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Bachelor of Music (BMUC) - BMus

QTAC code (Australian and New Zealand applicants): Online: 909995; Springfield campus: 929991

CRICOS code (International applicants): 103179E

You are currently viewing the 2023 Handbook. For study in 2024, please refer to the .

 On-campusOnline
Start:Semester 1 (February)
Semester 2 (July)
Semester 1 (February)
Semester 2 (July)
Campus:Springfield -
Fees:Commonwealth supported place
Domestic full fee paying place
International full fee paying place
Commonwealth supported place
Domestic full fee paying place
International full fee paying place
Standard duration:3 years full-time; 6 years part-time 
Program articulation:

To: Bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours)

Notes

In 2023 the program follows the Semester calendar. The Academic Calendar and Important Dates webpage will allow you to view and download a copy of the important dates for the Semester calendar.

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Contact us

Future Australian and New Zealand students  Future International students  Current students 

Freecall (within Australia): 1800 269 500
Phone (from outside Australia): +61 7 4631 5315
Email: study@usq.edu.au  

Phone: +61 7 4631 5543
Email: international@usq.edu.au 

Freecall (within Australia): 1800 007 252
Phone (from outside Australia): +61 7 4631 2285
Email usq.support@usq.edu.au 

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Program aims

The program aims to produce graduates who:

  1. are versatile and resilient musicians who individually and collaboratively create and perform music for a variety of practical settings and contexts

  2. think critically, creatively and ethically with cultural awareness when identifying and solving problems

  3. can effectively communicate to a range of audiences using a variety of musical and other discourses

  4. can plan, adapt knowledge and skills, and make independent and informed decisions in diverse cultural, practical, creative and academic contexts

  5. are responsible and accountable for their ongoing learning in collaboration with others within a range of professional contexts.


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Program objectives

On successful completion of the program, students should be able to:

  1. demonstrate proficiency in practical and theoretical musical processes within popular and contemporary genres through an emerging professional identity as a musician

  2. leverage the skills and knowledge of a professional musician to gain employment in a wide range of occupations within the music profession, working both independently and collaboratively in a broad range of musical contexts with other professionals, in industry, and in education or community

  3. communicate effectively with cultural intelligence to a variety of stakeholders across diverse contexts

  4. use technology to analyse, manipulate, create and disseminate musical artefacts

  5. evaluate and apply methods, concepts, techniques and theories in the creation of musical and hybrid creative arts projects in a broad range of contexts

  6. research and analyse historical, ideological, critical and ethical perspectives in the creative arts, in both traditional and contemporary cultural and social contexts to explore the role music plays in everyday life.


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Australian Qualifications Framework

The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is a single national, comprehensive system of qualifications offered by higher education institutions (including universities), vocational education and training institutions and secondary schools. Each AQF qualification has a set of descriptors which define the type and complexity of knowledge, skills and application of knowledge and skills that a graduate who has been awarded that qualification has attained, and the typical volume of learning associated with that qualification type.

This program is at AQF Qualification Level 07. Graduates at this level will have broad and coherent knowledge and skills for professional work and/or further learning.

The full set of levels criteria and qualification type descriptors can be found by visiting .

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Program Information Set

View UniSQ’s admission criteria, student profiles and a summary of all offers made under via the QTAC website.

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Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission, applicants must satisfy the following requirements:

  • Have achieved a minimum Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) of 60, or equivalent qualification.^
  • OR if no ATAR, successfully undertake an audition/interview with written statement.


Subject Pre-requisites:

  • English Language Proficiency requirements for Category 2.


Applicants are advised to also address the following:

  • expectations: English (Units 3 & 4, C).


Note: It is a requirement that Queensland-based students hold a current positive notice indicating that they are deemed suitable for working with children and young people whilst studying the Bachelor of Music. Further information about the Blue Card or Exemption Card suitability process is available from the

Audition/interview information:

Applicants for Music must attend an audition and interview and must bring with them:

  • a school exit statement or evidence of previous education standard achieved

  • On-campus applicants are to perform two pieces. Applicants for online study will submit a video recording of their performances and attend a phone/skype interview..

