Bachelor of Music

Length 3 year full-time
Minimum 144 Units

Admission requirements

Prerequisites Adjustment factors availability

Academic plan BMUSI
CRICOS code 073990G
UAC code
- 139114 (B Music)

Field of Education
- Music
Academic contact
- CASS Student Office

Find my double degree

Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Music requires completion of 144 units, of which:

A maximum of 60 units can come from completion of 1000 level courses.

A minimum of 84 units must come from completion of courses from any majors listed in the Bachelor of Music

The 144 units must include:

36 units from completion of the following compulsory courses, which may be double counted towards major and minors in which they are listed:

MUSI1104 Turning Points in Music History 1: A Millennium of Metamorphoses (900-1900)

MUSI1105 Music Theory & Aural Skills 1

MUSI1106 Music Theory & Aural Skills 2

MUSI1109 Turning Points in Music History 2: A Century of Crisis and Change (1900 to the Present)

MUSI2203 Music Theory & Aural Skills 3

MUSI2204 Music Theory & Aural Skills 4

48 units from completion of one of the following majors:

Composition, Arranging and Sound Design

Music Performance

Music Technology

Musicology

60 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU

Honours

For information about honours, please see Bachelor of Music (Honours)

Majors

Minors

Musicology

Elective Study

Once you have met the program requirements of your degree, you may have enough electives to complete an additional elective major, minor or specialisation.

Study Options

Year 1 48 units	MUSI1101 Music Performance 1 6 units	MUSI1104 Turning Points in Music History 1: A Millennium of Metamorphoses (900-1900) 6 units	MUSI1105 Music Theory & Aural Skills 1 6 units	Elective Course 6 units
Year 1 48 units	MUSI1102 Music Performance 2 6 units	MUSI1109 Turning Points in Music History 2: A Century of Crisis and Change (1900 to the Present) 6 units	MUSI1106 Music Theory & Aural Skills 2 6 units	Elective Course 6 units
Year 2 48 units	MUSI2201 Music Performance 3 6 units	MUSI Course 2000/3000 level Course 6 units	MUSI2203 Music Theory & Aural Skills 3 6 units	Elective Course 6 units
Year 2 48 units	MUSI2202 Music Performance 4 6 units	MUSI Course 2000/3000 level Course 6 units	MUSI2204 Music Theory & Aural Skills 4 6 units	Elective Course 6 units
Year 3 48 units	MUSI3301 Music Performance 5 6 units	MUSI course 2000/3000 level Course 6 units	Elective Course 6 units	Elective Course 6 units
Year 3 48 units	MUSI3302 Music Performance 6 6 units	MUSI course 2000/3000 level Course 6 units	Elective Course 6 units	Elective Course 6 units

Admission Requirements

Admission to all programs is on a competitive basis. Admission to undergraduate degrees is based on meeting the ATAR requirement or an equivalent rank derived from the following qualifications:

• An Australian year 12 qualification or international equivalent; OR
• A completed Associate Diploma, Associate Degree, AQF Diploma, Diploma, AQF Advanced Diploma, Graduate Certificate or international equivalent; OR
• At least one standard full-time year (1.0 FTE) in a single program of degree level study at an Australian higher education institution or international equivalent; OR
• An approved tertiary preparation course unless subsequent study is undertaken.

Click HERE for further information about domestic admission.

The table below is a guide to the entry level required for domestic applicants. Exact entry level will be set at time of offer.

Domestic applicant entry requirements

Queensland Band equivalents are a guide only - selection is made on a UAI equivalent that is not available to students.

International applicant entry requirements

International applicants may view further information on admissions requirements at Entry Requirements for International Undergraduate Applicants

The University reserves the right to alter or discontinue its programs as required.

ATAR:: 80
QLD Band:: 10
International Baccalaureate:: 29

Prerequisites

Applicants must meet the minimum ATAR of 80 (75 with bonus points) and meet audition requirements. Applicants will be expected to have pre-existing musical knowledge such as a competency level equivalent to NSW Music 2 or Music Extension, or AMEB Grade 5 theory or performance, or equivalent qualifications or experience.

