Starting your Music Career in Australia
It doesn’t matter where are you coming from. The dream of music is alive and burns at any age, for any type of person. You may have explored it in your youth, others may have sat by and let the dream escape. The dream of successfully making it in the music industry and travelling in and out of venues every night, meeting fans who listen to your music and adore your work as much as you do. Not just something to pay the bills and make money, but living your dream.
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music is an academic degree awarded by a university upon completion of a program of study in music. In Australia, Bachelor of Music is for those wanting to undertake particular musical fields of study such as music production, singing, performance, screen music, popular music studies, avant-garde, and Indigenous and world music. Programs typically last from three years.
The degree may be awarded for performance, music education, composition, music technology, music therapy, sacred music, entertainment, music production or jazz studies. In the 2010s, some universities have begun offering degrees in Music Composition with Technology, which include traditional theory and musicology programs and sound recording and composition programs using digital technologies.
In Australia, the Bachelor of Music is generally a first degree lasting three years depending on the area of specialisations, students receive practical tuition through weekly individual instrumental, vocal or composition lessons, extensive solo, instrument classes and ensemble performance opportunities, and regular master classes with distinguished national and international artists and teachers. Depending on the area of specialisation, there is a wide range of ensemble experiences including Chamber Music, Orchestra and Choir, Wind Symphony, non-western ensembles, Big Band, World Music Choir and many others.
Why study music at University?
A bachelor degree in music gives you the opportunity to advance your passion for music in the most straightforward ways, for instance, by improving your technical abilities and repertoire skills as a performer. Alongside this, you will also be trained to learn music more completely in its social and historical context and to critique and reflect upon the music you make and hear in new ways. It has also never been more important for a successful career in music for a musician to be an informed and articulate advocate for the art form.
Majors of Bachelor of Music
The Bachelor of Music provides advanced music training in five specialisations which develop technically advanced and experienced musicians through an immersive and practical curriculum with core studies, music electives and complementary University breadth subjects.
The areas of specialisation are:
| Major | Major Description |
| Bachelor of Music (Composition) | The composition can refer to an original piece of music, either a song or an instrumental music piece, the structure of a musical piece, or the process of creating or writing a new song or piece of music. |
| Bachelor of Music (Interactive Composition) | Interactive Composition is an intensive, collaborative program giving students the skills to create music and sound for a range of contemporary media contexts. |
| Bachelor of Music (Jazz and Improvisation) | Jazz and Improvisation is a program that balances skills with creativity to encourage the development of the personal voice and advanced technical skills through contemporary performance practice and creation of original compositions. |
| Bachelor of Music (Music Performance) | You will experience many performance opportunities in the weekly instrument classes, concert practice classes and ensemble performances that occur regularly throughout the semester. |
| Bachelor of Music (Musicology/Ethnomusicology) | Musicology asks why we like music, how it functions and what it means. It examines not only music but also music-making within its social and cultural environment. |
| Bachelor of Music (Audio) | To master the foundations of recording and mixing, live sound production, Media post-production and The digital studio. |
Career Options for Graduates of Bachelor of Music
Besides becoming a music teacher, there are many career options available too
| Major | Career Option |
| Bachelor of Music (Composition) | Arranger or typesetter, Audio technician, Concert music composer, Electro-acoustic sound artist, Festival director, Film scorer, Music administrator, Music producer or sound engineer, Music teacher, Radio broadcaster or programmer. |
| Bachelor of Music (Interactive Composition) | Composer for film, television and animation, concert and commercial release, theatre and dance, advertising, locations and events, bands and soloists, websites and video games, Contemporary music arranger, Contemporary music critic or reviewer, Contemporary music educator, PA or recording technician, Project curator, Record producer or music director. |
