Arts, Design & Architecture

UNSW Music Auditions

Register now for a Music Audition

Register now

To study Music at UNSW in the Bachelor of Fine Arts you must pass an audition and apply through UAC, or UNSW Apply Online. 

Audition testing is required to be completed 72 hours after your application has been submitted. You will receive your audition test link via email once submission has been received. 

Results will be released via email within 7 days of your completed audition testing requirements. 

  • This test is designed to assess your skills and knowledge in basic music theory, score reading, musical style and general knowledge of music.

    To prepare for the test, it's recommended that you review music theory and general musical knowledge to the level of Grade 5 AMEB Theory. There will not be any history component. 

    All questions will be multiple choice and cover basics such as all scale constructions, triads, cadences and basic four-part harmony. Simple score reading will also be included. 

  • Applicants must submit the following:

    Performance
    If Performance is your intended specialisation, you must provide two contrasting performances. They can be any two short pieces of your choice, as long as they contrast in some way (tempo, technical difficulty, expression, style and so on). Each piece must be between three and five minutes in length. 

    Composition
    If Composition is your intended specialisation, you must provide two scores of contrasting compositions (along with the two composition scores, we also require accompanying audio files [mp3 is best] – so please also upload audio files that are either MIDI-based recordings or recordings of live performances of your compositions.) We recommend you also submit two contrasting performances on your individual instrument or voice. If not accepted as a composition specialist, you may possibly be accepted as a performer. 

    Short song to be sung unaccompanied
    The short song can be any song of your choice. It is for the examiner to test your sense of pitch. A traditional song or folk song would be most preferable and must be a minimum of one minute in length. 

    500-word essay about yourself
    The essay can be about something that you've enjoyed doing, studying or learning about aside from music. The essay is important because it illustrates what you think and how well you express yourself. It also gives you an opportunity to tell us about who you are beyond your musical qualifications and will help us further distinguish you from other applicants. So try to write your essay in a way that lets your voice come through. 

    CV/Resume 
    We don't expect extensive experience; this is merely to give the examiner an idea of what, if any, extra-curricular activities you may be involved with within the sphere of music. 

    Reference 
    You will be asked to submit the name and email address of a referee. This will generate an automatic request to your Referee to submit one directly to your application.