Specialist Music Studies is a stepping stone to a variety of careers in the music profession.
Introduction
This major provides you with a rigorous, high-quality tertiary music education and an intensive concentration in a chosen area of specialisation:
- performance
- composition
- musicology
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Course description, features and facilities
Specialist Music Studies enable you, as an emerging musician or composer, to pursue postgraduate training at national and international centres of music excellence, postgraduate study to become an accredited music teacher, or advanced research training in various music sub-disciplines.
Please note: this major can only be taken by Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) students concurrently enrolled in the Music Studies major.
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Student profile
Student profile – Siang Ching Ngu
When I was applying for entry to university I was determined to follow a path that would lead to a professional career in music
The music course at UWA has enriched me as a person and as a musician. It has broadened my knowledge base and increased my understanding of music. The course has provided me with many wonderful learning experiences, such as receiving individual piano lessons from a truly inspiring tutor, attending lectures given by exceptionally knowledgeable lecturers, and participating in master classes conducted by internationally renowned guest artists. What makes the School of Music at UWA unique is the close-knit community of staff and students. The lecturers are very approachable and the students are supportive. This friendly environment provides a relaxed but constructive study atmosphere, making it a pleasure to take on new challenges at the University every day.
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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.
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Career opportunities
Graduates pursue careers in a wide range of areas including the creative and performing arts, music education, the entertainment industry and associated fields. Many graduates have careers as performing musicians, either with an orchestra, an ensemble, as conductors or composers, or a combination of all of these. Others go on to become music administrators, music or arts managers, music journalists or librarians.
I want to be a…
This course could lead to becoming a:
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Further study opportunities
Students who undertake a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) with two music majors will have postgraduate options across all areas of music specialisation.
Recent graduate destinations include Australian National Academy of Music, Australian Chamber Orchestra and Australian Brandenburg Orchestra as well as Oxford University, Royal Academy of Music and the Academy of Ancient Music.
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Check the Entrance requirements
This course is available to Australian and International students.
On this page
- Prerequisites and minimum scores
- Additional information
- English competency
- Advanced standing
Prerequisites and minimum scores
| Qualification and prerequisite subjects | Course 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 Specialist Music Studies is AMEB Grade 7 Practical or equivalent (eg: ABRSM Grade 8 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
- Prerequisites and minimum scores
- English competency
- Advanced standing
Prerequisites and minimum scores
| Qualification and prerequisite subjects | Course entry score |
|---|
All India Senior School Certificate (CBSE)
Studies equivalent to WACE Music 3A/3B | 12 |
Canadian Matriculation (except Quebec)
Studies equivalent to WACE Music 3A/3B | 60 |
French Baccalaureat
Studies equivalent to WACE Music 3A/3B | 12 |
GCE or Cambridge Advanced-level Examinations
Studies equivalent to WACE Music 3A/3B | 8 |
Chinese Gao Kao
Studies equivalent to WACE Music 3A/3B | 525 |
German Abitur
Studies equivalent to WACE Music 3A/3B | 3.17 |
Indian School Certificate (CISCE)
Studies equivalent to WACE Music 3A/3B | 60 |
International Baccalaureate
Studies equivalent to WACE Music 3A/3B | 29 |
Monash University Foundation Year (MUFY)
Studies equivalent to WACE Music 3A/3B | 270 |
Norwegian Vitnemål
Studies equivalent to WACE Music 3A/3B | 4.14 |
Swedish Slutbetyg
Studies equivalent to WACE Music 3A/3B | 15.70 |
Trinity College Foundation Program
Studies equivalent to WACE Music 3A/3B | 85 |
Chinese Unified Examinations (UEC)
Studies equivalent to WACE Music 3A/3B | 12 |
UWA Foundation Programme (UWAFP)
Studies equivalent to WACE Music 3A/3B | 66 |
Western Australian Universities Preparatory Program (WAUPP)
Studies equivalent to WACE Music 3A/3B | 63 |
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.
English competency
To be eligible for admission to a 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.
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
- First semester entry
- Second semester entry
- Additional requirements
- Fees
- Information for…
- 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. Applications open Monday 13 August 2012.
Closing dates:
- On-time closing date - Friday 28 September 2012
- The deadline for adding preferences for Assured Entry Pathways to Medicine and Dentistry is Friday 28 September 2012, and late applications will not be accepted.
- Late applications for other courses will be accepted, with a late fee, until Friday 4 January 2013.
- Students completing Year 12 in Australia in 2011 can add preferences (except for Medicine and Dentistry Assured Entry Pathways) until Friday 4 January 2013.
Contact the Admissions Centre for advice.
Second semester entry
Apply online for second semester entry to a range of courses at UWA.
Closing date:
After the closing date, contact the Admissions Centre for advice.
Additional requirements
You must pass an audition to be eligible for a Music course. The required standard for Specialist Music Studies is AMEB Grade 7 Practical or equivalent (eg: ABRSM Grade 8 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.
Fees
$, 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 contribution will depend on the mix of units you choose. See the unit costs website for details of individual unit costs.
Information for
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–5pm
On this page
- First semester entry
- Second semester entry
- Information for…
- 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.
Closing dates:
- Assured Entry Pathways to Medicine and Dentistry - 30 June 2011
- All other courses - 1 December 2011
You must also:
If you will be under 18 when you begin study at UWA you are required by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to have appropriate accommodation and welfare arrangements while studying in Australia.
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.
Closing date:
You must also:
If you will be under 18 when you begin study at UWA you are required by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to have appropriate accommodation and welfare arrangements while studying in Australia.
Information for
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 - 5pm
- 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.
