Performance, Composition and Musicology
Do you have a desire to develop your ability to the highest standards in performing, composing, improvising, researching, producing, and teaching?
As a Bachelor of Music student at UNSW you will benefit from our creative and contemporary environment including:
Our Music program is your opportunity to develop your academic and professional skills in performance, composition and musicology.
At UNSW, our graduates make music with confidence, artistic conviction and social commitment.
The Bachelor of Music is a four year, full time degree.
As a Music student at UNSW you will complete the following:
Intensive training in performance or composition in a self-selected musical style or tradition, including classical, jazz and world music.
Intensive training in historical musicology, ethnomusicology or the psychology of music. Music Inquiry enables students to develop excellence in theoretical and critical subjects, music from various styles, genres and cultures, and in a comprehensive range of ensemble practices.
Focuses on the use of sound as a means for a broad-range of creative investigations and applications. Students gain foundational skills and knowledge in sound recording and processing, post production techniques, digital sound manipulation, acoustics, and psychoacoustics in preparation for advanced applications of sound in various media and genres, such as, film and video production, sound installations, sound art, and electronic-based composition.
Offers extensive pre-professional training in musicianship, musicology, ensemble performance, pedagogical methods, and educational and motivational psychology specifically for studio music teaching. This stream requires the study of leading pedagogical practices through lectures, seminars, workshops, observation and practice.
Assignments and self-directed projects will provide opportunities for developing teacher modelling skills and best practices for the studio-teaching environment.
Graduates in all four major streams may also continue with study in music education.
All applicants must complete an audition to gain entry to the Bachelor of Music program.
Audition information and the online application form can be found on the School of the Arts and Media 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).
Our graduates are highly skilled musicians with specialist knowledge in music history, culture and analysis as well as practical skills in arrangement, composition, performance and production.
Your career options include:
Performance opportunities in the Bachelor of Music include a diverse array of solo and ensemble work, as well as interaction with the University’s high profile ensemble in residence, the Australia Ensemble.
Our Music students have the option to enrol in an elective internship through the Arts & Social Sciences Vocational Placement (Internship) course.
The program provides an exciting opportunity to put theory into practice and gain valuable professional experience.
As one of Australia’s most international universities, UNSW offers you the opportunity to spend a semester or more overseas studying at one of our partner institutions as part of your music degree.
UNSW manages a large and active exchange program with over 200 different student exchange opportunities in 38 countries.
High performing students in the Bachelor of Music have the option to complete the fourth year of the program as an Honours year. Honours is an intensive study program that provides the opportunity to engage in specialised and extended research, to further develop research and analytical skills and expand graduate options.
Students can also study Music in the Bachelor of Arts (BA).
The BA does not require an audition and two streams of study are available:
Degree program structure and academic rules information:
If you are a current student, please refer to the Online Handbook in the year you commenced your degree.
See what some of our students have to say about their Music degree.
Benjamin McDermott - Bachelor of Music (Honours)/ Arts
See how Leah went from studying a Music degree at UNSW to becoming one of Hollywood's most accomplished composers
Learn about our research, staff and events.
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Grade 7 AMEB Performance (or equivalent) and Music 2 or Extension or Grade 6 AMEB Musicianship (or equivalent) | |
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Wondering what it’s like to be a student at UNSW? Hip hop artist and jazz drummer Rhyan Clapham shares his student experience. Rhyan has completed a Bachelor of Music and will join the inaugural intake for the Indigenous Studies Honours program.
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