Bachelor of Music
Gain confidence to succeed in the music industry.
- Domestic
- International
Gain confidence to succeed in the music industry.
Develop the skills and knowledge to make music with confidence, artistic conviction and social commitment. Pursue your passions and talent through a rigorous program that advances your ability to the highest standards in performing, composing, researching, producing or teaching.
The UNSW Bachelor of Music is a four-year degree that will prepare you to pursue a career in music, while developing expertise in an area of speciality.
As a music student at UNSW, you can explore and develop your talents in a diverse range of musical genres, as a solo performer, as a composer, as an electronic artist, and in traditional and modern ensembles. You can choose a music specialisation including creative practice, pedagogy, sonic arts or musicology. No matter what music you specialise in — or what new sounds you discover along the way — at UNSW, you'll become a music maker who is progressive, diverse and globally engaged.
To gain entry to the Bachelor of Music program, you must complete an audition.
Intellectually and artistically comprehensive
Joining one of Australia’s leading universities, located in the centre of a vibrant campus, you’ll experience a supportive and inspiring environment with purpose-built facilities. You'll study under world-class performers and scholars in a program of rigorous and exciting courses.
Specialise your practice
In addition to core courses in performance, musicianship and musicology and extensive training in ensemble skills and professional practice, you’ll also study one of four specialist music streams:
Performance
Performance opportunities in the Bachelor of Music include a diverse array of solo and ensemble work, and interaction with the university's high-profile ensemble in residence, the Australia Ensemble.
Vocational placements
Our Music students have the option to enrol in an elective internship through the Vocational Placement (Internship) course. The program provides an exciting opportunity to put theory into practice and gain valuable professional experience.
Overseas exchange program
You’ll have the opportunity to spend a term or more overseas studying at one of our partner institutions as part of your bachelor degree. UNSW manages a large and active exchange program with over 200 different student exchange opportunities in 38 countries.
Honours
Honours is an intensive study program that provides the you with the opportunity to engage in specialised and extended research to develop research and analytical skills further and increase your employability.
A thriving musical community
We have more than 20 ensembles, including the UNSW Symphony Orchestra, the Collegium Musicum Choir, a range of jazz ensembles, New Music Ensemble, Chinese Music Ensemble, Balinese Gamelan, Tango Ensemble, Bulgarian Voices, the Wind Symphony. You can explore and perform experimental and modern music, music technology, electronic music and even studio recording.
To gain entry into the UNSW Bachelor of Music, you'll have to apply through UAC, UAC International or directly through UNSW Admissions and then undertake a musicianship test and an audition.
You must complete an online assessment and audition to gain entry to the Bachelor of Music program. Online assessment and audition information and the online application form can be found on the Bachelor of Music auditions website. Applicants are expected to have reached the level of at least Grade 7 AMEB Performance (or equivalent) and 2 Unit Music course, 2 or 3 Unit Extension or Grade 6 AMEB Musicianship (or equivalent).
At UNSW, we are committed to ensuring prospective students have all the information they need in order to make informed decisions about their study options.
To assist you in gaining a better understanding of how Admissions works at UNSW, we have provided you with a summary of ATAR offers and the student profile.
We hope this information will help you identify the degree that is right for you.
Applicants are expected to have reached the level of at least Grade 7 AMEB Performance (or equivalent) and Music 2; or Grade 6 AMEB Musicianship (or equivalent); or HSC Music Extension
We offer a range of adjustment factor schemes that reward students for academic performance and extra-curricular achievements. These schemes also take into account a range of personal and educational disadvantages that may have affected your studies.
HSC Plus
This scheme rewards students who perform well in Year 12 subjects that are relevant to their preferred UNSW degree. You may be awarded up to five points.
Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders (EAPL)
This program recognises achievements in the areas of sport, academia, leadership and music at an elite level. You may be eligible for up to five points.
Educational Access Scheme (EAS)
Factors such as illness, financial hardship, language difficulties or attending a particular school can mean you don't always get the best possible marks in Years 11 and 12. If one of these situations applies to you, submit an application for the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) via UAC. Eligible students can receive between 1 and 10 points towards their chosen UNSW degree.
Your ATAR is not the only measure of your potential to succeed, which is why we offer a range of pathways into university. Explore your options below and get in touch with our future student advisors to discuss your path to UNSW.
