The ANU Bachelor of Music nurtures outstanding musical artistry through the intersection of performance, composition, and music recording. We believe that discovery lies at the heart of both creativity and excellence. Our program fosters artistry through offering a diversity of musical experiences in an environment that encourages excellence, passion and entrepreneurship. It provides students with a unique 21st Century musical experience which includes the opportunity to specialise in music performance, composition, or contemporary music production, while making sure students have enough flexibility to experiment and explore their own complex musical identity and practice. Our program supports students in preparing for dynamic and multifaceted successful careers as music professionals and outstanding contributors to the local, national, and global community, as musically-informed citizens and leaders.
What makes the human brain tick?
Find out with the Bachelor of Science (Psychology), which provides you with a great base in the key areas of psychology: developmental, social, personality, health and mental health, research methods, cognition and the biological bases of behaviour.
In your later year courses, you’ll apply this knowledge and your skills in more specialised areas such as neuroscience, counselling, health, mental 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 psychologist or clinical psychologist.
Find out more about psychology, the degree structure, the university experience, career opportunities and student stories on our website.
Career Options
ANU ranks among the world's very finest universities. Our nearly 100,000 alumni include political, business, government, and academic leaders around the world.
We have graduated remarkable people from every part of our continent, our region and all walks of life.
Learning Outcomes
- 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 or contemporary music production by applying specialist cognitive and technical skills;
- critically 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.
- Understand, critically evaluate, apply, integrate and generate psychological knowledge in educational and professional contexts.
- Develop and engage in a range of skills and methods to identify, analyse, critique and respond to complex problems involving psychological processes.
- Systematically identify relevant psychological theory and concepts, relate these to appropriate methodologies and evidence, and draw appropriate conclusions.
- Apply appropriate psychological research methods, including statistical techniques, to evaluate data.
- Communicate psychological concepts and results clearly and effectively in written and oral formats to diverse audiences.
- Work and learn in both independent and collaborative ways with others to encompass diverse abilities and perspectives on psychological issues.
- Critically examine psychological knowledge and skills, and their application, from diverse cultural perspectives, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ perspectives.
- Utilise psychological knowledge and skills for exercising personal, professional and social responsibility as a global citizen.
Further Information
Entry to Performance Courses
Entry to Performance courses is by audition. Applicants undertaking an audition will be expected to have pre-existing musical knowledge obtained through secondary studies, or equivalent qualifications or experience.
Completing the Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving Course Requirement
Students completing the Bachelor of Music are required to complete a minimum of 12 units of transdisciplinary problem-solving (TD) courses as part of their program. TD courses listed in the BMUSI include:
MUSI2235 Critical Music Studies
MUSI2236 Music and Globalisation
MUSI3328 Music Practice as Research
If you would prefer to complete courses outside this list to fulfill the TD course requirement, you may use your electives to choose any other TD course at ANU. To find a list of TD courses, please visit Programs and Courses and select the Transdisciplinary filter.
Entry to Performance Courses
Entry to Performance courses is by audition. Applicants undertaking an audition will be expected to have pre-existing musical knowledge obtained through secondary studies, or equivalent qualifications or experience.
Completing the Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving Course Requirement
Students completing the Bachelor of Music are required to complete a minimum of 12 units of transdisciplinary problem-solving (TD) courses as part of their program. TD courses listed in the BMUSI include:
MUSI2235 Critical Music Studies
MUSI2236 Music and Globalisation
MUSI3328 Music Practice as Research
If you would prefer to complete courses outside this list to fulfill the TD course requirement, you may use your electives to choose any other TD course at ANU. To find a list of TD courses, please visit Programs and Courses and select the Transdisciplinary filter.
Admission Requirements
- ATAR:
- 80
- International Baccalaureate:
- 30
Pathways
Students who successfully complete the below program will be admitted to the Bachelor of Music:
DP-BD72 Diploma of Music (CUA50820), offered by the Canberra Institute of Technology.
Students who have previously completed any of the following programs should contact the BMUSI convenor to discuss admission:
DP-BD23 Diploma of Music Industry (CUA50815) (offered by the Canberra Institute of Technology) – disestablished in 2021
DP-BD19 Diploma of Music Industry (Performance) (CUA50815) (offered by the Canberra Institute of Technology) – disestablished in 2021
EMUSI Diploma of Music (offered by the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences) – disestablished in 2020
Adjustment Factors
Adjustment factors are combined with an applicant's secondary education results to determine their Selection Rank. ANU offers adjustment factors based on equity, diversity, and/or performance principles, such as for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies.
