The ANU Bachelor of Music nurtures outstanding musical artistry through the intersection of performance, composition and technology. We believe that discovery lies at the heart of both creativity and excellence. We foster artistry through offering a diversity of musical experiences in an environment that encourages excellence, passion and entrepreneurship.

Our program provides students with a unique 21st Century musical experience which includes classical, jazz and contemporary performance, multimedia composition and audio engineering and recording. 

Students can specialise in one or more of five majors: performance; composition for film and video games, composition, music technology; and musicology.

What makes the human brain tick?

Find out with the Bachelor of Science (Psychology), which provides you with a great base in six different areas of psychology: developmental, social, personality, methods, cognition and biological.

In your later year courses, you’ll apply this knowledge and your skills in more specialised areas such as neuroscience, counselling, health and organisational (business) psychology.

Once you’ve completed your third year, you can apply to undertake an Honours year and pursue further postgraduate study. This will allow you to practice as a clinical psychologist.

Find out more about psychology, the degree structure, the university experience, career opportunities and student stories on our website.

Get the inside story on what it’s like to be an ANU student by visiting our student blog.

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand the practices, languages, forms, materials, technologies and techniques of a broad range of musics;
2. 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;
3. 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;
4. 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
5. Work independently and collaboratively in response to authentic music project demands.

1. Plan and engage in an independent and sustained critical investigation and evaluation of a chosen research topic
2. Systematically identify relevant theory and concepts, relate these to appropriate methodologies and evidence, and draw appropriate conclusions
3. Engage in critical review of appropriate and relevant information sources
4. Communicate concepts and results clearly and effectively both in writing and orally
5. Record original data and apply statistical or other evaluation processes to original data when appropriate

Admission Requirements

Pathways

Students who successfully complete one of the below programs will be admitted to the Bachelor of Music:

• DP-BD23 Diploma of Music Industry (Sound Production) (CUA50815) (offered by the Canberra Institute of Technology)
• DP-BD19 Diploma of Music Industry (Performance) (CUA50815) (offered by the Canberra Institute of Technology)

Prerequisites

Entry to Performance courses is by audition. Applicants undertaking an audition will be expected to have pre-existing musical knowledge such as a competency level equivalent to NSW Music 2 or Music Extension, or equivalent qualifications or experience. 

Adjustment Factors

Adjustment factors are additional points added to an applicant's Selection Rank (for example an applicant's ATAR). ANU offers adjustment factors based on performance and equity principles, such as for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. 

Selection Rank adjustments are granted in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustment factors and maximum 10 equity-based adjustment factors) can be awarded. 

You may be considered for adjustment factors if you have:

• applied for an eligible ANU Bachelor degree program
• undertaken Australian Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate
• achieved an ATAR or equivalent at or above 70
• not previously attempted tertiary study.

Please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.

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.

Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Music flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:

A maximum of 36 units can come from completion of 1000 level courses.

A minimum of 84 units must come from completion of courses from the subject area MUSI Music and courses from any majors listed in the Bachelor of Music.

The 96 units must consist of:

12 units from completion of courses on the following compulsory courses:

MUSI1501 Aural Skills and Music Theory 1

MUSI1502 Aural Skills and Music Theory 2

12 units from completion of courses on the following list:

MUSI2503 Aural Skills and Music Theory 3

MUSI2504 Aural Skills and Music Theory 4

MUSI2507 Advanced Jazz Studies 1

MUSI2508 Advanced Jazz Studies 2

A minimum of 6 units from completion of courses on the following list, which may be double counted towards one major or minor in which they are listed:

INDG2002 Contemporary Australian Indigenous Music Studies

MUSI1109 Music from 1900 to the Present: A Century of Crisis and Change

MUSI1113 Introduction to Ethnomusicology

12 units from completion of the following compulsory courses, which may be double counted towards one major or minor in which it is listed:

MUSI1110 Introduction to Music Technology

MUSI2211 Writing about Music 1: Styles and Theories

48 units from completion of one of the following majors:

Composition for Film and Video Games

Composition

Music Technology

Musicology

Performance

A maximum of 24 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU

The Bachelor of Science (Psychology) flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:

A maximum of 36 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

The 96 units must include:

60 units from the completion of the following compulsory courses:

PSYC1003 Psychology 1: Understanding Mind, Brain and Behaviour

PSYC1004 Psychology 2: Understanding People in Context

PSYC2001 Social Psychology

PSYC2002 Developmental Psychology

PSYC2007 Biological Basis of Behaviour

PSYC2008 Cognition

PSYC2009 Quantitative Methods in Psychology

PSYC3018 Advanced Research Methods

PSYC3025 Psychopathology Across the Lifespan

PSYC3026 Personality Psychology

18 units from completion of 3000-level courses in the subject area PSYC Psychology

12 units from completion of further 1000-level courses from the Science Course List

6 units from completion of further courses from the Science Course List

A maximum of 12 units from completion of 1000-level courses may contribute towards meeting the requirements of two Science majors with common 1000-level course requirements.

Majors

Bachelor of Music Majors

Minors

Bachelor of Music Minors

Study Options