Gateway Admission Pathway
This scheme is open to students in Years 11 and 12 who attend Gateway schools. It significantly adjusts the ATAR requirements for your preferred UNSW degree and provides you with an early conditional offer to UNSW.
Entry programs for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
We offer entry programs for Indigenous Australians, including the Indigenous Preparatory Programs and the Indigenous Admission Scheme (IAS). The entry pathway program you apply for will depend on the degree you want to study.
Advanced Entry Scheme
UNSW Bachelor of Music program has introduced an Advanced Entry Scheme. Under this scheme, selected applicants will be invited to apply for course credit towards their program based on previous experience and knowledge.
Potential applicants will be invited to apply based initially on their audition results and must have a minimum ATAR of 80 and a LMus or equivalent qualification, or evidence of outstanding ability and achievement in musicology and musicianship. Applicants are then assessed to determine whether they are eligible for advanced course credit.
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
UNSW Global offers courses and programs designed to help you reach the English language level required for entry into your chosen degree. Different options are available depending on your current English language level. Learn more.
We do not accept secondary qualifications from this country. We may accept tertiary study results, please contact us for more information.
Please contact us for direct entry requirements.
UNSW Global has university pathway programs that provide seamless transition to UNSW Sydney so you can achieve your academic and career goals. Learn more.
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
UNSW Global offers courses and programs designed to help you reach the English language level required for entry into your chosen degree. Different options are available depending on your current English language level. Learn more.
The Bachelor of Music consists of 28 courses and can be completed in four-years full-time. In addition to courses in core music skills and knowledge, the program offers intensive pre-professional training in one of four specialisations:
Depending on which specialisation you choose, the program will include:
Each university year at UNSW has three terms and an optional summer study period.
Some courses need to be studied in your first and second year, so you’re prepared for courses that can only be studied in later years. You can study full-time or part-time. Depending on how you plan your study load, you can fit two or three courses into a term and one course in a summer term.
Below is an example of what you could study in a standard four-year, full-time study plan.
First year
Second year
Third year
Fourth year
For further information on full course listing, descriptions and timetables please see the UNSW Online Handbook.
You’ll prepare for the future of the changing music industry by exploring music in interdisciplinary contexts, including ethnomusicology, film, production, teaching and immersive media.
Become a highly skilled musician with specialist knowledge in music history, culture and analysis, and practical skills in arrangement, composition, performance and production. You’ll complete the Bachelor of Music degree with a diverse range of performance, ensemble skills, professional practice, musicianship, and musicology. Our students have taken their music to compete internationally at prestigious competitions overseas as well as in Australia.
Our double degrees enable you to broaden your opportunities and study different areas simultaneously.
Double degree options:
Applications for undergraduate study from domestic students (Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, Australian permanent humanitarian visa holders and New Zealand citizens) are processed by the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).
Visit the Apply section of the UAC website and you can nominate up to five degrees in order of preference, with the first being your most desired degree and university.
On-time applications for admission usually close at the end of September each year for Term 1 admission. Late applications can be submitted, but a late fee will apply. For study starting in Term 1, the majority of offers are made in December and January. Visit the UAC website for key dates for admission outside of Term 1.
For most international students, applications are submitted via our Apply Online service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.
Some high-demand programs with limited places, may have an earlier application deadline or may have an earlier commencement date. For more information visit our international applicant information page.
*If you are an international student studying an Australian qualification, go to the Universities Admission Centre (UAC) for application and UAC key dates. Note: If you are under 18 years of age, you need to make special arrangements. Read more.
Commonwealth Supported Place: Student Contribution Band 2
*The student contribution for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the amount payable in Year 1 based on a standard full-time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The actual student contribution you will be liable for depends on your individual program of study and the calendar year in which you enrol. Actual fees are calculated upon enrolment. Student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the university and may increase each year during your studies (subject to caps determined by the Australian Government), effective at the start of each calendar year.
The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only - other fees and charges are not included.
*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).
Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.
Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed below.
Indicative fees to complete the program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year. To find out more about other costs, visit UNSW International.
At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.
QS World University Rankings, 2022.
AFR Top 100 Future leaders Award.
#1 Australian uni attended by start-up founders.
Thank you!
We will be in touch soon!
Oops!
There was an error but we're working on it!