To be eligible for adjustment factors, you must have:
- achieved a Selection Rank of 70 or more before adjustment factors are applied
- if you have undertaken higher education, completed less than one year full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) of a higher education program
- applied for an eligible ANU bachelor degree program
Please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.
Indicative fees
Bachelor of Music - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
Bachelor of Science (Psychology) - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees
- Annual indicative fee for international students
- $56,120.00
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:
18 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:
MUSI1501 Foundational Musicianship
MUSI2235 Critical Music Studies
MUSI3328 Music Practice as Research
12 units from completion of MUSI2231 Topics in Music Analysis, which must be completed more than once, in a different Topic in each instance
48 units from completion of one of the following majors:
Composition
Contemporary Music Production
Performance
6 units from completion of a course from the following list:
INDG2002 Contemporary Australian Indigenous Music Studies
MUSI2234 Music, History, and Culture
MUSI2236 Music, and Globalisation
A maximum of 12 units from completion of courses from the subject area MUSI Music
The Bachelor of Science (Psychology) requires completion of 144 units, of which:
A maximum of 36 units may come from the completion of 1000-level courses
A minimum of 84 units must come from completion of courses from the discipline area PSYC – Psychology
The 96 units must include:
A minimum of 84 units, which must come from completion of courses from the following lists
72 units from the completion of the following compulsory courses:
PSYC1003 Psychology 1: Understanding Mind, Brain and Behaviour (6 units)
PSYC1004 Psychology 2: Understanding People in Context (6 units)
PSYC2001 Social Psychology (6 units)
PSYC2007 Biological Basis of Behaviour (6 units)
PSYC2008 Cognition (6 units)
PSYC2009 Quantitative Methods in Psychology (6 units)
PSYC2012 Culture and Psychology (6 units)
PSYC3018 Advanced Research Methods (6 units)
PSYC3020 Health Psychology (6 units)
PSYC3025 Psychopathology Across the Lifespan (6 units)
PSYC3026 Personality Psychology (6 units)
PSYC3202 Developmental Psychology (6 units)
12 units from completion of 3000-level courses in the subject area PSYC- Psychology
Majors
Bachelor of Music Majors
Minors
Bachelor of Music Minors
Study Options
| Year 1 | MUSI1110 Introduction to Music Technology 6 units | MUSI1501 Foundational Musicianship 6 units | PSYC1003 Psychology 1: Understanding Mind, Brain and Behaviour 6 units | BSPSY or ANU elective course 6 units |
| MUSI1109 | MUSI1502 Aural Skills and Music Theory 2 6 units | PSYC1004 Psychology 2: Understanding People in Context 6 units | BSPSY or ANU elective course 6 units | |
| Year 2 | MUSI2503 | Major Course | PSYC2009 Quantitative Methods in Psychology 6 units | PSYC2012 Culture and Psychology 6 units |
| MUSI2504 | Major Course | PSYC2001 Social Psychology 6 units | PSYC2008 Cognition 6 units | |
| Year 3 | Major Course | MUSI2211 | PSYC3018 Advanced Research Methods 6 units | PSYC3025 Psychopathology Across the Lifespan 6 units |
| Major Course | Major Course | PSYC2007 Biological Basis of Behaviour 6 units | PSYC3020 Health Psychology 6 units | |
| Year 4 | Major Course | Elective Course 6 units | PSYC3202 Developmental Psychology 6 units | 3000 level PSYC course 6 units |
| Major Course | Major Course | PSYC3026 Personality Psychology 6 units | 3000 level PSYC course 6 units |
Back to the Bachelor of Music page
Enrolling for the first time can be overwhelming. Below, you will find information that will assist. Please note that advice on this page is indicative, and you are encouraged to contact the CASS Student office at students.cass@anu.edu.au or visit the the CASS student office website if you require tailored information.
Important items to note:
- We recommend you start a CASS Program Plan. This is a way to track how the courses you take fit within the overall structure of your degree and will help you plan for your later year courses.
- The Bachelor of Music can be taken as a single degree or combined with another degree in a Flexible Double Degree (FDD). When the Bachelor of Music is combined with another undergraduate degree through a Flexible Double Degree, 48 units of ANU electives units are replaced with the core requirements of the other degree and the total program duration is expanded to 192 units (4 years Full-Time) or 240 units (5 years Full-Time) depending on the duration of the other program.
