The University of Western Australia
Future Students

Music Studies

Through Music Studies, you have the opportunity to learn music in a variety of ways including performance, composition, history and education.

On this page

  1. Introduction
  2. Course description, features and facilities
  3. Student profile
  4. Structure
  5. Popular combinations
  6. You may also be interested in…
  7. Career opportunities
  8. Further study opportunities
  9. Entrance requirements
  10. How to Apply
 

Introduction

This course will provide you with a broad grounding in music and allows you to choose a specialist area of music study in addition to studying a common core of units.

Back to top

Course description, features and facilities

This major ensures that you develop expertise and skills in the areas of performance and composition, harmony and aural, Western art music history and popular world musics. The Music Studies major attracts students from across the university who are keen to develop their passion and skills in music. Many students combine this major with another area of study. As a result you will have the experience of studying alongside students from diverse backgrounds, creating a dynamic and engaging learning environment. Students wishing to specialise in performance, composition or musicology should consider taking the Music Studies major concurrently with the Specialist Music Studies major.

Back to top

Student profile

Student profile – Jared Yapp

The great thing about studying Music Studies at UWA is that it teaches you not to be ignorant or naïve about how things work in the real world. Tutors give you the skills and the tools to function independently in a variety of career choices. We study an incredibly broad range of styles, with my first assignment brief being ‘only use one note’, and my final being ‘free choice’.

Amazingly, we have lecturers who are not just educators, but role models who truly understand how music works, and who teach an infinite range of musical styles exceptionally well. Studying composition doesn’t mean letting go of instrumental skills, and as a violist, I am proud to say that I play in the best youth orchestra in the state at UWA.

Back to top

Structure

 

UWA's streamlined course structure allows you to pursue studies in a wide range of areas and to take one or two majors in your degree. Your second major can be from a similar field to your first (degree-specific) major, or from a different area or degree entirely.

As well as the units specified in your major, you will study broadening units outside your main area of study and may be able to take a number of elective subjects as well.

You can explore the structure of this major in detail in the University Handbooks.

Back to top

Career opportunities

The breadth of communication, musical, analytical, written and research skills that students acquire are desirable in a wide range of professions. Some graduates may pursue careers as professional performing musicians while others may gain employment in areas of performance, teaching/composing/ arranging, arts management, journalism and community music.

I want to be a…

This course could lead to becoming a:

Back to top

Further study opportunities

This major provides the foundation for further study options in music at honours and postgraduate levels.

Back to top

Check the Entrance requirements

This course is available to Australian and international students.

On this page

  1. Prerequisites and minimum scores
  2. Additional information
  3. English competency
  4. Advanced standing

Prerequisites and minimum scores

Qualification and prerequisite subjectsCourse entry score
Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE)
  • A scaled score of 50 or above in WACE Music 3A/3B
80
International Baccalaureate
  • Studies equivalent to WACE Music 3A/3B
29

Additional information

You must pass an audition to be eligible for a Music course. The required standard for Music Studies is AMEB Grade 5 Practical or equivalent (eg: ABRSM Grade 6 Performance). Auditions are organised by the School of Music (see further information on auditions). A theory background comparable to WACE Music 3A/3B or equivalent (eg: AMEB Grade 5 Theory; ABRSM Grade 6 Theory) is also required.

Please note: to complete this major within the Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) will require a minimum ATAR of 98 (or equivalent).

English competency

University study demands strong English language competency. To be eligible for admission to a undergraduate program at UWA, you must demonstrate satisfactory performance in a UWA-approved test of English. This is the case even if English is your first language.

The minimum requirement is a scaled score of 50 or more in WACE English, Literature or English as an Additional Language/Dialect achieved at Stage 2 or Stage 3 – or an equivalent level of achievement in an interstate or international qualification.

Advanced standing

If you have undertaken prior tertiary study within the last five years, you may be eligible for advanced standing (credit and/or exemption).

Applications for advanced standing are assessed upon acceptance of any offer of admission made by the University.

On this page

  1. Prerequisites and minimum scores
  2. Advanced standing

Prerequisites and minimum scores

Qualification and prerequisite subjectsCourse entry score
French Baccalaureat
Studies equivalent to WACE Music 3A/3B		12
International Baccalaureate
Studies equivalent to WACE Music 3A/3B		29
UWA Foundation Programme (UWAFP)
Studies equivalent to WACE Music 3A/3B		66
GCE or Cambridge Advanced-level Examinations
Studies equivalent to WACE Music 3A/3B		8
Western Australian Universities Preparatory Program (WAUPP)
Studies equivalent to WACE Music 3A/3B		63
Trinity College Foundation Program
Studies equivalent to WACE Music 3A/3B		85
Monash University Foundation Year (MUFY)
Studies equivalent to WACE Music 3A/3B		270
Canadian Matriculation (except Quebec)
Studies equivalent to WACE Music 3A/3B		60
Chinese Unified Examinations (UEC)
Studies equivalent to WACE Music 3A/3B		12
Chinese Gao Kao
Studies equivalent to WACE Music 3A/3B		525
All India Senior School Certificate (CBSE)
Studies equivalent to WACE Music 3A/3B		12
Indian School Certificate (CISCE)
Studies equivalent to WACE Music 3A/3B		60
Norwegian Vitnemål
Studies equivalent to WACE Music 3A/3B		4.14
Swedish Slutbetyg
Studies equivalent to WACE Music 3A/3B		15.70
German Abitur
Studies equivalent to WACE Music 3A/3B		3.17
Singapore-Cambridge A-Levels
Studies equivalent to WACE Music 3A/3B		8
South African National Senior Certificate
Studies equivalent to WACE Music 3A/3B		4.60

These are the required prerequisites for applicants who have completed these particular qualifications.

