CQUniversity’s Bachelor of Music is designed to prepare you for a professional career in the music industry. Offering specialist training in vocal or instrumental performance, composition or singer/songwriting, you will graduate with the skills necessary to be an industry-ready music professional. Our flexible and innovative degree allows you to focus on a broad range of music styles including western art music, jazz or contemporary music.
Students choosing to study in Mackay will be involved in a comprehensive conservatoire style environment with expectations of high standards of performance, musicianship and scholarship. A rigorous performance schedule in various university, community and professional settings is one of the strengths of this course, as is the development of individual skill in a supportive, collaborative environment.
The flexible delivery model allows you to study completely online anywhere in Australia. As a leader in online music study, this course will provide you with the opportunity to develop your solo music performance skills with highly specialised music staff via innovative video technology. The Bachelor of Music allows you to focus your strengths and interests by pursuing minors in performance, ensemble training, music technology, musicology and music pedagogy.
The Bachelor of Music is ideal for students considering a career in the music industry as a professional musician, recording or sound engineer, performing or recording artist or composer. Other career options include primary, secondary and tertiary teaching, private studio work, and music related careers in arts administration, communication or creative industries businesses.
Duration | 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time |
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Credit Points that Must be Earned | 144 |
Number of Units Required | CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in undergraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24). |
Expected Hours of Study | One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term. |
Course Type | Undergraduate Award |
Qualification (post nominal) | BMus |
AQF Level | Level 7: Bachelor Degree |
Course Fees |
Indicative Year - 2025
Indicative Year - 2024
Indicative Year - 2023
Indicative Year - 2022
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Domestic Students Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes |
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International Students CRICOS Codes |
To be eligible for entry into this course, all applicants will be required to successfully complete an audition and interview.
Visit our Auditions webpage for more information about auditions, including the audition guidelines.
English Language Proficiency Requirements:
If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or United States of America you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University.
Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion of:
A secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent), or
An Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) diploma level qualification, or
Bachelor level qualification study for a period of at least 2 years full time with a minimum overall GPA 4.0
Completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or United States of America, which will meet the English proficiency.
If you do not satisfy any of the above you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores as below:
An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 6.0 overall with a minimum 5.5 in each subset; or
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Requires 550 or better overall & minimum TWE score of 4.5 (Paper Based Test), or 75 or better overall and no score less than 17 (Internet Based Test); or
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) - Requires an overall score of 54 with no sub-score less than 46; or
An Occupational English Test with Grades A or B only in each of the four components.
English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate.
If you are an International student please visit International students English requirements for further information.
Each student will be assessed individually.
Year 12 studies in music or the equivalent private music study in your chosen instrument, voice or composition portfolio.
Interim Awards | CC41 - Diploma of Music CM22 - Associate Degree of Music |
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Exit Awards | CC41 - Diploma of Music CM22 - Associate Degree of Music |
Accreditation |
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No Residential School for this course.
Not applicable |
Year | Number of Students |
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2024 | 85 |
2023 | 88 |
2022 | 86 |
2021 | 94 |
2020 | 97 |
Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.
If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.
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Course Learning Outcomes | ||||||
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Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
1. KNOWLEDGE Have a broad and coherent body of knowledge, with depth in the underlying principles and concepts in one or more disciplines as a basis for independent lifelong learning | ||||||
2. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to review critically, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge | ||||||
3. SKILLS Have cognitive and technical skills to demonstrate a broad understanding of knowledge with depth in some areas | ||||||
4. SKILLS Have cognitive and creative skills to exercise critical thinking and judgement in identifying and solving problems with intellectual independence | ||||||
5. SKILLS Have communication skills to present a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas | ||||||
6. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate initiative and judgement in planning, problem solving and decision making in professional practice and/or scholarship | ||||||
7. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Adapt knowledge and skills in diverse contexts | ||||||
8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILL Be responsible and accountable for own learning and professional practice and in collaboration with others within broad parameters | ||||||
KNOWLEDGE Develop an understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture in contemporary and historical context using the respectful and appropriate protocols and terminology | ||||||
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Engage in reflective self-evaluation of own cultural values and perspectives to proactively create an inclusive workplace that affirms and celebrates cultural diversity | ||||||
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Display leadership by creating inclusive work environments and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a culturally respectful manner |
Number of units: 12 | Total credit points: 72 |
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N/A
You must complete the 12 core units across Years 1, 2 & 3.
Year 1 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
MUSC11405 | Language of Modern Music 1 | |
MUSC11411 | Music Styles & Analysis 1 | |
MUSC11409 | Principal Music Studios 1 | |
PERF11026 | Production Fundamentals 1 |
Year 1 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
MUSC11406 | Language of Modern Music 2 | |
MUSC11412 | Music Styles & Analysis 2 | |
MUSC11410 | Principal Music Studios 2 | |
PERF11027 | Production Fundamentals 2 |
Year 2 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
MUSC12413 | Language of Modern Music 3 |
Year 2 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
MUSC12414 | Language of Modern Music 4 |
Year 3 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
MUSC13406 | Language of Modern Music 5 |
Year 3 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
MUSC28002 | Language of Modern Music 6 |
Number of units: 4 | Total credit points: 24 |
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It is possible to select the Liberal Arts minor if you want to transfer credit from another course to the Bachelor of Music, or to transfer credit for units studied as part of an international study experience, provided you meet the CQUniversity requirements and are approved for this transfer of credit. You will require the approval of the Head of Course to enrol in the Liberal Arts minor, as well as approval for the choice of units to be included in this minor. Please seek advice from the Course Advice Team in the first instance if you want to undertake the Liberal Arts minor.