Entry to Performance courses is by audition. Applicants wishing to enrol in Performance courses are advised to contact the School to arrange for an audition as soon as possible. E: schoolofmusic@anu.edu.au.

Adjustment Factors

The National Access Scheme 2014

ANU offers bonus points for nationally strategic senior secondary subjects, and in recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies.

Bonus points are applied to all applicants with an ATAR at or above 70. Points are awarded in accordance with the approved schedule, and no more than 10 points (maximum 5 academic points and maximum 5 equity points) will be awarded.

Bonus points do not apply to programs with an ATAR cutoff of 98 or higher.

Bonus Points are only awarded to domestic applicants applying for admission through UAC who have not previously attempted tertiary study.

How to apply

Academic Bonus Points: senior secondary students do not need to apply for ANU academic bonus points. They are automatically added in accordance with the schedule.

Educational Access Scheme: senior secondary students do not need to apply if their school is part of the Priority School Funding Program or Country Areas Program. All other applicants should refer to http://www.uac.edu.au/eas/ for more information.

Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees

Annual indicative fee for international students: $31,008.00

For further information on International Tuition Fees see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments/international-tuition-fees

Scholarships

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are. Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

For further information see the Scholarships website.

You can turn your musical talent into a remarkable career.

The ANU Bachelor of Music prepares you for the ‘portfolio’ career followed by most modern music professionals. A successful contemporary music career requires not only advanced skills in performance, composition, improvisation and other areas of creative practice, but also familiarity with music technology, and the ability to work as an educator and facilitator of community music, and as a cultural entrepreneur.

Our degree is designed to reflect music as it is understood and practiced in contemporary Australian society. This education experience covers all genres (classical, jazz, contemporary, folk and world music) and offers specialist courses across four majors (performance; composition, arranging and sound design; music technology; and musicology).

Career Options

Graduates from ANU have been rated as Australia's most employable graduates and among the most sought after by employers worldwide.

The latest Global Employability University Ranking, published by the Times Higher Education, rated ANU as Australia's top university for getting a job for the fourth year in a row.

Employment Opportunities

The Bachelor of Music provides a strong foundation for a career in music. Students graduate with a range of professional skills that are applicable to careers in performance, music education, music advocacy, academic research, music entrepreneurship, and digital media and technology. This is particularly advantageous given that musicians increasingly are required to exercise a wide range of skills including performer, teacher, cultural entrepreneur, arts manager, music technologists and scholar.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will be able to:

Understand the practices, languages, forms, materials, technologies and techniques of a broad range of musics;
Demonstrate deep knowledge of and proficiency in one or more areas of musical performance, composition arranging and sound design, musicology, or music technology by applying specialist cognitive and technical skills;
Evaluate and interpret musical ideas and concepts by engaging with relevant research of others, and thinking creatively, critically, ethically, and independently to solve research questions through words and/or creative practice such as performance or composition;
Communicate ideas, problems and arguments to do with music and the arts, through words and/or creative practice such as performance or composition, clearly and coherently in modes suited to a range of audiences; and
Work independently and collaboratively in response to authentic music project demands.

Back to the Bachelor of Music page

Single degree

Three years full-time (144 units) - four courses per semester (24 units)
A maximum of 60 units of 1000 level courses
A minimum of 84 units must come from any majors listed in the Bachelor of Music
Compulsory courses (36 units)
•    MUSI1104 Turning Points in Music History 1: A Millennium of Metamorphoses (900-1900)
•    MUSI1109 Turning Points in Music History 2: A Century of Crisis and Change (1900 to the present)
•    MUSI1105 Music Theory & Aural Skills 1
•    MUSI1106 Music Theory & Aural Skills 2
•    MUSI2203 Music Theory & Aural Skills 3
•    MUSI2204 Music Theory & Aural Skills 4
One of the following majors (48 units)
•    Composition, Arranging and Sound Design
•    Music Performance
•    Music Technology
•    Musicology
10 Electives from across the ANU (60 units)