If you are applying for a place based on other qualifications you need to demonstrate that you have knowledge at least equivalent to the subjects specified.

Advanced standing

Students with previous tertiary level qualifications will be considered for advanced standing (credit).

How to apply

This course is available to Australian and international students.

On this page

  1. First semester entry
  2. Second semester entry
  3. How to apply
  4. Information for…
  5. Contact details - admission information

We have two intakes of undergraduate students each year: first and second semester.

First semester entry

Australian citizens or permanent residents, including humanitarian visa holders, and New Zealand citizens apply through the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre.

Contact the Admissions Centre for advice.

Second semester entry

Apply online for second semester entry to a range of courses at UWA.

After the closing date, contact the Admissions Centre for advice.

How to apply


Information for

Contact details - admission information

UWA Admissions Centre (M353)

Address
The University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Highway
Crawley, Perth
Western Australia 6009
Location
UWA Map
Telephone
(+61 8) 6488 2477 – General enquiries
1800 653 050 – General enquiries (country callers)
Fax
(+61 8) 6488 1226
Enquire on-line
askUWA
Opening hours
Monday – Friday, 9am–4pm

On this page

  1. First semester entry
  2. Second semester entry
  3. How to apply
  4. Fees
  5. Information for…
  6. Contact details - admission information

First semester entry

International undergraduate applicants must complete this application form and submit it through an authorised UWA overseas representative or directly to the UWA International Centre.

You must also:

Second semester entry

International undergraduate applicants must complete this application form and submit it through an authorised UWA overseas representative or directly to the UWA International Centre.

You must also:

How to apply

This contains text about How to Apply - International

You must pass an audition on your instrument or voice to be eligible for a Music course. The required standard for Music Studies is AMEB Grade 5 Practical or equivalent (e.g. ABRSM Grade 6 Performance). Auditions are organised by the School of Music (see further information on auditions – www.music.uwa.edu.au/courses/applying). A theory background comparable to WACE Music 3A/3B or equivalent (e.g. AMEB Grade 5 Theory; ABRSM Grade 6 Theory) is also required.
 
As an International applicant, you may audition on your instrument or voice by submitting a DVD recording. The DVD recording, which must be a single take with a date and time stamp (i.e. it must not be edited), must also be certified. Note: The School of Music reserves the right to re-audition applicants who do nottake up an offer to commence study at UWA the semester immediately following their original audition.
 
International applicants for composition must submit a composition portfolio with the DVD audition recording. To be eligible to study composition, you must pass the audition and your composition portfolio must be of an appropriate standard.
 
Please note: to complete this major within the Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) will require a minimum ATAR of 98 (or equivalent).

Fees

$24866, per year.

This figure has been arrived at by assuming that you study a full-time study load for one year made up of units all within the same fee band. As some units vary in cost, the actual student fee will depend on the mix of units you choose. The international student fees page has further details.

Information for

Contact details - admission information

UWA International Centre (M352)

Address
The University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Highway
Crawley, Perth
Western Australia 6009
Telephone
(+61 8) 6488 3939
Fax
(+61 8) 9382 4071
Contacts
International Centre
Enquire on-line
askUWA
Location
UWA Map
Opening hours
Monday - Friday, 9am - 4pm
About UWA
Find out what makes UWA an internationally recognised university.
Foundation and preparatory courses
There are a range of programs available to help give you the opportunity to gain the academic qualifications or prerequisites required for admission to UWA.
Social life on campus
There are over 20,000 students enrolled at UWA - lots of new friends not only from Perth and Western Australia but from all areas in Australia and around the world.

Search this site

Browse all:

askUWA - answers online anytime Prospects - online newsletter

Music Studies: the details

Status
Available 2012
Locations offered
Crawley
Attendance types
Part-time, Full-time
Delivery mode
Internal
Starting dates
Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly first year time commitment
18-20 hours plus own practice and study time, rehearsals and performances
Standard full-time completion
3 years (BA), 4 years (BPhil(Hons))
Maximum time to complete
10 years
Degrees (available in)
This major is available in:Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)All majors (except Economics and Biomedical Science double majors, Architecture, Specialist Music Studies and Science Communication) can also be taken as second majors in any of our undergraduate degrees
Honours available
Yes
Contact details: course information
School of Music
First floor Music building, Crawley, WA
music@uwa.edu.au
Ask UWA
(+61 8) 6488 2051
Additional information

Footnote links and information

University information

CRICOS Code: 00126G

This page:

Last updated
Monday, 8 April, 2013 3:18 PM
Website feedback
webfeedback-fs@uwa.edu.au
Page ID
1597748