Number of units: 4 | Total credit points: 24 |
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Within this suite of units, you will develop practical, technical and artistic ensemble skills required to be a successful musician. These music ensemble units give you the opportunity to work in various performance, technical and creative roles as appropriate to develop skills in problem-solving, creative, self-regulated and critical thinking, within a team-based environment.
For entry into the first unit of this minor, you will need approval from the Head of Course - Music. To transition into the 3rd unit of this minor, you must have completed 72 credit points in this course.
Year 2 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
PERF12016 | Performance and Production Studies 3 |
Year 2 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
PERF12017 | Performance and Production Studies 4 |
Year 3 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
PERF13018 | Performance and Production Studies 5 |
Year 3 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
PERF28001 | Performance and Production Studies 6 |
Number of units: 4 | Total credit points: 24 |
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Musicology is the scholarly analysis of music. Within this suite of units, you will study the history and cultural development of a range of musical styles including baroque, classical, romanticism, modernism, jazz and 20th century music. You will develop aural, analytical and research skills within these areas of focus. It is expected that you will possess a good understanding of music notation and stylistic analysis before entering this minor.
For entry into this minor, you must have completed 36 credit points in this course. To transition into the 3rd year of this minor, you must have completed 72 credit points in this course.
Year 2 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
MUSC12415 | History of Jazz: Freedom to Fusion |
Year 2 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
MUSC13415 | Western Art Music: Baroque to Classical |
Year 3 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
MUSC13416 | Western Art Music: Romanticism to Modernism |
Year 3 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
MUSC28003 | Western Art Music: Trends in the Twentieth Century |
Number of units: 4 | Total credit points: 24 |
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You will learn the theoretical and practical methods of effective studio teaching in music and develop the pedagogical skills and concepts required to deliver successful group instrumental music instruction and ensemble direction. This includes the focus on three areas: One-on-one studio tuition, multi-instrument instruction and conducting technique. It is expected that you will possess an intermediate to advanced level of proficiency in an instrument or voice to complete this minor.
For entry into this minor, you must have completed 36 credit points in this course. To transition into the 3rd year of this minor, you must have completed 72 credit points in this course.
Year 2 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
MUSC12416 | Studio Teaching Methods 1 |
Year 2 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
MUSC12417 | Studio Teaching Methods 2 |
Year 3 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
MUSC13413 | Multi-Instrument Fundamentals and Ensemble Direction 1 |
Year 3 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
MUSC28004 | Multi-Instrument Fundamentals and Ensemble Direction 2 |
Number of units: 4 | Total credit points: 24 |
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Within this minor you will develop advanced skills and artistic expression through practical music studies relating to your primary study area. This primary study area can be an instrument, voice, singer/songwriting or composition and through this minor you will explore advanced repertoire and technical work from a variety of musical styles. It is expected that you will commence this minor at a high level of proficiency in your instrument, voice, singer/songwriting or composition and continue to advanced levels of technical proficiency and artistic expression.
For entry into this minor, you must have completed 36 credit points in this course. To transition into the 3rd year of this minor, you must have completed 72 credit points in this course.
Year 2 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
MUSC12411 | Principal Music Studios 3 |
Year 2 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
MUSC12412 | Principal Music Studios 4 |
Year 3 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
MUSC13411 | Principal Music Studios 5 |
Year 3 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
MUSC28005 | Principal Music Studios 6 |
Number of units: 4 | Total credit points: 24 |
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In this suite of units, you will expand upon the fundamentals of audio recording and mixing to develop skills in a range of music technology applications. You will learn the fundamental principles and application of sound design techniques and recording in the production of a podcast. In addition, you will learn the fundamentals of electronic music production and composition, mastering and music distribution. You will be required to purchase specific music technology equipment and software to complete this minor.
For entry into this minor, you must have completed 36 credit points in this course. To transition in the 3rd year of this minor, you must have completed 72 credit points in this course.
Year 2 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
MUSC12418 | Music Technology 1: Introduction to Sound Design |
Year 2 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
MUSC12419 | Music Technology 2: Electronic Music Production |
Year 3 - Term 1 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
MUSC13418 | Music Technology 3: Mixing, Mastering and Distribution |
Year 3 - Term 2 | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
MUSC28006 | Music Technology 4: Music and the Moving Image |
Credit Transfer
Students will be assessed for credit transfer on a case-by-case basis and will be required to nominate the CQU units they wish to be considered for exemption from. Credit transfer will only be granted where a student is able to demonstrate that tertiary studies, equivalent in content and depth to the CQUniversity course, have been successfully completed. Students should examine the unit synopses in this handbook to determine the units for which they may be eligible to claim exemption.
Students may only gain credit transfer for up to 67% of the overall course.
Please note that study undertaken more than 10 years ago is not normally considered unless the applicant can supply certified documents showing that they have been continually using the required skills in the work force. Generally only TAFE diploma level or above is recognised for credit at tertiary level.
Refer to the Credit Transfer website at https://www.cqu.edu.au/courses-and-programs/credit-transfer-and-rpl/credit-transfers for further details on the guidelines and application process.
Course Planners
For Course Planners please refer to the following website http://www.cqu.edu.au/student-life/new-students/planners-and-profiles