  • Applicants are not required to have undertaken high school music or AMEB practical/theory or musicianship exams.

  • Applicants will need to provide their own accompanying tracks on MP3 or an iPod if required.

  • Those applying without an ATAR are to provide a written statement (500 words) addressing their goals and aspirations as a musician, with some reflection on their musical experiences and training. Please supply the statement for your interview..


The Bachelor of Music is available on-campus at UniSQ Springfield. All music courses are also available online.

All students are required to satisfy the applicable .

If students do not meet the English language requirements they may apply to study a ¾«¶«´«Ã½app-approved . On successful completion of the English language program, students may be admitted to an award program.

^

These are determined by the ¾«¶«´«Ã½app for specific programs each Semester. The 2023 ATAR and tertiary entrance ranks are based on agreed QTAC schedules which assess formal study at Year 12 or , tertiary, preparatory, professional or vocational qualifications or work experience, as detailed in the QTAC Assessment of Qualifications Manual and QTAC Assessor Guidelines.

Adjustment factors may help you get into the program of your choice by increasing your entrance rank. The additional points don't apply to all applicants or all programs. Please read the information about UniSQ's carefully to find out what you may be eligible for.

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Program fees

Commonwealth supported place

A Commonwealth supported place is where the Australian Government makes a contribution towards the cost of a students' higher education and students pay a , which varies depending on the courses undertaken. Students are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the .

Commonwealth Supported students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called .

Domestic full fee paying place

Domestic full fee paying places are funded entirely through the full fees paid by the student. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken. Students are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the

Domestic full fee paying students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called provided they meet the residency and citizenship requirements.

Australian citizens, Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders, Permanent Resident visa holders and New Zealand citizens who will be resident outside Australia for the duration of their program pay full tuition fees and are not eligible for .

International full fee paying place

International students pay full fees. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken and whether they are studied on-campus, external or online. Students are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the .

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Program structure

The Bachelor of Music (BMUC) consists of 24 units comprising 4 SCA Core units, courses within a 12-unit major, and 8 units of complimentary studies that can consist of a second 8-unit major, two 4-unit minors, or one 4-unit minor and/or elective courses as follows:

  • one 12-unit Music major, 4-unit SCA Core, and one 8-unit second major*, OR

  • one 12-unit Music major, 4-unit SCA Core and two 4-unit minors, OR

  • one 12-unit Music major, 4-unit SCA Core, one 4-unit minor and 4 units of elective courses^


*The second 8-unit major can be chosen from any approved 8-unit major in another discipline in the School of Creative Arts (Theatre, Visual Arts, Film and TV/Radio, providing entry requirement are met), or from areas outside of the creative arts. Students wishing to undertake an unlisted major from elsewhere within UniSQ will require consultation and approval from the School of Creative Arts programs director.
^Please note that students may choose to add more music courses as part of their suite of complimentary studies. For more information, consult with the School of Creative Arts Programs Director and/or the Music discipline convenor.

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Required time limits

Students have a maximum of 9 years to complete this program.

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Major studies

Music Practice:

Music Practice is a 12-unit major that focusses on two modes of contemporary music practice – collaborative live performance, and individual and collaborative music practice in digital spaces. Coursework in this major explores individual and collective music making, collaborative processes, live and digital performance, foundational instrumental work, and songwriting, composition and musical arrangement.

Musical Communication:

Musical Communication is a 12-unit major that enables students to understand and employ the languages of music, explore musical cultures, and engage with relevant theoretical concepts that enable communication both between musicians, and between musicians and audiences. Relevant for artists working in contemporary performance, education and community contexts, coursework in this major explores musical texts and communication; musicology, music markets, genre and brand, project development and delivery.

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Minor Studies

Minor studies are designed to enable students to widen their knowledge and perspectives.

As part of the eight units of complementary studies (see Program Structure above), if students are not undertaking a second major, they must take at least one of the Minors indicated in the section of the UniSQ handbook. The remaining courses can be used to undertake a second minor, or a maximum of 4 electives.

