Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Music requires completion of 144 units, of which:

A maximum of 60 units may come from completion of 1000 level courses

A minimum of 84 units must come from completion of courses from the subject area MUSI Music and courses from any majors listed in the Bachelor of Music

A minimum of 12 units of courses tagged as Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving

The 144 units must consist of:

18 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

MUSI1501 Foundational Musicianship

MUSI2235 Critical Music Studies

MUSI3328 Music Practice as Research

12 units from completion of MUSI2231 Topics in Music Analysis, which must be completed more than once, in a different Topic in each instance

48 units from completion of one of the following majors:

Composition

Contemporary Music Production

Performance

6 units from completion of a course from the following list:

INDG2002 Contemporary Australian Indigenous Music Studies

MUSI2234 Music, History, and Culture

MUSI2236 Music, and Globalisation

A maximum of 12 units from completion of courses from the subject area MUSI Music

A minimum of 48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU.

Capstone Courses

Majors

Elective Study

Once you have met the program requirements of your degree, you may have enough electives to complete an additional elective major, minor or specialisation.

Study Options

Admission Requirements

At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not guarantee entry into the program.

In line with the university's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors.

The University reserves the right to alter or discontinue its programs and change admission requirements as needed.

Domestic applicants

Before applying for a program, you should review the general information about domestic undergraduate admission to ANU programs and how to apply, and the program-specific information below.

• Applicants with recent secondary education are assessed on:
• completion of Australian Year 12 or equivalent, and the minimum Selection Rank (from their academic qualifications, plus any adjustment factors) requirement for this program; and
• co-curricular or service requirement (applies to applicants who complete secondary education in the year prior to commencing at ANU); and
• English language proficiency; and
• any program-specific requirements listed below.
• Applicants with higher education study are assessed on:
• previous higher education studies; or secondary education results if completed less than one full-time equivalent year (1.0 FTE) of a degree; or the result from a bridging or preparatory course; and
• English language proficiency; and
• any program-specific requirements listed below.
• Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are assessed on:
• previously completed VET qualifications at AQF level 5 or higher (i.e. a Diploma or above); or secondary education results if the VET qualification is not completed; and
• English language proficiency; and
• any program-specific requirements listed below.
• Applicants with work and life experience are assessed on:
• ATAR or equivalent if secondary education was completed; or the Special Adult Entry Scheme (SAES); or work experience; and
• English language proficiency; and
• any program-specific requirements listed below.

For program-specific requirements for domestic applicants, please click here.

International applicants

Applicants who complete a recognised secondary/senior secondary/post-secondary/tertiary sequence of study will be assessed on the basis of an equivalent selection rank that is calculated upon application. A list of commonly observed international qualifications and corresponding admission requirements can be found here.

For program-specific requirements for international applicants, please click here

Diversity factors & English language proficiency 

As Australia's national university, ANU is global representative of Australian research and education. ANU endeavours to recruit and maintain a diverse and deliberate student cohort representative not only of Australia, but the world. In order to achieve these outcomes, competitive ranking of applicants may be adjusted to ensure access to ANU is a reality for brilliant students from countries across the globe. If required, competitive ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency.

Further information is available for English Language Requirements for Admission 

Pathways

Students who successfully complete one of the below programs will be admitted to the Bachelor of Music:

EMUSI Diploma of Music (offered by the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences) - disestablished in 2020

DP-BD23 Diploma of Music Industry (Sound Production) (CUA50815) (offered by the Canberra Institute of Technology)

DP-BD19 Diploma of Music Industry (Performance) (CUA50815) (offered by the Canberra Institute of Technology)

Pathways

Students who successfully complete the below program will be admitted to the Bachelor of Music:

DP-BD72 Diploma of Music (CUA50820), offered by the Canberra Institute of Technology.

Students who have previously completed any of the following programs should contact the BMUSI convenor to discuss admission:

DP-BD23 Diploma of Music Industry (CUA50815) (offered by the Canberra Institute of Technology) – disestablished in 2021

DP-BD19 Diploma of Music Industry (Performance) (CUA50815) (offered by the Canberra Institute of Technology)  – disestablished in 2021

EMUSI Diploma of Music (offered by the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences) – disestablished in 2020

Adjustment Factors

Adjustment factors are additional points added to an applicant’s Selection Rank (for example an applicant’s ATAR). ANU offers adjustment factors based on performance and equity principles, such as for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. 

Selection Rank adjustments are granted in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustment factors and maximum 10 equity-based adjustment factors) can be awarded. 

You may be considered for adjustment factors if you have:

• applied for an eligible ANU Bachelor degree program
• undertaken Australian Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate
• achieved an ATAR or equivalent at or above 70
• not previously attempted tertiary study.

Please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.

Fee Information

All students are required to pay the Services and amenities fee (SA Fee)

The annual indicative fee provides an estimate of the program tuition fees for international students and domestic students (where applicable). The annual indicative fee for a program is based on the standard full-time enrolment load of 48 units per year (unless the program duration is less than 48 units). Fees for courses vary by discipline meaning that the fees for a program can vary depending on the courses selected. Course fees are reviewed on an annual basis and typically will increase from year to year. The tuition fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and the courses selected and are subject to increase during the period of study.

For further information on Fees and Payment please see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments

Scholarships

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

For further information see the Scholarships website.

Learning Outcomes

1. understand the practices, languages, forms, materials, technologies and techniques of a broad range of musics;
2. demonstrate deep knowledge of and proficiency in one or more areas of musical performance, composition or contemporary music production by applying specialist cognitive and technical skills;
3. critically evaluate and interpret musical ideas and concepts by engaging with relevant research of others, and thinking creatively, critically, ethically, and independently to solve research questions through words and/or creative practice such as performance or composition;
4. communicate ideas, problems and arguments to do with music and the arts, through words and/or creative practice such as performance or composition, clearly and coherently in modes suited to a range of audiences; and
5. work independently and collaboratively in response to authentic music project demands.

Inherent Requirements

Information on inherent requirements is not currently available for this program.

Further Information

Entry to Performance Courses

Entry to Performance courses is by audition. Applicants undertaking an audition will be expected to have pre-existing musical knowledge obtained through secondary studies, or equivalent qualifications or experience.

Completing the Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving Course Requirement

Students completing the Bachelor of Music are required to complete a minimum of 12 units of transdisciplinary problem-solving (TD) courses as part of their program. TD courses listed in the BMUSI include:

MUSI2235 Critical Music Studies

MUSI2236 Music and Globalisation

MUSI3328 Music Practice as Research

If you would prefer to complete courses outside this list to fulfill the TD course requirement, you may use your electives to choose any other TD course at ANU. To find a list of TD courses, please visit Programs and Courses and select the Transdisciplinary filter.