Course

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Bachelor of Music

Approved Abbreviation: BMus

Western Sydney University Course Code: 1659.5

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 2022 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.

For Commencement Year 2017 to 2021 - Please refer to 1659.4 - Bachelor of Music

For Commencement Year 2015 and 2016 - Please refer to 1659.3 - Bachelor of Music

For Commencement Year 2011 and 2014 - Please refer to 1659.2 - Bachelor of Music

For Commencement Year 2009 and 2010 - Please refer to 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 performance, composition, sound technologies, music theory, arranging and analysis, musicology and music business, with opportunities to apply this training in collaborative projects on campus and in the community. Lectures, workshops and tutorials are carried out in well-equipped facilities. Skills in music performance, composition and sound technologies are augmented by intellectual, theoretical and contextual studies. A professionally 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.

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 an optional work component available in this course. Please contact the Course Advisor listed above for information.

International students should be aware that if an elective is a requirement of the course but the work itself was not registered with CRICOS, students can still complete these electives but it would be counted towards the work limitation. For more details, refer to the 'Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students' website.

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students

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

102553

Music Performance 1

102558

Music Production

Spring session

102547

Popular Music Histories

102770

Music Theory and Songwriting

102554

Music Performance 2

102759

Sound Design and New Electronic Media

Year 2

Autumn session

102762

World Music

102548

Composition and Creativity

102854

The Music Industry

And one elective

Spring session

102858

Musicology as a Professional Practice

102566

Arranging Music

102855

Music Project 1: Multimedia

And one elective

Year 3

Autumn session

102429

Music Careers Research

101152

Music and Analysis

102856

Music Project 2: Creative Performance

And one elective

Spring session

102573

Music and Critical Thought

102857

Music Project 3: Intercultural Interactions

102563

Screen Media Composition

And one elective

Elective Units

Students may use their elective units to complete a sub-major (40 credit points each) from the same or another discipline area, or up to 40 credit points from the wide range of units offered by Western Sydney University.

Sub-majors

Note: The Sub-majors listed below are only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music (Dean’s Scholar) and Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Creative Industries.

The following sub-majors may be completed using elective units.

SM1015

Composition

SM1017

Music Performance

Please note: SM1126 Music Production will not be available for new enrolments from 2022.

Note: The sub-majors listed below are only available to non-Bachelor of Music students but restrictions apply.

SM1047

Music Performance Studies

SM1065

Musicology

SM1133

Sound Production

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)