Bachelor of Music

VU course code: ABMC | CRICOS: 077998A | Level of study: Undergraduate

Duration

3 years

Delivery mode

Hybrid, In person

Fees

Tuition fee per semester : AU$14,300

Location

Footscray Nicholson

Next start date

29 July 2024

View all start dates

Overview

Explore your love of music with a Bachelor of Music at VU, and prepare for a range of exciting careers.

This music degree focuses on popular and contemporary music, including international perspectives. You’ll develop your music knowledge, technical fluency, and creativity. Through practice, cultural analysis and critical listening, you’ll discover an inspiring variety of musical styles.

Areas of study in the Bachelor of Music course include:

music performance
music theory
song writing and arranging
popular music culture and history
music technology.

Considered one of the best live-music cities in the world, Melbourne offers a range of performance opportunities. Alongside your collaborative projects with other VU students, you'll have the chance to work with some of the city's industry professionals and community organisations.

You’ll also have access to cutting-edge music technology and our commercial recording facilities at Kindred Studios.

All students should be able to read music notation. If you’ve studied music performance, or worked as a musician, you may be eligible for advanced standing, and credits towards your degree.

: On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Devise, compose, transform and analyse musical works by employing theory, practice and research in the fields of music performance, music theory, music technology, music culture and music cognition;

Conceptualise and adapt their knowledge and skills to implement new and emerging technologies and practices in music;

Reflect on their knowledge and interpersonal skills to network with other professionals, and negotiate their own roles as professionals, in the music industry;

Contextualise music practice in relation to other creative arts disciplines, and adapt to the diversity of fields required for music practitioners;

Integrate technical skills and craft in music with the creative, cultural, technological and entrepreneurial acumen required for successful participation and employment in the music industry; and

Exhibit 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.
: You’ll learn from expert staff and professional musicians, all of whom work in the industry. VU music staff include:

Jonathan Zion – who has worked with Ian Moss, Pete Murray, Tim Minchin, Joe Camilleri, Steve Mangusson, Lior, and Eddie Perfect

Kiernan Box – who has worked with Augie March and the Black Eyed Susans.

Our Bachelor of Music has a reputation for being modern, progressive, friendly, and having engaged and responsive staff.

The course is accessible, supportive and has a positive culture. For mature-age professionals seeking a qualification, we offer flexibility to study alongside your work.
: Students studying this course can get performing opportunities through the VU Music Booking Agency.

In addition to our partnership with Kindred Studios, you’ll also benefit from industry and community connections we have with:

Telstra Road to Discovery

OxJam – Gigs for Good by Oxfam

Footscray Community Arts Centre

Newport Jazz Festival

Williamstown Music Festival

Edgewater Festival

Big West Festival.
: Melbourne boasts more live-music venues per capita than any other major city in the world – so when you study at VU you'll have more places to perform or get inspired.

Come to Melbourne to study music, and make the most of living in a live-music metropolis.
: Discover what's happening in the VU music community. Attend a gig and listen to some of the tunes our talented staff and students are creating.

Watch a series of online concerts recorded at the Hutterer Hall in Kindred Studios, featuring various solo artists and bands associated with the VU Music Booking Agency:

Maddie Jackway

Loki Hough

Leilani and Bud

The Blue Creek Boys

Louise Sol

Ange and Dave

Entry requirements

Applicants for this course will need to meet the entry criteria outlined below. If you don’t meet the entry criteria, you may be able to gain entry by first completing a related course or unit(s). We call this a ‘pathway’.

If you've completed a qualification where English was the primary language of instruction, you may be eligible for an exemption of English-language requirements.

In some cases, there may be additional entry requirements.

Learn more about entry requirements for international students.

Entry criteria

Audition & interview for direct applicants

Credit & Entry pathways into this course

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency. Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Course Structure

To attain the Bachelor of Music students will be required to complete 288 credit points in total consisting of:

240 credit points Professional Core studies including 24 credit points of Capstone studies;

48 credit points of Minor studies from the list below.

Bachelor of Music students will also be required to complete a minimum level of Work Integrated Learning (WIL) activity in addition to their studies:

30 hours or more in their choice of music/entertainment industry placement.

Attendance and completion of four Music Industry and Employment workshops

Units

Fees & Scholarships

As an international student at Victoria University, you will be required to pay your tuition fees up front each semester.

There may be additional materials fees throughout your studies, depending on your chosen course, as well as an administrative fee as part of your course.

Victoria University is proud to support our international scholarship recipients and sponsored students.

Fees

Scholarships

CAREERS

The Bachelor of Music prepares you for a wide range of career options within the music industry. You could pursue a career as one of the following:

music performance artist
instrumental music or music theory teacher
composer, songwriter or arranger
musical director or band leader
music administrator
sound artist
music producer
accompanist.

Following this music course, you can prepare to become a secondary music teacher with our Master of Teaching (Secondary Education), or other postgraduate study at VU. Some graduates of this course go on to study music therapy.