The Bachelor of Music at Western takes an eclectic, modern and inclusive approach to music repertoire, performance, sound design, songwriting, composition and musicology.
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Duration
Full Time: 3 Years (Available Part Time)*
Next Start Date
04 March 2024
22 July 2024
Closing Date
Campuses
Penrith
UAC 720720
Domestic Student Fees
Indicative annual fee from $11,885
Additional Information
Program Code: 1659
CRICOS Code: 065052F
Music at Western
The Bachelor of Music offers you the chance to significantly focus and develop your practical skills and theoretical knowledge beyond the scope of the Bachelor of Music degree. The program offers high-level training in music, music performance, composition, sound technologies, music theory, musicology, arranging music and music analysis.
The program is offered in well-equipped studios, and in a lecture/workshop/ tutorial environment. Skills in music performance, composition and sound technologies are augmented by intellectual, theoretical and contextual studies. Hands-on involvement from music academics will support you as you build toward the production of a major project.
Note: Entrance rank: Not applicable - additional selection criteria apply.
REGISTER NOW FOR OPEN DAY 2024
Open Day is a great opportunity to discover all that Western has to offer.
Explore course options, meet academics and find out about our pathway options on Sunday, 30 June 2024.
Register now to join us. We can't wait to see you at Open Day 2024!
Free Access to Adobe Creative Cloud apps
As an Adobe Creative Campus, Western Sydney University gives all students complimentary access to the Adobe Creative Cloud, so you can level up your digital skills with FREE access to the Adobe Creative Cloud apps. It's like your very own innovation toolkit, where technology meets creativity!
Adobe Creative Cloud is a comprehensive suite of software tools and services which provide a one-stop platform for professionals and enthusiasts in various creative fields, offering a wide range of applications for graphic design, video editing, web development, photography, and more!
What you can expect to study
The program structure is outlined in our handbook. Here you can view all of the subjects you will be studying.
Career Opportunities
As a graduate of this degree, you can look forward to a broad range of exciting career opportunities in different sectors and industries. Below are some examples of the possible careers you can pursue with this degree:
- Audio Engineering
- Composition
- Multimedia
- Music journalism and critiquing
- Performance
- Teaching (with further study)
Alumni
"The music program at Western is well rounded with subjects based on various aspects of the music industry, from classical to contemporary."
- Oliver Kirby, Bachelor of Music
Entry requirements for domestic students
Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website. Find out more here.
Admission
Applicants will be selected by one of three methods
- Attain an HSC Music result in band 4 or above. No audition is required.
- Hold the following AMEB or equivalent (e.g. Trinity College) qualification:
- PASS standard (minimum) of 6th Grade Performance (instrument or voice) And
- PASS standard (minimum) of 4th Grade musicianship and/or theory.
No audition is required.
- Attend an audition in person as a performer and/or composer. Applicants applying as a composer will need to bring recordings and/or scores of original compositions to the audition. After applying to UAC or Directly to Western applicants are required to book an audition online.
If not auditioning, applicants will need to upload their supporting documentation (e.g. AMEB certificates demonstrating level of achievement in performance and musicianship and/or music theory).
Alternate Entry Pathway
The exceptional merit pathway (EMP) will offer those students who demonstrate an aptitude and ability in the creative industries area that is assessed as meeting the Program Learning Outcomes, to receive either a direct or conditional offer. Students will be required to complete an audition or submit a recording of original compositions, take part in at least one workshop and/or submit a written assessment, in addition to participating in an interview, during one of a series of on-campus Young Creatives events. Successful completion of the EMP requirements will result in either a direct or conditional entry offer for the following year. Though the direct offer is a non-ATAR pathway, eligibility to accept the direct offer will remain contingent on the successful completion of the HSC or TAFE Diploma.
Please consult the handbook for more information.
Entry requirements for international students
**The Part-time option is not available to International Students on a Student Visa.
Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.
International students currently completing an Australian Year 12 in or outside Australia, an International Baccalaureate in Australia or a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) level 3 must apply via UAC International.
All other International applicants must apply directly to the University via the International Office.
International students applying to the University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.
Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.
Admission
Applicants will be selected by one of three methods
- Attain an HSC Music result in band 4 or above. No audition is required.
- Hold the following AMEB or equivalent (e.g. Trinity College) qualification:
- PASS standard (minimum) of 6th Grade Performance (instrument or voice) And
- PASS standard (minimum) of 4th Grade musicianship and/or theory.
No audition is required.
- Attend an audition in person as a performer and/or composer. Applicants applying as a composer will need to bring recordings and/or scores of original compositions to the audition. After applying to UAC or Directly to Western applicants are required to book an audition online.
If not auditioning, applicants will need to upload their supporting documentation (e.g. AMEB certificates demonstrating level of achievement in performance and musicianship and/or music theory).