Single degree
The Bachelor of Music requires 144 units (24 courses), including:
- A maximum of 60 units from 1000-level courses (i.e. 10 x 6 unit 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
- Three compulsory courses
- A minimum of 12 units of courses tagged as Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving (i.e. 2 x 6 unit courses)
Double degree
The total number of overall units in a Flexible Double Degree (FDD) depends on the FDD combination e.g.
- Flexible Double Degree - Arts, Social Sciences, Business, Science (4050): 192 units
- Flexible Double Degree - Law (Honours) (4350), Flexible Double Degree PhB Advanced Arts Social Sciences Business & Science (4569), or Flexible Double Degree - Engineering and Advanced Computing (Honours) (4750): 240 units
Of which a minimum of 12 units (i.e. 2 x 6 unit courses) must be tagged as transdisciplinary problem-solving. These courses may be taken in either component of the FDD.
The Bachelor of Music component of an FDD requires 96 units, including:
- A maximum of 36 units from 1000-level courses (i.e. 6 x 6 unit 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
- Three compulsory courses
- A minimum of 12 units of courses tagged as Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving (i.e. 2 x 6 unit courses)
Enrolment Status
Duration
The Bachelor of Music typically takes three years to complete on a full-time basis. Students will usually take 24-units (four x six-unit courses) each semester and there are two semesters each year. One course is typically worth six-units.
In total, students need to complete 144 units of study towards the Bachelor of Music. This will be 24 courses if all courses are worth six-units, but may be fewer if one or more courses of 12-units or more are taken.
If you combine the Bachelor of Music with another degree in a Flexible Double Degree, you will need to complete a total of 192 units (32 six-unit courses) or 240 units (40 six-unit courses) depending on the combination. This will typically take four years for a 192-unit degree or five years for a 240-unit degree on a full-time basis.
Domestic students?may choose to enrol in fewer than 24-units in any semester or half-year study period. Students studying 18 or more units in a half year (January – June or July – December) are considered full-time. Students studying less than this are considered part-time.
If you take fewer than 24-units in any half year period, then your degree is likely to take longer than three years to complete.
International students on a student visa are required to enrol in a full-time study load of 24-units in each half year study period (Summer, Semester 1, Autumn or Winter, Semester 2, Spring) unless they have been approved for Reduced Study Load or program leave.
Maximum time for completion
- The maximum period for completion of the single Bachelor of Music degree is 10 years from the date of first enrolment in the program. This 10 years includes any periods of leave.
- The maximum period for completion of a flexible double degree is 10 years for a 192-unit degree or 11 years for a 240-unit degree from the date of first enrolment in the program. The maximum period includes periods of leave.
A transfer of credit (status) from previous studies will reduce the total amount of time remaining to complete the balance of your degree. When you are assessed for credit, you will be notified of the new maximum end date for your degree in your credit offer.
Important things to keep in mind when choosing your 1000-level courses
In your first year, you will typically enrol in 1000-level courses – these courses have ‘1’ as the first number in their course code. E.g. MUSI1501, MUSI1111. Many 2000 and 3000 level courses build upon the specific knowledge achieved through 1000-level courses.
You may take 1000-level courses later in your program. But remember you can’t count more than 10 x 1000-level courses (60 units) towards your single degree or 6 x 1000-level courses (36 units) towards your Music half of the double degree.
Majors and Minors
See available majors and minors for this program
What is a major?
A major is a sequence of 48-units (i.e. 8 x 6 unit courses). The major has been structured to develop relevant skills and knowledge in the discipline and to prepare you for further study or entry to the workforce. The majors that contribute towards the core requirements of the Bachelor of Music are Composition, Contemporary Music Production, or Performance.
Electives
Electives are courses that provide freedom for you to select subjects that align to your personal interests and career aspirations in a more individualised way than is possible through general major or degree requirements. An ANU elective is a course that you can select without restriction, beyond the global requirements of your program (e.g. limits on 1000-level courses, etc).
In the Bachelor of Music, you can select a minimum of 48 units of electives. You can try a range of courses such as computing, history, or marketing. The choice is yours.
We also recommend holding some ANU electives in reserve to keep other opportunities open, such as international exchange, internships, and meeting the transdisciplinary requirements of your degree.
