Bachelor of Music (Dean's Scholars) (1738)

  • Approved Abbreviation: BMus(DeansSchol)
  • Western Sydney University Program Code: 1738
  • AQF Level: 7

 This program applies to students who commenced in 2022 or later. 

Students should follow the program structure for the session start date relevant to the year they commenced.

For Commencement Year 2017 to 2021 - Please refer to 1738.2 - Bachelor of Music (Dean's Scholars)

For Commencement Year 2015 and 2016 - Please refer to 1738.1 - Bachelor of Music (Dean's Scholars)

  • Director of Academic Program - Dr Clare MacLean

The Bachelor of Music (Dean’s Scholars) 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, music production, 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 music production are augmented by intellectual, theoretical and contextual studies. A professionally active staff of music-academics supports students to develop their individual goals.

This degree is exclusively for high-achieving students, and will continually challenge you to do even better and build on your academic success. 

Study Mode

Three years full-time or six years part-time.

Program Advice

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.

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students

Admission

From Autumn 2024, there will be no further admissions into this program. 

All applicants require an ATAR score or equivalent of at least 90.

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 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 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/

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

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 240 credit points including the subjects listed in the recommended sequence below.

Full-time start-year intake

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit 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 Points40
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 10
 Credit Points40
Year 2
Autumn session
PERF 2028 World Music 10
PERF 2004 Composition and Creativity 10
PERF 2033 Recording Studio Practices  
Select one elective 10
 Credit Points30
Spring session
PERF 2030 Musicology as a Professional Practice 10
PERF 2001 Arranging Music 10
PERF 2029 Music Multimedia Project 10
Select one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Year 3
Autumn session
PERF 3009 Music Research Methods 10
PERF 3013 Music and Analysis 10
PERF 3028 Expanded Performance 10
Select one elective 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
PERF 3014 Music and Critical Thought 10
PERF 3029 Music Project 3: Intercultural Interactions 10
PERF 3022 Screen Media Composition 10
Select one elective 10
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points230

Elective subjects

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

Minors

Note: 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.

Students in Advanced programs may use elective subjects toward obtaining an additional approved minor in Applied Leadership or Critical Thinking.

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 Challenge 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
Creative and Visual Communication
Global Workplaces
Innovating For Humans 
Creative Living for Cultural Wellbeing  
Ideate.Strategise.Innovate.
Humanising Data

For more information, visit the Challenge Minor website.  

Search for majors and minors

Students can apply for an elective minor via Western Now.

WesternNow

Replaced Minor

The minor listed below counts towards completion of this program for students who began studying this minor prior to 2022.

SM1126 Music Production, Minor

Equivalent Subjects

The subjects listed below count towards completion of this program for students who passed these subjects in 2023 or earlier.

PERF 2031 The Music Industry, replaced by PERF 2033 Recording Studio Practices