Alternate Entry Pathway
The exceptional merit pathway (EMP) will offer those students who demonstrate an aptitude and ability in the creative industries area that is assessed as meeting the Program Learning Outcomes, to receive either a direct or conditional offer. Students will be required to complete an audition or submit a recording of original compositions, take part in at least one workshop and/or submit a written assessment, in addition to participating in an interview, during one of a series of on-campus Young Creatives events. Successful completion of the EMP requirements will result in either a direct or conditional entry offer for the following year. Though the direct offer is a non-ATAR pathway, eligibility to accept the direct offer will remain contingent on the successful completion of the HSC or TAFE Diploma.
Please consult the handbook for more information.
Indicative annual fee
A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is one that is subsidised by the Commonwealth and applicable only to Domestic students. This means that the Australian Government pays part of your fees towards your program, therefore reducing your program fees, and the remaining amount is paid by you, this is considered your Student Contribution.
To work out how much your Student Contribution will be before you study, you will first need to find out the Student Contribution band your subjects fit into based on their general discipline area.
You can then calculate your student contributions to work out the total amount of your contribution.
The Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) is a range of loans introduced by the Australian Government from 2005 to provide fee payment assistance to eligible students. Loans are for Australian citizens studying in Australia or overseas. Permanent residents who hold a humanitarian visa are also eligible if studying in Australia.
If eligible you may be able to defer all or part of your Student Contribution through the HECS-HELP loan program. You may also be eligible for OS-HELP if undertaking studies overseas.
New Zealand citizens and holders of an Australian permanent resident visa (other than an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) are generally not entitled to HECS-HELP assistance. If you are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident your Student Contribution amount must be paid in full by the census date.
However, the Australian Government has passed new legislation that changes the way some New Zealand citizens, who hold a Special Category Visa (SCV), studying in Australia will pay their fees. More information is available on the Changes to fees for New Zealand Citizens webpage.
Apply as a Domestic Student
If you are a domestic student, you can apply through our Western Application system which is free of charge.
Domestic students are:
- Australian Citizens
- New Zealand Citizens
- Australian permanent residents
- Australian permanent humanitarian visa holders
Scholarships
Western Sydney University recognises and rewards students who demonstrate community engagement, outstanding academic ability and superior leadership skills. Donor-funded scholarships are also available, providing support for students based on both academic achievements and equity considerations. There are also scholarships available for specific degrees.
Apply as an International Student
If you are an international student, you can apply for free through our international student application system or through an agent representative.
International students are:
- Not an Australian citizen;
- Not a New Zealand citizen; and
- Not a permanent resident of Australia.
If you are an international student completing the Australian HSC, IB or NCEA, apply direct via UAC International.
Admission to Western Sydney University is on the basis of meeting minimum academic and English language requirements. For more information about tuition fees and other costs, visit the Fees and Costs page.
Scholarships
When you apply to Western, you’re automatically assessed for a Scholarship, no additional application required! We’re offering multi-year scholarships (for up to 3 years) valued at $6,000 or $3,000 and even 50% off tuition fees. Scholarships are awarded on academic merit.
FAQs
We've gathered common questions to provide you with quick, clear answers about this program. Whether you're exploring admission requirements, details about the degree or career prospects, you'll find valuable insights here. If you need more information, our support team is ready to assist you on your journey to Western. You can find their details below.
You may either audition into the degree or submit qualifications for Band 4 HSC Music, or AMEB theory and practical qualifications or TAFE qualifications. More information regarding the Admission criteria is available in the Admission tab of the course handbook.
Students will receive high-level training in music performance, song writing, composition, sound technologies, music theory, arranging, analysis and musicology, with opportunities to apply this training in collaborative projects on campus and in the community. Lectures, workshops, tutorials, rehearsals and performances are carried out in well-equipped facilities, recording studios, and auditoriums.
Our Kingswood campus facilities include two professional multitrack recording studios with the latest digital audio technologies, including ProTools, Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Waves plug-ins, and high quality microphones and outboard audio processing. The studios are connected to a variety of purpose-built, acoustically-designed spaces, allowing for large scale isolated recording. Supplementing the studios are Apple computer labs with the latest audio, sequencing, synthesiser and music scoring applications. The School of Humanities and Communication Arts webpage features a video tour of these facilities. You can find out more here.
A dedicated information page for Music applicants is available here.
Want to know more?
We're here to provide clarity.
If you're uncertain about your study journey, enquire about our program today and gain the confidence to move forward.
Australian students
1300 668 370
International students
+61 2 9852 5499
The tuition fees quoted above are the fees for the normal full-time study load of the program (80 credit points) per annum. International students will be subject to a variable fee regime; i.e. enrolled students will be required to pay fees during their program based on the approved fee for each calendar year. Fee changes (if any) will occur at 1 January each calendar year. Students who extend their program past the normal finish date of the program will be required to pay additional fees based on the prevailing fee level. Western Sydney University is a multi-campus institution. The University reserves the right to alter the location of its programs between campuses and other locations as necessary. Students should be aware of the possibility of change of location for the whole or part of programs for which they enrol and should plan for the need to travel between Western Sydney campuses.