| Bachelor of Music (Jazz and Improvisation) | Contemporary music arranger, Contemporary music critic or reviewer, Contemporary music educator, Contemporary music performer for bands, studio and live recordings, film, theatre, television and live events, Record producer or music director and Studio engineer. |
| Bachelor of Music (Music Performance) | Social and cultural policy consultant, Accompanist, Chamber musician, Concert agent, Concert manager, Instrumental and/or classroom music teacher, Music administrator, Opera company/chorus member, Orchestral musician, Sessional musician for film, television, live shows, music theatre, recording sessions, Touring soloist or ensemble member. |
| Bachelor of Music (Musicology/Ethnomusicology) | Music administrator, Music critic or reviewer, Music editor, Music Educator, Music journalist and Music researcher. |
| Bachelor of Music (Audio) | Studio Recording & Mixing Engineer, Live Concert Engineer, Broadcast Engineer – live, jingles, advertising, voiceovers, outside broadcast, Post Production – Foley and sound effects, ADR, Film & Game Sound Design, Location Sound Recordist, Mastering Engineer, Music Producer, Remixer, Audiovisual Technician and Forensics Sound Engineer |
Alternative beside Bachelor of Music
- Diploma of Music
- Bachelor of Performance
- Bachelor of Entertainment Management
- Bachelor of Creative Industries
- Master of Music (Music Therapy)
Not sure which is suitable for you? Enquiry with us
Top recommended universities for Bachelor of Music
- University of Melbourne
- Victoria University
- University of Tasmania
- The Australian International Conservatorium of Music
Top Universities to study Bachelor of Music in Australia
New South Wales (Sydney)
| University | Major Program | Course Fee Per Year (2018) |
| The Australian International Conservatorium of Music | Bachelor of Music | AUD24,160 |
| Macquarie University | Bachelor of Arts with a major in Music | AUD30,570 |
| Newcastle Conservatorium of Music (UON) | Bachelor of Music | AUD31,670 |
| University of New South Wales (UNSW) | Bachelor of Music | AUD33,840 |
| The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) | Bachelor of Music and Sound Design | AUD36,560 |
| University of Western Sydney (UWS) | Bachelor of Music | AUD25,480 |
| University of Sydney (USYD) | Bachelor of Music | AUD37,000 |
| Wesley Institute | Bachelor of Music | AUD20,975 |
2. Victoria (Melbourne)
| University | Major Program | Course Fee Per Year (2018) |
| University of Melbourne: Melbourne Conservatorium of Music | Bachelor of Music | AUD30844 |
| Monash University School of Music | Bachelor of Music | AUD30,400 |
| Victoria University | Bachelor of Music | AUD21,600 |
3. Queensland (Brisbane)
| University | Major Program | Course Fee Per Year (2018) |
| Griffith University | Bachelor of Music | AUD29,500 |
| Queensland University of Technology (QUT) | Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music) | AUD30,100 |
| University of Queensland (UQ) | Bachelor of Music | AUD32,992 |
| University of Southern Queensland (USQ) | Bachelor of Creative Arts (Music) | AUD23,200 |
4. Tasmania
| University | Major Program | Course Fee Per Year (2018) |
| University of Tasmania Conservatorium of Music (UTAS) | Bachelor of Music | AUD29,000 |
5. Australian Capital Territory, Canberra
| University | Major Program | Course Fee Per Year (2018) |
| The Australian National University School of Music | Bachelor of Music | AUD35,904 |
| University of Canberra | Bachelor of Contemporary Music Practice | AUD24,050 |
The program listed are provided as a general guide only, the university course fees were captured base on the publicly available information on the internet. Please consult with our education advisor for further assessment.
Entry Requirement
- Evidence submitted of prior study: A-level, UEC, STPM, SAM, foundation and equivalent pre-university program
- English (IELTS 6.0 – 7.0 Academic, IB English or approved Australian Year 12 English subject)
- Applicants must complete an audition and musicianship test. The repertoire presented at AMEB Grade 7 standard for instrumentalists and Grade 5 for singers, generally makes for a competitive audition. These standards are an indication only. AMEB examinations are not a prerequisite for entry.
- Request audition guide with us
Scholarships
- International Undergraduate Scholarship
- Total value up to $56,000
- Citizenship requirements: International student
- Request for Scholarship Info
Contact us to find out more
International Student enquiries:
Phone: +6018-241-4802
Email: [email protected]
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About Post Author
Michelle Phan
A freelance writer, graduated from Curtin University, specialises in commercial writing, love travel and enjoy walking on the beach, Michelle also feeds on psychology quote and will give away just about anything to cuddle with furry felines.