Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Creative Industries (1841)
- Approved Abbreviation: BMus/BCrInd
- Western Sydney University Program Code: 1841
- AQF Level: 7
CRICOS Code: 095719G
This program applies to students who commenced in 2021 or later.
Students should follow the program structure for the session start date relevant to the year they commenced.
Music graduates are now entering an industry where they are able to self-publish their work to the world, and in which they 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 - Associate Professor Andrew Milne
Study Mode
Four years full-time or eight years part-time.
Program Advice
enquiriesHCA@westernsydney.edu.au
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 |
Accreditation
The Bachelor of Creative Industries is accredited by professional organisations including the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) and the Media Foundation of Australia (MFA).
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 a mandatory work component required for completion of this program. Please contact the Program Advisor listed above for information.
International students should also refer to the link below for more information and a link to the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).
Admission
Students are admitted on the basis of their ATAR score.
In addition, 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 wishing to pursue a Music specialisation 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.
Program Structure Current
If you commenced in 2023 please refer to the Structure 2023 tab for details.
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 320 credit points.
Students must complete:
- 80 credit points of Music core subjects
- 80 credit points of Creative Industries core subjects (which includes one Introduction to Major pool subject)
- 80 credit points of Music Studies Major
- 80 credit point Creative Industries Major
Introduction to Major Subject Pool
Students select one of the following subjects as their Introduction Major subject, to correspond to the Creative Industries major selected.
Subject | Title | Credit Points |
---|---|---|
MKTG 1001 | Advertising: An Introduction | 10 |
COMM 1010 | Creative Writing: The Imaginative Life | 10 |
HUMN 1066 | Introduction to Culture and Society | 10 |
LAWS 1003 | Fundamentals of Australian Law | 10 |
DESN 1011 | Image Design | 10 |
COMM 1018 | News and Media Today | 10 |
LANG 1015 | Introduction to Literary Studies | 10 |
COMM 1039 | Introduction to Screen Media | 10 |
BUSM 1026 | Organisational Behaviour | 10 |
MKTG 1009 | Public Relations Theory and Practice | 10 |
DESN 1021 | Web and Time-based Design | 10 |
Majors
Music
NOTE: Please enrol in this major via your MySR account. If you need help, please refer to the details under 'Field of Study and Subjects' at the How to: Register page.
Students must successfully complete the following major:
Creative Industries
The major for the Bachelor of Creative Industries component should be selected from the following.
Recommended Sequence Current
If you commenced in 2023 please refer to the Sequence 2023 tab for details.
The recommended sequence is subject to variation based on the student's nominated Creative Industries major.
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 320 credit points as per the recommended sequence below.
Full-time start-year intake
Year 1 | ||
---|---|---|
Autumn session | Credit Points | |
PERF 1015 | Music Theory Fundamentals | 10 |
PERF 1014 | Music Production | 10 |
PERF 1010 | Music Performance 1 | 10 |
COMM 1036 | Introduction to the Creative Industries | 10 |
Credit Points | 40 | |
Spring session | ||
PERF 1012 | Music Performance 2 | 10 |
PERF 1024 | Music Theory and Songwriting | 10 |
PERF 1025 | Sound Design | 10 |
Select one Creative Industries Introduction to Major Subject | 10 | |
Credit Points | 40 | |
Year 2 | ||
Autumn session | ||
PERF 1023 | Western Art Music History | 10 |
PERF 2004 | Composition and Creativity | 10 |
Select two Creative Industries Major Subjects | 20 | |
Credit Points | 40 | |
Spring session | ||
PERF 1016 | Popular Music Histories | 10 |
BUSM 1010 | Financing Enterprises | 10 |
BUSM 1008 | Enterprise Leadership | 10 |
Select one subject from the Music Studies Major | 10 | |
Credit Points | 40 | |
Year 3 | ||
Autumn session | ||
PERF 3014 | Music and Critical Thought | 10 |
Select one subject from the Music Studies Major | 10 | |
Select two Creative Industries Major Subjects | 20 | |
Credit Points | 40 | |
Spring session | ||
COMM 3011 | Creative TEAMS 1 | 10 |
PERF 3009 | Music Research Methods | 10 |
Select one subject from the Music Studies Major | 10 | |
Select one Creative Industries Major Subject | 10 | |
Credit Points | 40 | |
Year 4 | ||
Autumn session | ||
BUSM 1006 | Enterprise Innovation and Markets | 10 |
COMM 3012 | Creative TEAMS 2 | 10 |
Select one subject from the Music Studies Major | 10 | |
Select one Creative Industries Major Subject | 10 | |
Credit Points | 40 | |
Spring session | ||
COMM 3010 | Creative Industries Professional Project or Internship | 10 |
Select two Creative Industries Major Subjects | 20 | |
Select one subject from the Music Studies Major | 10 | |
Credit Points | 40 | |
Total Credit Points | 320 |
Program Structure 2023
If you commenced in 2024 or later please refer to the Structure Current tab for details.
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 320 credit points.