All of the discipline areas of the Creative Arts will offer suites of minors from their existing major course offerings but students may also select minors from any recognised area in the university (as listed in the Minor studies link above). Students should take courses to the value of at least four units in the selected minor study. Choice of a minor will depend on the availability of the subject area, timetabling constraints, quotas and other restrictions such as interviews in certain areas of the Creative Arts, as well as approval of the Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts.

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Electives/Approved courses

Elective courses are designed to enable students to further increase their knowledge and widen their perspectives. For recommendations on how electives can fit into the structure of their program, students should consult the Program Structure and Minor Studies sections above. Choice of an elective will depend on the availability of the course(s), timetabling constraints, quotas, and other restrictions such as auditions and interviews in certain areas of the Arts, as well as approval by the Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts.

Courses available for elective study are generally those found in Minor studies and are listed in the section.

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IT requirements

Students should visit the UniSQ to check that their computers are capable of running the appropriate software and versions of Internet web browsers and to check the minimum and recommended standards for software.

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Other program requirements

Students will need to supply their own instrument during the course of their study.

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Articulation

Students undertaking aspects of degrees in the School of Creative Arts as an extension of TAFE studies, or through any of our current Articulation Agreements (such as the College of Creative Arts in Melbourne), are encouraged to visit the for current advice on enrolments.

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Exit points

Students who, for whatever reason, are unable to complete the Bachelor of Music and who satisfy all of the requirements may exit with a Diploma of Creative Arts (DCRA) or the Associate Degree of Creative Arts (ADCA).

Students may exit with the Diploma of Creative Arts (DCRA) if they have completed 8 courses as follows:

  • A minimum of 2 SCA-coded Core courses from the Bachelor of Music and

  • 6 other courses from the Bachelor of Music.


Students may exit with the Associate Degree of Creative Arts (ADCA) if they have completed 16 courses as follows:

  • A minimum of 4 SCA-coded Core courses from the Bachelor of Music and

  • 12 other courses from the Bachelor of Music.


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Credit

Credit will normally only be granted on the basis of formal studies of equivalent material undertaken at a college of TAFE, college of advanced education or university. Studies successfully completed within the last five years are automatically eligible to be used as a basis for a claim for credit. Studies completed more than five years ago will be considered, but should be accompanied by evidence that the knowledge and skills acquired from those studies have been maintained. Students who believe that they may qualify for credit should consult the for further information about the content of courses and the procedures to be followed for credit claims.

Students who have been granted credit have a responsibility to ensure that their knowledge and skills are kept up to date in these areas. This is particularly important when they have been granted credit from a course which is a pre-requisite for another course. Refer to the section entitled Credit and Exemption Procedure in the Guide to policies and procedures.

Students who have completed a Diploma or Advanced Diploma in an area specifically related to one of the majors in this program within the last five years, will normally be eligible for up to 8 credits and up to 12 credits respectively.

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Course transfers

Students wishing to transfer from another degree into the Bachelor of Music (BMUC) may do so. However, in addition to your UniSQ application, you are required to audition and/or interview for the major of your choice. Please see Admission Requirements above. It is the responsibility of the student to register for this process.

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Honours

Students wishing to undertake further study, and who meet the entry requirements, may apply to enrol in the Bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours) program. Honours pathways are available in the Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts specialisations. Further information is available at BCAH Bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours)

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Enrolment

All students are urged to adhere to the recommended enrolment patterns as detailed in relevant sections of this handbook. Completion of enrolment requirements will be necessary before a student will be permitted to enrol in more advanced courses.

Students should also heed the following advice:

  • In addition to the School Cores and a choice of 12-unit major (see Program Structure above), one second major of eight units OR one minor study of four units OR four elective units may be taken from non-Creative Arts undergraduate programs with approval of the Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts;

  • on-campus students should take courses in the on-campus (ONC) mode and will only be permitted to take courses externally during Semester 1 and 2 with the approval of the Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts or where a course is only available in online or external mode.

  • students are required to monitor their own enrolments and seek help immediately from the SoCA Programs Director or the discipline convenor if anomalies or confusion occurs.


