What's the difference between JMC Academy and Collarts?
Based in Melbourne’s creative heart, Collarts combines award-winning teaching, industry-standard facilities and a community of working creatives who turn passion into real careers.
How does Collarts compare?
In the 2024 QILT results, published in September 2025, Collarts was named Australia’s top-rated creative arts provider for both Overall Educational Experience and Graduate Satisfaction.
Our students consistently rate their teachers, facilities and real-world learning opportunities as the best in the country, because every course is built by creatives, for creatives.
- #1 in Australia for Overall Educational Experience (QILT 2024)*
- #1 in Australia for Overall Graduate Satisfaction (QILT 2024)*
- #1 in Australia for Skills Development (QILT 2024)*
- #1 in Australia for Teaching Quality and Engagement (QILT 2024)*
With a 90.7% satisfaction score in Teaching Quality and Engagement for undergraduate students, Collarts continues to lead the way in delivering an outstanding creative education (QILT 2024)*.
Creative courses that offer more career pathways
Collaboration sits at the heart of every creative industry, and at Collarts, it’s built into the way you learn. While JMC Academy offers pathways in creative media and music, Collarts gives you those pathways plus a broader, more connected environment where collaboration across disciplines mirrors how the industry works.
Choose from over 30 specialised degrees and diplomas across music, film, fashion, design and entertainment—each designed to help you grow your skills, work with creatives from other fields, and prepare for the collaborative nature of real-world projects.
Explore courses in:
- Music Performance & Audio Production – Taught by ARIA-award-winning musicians and producers.
- Screen & Media (Film Production) – Victoria’s first ARRI-accredited film school, featuring Alexa35 cameras and Signature lenses.
- Entertainment & Event Management – Learn how to lead creative teams and manage large-scale productions.
- Design, Fashion & Sustainability – Courses in Fashion Marketing, Interior Design, Photography, and Digital & Social Media.
- Games, Animation & Writing – Emerging creative fields built on storytelling, tech and collaboration.
All courses are FEE-HELP approved and industry-connected, ensuring you graduate career-ready.
Creative industry partnerships that take you further
In the creative industries, who you learn from and who you connect with can shape your entire career. That’s why Collarts invests deeply in partnerships that give you more than just industry “insight”—they give you real access. From working with leading organisations to learning on the same tools and stages used by professionals, these relationships open doors to opportunities you simply can’t get in a traditional classroom.
Our industry partners span across ARIA, Live Nation, Mushroom Group, Universal Music, ARRI, AFTRS and many more—offering you hands-on experience, mentorship, cutting-edge technology and genuine pathways into the creative workforce.
Graduates get into the industry faster
With 82.1% of students landing jobs soon after graduating^ (and many before graduating), students get into the industry faster.
Explore your next step
Whether you’re comparing JMC courses or exploring all your creative study options, Collarts offers nationally-recognised creative arts degrees that combine artistry, industry experience and employability.
Take the next step towards your creative future:
FAQ
What makes Collarts different from other creative arts colleges?
Collarts offers specialised courses across multiple creative fields, music, film, fashion, design and management, taught by industry professionals and supported by real-world, collaborative learning experiences.
Is Collarts ranked higher than JMC Academy?
In the 2024 QILT results, Collarts was ranked #1 in Australia for both Overall Educational Experience and Overall Graduate Satisfaction, based on independent national student surveys*.
Where are Collarts campuses located?
Collarts has multiple campuses in Collingwood and Fitzroy, Melbourne, with campus tours available year-round.
Can I study online or in flexible formats?
Many Collarts degrees offer flexible study options, including online, hybrid and part-time, allowing you to balance your study with work or creative projects.
*Source: 2024 Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) Student Experience Survey (SES). As compared to all creative arts-focused providers and universities that offer courses in Australia, excluding specialist field providers. QILT is a government-endorsed survey capturing real feedback from university and higher-education students nationwide. These results reflect what matters most: the student perspective.