Students must complete:
- 80 credit points of Music core subjects
- 80 credit points of Creative Industries core subjects (which includes one Introduction to Major pool subject)
- 80 credit points of Music Studies (consisting of two 40cp minors)
- 80 credit point Creative Industries Major
Introduction to Major Subject Pool
Students select one of the following subjects as their Introduction Major subject, to correspond to the Creative Industries major selected.
Subject | Title | Credit Points |
---|---|---|
MKTG 1001 | Advertising: An Introduction | 10 |
COMM 1010 | Creative Writing: The Imaginative Life | 10 |
HUMN 1066 | Introduction to Culture and Society | 10 |
LAWS 1003 | Fundamentals of Australian Law | 10 |
DESN 1011 | Image Design | 10 |
COMM 1018 | News and Media Today | 10 |
LANG 1015 | Introduction to Literary Studies | 10 |
COMM 1039 | Introduction to Screen Media | 10 |
BUSM 1026 | Organisational Behaviour | 10 |
MKTG 1009 | Public Relations Theory and Practice | 10 |
DESN 1021 | Web and Time-based Design | 10 |
Equivalent Subjects
The subject listed below counts towards completion of the Introduction to Major Pool Subject for students who passed this subject in 2021 or earlier.
HUMN 1017 - Everyday Life, replaced by HUMN 1066 Introduction to Culture and Society
Majors and Minors
Music
The Bachelor of Music component will consist of two minors. Select from the following three minors.
Because any two music minors result in the student completing seven rather than eight subjects as they share one common subject, students are required to enrol in an additional Music subject to meet the 160 credit points requirement for the Music component of the degree and eventually the 320 credit points requirement for this double degree. The additional Music subjects include the following.
Subject | Title | Credit Points |
---|---|---|
PERF 3031 | Arranging Music | 10 |
PERF 3013 | Music and Analysis | 10 |
PERF 3014 | Music and Critical Thought | 10 |
PERF 2030 | Musicology as a Professional Practice | 10 |
PERF 2028 | World Music | 10 |
Or select any subject from the minor that the student is not enrolled in. |
Creative Industries
The major for the Bachelor of Creative Industries component should be selected from the following.
Note: each major must have no more than three Level 1 subjects (including the introduction to major subject) and a minimum of three Level 3 subjects).
Note: for the purposes of this double degree, students may not undertake the Music major offered for Bachelor of Creative Industries. Therefore, PERF 1014 Music Production cannot count as an Introduction Major Subject in this program. It is to be completed as a component of the Bachelor of Music core.
Equivalent Subject
The subject listed below counts towards completion of this program for students who passed this subject in 2021 or earlier.
PERF 2018 Music, Culture and Discourse, replaced by PERF 2030 Musicology as a Professional Practice
The subject listed below counts towards completion of this program for students who passed this subject in 2023 or earlier.
PERF 2001 Arranging Music, replaced by PERF 3031 Arranging Music
Recommended Sequence 2023
If you commenced in 2024 or later please refer to the Sequence Current tab for details.
The recommended sequence is subject to variation based on the student's nominated Creative Industries major.
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 320 credit points as per the recommended sequence below.
Full-time start-year intake
Year 1 | ||
---|---|---|
Autumn session | Credit Points | |
PERF 1015 | Music Theory Fundamentals | 10 |
PERF 1014 | Music Production | 10 |
PERF 1010 | Music Performance 1 | 10 |
COMM 1036 | Introduction to the Creative Industries | 10 |
Credit Points | 40 | |
Spring session | ||
PERF 1012 | Music Performance 2 | 10 |
PERF 1024 | Music Theory and Songwriting | 10 |
PERF 1025 | Sound Design | 10 |
Select one Creative Industries Introduction to Major Subject | 10 | |
Credit Points | 40 | |
Year 2 | ||
Autumn session | ||
PERF 1023 | Western Art Music History | 10 |
Select one Music Minor Subject | 10 | |
Select two Creative Industries Major Subjects | 20 | |
Credit Points | 40 | |
Spring session | ||
PERF 1016 | Popular Music Histories | 10 |
BUSM 1010 | Financing Enterprises | 10 |
BUSM 1008 | Enterprise Leadership | 10 |
Select one Music Minor Subject | 10 | |
Credit Points | 40 | |
Year 3 | ||
Autumn session | ||
Select two Music Minor Subjects | 20 | |
Select two Creative Industries Major Subject | 20 | |
Credit Points | 40 | |
Spring session | ||
COMM 3011 | Creative TEAMS 1 | 10 |
Select two Music Minor Subjects | 20 | |
Select one Creative Industries Major Subject | 10 | |
Credit Points | 40 | |
Year 4 | ||
Autumn session | ||
BUSM 1006 | Enterprise Innovation and Markets | 10 |
COMM 3012 | Creative TEAMS 2 | 10 |
Select one Music Minor Subject | 10 | |
Select one Creative Industries Major Subject | 10 | |
Credit Points | 40 | |
Spring session | ||
COMM 3010 | Creative Industries Professional Project or Internship | 10 |
Select two Creative Industries Major Subjects | 20 | |
Select one additional Music Subject | 10 | |
Credit Points | 40 | |
Total Credit Points | 320 |