Double degree

This degree requires 96 units
A maximum of 36 units of 1000 level courses
A minimum of 84 units must come from any majors listed in the Bachelor of Music
Compulsory courses (36 units)
•    MUSI1104 Turning Points in Music History 1: A Millennium of Metamorphoses (900-1900)
•    MUSI1109 Turning Points in Music History 2: A Century of Crisis and Change (1900 to the present)
•    MUSI1105 Music Theory & Aural Skills 1
•    MUSI1106 Music Theory & Aural Skills 2
•    MUSI2203 Music Theory & Aural Skills 3
•    MUSI2204 Music Theory & Aural Skills 4
One of the following majors (48 units)
•    Composition, Arranging and Sound Design
•    Music Performance
•    Music Technology
•    Musicology
2 Electives from across the ANU (12 units)

About this degree

Single degree
In a Bachelor of Music Studies program you will study a total of 144 units. Typically you will take 4 courses per semester (total of 24 units) as a full time student giving you a total of 24 (6-unit) courses across your whole degree.
You'll need to take one major of your choice from Composition, Arranging and Sound Design, Music Performance, Music Technology or Musicology (8 courses), 36 units of compulsory courses (6 courses), MUSI1104, MUSI1105, MUSI1106, MUSI1109, MUSI2203 and MUSI2204 and 60 units of Elective Courses (10 courses).
You can use these electives to try a range of courses or to take a major or minor in a non-Arts subject.

Double degree
In a Bachelor Music degree program you will study a total of 96 units. Typically you will take 4 courses per semester (total of 24 units) as a full time student giving you a total of 16 courses across your whole degree. However, for each semester you are likely to take 2 courses from your Music degree and then 2 courses from the other half of your double degree – still a total of 4 courses a semester.
You'll need to take one major of your choice from Composition, Arranging and Sound Design, Music Performance, Music Technology or Musicology (8 courses), 36 units of compulsory courses (6 courses), MUSI1104, MUSI1105, MUSI1106, MUSI1109, MUSI2203 and MUSI2204 and 12 units of Elective Courses (2 courses).

Enrolment Status

While it's possible to enrol in fewer courses per semester, which is called studying part-time, it will take you longer to finish your program and get your degree. If you are an international student you must always be full-time.
You need to enrol in courses for both First Semester and Second Semester.
You can’t study more than four courses (24 units) per semester, eight for the year.
You need to enrol in the compulsory 1000 level courses MUSI1104, MUSI1105 and Major course plus 6 units of elective courses for Single degree
You need to enrol in the compulsory 1000 level courses MUSI1104 and either MUSI1105 or 1000 level Major course for Double Degree
You may take 1000-level courses later in your program. But remember you can’t count more than ten 1000-level courses (60 units) towards your single degree or six 1000-level courses (36 units) towards your Music half of the double degree

Important things to keep in mind when choosing your 1000-level courses

When you enrol for the first time you will study ‘1000-level’ courses. These courses have ‘1’ as the first number in their course code, such as MUSI1234.

Majors and Minors

See available majors and minors for this program

How do I choose 1000-level courses for my major?
You need to choose two 1000-level courses from your chosen major.
For the Performance major, you will need permission from the Music School to add your Performance courses. Once you have been given permission you will be able to enrol in:
•   MUSI1101 Music Performance 1 in First Semester
•   MUSI1102 Music Performance 2 in Second Semester
For your Composition, Arranging and Sound Design major, you enrol in:
•   MUSI1111 – Composition, Arranging, and Sound Design 1 in First Semester
•   MUSI1112 – Composition, Arranging, and Sound Design 2 in Second Semester

For your Music Technology major, you enrol in:
•    HUMN1001 – Digital Culture; Being Human in the Information Age in First Semester
•   MUSI1111 – Introduction to Music Technology in Second Semester

For your Musicology major, you enrol in:
•    MUSI1104 – Turning Points in Music History 1: A Millennium of Metamorphoses in First Semester
•   MUSI1109 – Turning Points in Music History 2: A Century of Crisis and Change (1900 to the Present) in Second Semester

Electives

Single Degree and Double Degree
While you only need to enrol in the 1000 level courses for our chosen major, and two compulsory courses, each semester, you can use your electives to enrol in 1000-level courses for other Arts majors or minors. Once you've selected courses for the major, the compulsory courses, you should choose electives to make up the balance of your courses.

Double Degree

Study Options