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 – Fleuranne Brockway
It wasn’t an easy choice to come to UWA and study Music as I’d always been told it was something you should pursue as a hobby, however I went for my audition, got accepted and never looked back! Not only do I get to spend all my time studying something I love, but I get to share it with others with the same passion for music.
The School of Music is quite small compared to other Faculties. You get to know each other really quickly, whether you’re having lunch together in the common room or helping each other out with this week’s tutorial assignment, and these friendships last you throughout your degree
Many doors have been opened to me because of UWA; I plan to go on a student exchange, I’ve learned to play the gamelan, I’ve been part of a CD recording, I’ve sung in master classes with top international singers and performed regularly in student and University run choirs.
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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
- 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.
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
- How to apply
- 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.
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
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.
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–4pm
On this page
- First semester entry
- Second semester entry
- How to apply
- Fees
- 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.
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 Specialist Music Studies is AMEB Grade 7 Practical orequivalent (e.g. ABRSM Grade 8 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 not take 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
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.