Study Options
Bachelor of Music - single degree
Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | - | - | - | - |
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Study Plan
Please refer to the "Study" tab.Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | - | - | - | - |
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Study Plan
Please refer to the "Study" tab.Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | - | - | - | - |
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FDD
For study plans, please visit cass.anu.edu.au/current-students/degrees-and-program-plansStudy Options
| Year 1 48 units | - | - | - | - |
| - | - | - | - |
Study Plan
Please refer to the "Study" tab.Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | - | - | - | - |
| - | - | - | - |
Study Plan
Please refer to the "Study" tab.Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | - | - | - | - |
| - | - | - | - |
Bachelor of Music - double degree
For study plans, please visit cass.anu.edu.au/current-students/degrees-and-program-plansStudy Options
| Year 1 48 units | - | - | - | - |
| - | - | - | - |
Disciplines
Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving Courses (TD)
Transdisciplinary courses at the ANU are courses that encourage students to collaborate across different disciplines and perspectives to solve complex problems.?These courses help students develop skills to synthesise knowledge from different fields.
In this degree, you will have to complete 12 units of courses flagged as Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving (TD). TD courses can be identified using the Programs and Courses search engine.
You can satisfy this requirement through a course/s listed in the program or through the ANU electives it all depends on how you structure your degree and your other enrolment choices.
Academic Advice
Course credit
If you have undertaken previous study that is relevant to your current academic program, you can request to receive course credit. For more information and how to apply, see the CASS credit application webpage, or contact the CASS Student Office.
For further information on prerequisites and Arts and Social Science disciplines you can:
Email us at students.cass@anu.edu.au, or
Come and talk to someone - you can attend a drop in session with an academic advisor here
Back to the Bachelor of Science (Psychology) page
What is
consciousness? Do people see colours the same way? How do we make decisions?
Contrary to popular belief most psychologists work with healthy people, trying
to find the answers to questions like these.
Studying psychology at ANU will expose you to a wide range of psychological
sciences, covering topics as varied as how groups interact, vision and how it
can be tricked to see what is not really there, how the brain develops as a
baby and how it will change again as you get older, how impulses are carried
from brain to muscle, and how things go wrong in abnormal psychology.
The ANU Bachelor of Science (Psychology) teaches you skills sought after by
employers including statistics and experimental design, critical thinking and
communication, and provides an excellent grounding to enter the workforce or
continue with further study.
Note:
Advice on this page is indicative only. Where a number of courses has
been identified, it assumes that all of your courses are 6-units.
If you take a course worth 12-units please refer to the unit-load in the
study requirements in the program orders.
This degree can be taken as a single degree or combined with another degree in a Flexible Double Degree (FDD).When
the Bachelor of Science is combined with another undergraduate degree through a
Flexible Double Degree, 48 units of ANU electives units are replaced with
the core requirements of the other degree and the total program duration is
expanded to 192 units (4 years Full-Time) or 240 units (5 years Full-Time)
depending on the duration of the other program.
Semester 2 commencers
Please
note that if you are commencing your studies in Semester 2 there may be
restrictions on the courses available for enrolment. If you have concerns,
please contact students.cos@anu.edu.au.
Advisory sessions will be held the week before semester commences.
Single degree
The Bachelor of Science (Psychology) requires 144 units (24 courses), including:
- A maximum of 10 x 1000-level courses
- A minimum of 7 x 3000-level courses PSYC coded courses
- 12 x compulsory PSYC courses
- A minimum of 2 transdisciplinary problem-solving (TD) courses (embedded in the compulsory courses)
- A maximum of 10 courses from the lists in the BSPSY not previously taken or other ANU electives
Double degree
The total number of overall units in a Flexible Double Degree (FDD) depends on the FDD combination eg.
- 4050: 192 units
- 4350, 4569, 4750: 240 units
Of which a minimum of 2 courses must be tagged as transdisciplinary problem-solving. These courses may be taken in either component of the FDD.
The Bachelor of Science (Psychology) component of an FDD requires 96 units, including:
- A maximum of 6 x 1000-level courses
- A minimum of 7 x 3000-level courses PSYC coded courses
- 12 x compulsory PSYC courses
- A minimum of 2 transdisciplinary problem-solving (TD) courses (embedded in the compulsory courses)
- A maximum of 2 courses from the lists in the BSPSY not previously taken or other ANU electives
About this degree
This program is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). You will need to complete a minimum of 14 Psychology (84 units) including the following APAC accredited sequence of courses:
- PSYC1003 Psychology 1
- PSYC1004 Psychology 2
- PSYC2001 Social Psychology
- PSYC2007 Biological Basis of Behaviour
- PSYC2008 Cognition
- PSYC2009 Quantitative Methods in Psychology
- PSYC2012 Culture and Psychology
- PSYC3018 Advanced Research Methods
- PSYC3020 Health Psychology
- PSYC3025 Psychopathology across the Life Span
- PSYC3026 Personality Psychology
- PSYC3202 Developmental Psychology
In this degree, you will have to complete 12 units of courses flagged as Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving (TD). TD courses can be identified using the Programs and Courses search engine.
