Bachelor of MusicApproved Abbreviation: BMus
Western Sydney University Course Code: 1659.4
AQF Level: 7
CRICOS Code: 065052F
Students should follow the course structure for the course version relevant to the year they commenced. This version applies to students whose commencement year for this course is 2017 or later.
Units may be revised or replaced to ensure students are provided with up to date curriculum throughout their studies, and this may result in a new course version. Refer to the Check My Course Progress page in MySR for the most up to date information for your course.
Commencement Year 2015 and 2016 - 1659.3 - Bachelor of Music
Commencement Year 2011 and 2014 - 1659.2 - Bachelor of Music
Commencement Year 2009 and 2010 - 1659.1 - Bachelor of Music
The Bachelor of Music develops innovative, articulate musicians who contribute to the music community and the culture it serves. It offers high-level training in music, music performance, composition, sound technologies, music theory, musicology, arranging music and music analysis. It does this in well-equipped studios, and in a lecture/workshop/tutorial environment. Skills in music performance, composition and sound technologies are augmented by intellectual, theoretical and contextual studies. An active staff of music-academics supports students to develop their individual goals.
- Director of Academic Program - Dr Clare MacLean
Study Mode
Three years full-time or six years part-time.
Admission
Applicants will be selected 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.
Course Structure
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 240 credit points including the units listed in the recommended sequence below.
Full-time
Year 1
Autumn session
| 102546 | Western Art Music History |
| 102564 | Music Theory Fundamentals |
Spring session
| 102770 | Music Theory and Songwriting |
| 102759 | Sound Design and New Electronic Media |
Year 2
Autumn session
| 102548 | Composition and Creativity |
One sub-major unit
And one elective
Spring session
| 102551 | Music, Culture and Discourse |
One sub-major unit
And one elective
Year 3
Autumn session
One sub-major unit
And one elective
Spring session
| 102573 | Music and Critical Thought |
| 102767 | Applied Professional Music Contexts |
One sub-major unit
And one sub-major unit or elective
Sub-majors
Note: The sub-majors listed below are only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Music.
All students must complete one of the following sub-majors.
One of the other sub-majors may also be completed using elective places.
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.
Note: The sub-majors listed below are only available to non-Bachelor of Music students but restrictions apply
| SM1047 | Music Performance Studies |
Please note: SM1133 Sound Production replaces SM1127 Music Production Studies from 2020. Students who choose to remain in SM1127 Music Production Studies will need to take their remaining units from the replaced equivalent units.
Equivalent Core Units
The core units listed below count towards completion of this course for students who passed these units in 2017 or earlier.
101120 - Arranging Musics
101520 - Basic Composition, Craft and Theory
101522 - Composition, Craft and Theory
101523 - Cultural Paradigms and Music
101524 - Free and Notated Music Performance
101525 - Introduction to Music Performance
101526 - Introduction to Sound Technologies
101528 - Modes and Codes in Music Production
101742 - Music and Philosophy
101530 - Music Composition: concepts and Creativity
101538 - Sound Synthesis and the Sound Environment
102427 - Western Art Music 1
102428 - Western Art Music 2
The core units listed below count towards completion of this course for students who passed these units in 2019 or earlier.
102430 - Professional Music Project
102565 - Songwriting and Music Theory
102559 - Sound Design
102552 - The Politics of Australian Music
Sub-major Elective Spaces
Elective units may be used toward obtaining an additional approved sub-major (40 credit points).
Search for sub-majors
Western Sydney University offers sub-majors in a range of areas including Sustainability and Indigenous Studies.
Indigenous Australian Studies Sub-major
Business Sustainability Sub-major
Students can apply for an elective major or sub-major via MySR.
MyStudentRecords (MySR)