Course

Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Creative Industries

Approved Abbreviation: BMus/BCrInd

Western Sydney University Course Code: 1841.1

AQF Level: 7

CRICOS Code: 095719G

Music graduates who previously would have planned to pursue contracts with one or more large record companies or orchestras now have a future where they will be able to self-publish their work to the world, or they may require a more entrepreneurial approach than that previously required of a musician or music technologist. This double degree brings together the existing Music program with emerging creative industries and allows students who are interested in pursuing careers in music to also engage with new paradigms of creative and cultural production, developing skills in entrepreneurship and working in collaborative projects with creative industries in Greater Western Sydney (GWS).

Students may be required to travel to Parramatta campus for a portion of the Creative Industries component.

Director of Academic Program - Dr Clare MacLean

Study Mode
Four years full-time or eight years part-time.

Accreditation
The Bachelor of Creative Industries (PR) is accredited by the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA).

Admission

Students are admitted on the basis of their ATAR (or equivalent) score AND by one of three methods:

1. Attain an HSC Music result in band 4 or above. No audition is required.

2. Hold the following AMEB or equivalent (e.g. Trinity College) qualification:

a. PASS standard (minimum) of 6th Grade Performance (instrument or voice)And

b. PASS standard (minimum) of 4th Grade musicianship and/or theory.

No audition is required.

3. Attend an audition in person as a performer and/or composer. Applicants applying as a composer will need to bring recordings and/or scores of original compositions to the audition.

After applying to UAC or Directly to Western applicants are required to book an audition online.

Online audition booking system

If not auditioning, applicants will need to upload their supporting documentation (e.g. AMEB certificates demonstrating level of achievement in performance and musicianship and/or music theory).

All applicants:

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University. Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local and International applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

http://www.uac.edu.au/

https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/

International applicants must apply directly to the Western Sydney University via the International Office.

International students applying to The University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.

International Office

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Alternate Entry Pathway

The exceptional merit pathway (EMP) will offer those students who demonstrate an aptitude and ability in the creative industries area that is assessed as meeting the Course Learning Outcomes, to receive either a direct or conditional offer. Students will be required to complete an audition or submit a recording of original compositions, take part in at least one workshop and/or submit a written assessment, in addition to participating in an interview, during one of a series of on-campus Young Creatives events. Successful completion of the EMP requirements will result in either a direct or conditional entry offer for the following year. Though the direct offer is a non-ATAR pathway, eligibility to accept the direct offer will remain contingent on the successful completion of the HSC or TAFE Diploma.

Work Integrated Learning

Western Sydney University seeks to enhance student learning experiences by enabling students to engage in the culture, expectations and practices of their profession or discipline. This course includes a placement or other community-based unpaid practical experience.

There is a mandatory work component required for completion of this course. Please contact the Course Advisor listed above for information.

International students should also refer to the 'Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students' website for more information and a link to the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students

Course Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 320 credit points including the units listed in the recommended sequence below.

Students must complete

80 credit points of Music core units
80 credit points of Creative Industries core units (which includes one Introduction to Major Pool unit)
80 credit points of Music Studies (consisting of two 40cp submajors)
80 credit point Creative Industries Major

Introduction to Major Unit Pool

Students select one of the following units as their Introduction Major Unit, to correspond to the Creative Industries major selected

100706

Advertising: An Introduction

102436

Creative Writing: The Imaginative Life

100897

Everyday Life

101927

Foundations of Media Arts and Production

200977

Fundamentals of Australian Law

102263

Image Design

100556

Introduction to Journalism

101907

Introduction to Literary Studies

200585

Organisational Behaviour

100212

Public Relations Theory and Practice

101922

Web and Time-based Design

Majors

Music

The Bachelor of Music component will consist of two sub-majors. There are three sub-majors to choose from

SM1015

Composition

SM1017

Music Performance

SM1126

Music Production

Because any two music sub-majors result in the student completing seven rather than eight units, as they share one common unit, students are required to enrol in an additional Music unit to meet the 160 cps requirement for the Music component of the degree and eventually the 320 cps requirement for this double degree. The additional Music units include

102566

Arranging Music

101152

Music and Analysis

102551

Music, Culture and Discourse

102573

Music and Critical Thought

102762

World Music

The unit listed below counts as an additional unit towards completion of this course for students who passed this unit in 2019 or earlier.

102552 - The Politics of Australian Music

Any unit from the sub-major that the student is not enrolled in.

Please note: SM1126 Music Production replaces SM1016 Sound Technologies from 2018. Students who choose to remain in SM1016 Sound Technologies will need to take their remaining units from the replaced equivalent units.

Creative Industries

The major for the Bachelor of Creative Industries component should be selected from the below

M1121

Advertising

M1113

Creative Writing

M1052

Cultural and Social Analysis

M1109

Digital Cultures

M1053

English

M2511

Enterprise Innovation

M1116

Graphic Design

M1067

Journalism

M2515

Law and the Creative Industries

M1094

Media Arts Production

M1122

Public Relations

Note: Each major must have no more than three Level 1 units (including the introduction to major unit) and a minimum of three Level 3 units)

Note: For the purposes of this double degree, students may not undertake the Music major offered for 1838 Bachelor of Creative Industries. Therefore, 102558 Music Production cannot count as an Introduction Major Unit in this course, it is to be completed as a component of the Bachelor of Music core.

Recommended Sequence - Autumn Commencement

Recommended sequence subject to variation based on the students nominated Creative Industries specialisation.

Students selecting Law and the Creative Industries as their major are exempt from completing core unit 200909 Enterprise Law, as they must complete the alternate unit 200977 Fundamentals of Australian Law as their core unit and first Introduction to Major unit.

Full-time

Year 1

Autumn session

102564

Music Theory Fundamentals

102558

Music Production

102553

Music Performance 1

200909

Enterprise Law

For students taking Law and the Creative Industries Major choose unit 200977 Fundamentals of Australian Law instead of 200909 Enterprise Law