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Bachelor of Music

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Play out your new career with a music course that lets you pursue a range of career paths in the music, creative arts and education industries.

The Bachelor of Music Course allows you to explore a variety of potential career options  including that of a professional musician and music teacher.

Cutting-edge music technology and industry standard facilities underpin units that explore music performance, music theory, songwriting, popular music studies and music technology for a range of applications including film, TV and digital media.

The focus of the course is on popular and contemporary music with an international perspective. You will have the opportunity to study in a range of industry and community projects and assessments.

The Bachelor of Music Course is a three-year degree which allows advanced standing for students who have undertaken studies in music performance or who have experience as a professional musician.

Course Essentials

How to apply

We are currently accepting applications for this course.

Methods of applying:

  • You can apply direct to VU

Already a VU student?

You can transfer into this course through our internal transfer process.

For more info contact the
College of Arts

Music Lecturer Robert Bell talks about studying at Victoria University.
Read the Transcript

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Careers

Careers

  • music performer
  • composer/songwriter (freelance)
  • composer (film/TV/multimedia);
  • sound designer;
  • sound artist
  • music producer
  • music teacher
  • musical director

Learn more about your career options on the Australian government's Career Information and Resources website.

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Study pathways

Transferring to VU

You can get credit in the Bachelor of Music (ABMU) for study you have done at other universities. We have formal credit transfer arrangements for this course with the following universities

All Registered Training Organisations (eg a TAFE)

  • If you studied the Advanced Diploma of Music you may get up to a year of credit.

To find out more about the pathways available for this course, please contact the .

Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

Get credit for your work, study and life experience through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.

Find out more about Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Graduate faster

If you've done previous study related to this course, you may be awarded credit. This means you can graduate in less time.

Completing this course also gives you a head-start on other at VU courses at a higher level of study.

We also award credit for relevant work and life experience. This is called Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

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Course Objectives

Graduates of this course will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate critical awareness and understanding of theory, practice and research in the fields of music performance, music theory, music technology, music culture and music cognition;
  2. Utilise a broad range of problem-solving and decision-making skills to implement emerging technologies and practices in music;
  3. Exercise knowledge and interpersonal skills to operate creatively as professionals in the music industry;
  4. Demonstrate an awareness of other creative arts disciplines, and to engage in the diversity of fields required for music practitioners;
  5. Connect specific knowledge and skills in music with the creative, cultural, technological and entrepreneurial acumen required for successful participation and employment in the music industry;
  6. Employ academic skills in independent research, critical analysis, reading, note-taking and collection and organisation of resource materials, including the presentation of oral and written material, and online and digital media resources;
  7. Use communication skills that enable the clear presentation of knowledge and ideas.
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Units and electives

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Music, students must complete a total of 288 credit points (24 units valued at 12 credit points each). Full-time students study 4 units (48 credit points) per semester. Students must satisfy the following requirements to be awarded the degree:

  • complete a total of 24 units of study;
  • complete 6 practical music units;
  • complete 4 music theory units;
  • complete 4 additional core music units;
  • complete 4 core arts and creative arts units;
  • complete 6 elective* units. *Electives may be chosen from elective music units, or units or a unit set from the following specialisations: creative writing, professional writing, visual art, performance studies, digital media, media studies, gender studies, literary studies, communication studies, public relations, Asian studies;
  • complete no more than 10 first-year units.

PLUS Elective Unit (12 credit points)

PLUS Elective Unit (12 credit points)

PLUS Elective Unit (12 credit points)

PLUS Elective Unit (12 credit points)

PLUS Elective Unit (12 credit points)

PLUS Elective Unit (12 credit points)

Music Electives Semester 1:

Music Electives Semester 2:

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take, and optional 'elective' units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

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Admission Information

  • TAFE: VET applicants will be considered and pathways are available from a range of VET courses.
  • Year 12: Prerequisites: VCE with a minimum study score of 20 in English units 3 and 4 (any) or equivalent.
  • International: Completion of a secondary school qualification equivalent to Australia's Year 12 or VCE, including equivalent studies in music. IELTS minimum 6.0 (no band less than 6) or equivalent.
  • Mature: Applicants with relevant work, education and/or community experience may be considered.
  • Other: Required: interview/audition. Audition and interview: Applicants must make an appointment for an audition/interview between 1 October and 30 November. Contact greg.aronson@vu.edu.au or call (03) 9919 2368 to arrange an appointment. Auditions and interviews to be conducted mid November to mid December and are free of charge.

English language requirements

Find out if you meet the entry requirements, including English language and academic requirements.

Admission requirements in your country

Find out if you meet the minimum academic (international qualification) requirements to be eligible to apply for this course by reviewing the academic entry requirements listed by country.
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How to apply for this course

Apply online

If you have questions about your application, you can:

Get in touch

Contact us to discuss your course options:

Ring us on +61 3 9919 1164

Find answers and ask questions at GOTOVU

Information and fees listed above are for non-resident students starting the course in 2013. Fees are subject to approval and may change. In some courses students must buy equipment or clothing that they will need in the course. These equipment or clothing costs are not included in the course fees listed above and we recommend you seek advice from the relevant faculty.

VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this course information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that course information is current with the Student Contact Centre.

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