Bachelor of Music
Gain confidence to succeed in the music industry.
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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.
Faculty
Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture
Delivery Mode
Face-to-face (includes blended)
Award
Bachelor of Music
Commencing Terms
Term 1
Duration (Full Time)
4 Year(s)
- Overview
- Entry requirements
- What will I study?
- Future careers
- Double degrees
- How to apply
- Fees & Scholarships
Overview
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.
Key features
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:
- Music Creative Practice
- Musicology
- Sonic Arts
- Music Pedagogy
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.
Why study this degree at UNSW?
- Adobe Creative Cloud subscription included from the day you start your degree for the duration of your studies
- Be supported by our diverse, open and inclusive Arts, Design & Architecture community.
- Learn through research-informed teaching
- Prioritise career success – UNSW won the Australian Financial Review’s Most Employable Students Award in 2020.
- Benefit from strong industry links and partnerships
- Access world class alumni connections
- Join a global top 50 university (QS World University Rankings, 2021)
- Join a community that’s part of the prestigious Group of Eight (Go8) universities
Program Code
3436
CRICOS Code
000812G
Campus
Kensington
UAC Code
422500
Total Units of Credit (UOC)
192
Indicative Enrolments
61
Want to see more from UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture?
Entry requirements
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).
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- The 2021 Lowest Selection Rank (LSR) is the adjusted rank (ATAR plus adjustment factors) you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2021.
- The 2021 A levels score is based on four Advanced Level (A2) subject. Entry scores are calculated from the best three or four A2 subjects (excluding repeated subjects) using the following values: A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1. At most one Applied A Level subject may be included in the best four subjects used to calculate the aggregate.
- The 2021 IB Diploma is an indication of the IB you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2021. It is to be used as a guide only.
- The 2021 Lowest ATAR is the lowest ATAR (before adjustment factors were applied) to which an offer was made. Where <5 is listed, this indicates that less than 5 ATAR-based offers were made and so the score has not been published. N/A indicates no offers were made on the basis of ATAR.
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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.
Assumed knowledge
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
Adjustment Factors
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.
Admission pathways
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.
English language requirements
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:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
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.
International direct entry
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.
Admission pathways
UNSW Global has university pathway programs that provide seamless transition to UNSW Sydney so you can achieve your academic and career goals. Learn more.
English language requirements
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:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
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.
Check the specific English language requirements for this program
Program structure
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:
- Music Creative Practice | Intensive pre-professional training in performance or composition.
- Musicology | Studies in historical musicology, ethnomusicology and the psychology of music.
- Sonic Arts | Develop foundational technical, aesthetic and theatrical skills in sound.
- Music Pedagogy | Specialist study in studio music teaching and preparation for further music education studies.
Depending on which specialisation you choose, the program will include:
- 15 Core courses (including Musicology, Musicianship and Performance Laboratory courses)
- 3 Courses from your chosen specialisation
- 2 Music electives
- 2 Prescribed faculty electives
- 4 Free electives
- 2 General education courses
Study areas
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- Music Creative Practice
- Sonic Arts
- Music Pedagogy
- Musicology
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Full program structure
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
- 5 Music core courses
- 1 General education course
- 1 Free elective
Second year
- 4 Music core courses
- 1 General education course
- 1 Free elective
- 1 Elective from your chosen specialisation
Third year
- 1 Music core courses
- 2 Prescribed faculty electives
- 2 Free electives
- 2 Electives from your specialisation
Fourth year
- 4 Music core courses
- 1 Music core course or 2 music electives (depending on your specialisation)
- 2 Music electives
For further information on full course listing, descriptions and timetables please see the UNSW Online Handbook.
Future careers
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.
Potential careers
- Performance
- Arranging and composing
- Academia
- Classroom music teaching
- Private teaching
- Soundtrack production
- Audio engineering
- Arts management
- Sound design
- Broadcasting
- Music journalism
Double degrees
Our double degrees enable you to broaden your opportunities and study different areas simultaneously.
Double degree options:
- Advanced Science (Hons)
- Arts
- Commerce
- Education (Secondary)
- Engineering (Hons)
- Law
- Media (Communication & Journalism)
- Media (PR & Advertising)
- Media (Screen & Sound Production)
- Science
How to apply
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.
Ready to apply?
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.
Ready to apply?
Fees & Scholarships
2022 Indicative First Year Full Fee
$8,215*
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.
2022 Indicative First Year Fee
$41,830*
2022 Indicative Fee to Complete Degree
$172,625*
*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.
Scholarships
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.
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Top 50WorldwideQS World University Rankings, 2022.
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MostEmployable GraduatesAFR Top 100 Future leaders Award.
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LeadingInnovation#1 Australian uni attended by start-up founders.
"UNSW inspired me and exposed me to new worlds of sound, art, language, people and thinking."
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