In the Bachelor of Science (Psychology), this requirement will be satisfied through PSYC2007 and PSYC3020.
Enrolment Status
Duration
The Bachelor of Science (Psychology) typically takes three years to complete on a full-time basis. Students will usually take 24-units (four six-unit courses) each semester and there are two semesters each year. One course is typically worth six-units.
In total, students need to complete 144 units of study towards the Bachelor of Science. This will be 24 courses if all courses are worth six-units, but may be fewer if one or more courses of 12-units or more are taken.
- If you combine the Bachelor of Science (Psychology) with another degree in a Flexible Double Degree, you will need to complete a total of 192 units (32 six-unit courses) or 240 units (40 six-unit courses) depending on the combination. This will typically take four years for a 192-unit degree or five years for a 240-unit degree .
Domestic students may choose to enrol in fewer than 24-units in any semester or half-year study period. Students studying 18 or more units in a half year (January – June or July – December) are considered full-time. Students studying less than this are considered part-time.
If you take fewer than 24-units in any half year period, then your degree is likely to take longer than three years to complete.
International students on a student visa are required to enrol in a full-time study load of 24-units in each half year study period (Summer, Semester 1, Autumn or Winter, Semester 2, Spring) unless they have been approved for Reduced Study Load or program leave.
Maximum time for completion
- The maximum period for completion of the single Bachelor of Science (Psychology) degree is ten years from the date of first enrolment in the program. This ten years includes any periods of leave.
- The maximum period for completion of a flexible double degree is ten years for a 192-unit degree or 11 years for a 240-unit degree from the date of first enrolment in the program. The maximum period includes periods of leave.
A transfer of credit (status) from previous studies will
reduce the total amount of time remaining to complete the balance of your degree.
When you are assessed for credit, you will be notified of the new maximum end
date for your degree in your credit offer.
Important things to keep in mind when choosing your 1000-level courses
There are 2 compulsory 1000 level courses you must take in your first year:
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 Psychology half of the double degree.Electives
Remember you can choose up to 10 courses from another ANU College if you are undertaking the single Bachelor of Science (Psychology) program. You can try a range of courses or take a major or minor in a non-psychology subject, such as philosophy, history or computing. The choice is yours.
How do I use my electives?
Electives are courses that provide freedom for you to select subjects that align to your personal interests and career aspirations in a more individualised way than is possible through general major or degree requirements. An ANU elective is a course that you can select without restriction, beyond the global requirements of your program (e.g. limits on 1000-level courses, etc).
We also recommend holding some ANU electives in reserve to keep other opportunities open, such as international exchange, internships, and meeting the transdisciplinary requirements of your degree.
Study Options
Bachelor of Science (Psychology) - single degree
This is a typical study pattern for the first year of a student undertaking a Bachelor of Science (Psychology).Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | PSYC1003 Psychology 1: Understanding Mind, Brain and Behaviour 6 units | ANU elective 6 units | ANU elective 6 units | ANU elective 6 units |
| PSYC1004 Psychology 2: Understanding People in Context 6 units | ANU elective 6 units | ANU elective 6 units | ANU elective 6 units |
Bachelor of Science (Psychology) - double degree
This is a typical study pattern for the first year of a student undertaking a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) with another three year degree, such as the Bachelor of Arts.Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | PSYC1003 Psychology 1: Understanding Mind, Brain and Behaviour 6 units | ANU elective 6 units | Degree B Course 6 units | Degree B Course 6 units |
| PSYC1004 Psychology 2: Understanding People in Context 6 units | ANU elective 6 units | Degree B Course 6 units | Degree B Course 6 units |
Academic Advice
For further information, you can:
- Download the Science first year course guide available here, or
- View the information at our New commencers & first year students page, or
- Email us at students.chm@anu.edu.au, or
- Come and talk to someone - you can make an appointment with an academic advisor here