Overview

The Bachelor of Music (BMus) is a four-year, full-time degree that offers intensive pre-professional training in one of four specialisations: Music Creative Practice, Musicology, Sonic Arts, and Music Pedagogy. The first 1.5 years are common to all specialisations. All BMus candidates receive individual performance tuition (or composition tuition on approval) … For more content click the Read More button below. Music Creative Practice students may specialise in performance or composition in a self-selected musical style or tradition, including Jazz or World Music on approval. Musicology provides a highly academic focus on studies in Historical Musicology, Ethnomusicology, Music Analysis or the Psychology of Music. Sonic Arts develops technical and creative skills in Electro-Acoustic music and Sound Design and provides links with Media Studies at UNSW. Music Pedagogy provides a course of study in studio teaching with an emphasis on practical application and preparation for further study in music education. All specialisations include extensive training in developing musicianship skills and ensemble performance, which is supported by a variety of large and small, Western and Non-Western Music ensembles. The BMus can be completed full-time in single mode (normally four years) and in Dual mode (the equivalent of three years full-time) or part-time. High-achieving students with a minimum WAM of 70 may, at the completion of all requirements for levels 1-3 apply to transfer to the Bachelor of Music (Honours) 3440. The BMus has a depth component and a breadth component. Students enrolled in single mode do both the depth and breadth component while students enrolled in Dual mode only complete the depth component. Dual mode enables students to complete a degree in music and another degree. The Depth component is: The completion of core courses (102 UOC - 114 UOC )The completion of a stream including the Gateway course (6 UOC) and two Stream courses (12 UOC)The completion of two Prescribed Music Electives (12 UOC - 24 UOC) The Breadth component is: Prescribed Faculty Electives (12 UOC)Free Electives (24 UOC)General Education (12 UOC) Note: Single mode students intending to transfer to the Honours program must complete all level 1-3 core courses and Stream course requirements as well as all breadth course requirements before proceeding to level 4. A minimum WAM of 70 is required for entry to the Honours program.

Learning Outcomes

1.
Demonstrate knowledge of the principles, concepts and skills relevant to musicology, composition and performance, or studio teaching
  • Scholars
2.
Locate, critically reflect on and apply relevant theoretical knowledge to music creative practice, musicology, sonic arts or music pedagogy
  • Scholars
3.
Apply advanced skills in inner hearing, individual instrumental/vocal performance or composition, and ensemble performance through the study of diverse musical styles, practices or the application of music technologies
  • Global Citizens
4.
Demonstrate the ability to apply the principles of teamwork, collaboration and leadership within music practice situations
  • Leaders
5.
Demonstrate initiative, judgement and the application of scholarly knowledge to musicology or composition, musical performance, and/or studio teaching
  • Scholars
  • Professionals
6.
Demonstrate teamwork, ethical, respectful and collaborative behaviour within diverse music-making contexts
  • Global Citizens
  • Leaders
7.
Demonstrate high levels of oral, written and discipline-based forms of communication
  • Scholars

Program Structure
192 Units of Credit:

Students must complete 192 UOC as a standalone program.

  1. Musicology Core (42 UOC)
  2. Musicianship Core (24 UOC - 4 courses)
  3. Performance Laboratory Core (48 UOCs for MCP major and 36 UOCs for non-MCP majors)
  4. Major Gateway Course (6 UOC)
  5. Major Courses (12 UOC)
  6. Prescribed Music Electives (12 UOC for MCP major and  24 UOC for non-MCP majors)
  7. Arts and Social Sciences Prescribed Electives (12 UOC)
  8. Free Electives (24 UOC)
  9. General Education (12 UOC)

Level 1 Core Courses

You must complete 36 UOC of Level 1 core courses.
Note: Performance lab course MUSC1707 (12 UOC) is taught as a multi-term course at 4 uoc each term.
- If you are admitted into the advanced entry scheme, you will receive a block credit of up to 36 uoc in Level 1 music courses.

Level 2 Core Courses

You must take 30 UOC of the following courses.
Performance lab course MUSC2703 (12 UOC) is taught as a multi-term course at 4 uoc each term.

Level 3 Core Courses

You must take 12 UOC of the following courses.
*MUSC3706 Performance Lab C (12 UOC) (Music Creative Practice and Music Pedagogy majors only).
Performance lab courses MUSC3705 (12 UOC) & MUSC3706 are taught as a multi-term courses at 4 uoc each term.

Prescribed Music Electives

Arts and Social Sciences Prescribed Electives

You must take 12 UOC of the following courses.

Indigenous Studies courses (ATSIxxxx) cannot be studied as Arts and Social Sciences Prescribed Electives.

Free Electives

You must take 24 UOC of the following courses.

General Education

You must take 12 UOC of the following courses.

Specialisation Declaration

You must specify your major at the time of enrolment into Level 2.

Academic Writing & Language Enhancement

ARTS2050 Academic Writing for the Humanities (6 UOC) and HUMS1005 Personalised English Language Enhancement (6 UOC) can be counted as UNSW Arts and Social Sciences Prescribed Electives or Free Electives.

Sample Programs

To access sample program(s), please visit:

Admission Requirements

Special Admission Requirements

Related Programs

Related Double Degree Programs

Bachelor of Music - BMus
Bachelor of Education (Secondary) - BEd (Secondary)
3446 - Music / Education (Secondary)
Bachelor of Music - BMus
Bachelor of Arts - BA
3452 - Music / Arts
Bachelor of Music - BMus
Bachelor of Science - BSc
3457 - Music / Science
Bachelor of Music - BMus
Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) - BAdvSci(Hons)
3458 - Music / Advanced Science (Honours)
Bachelor of Music - BMus
Bachelor of Commerce - BCom
3460 - Music / Commerce
Bachelor of Music - BMus
Bachelor of Media - BMedia
3463 - Music / Media (PR and Advertising)
Bachelor of Music - BMus
Bachelor of Media - BMedia
3464 - Music / Media (Screen and Sound Production)
Bachelor of Music - BMus
Bachelor of Media - BMedia
3465 - Music / Media (Comm & Journalism)
Bachelor of Music - BMus
Bachelor of Media - BMedia
3578 - Music / Media (Public Relations and Advertising)
Bachelor of Music - BMus
Bachelor of Media - BMedia
3583 - Music / Media (Communication and Journalism)
Bachelor of Music - BMus
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) - BE (Hons)
3766 - Music / Engineering (Honours)
Bachelor of Music - BMus
Bachelor of Laws - LLB
4774 - Music / Law

Program Requirements

Recognition of Prior Learning
Progression Requirements

Pathways

Honours Programs

Bachelor of Music (Honours) - BMus (Hons)3440 - Music (Honours)

Post Graduate

Master of Teaching (Secondary) - MTeach(Sec)8926 - Teaching (Secondary)

Professional Outcomes

Career Opportunities

Recognition of Achievement

University Medal
Award of Pass with Distinction

Additional Information

Further Information

Contact the UNSW Arts and Social Sciences Student Centre for advice.

Program Fees

At UNSW fees are generally charged at course level and therefore dependent upon individual enrolment and other factors such as student's residency status. For generic information on fees and additional expenses of UNSW programs, click on one of the following:

Pre-2019 Handbook Editions

Access past handbook editions (2018 and prior)