Bachelor of Music (1659)
- Approved Abbreviation: BMus
- Western Sydney University Program Code: 1659
- AQF Level: 7
CRICOS Code: 065052F
This program applies to students whose commencement in 2022 or later.
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.
Program Advice
Prospective students should visit the following websites for general enquiries about this program.
Enquire about this program| Local Admission | International Admission |
Location
Campus | Attendance | Mode | Advice |
---|---|---|---|
Penrith Campus | Full Time | Internal | See above |
Penrith Campus | Part Time | Internal | See above |
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 program includes a placement or other community-based unpaid practical experience.
There is an optional work component available in this program. Please contact the Program Advisor listed above for information.
International students should be aware that if an elective is a requirement of the program 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.
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).
Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas may be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) or directly through the Western Portal. Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University. Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.
http://www.uac.edu.au/
https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/
Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local 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.
International students currently completing an Australian Year 12 in or outside Australia, an International Baccalaureate in Australia or a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) level 3 must apply via UAC International.
All other International applicants must apply directly to the 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.
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 Program 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.
Program Structure
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 240 credit points as per the recommended sequence below.
Recommended Sequence
Full-time start-year intake
Year 1 | ||
---|---|---|
Autumn session | Credit Points | |
PERF 1023 | Western Art Music History | 10 |
PERF 1015 | Music Theory Fundamentals | 10 |
PERF 1010 | Music Performance 1 | 10 |
PERF 1014 | Music Production | 10 |
Credit Points | 40 | |
Spring session | ||
PERF 1016 | Popular Music Histories | 10 |
PERF 1024 | Music Theory and Songwriting | 10 |
PERF 1012 | Music Performance 2 | 10 |
PERF 1025 | Sound Design and New Electronic Media | 10 |
Credit Points | 40 | |
Year 2 | ||
Autumn session | ||
PERF 2028 | World Music | 10 |
PERF 2004 | Composition and Creativity | 10 |
PERF 2031 | The Music Industry | 10 |
Select one elective | 10 | |
Credit Points | 40 | |
Spring session | ||
PERF 2030 | Musicology as a Professional Practice | 10 |
PERF 2001 | Arranging Music | 10 |
PERF 2029 | Music Project 1: Multimedia | 10 |
Select one elective | 10 | |
Credit Points | 40 | |
Year 3 | ||
Autumn session | ||
PERF 3009 | Music Careers Research | 10 |
PERF 3013 | Music and Analysis | 10 |
PERF 3028 | Music Project 2: Creative Performance | 10 |
Select one elective | 10 | |
Credit Points | 40 | |
Spring session | ||
PERF 3014 | Music and Critical Thought | 10 |
PERF 3022 | Screen Media Composition | 10 |
PERF 3029 | Music Project 3: Intercultural Interactions | 10 |
Select one elective | 10 | |
Credit Points | 40 | |
Total Credit Points | 240 |
Elective subjects
Students may select their electives from any program offered by the university, provided any requisite requirements are met.
Elective Minors
The minors listed below are only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music (Dean’s Scholars) and Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Creative Industries.
The following minors may be completed using elective subjects.
Note: The minors listed below are only available to non-Bachelor of Music students but restrictions apply.
Minor elective spaces
Elective subjects may be used toward obtaining an additional approved minor (40 credit points). Western Sydney University offers minors in a range of areas including Sustainability and Indigenous Studies.
Global Sustainability Minor
Indigenous Australian Studies Minor
Western Sydney University also offers the following innovative transdisciplinary minors which we encourage those students who have elective space to consider.
Equitable Technologies
Urban Evolution
Migration and Global Change
Personal Innovation
Innovating, Creating and Problem Solving
Eco-Socially Conscious Design and Manufacturing
Water for Life
Climate Justice
Global Workplaces
Innovating For Humans
Creative Living for Cultural Wellbeing
Ideate.Strategise.Innovate.
Humanising Data
Students can apply for an elective minor via MySR.
Replaced Minor
The minor listed below counts towards completion of this program for students who began studying this minor prior to 2022.