Recommended enrolment patterns

In this section:

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Recommended enrolment pattern – Musical Communication (12-unit major)


CourseYear of program and semester in which course is normally studiedEnrolment requirements
On-campus
(ONC)
External
(EXT)
Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem

Year 1 - Semester 1

SCA1001 Persuasive Communication: Presenting Yourself and Your Ideas1111, 3Enrolment is not permitted in SCA1001 if CMS1000 or HAC1000 has been previously completed.
MUI1010 Guitar Skills1111
MUI1013 Decoding Music1111Enrolment is not permitted in MUI1013 if MUI1007 has been previously completed.
Second Major/Minor11

Year 1 - Semester 2

SCA1002 Introduction to Creative and Critical Thinking1212, 3
MUI1011 Digital Composition1212
MUI1006 Musical Contexts: Popular Music1212Enrolment is not permitted in MUI1006 if MUI2006 has been previously completed.
Second Major/Minor12

Year 2 - Semester 1

SCA2001 Cultural Responsibilities and Creative Communities2121, 3
MUI2002 Popular Songwriting2121
Second Major/Minor21
Second Major/Minor21

Year 2 - Semester 2

SCA2002 Arts Business: Making and Managing Your Arts Career2222, 3
MUI2009 Recording and Music Production2222Enrolment is not permitted in MUI2009 if MUI1009 has been previously completed.
Second Major/Minor/Elective22
Second Major/Minor/Elective22

Year 3 - Semester 1

MUI3016 Music Project 13131Pre-requisite: Students must be enrolled in the following Program: BMUC
MUI3014 Investigating Contemporary Music3131Pre-requisite: Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: BMUC or BEDU or BCAW or have the approval of the program director
MUI3013 Musical Craft3131Pre-requisite: MUI1013 Enrolment is not permitted in MUI3013 if MUI3011 has been previously completed
Second Major/Minor/Elective31

Year 3 - Semester 2

MUI3017 Music Project 23232Pre-requisite: Students must be enrolled in the following Program: BMUC
MUI3015 Leadership Development for Musicians3232
MUI3012 Musical Contexts: Critical Perspectives3232
Second Major/Minor/Elective32

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Recommended enrolment pattern – Music Practice (12-unit major)


CourseYear of program and semester in which course is normally studiedEnrolment requirements
On-campus
(ONC)
External
(EXT)
Online
(ONL)
YearSemYearSemYearSem

Year 1 - Semester 1

SCA1001 Persuasive Communication: Presenting Yourself and Your Ideas1111, 3Enrolment is not permitted in SCA1001 if CMS1000 or HAC1000 has been previously completed.
MUI1010 Guitar Skills1111
MUI1001 Collaborative Music Practice 11111Pre-requisite: Students must be enrolled in one of the following programs: BMUC or BCAW
Second Major/Minor

Year 1 - Semester 2

SCA1002 Introduction to Creative and Critical Thinking1212, 3
MUI1011 Digital Composition1212
MUI1002 Collaborative Music Practice 21212Pre-requisite: MUI1001
Second Major/Minor

Year 2 - Semester 1

SCA2001 Cultural Responsibilities and Creative Communities2121, 3
MUI2002 Popular Songwriting2121
MUI2003 Collaborative Music Practice 32121Pre-requisite: MUI1002
Second Major/Minor

Year 2 - Semester 2

SCA2002 Arts Business: Making and Managing Your Arts Career2222, 3
MUI2009 Recording and Music Production2222Enrolment is not permitted in MUI2009 if MUI1009 has been previously completed.
MUI2004 Collaborative Music Practice 42222Pre-requisite: MUI2003
Second Major/Minor2222

Year 3 - Semester 1

MUI3016 Music Project 13131Pre-requisite: Students must be enrolled in the following Program: BMUC
MUI3014 Investigating Contemporary Music3131Pre-requisite: Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: BMUC or BEDU or BCAW or have the approval of the program director
Second Major/Minor/Elective31
Second Major/Minor/Elective31

Year 3 - Semester 2

MUI3017 Music Project 23232Pre-requisite: Students must be enrolled in the following Program: BMUC
MUI3015 Leadership Development for Musicians3232
Second Major/Minor/Elective3232
Second Major/Minor/Elective3232