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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
  • Professionals
  • Scholars
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

Students must complete 192 UOC when taken 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)

Disciplinary Component144 Units of Credit:
Arts and Social Sciences Prescribed Electives12 Units of Credit:

Academic Writing & Language Enhancement

Free Electives24 Units of Credit:
General Education12 Units of Credit:

Program Constraints

Information Rule

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Sample Programs

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Admission Requirements

Entry Requirements

Limitations on Recognition of Prior Learning

Special Admission Requirements

Audition

Other

Program Requirements

Progression Requirements

Progression rules are in accordance to university policy.

For more information on university policy on progression requirements please visit Academic Progression

Associated Programs

Related Double Degree

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

Postgraduate Pathway

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

Honours Pathway

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

Professional Outcomes

Career Opportunities

The BMus enables students to develop skills and knowledge in music as preparation for professional work in areas as diverse as music performance, arranging and composition, studio teaching, research, broadcasting and recording, arts administration, music and arts journalism, and music technology and sound design.

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)