Bachelor of Music

Find your rhythm  

Music is a gift to be cultivated and nourished in society. It broadens our understanding and appreciation of the world.

Musicians are hard-working, creative, collaborative, analytical and empathetic. They are passionate, and understand the innate value of their work.

What will you do?

Our Bachelor of Music welcomes you into a fun and challenging community. Depending on your interests, you’ll get chances to:  

  • work with international performers, teachers and guest artists
  • compose, record, mix, master and produce sonic projects
  • understand the music industry and issues shaping it
  • explore cultural, historical and stylistic aspects of Western and non-Western music
  • receive intensive professional training and one-on-one tuition
  • perform in musical theatre productions.

We offer unique specialisations in:

  • Classical Voice
  • Music Composition
  • Music Education and Pedagogy
  • Music Performance – Classical
  • Music Performance – Jazz
  • Musicology
  • Popular Music & Creative Technologies
  • Sonic Arts

Where could it take you?

Our graduates go on to all sorts of exciting music careers. You could travel the world as an orchestral musician. You might compose film scores or video game soundtracks. Perhaps you’ll grace the stage as an opera singer, or review concerts and interview artists as a music journalist.

Please note: This degree program contains some courses with practical elements where on-campus attendance is required.  If you are student in this program and unable to attend campus, please contact the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics for enrolment advice.


  • A distinctive degree for high-achievers wanting to excel
  • Link with academic mentors and award-winning staff
  • Access greater employment opportunities and career growth

Entry Requirements

Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions information for this program.
I am a:

Domestic applicants

Admissions information

SATAC Code
Deferment No
Intake February and July
Assumed Knowledge Assumed knowledge varies for the different specialisations available in the Bachelor of Music. Classical Performance - Year 12 Solo Performance or AMEB Practical Grade 6-7, plus Year 12 Musicianship or AMEB Grade 5 Theory. Classical Voice - Year 12 Solo Performance or AMEB Practical Grade 6-7, plus Year 12 Musicianship or AMEB Grade 5 Theory. Jazz Performance - Year 12 Solo Performance or CPM Advancing Step 4, plus Year 12 Musicianship or AMEB Grade 5 Theory. Composition - Year 12 Musicianship or AMEB Grade 5 Theory. Popular Music - A familiarity with computer systems and software, music software and hardware. Sonic Arts - A familiarity with computer systems and software, music software and hardware. Musicology - The ability to read music is expected. Music Education/Pedagogy - As per relevant specialisation.
Additional Entry Requirements
All prospective students applying to the Elder Conservatorium of Music are required to attend an audition/interview for each area of specialisation, regardless of the number or type of music programs they are applying for. The audition/interview will assess each applicant's current skill level and potential for future studies and offers will be made on the basis of the audition/interview score, academic achievement and the musicianship test. The Musicianship test aims to assess the applicant's general level of musicianship, which involves the ability to identify and recognise musical concepts within aural, written and theoretical contexts. The test comprises: aural questions covering rhythm, tonality, melody and harmony; score interpretation questions about a given short piano extract; theoretical questions such as keys, major and minor scales, intervals and chords.

For details regarding the audition rounds and the application process, please visit the Elder Conservatorium of Music (https://able.adelaide.edu.au/music/study/auditions).
Selection Criteria
Recent Secondary Education Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, however if you completed your secondary education more than two years ago, you may still be able to be considered on the basis of your secondary schooling. You must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study (48 units). You must also undertake an audition/interview including an aural/theory test. You compete for a place based on your audition score. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Higher Education Study You must have completed at least six months full time equivalent higher education study (the number of courses and units will vary depending on your prior institution however at the University of Adelaide, this equates to 4 courses / 12 units). A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for each separate program you have undertaken (apart from some double degree programs where the GPA is combined). You must also undertake an audition/interview including an aural/theory test. You compete for a place based on your audition score. Your best GPA is used in the case of a tie-breaker. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) study You must have completed an AQF Certificate IV or above from a Registered Training Organisation. You must also undertake an audition/interview including an aural/theory test. You compete for a place based on your audition score. Further ranking according to the level of TAFE award is undertaken in the case of a tie-breaker. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Work and life experience To be eligible to sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) as as pathway for entry, you must be 18 years or over before 1 February 2024. If you have studied at higher education level in the last two years (for 2024 entry this means you were enrolled in either 2023 or 2022), you must not have accumulated more than a TOTAL of 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) higher education study (ie. including any study prior to 2022). You must also undertake an audition/interview including an aural/theory test. You compete for a place based on your audition score. Your STAT rank is used in the case of a tie-breaker. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Other Entry Pathways

  • Admissions Transparency Data
    2023 Admissions Data for school leavers
    ATAR
    (raw ATAR, excluding any applicable adjustment factors)    		 Lowest ATAR to receive an offer *
    Median ATAR to receive an offer *
    Highest ATAR to receive an offer *
    Selection Rank
    (ATAR plus any adjustment factors)    		 Lowest Selection Rank to receive an offer *
    Median Selection Rank to receive an offer *
    Highest Selection Rank to receive an offer *
    Minimum eligibility score N/A
    Additional criteria considered N/A
    Student Profile
    Applicant background Semester one/Full year intake 2023
    Number of students Percentage of all students
    (A) Higher Education study
    (includes a bridging or enabling course)    		 N/A N/A
    (B) Vocational education and training (VET) study N/A N/A
    (C) Work and life experience
    (admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)    		 N/A N/A
    (D) Recent secondary education:
    • Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
      (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors)
    		 N/A N/A
    • Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
      (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
    		 N/A N/A
    • Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
      (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
    		 98 93.3%
    International students 7 6.7%
    All students 105 100.0%

Fees and Scholarships

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I am a:

Domestic applicants

Indicative annual tuition fees
Commonwealth-supported place

Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.

More information on Student Contribution Amounts.

Scholarships

These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.

Find a Scholarship.

Careers

Potential careers

Music Educator, Music Festival Director, DJ, Songwriter, Sound Artist, Sound Engineer, Vocal Coach, Vocalist, Instrumental Teacher, Accompanist, Jazz Musician, Band Musician, Music Journalist / Music Critic, Music Teacher, Music Technologist, Music Theory Teacher, Music Tutor, Musical Theatre Performer, Musician, Musician / Singer, Musicologist, Opera Singer, ...

Degree Structure

Academic Program Rules

The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

Areas of Specialisation

  • Classical Voice
  • Music Composition
  • Music Education and Pedagogy
  • Music Performance – Classical
  • Music Performance – Jazz
  • Musicology
  • Popular Music
  • Sonic Arts

Example Study Plan

Study plans are available on the Faculty of Arts website.

Related Degrees

Bachelor of Music (Classical Voice)
Bachelor of Music (Music Composition)
Bachelor of Music (Music Education and Pedagogy)
Bachelor of Music (Classical Performance)
Bachelor of Music (Music Performance - Jazz)
Bachelor of Music (Musicology)
Bachelor of Music (Sonic Arts)
Bachelor of Arts with Bachelor of Music

Bachelor of Arts students can study music as a broad cultural course without the requirement of instrumental or vocal skills. Selected Music courses in music studies (e.g. popular music and media) are available.

Further Study

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Last updated: Wednesday, 13 Sep 2023