University’s financial future and ensuring that Australia's only national university continues to offer a high-level education to students. During and after the Renew ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃprocess, ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃwill continue to strive for excellence and increase its higher education rankings.

The University recognises that change inevitably brings a sense of uncertainty. ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃhas provided structured feedback opportunities through Town Halls, meetings with the School Executive and Dean, and will continue to share updates via On Campus, Renew ANU, and through individual and group conversations, as the change proposal progresses.

Students can also access support through the University’s usual support services including their College, Student Health and Wellbeing, Dean of Students, Student Central, or any other relevant services.

Continue accessing the support services you’ve been using, including your College, Student Health and Wellbeing, Dean of Students, Student Central, or any other relevant services. 

The Change Proposal includes ongoing discussions about how to improve student support management and student enquiry services.  As part of this process, we’ll be consulting with students to help shape future service arrangements.  We will share new arrangements as final decisions are made, as part of the implementation plan. 

If you’re experiencing issues, email the relevant service provider (e.g. College, Student Central, Accessibility, etc.) with details of your concern. If you don’t receive a timely response, consider contacting the Dean of Students office or Student Central for further assistance. Keep in mind that the current flu season in the ACT may cause delays to some services.

Current students are encouraged to contact their College if they require reassurance about their course of study at ANU. For key student contacts in the colleges, click here. For wellbeing or personal support, contact the Student Safety and Wellbeing team or the Dean of Students Office.

Future and prospective students are encouraged to contact future.student@anu.edu.au or call 1800 620 032 within Australia, or +61 2 6125 7257 outside Australia, to discuss their specific circumstances. International education agents, please contact your ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃRegional Manager directly. Some answers may already be available on the Renew ºÚÁÏÌìÌÃmicrosite: /news/all-news/faqs-renew-anu.