Duration3 years full-time, 6 years part-time
Location
Online and
Next start termTerm 2, 2024
Study modeOn Campus, Online
Course codeCG51
First-year fee
$8,944 (Indicative) (CSP)
Two music students in a studio with a saxophone and guitar

Overview

Launch a thriving local, national or global career in music with our Bachelor of Music. With 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.

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. 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.

During your course, you will learn foundational aspects of the language of music from western art-music tradition to contemporary popular music styles and examine the role of prominent performers, composers, lyricists, and music producers in the development of these styles. In your first term, you will engage in practical music studies focusing on foundational level repertoire and technical work in your chosen instrument, voice or composition. In your second term, you will build on your knowledge and technical skills further through a combination of theoretical and technical learning activities. Throughout your second and third years, you will continue to build your knowledge and skills applicable to modern music while studying your chosen minors in performance, music ensemble, music technology, musicology and music pedagogy.

Choose to study on campus in Mackay and 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.

You will benefit from hands-on experience combined with academic study in the interpretation and understanding of music. On completion of the course, you will have the knowledge and practical skills to be successful in your chosen career.

To gain entry into this course you will be required to audition.

Study experience

Career Opportunities

Completion of the Bachelor of Music will prepare you to pursue employment opportunities in roles such as a:

  • professional musician
  • recording or sound engineer
  • performing or recording artist
  • composer
  • private music educator
  • educator at Primary, Secondary and Tertiary levels (once suitable postgraduate qualifications in education have been obtained).

Structure & Availability

Course structure

You are required to complete 24 units. These include 12 core music units and three minors from the following options:

 

  • performance
  • music ensemble
  • music technology
  • musicology 
  • music pedagogy
  • liberal arts

 

Unit information

 

For information on the units, you could study as part of this course, visit the Handbook and select the "Course Structure" tab.

Credit transfer information

If you have already completed study relevant to the course you have enrolled in, you may be eligible for credit transfer.

 

 

On-Campus Availability

IntakeLocations
Term 1, 2023Cairns, Mackay
Term 2, 2023Cairns, Mackay
Term 1, 2024Cairns, Mackay
Term 2, 2024Cairns, Mackay
Term 1, 2025Cairns, Mackay
Term 2, 2025Cairns, Mackay

Online Availability

IntakeLocations
Term 1, 2023Available Online
Term 2, 2023Available Online
Term 1, 2024Available Online
Term 2, 2024Available Online
Term 1, 2025Available Online
Term 2, 2025Available Online

Liberal Arts minor
The Liberal Arts minor is available if you wish to gain credit for another course. Approval from the Head of Course is required to access this minor.

Music Ensemble minor
Gain knowledge of how contemporary music is created, rehearsed, recorded, and performed using industry-recognised software. You'll gain experience with multi-track recording, editing and audio mixing.

Musicology minor 
In this minor, you'll study the history and cultural development of a range of musical styles including baroque, classical, romanticism, modernism, jazz and 20th century music.

Music Pedagogy minor
You'll study the fundamental theoretical and practical aspects of effective studio teaching in music for beginners. You will gain knowledge and skills in a number of internationally recognised music teaching philosophies and methods.

Music Performance minor
This minor allows you to continue your practical music studies in one instrument, voice or composition, focusing on advanced-level repertoire and technical work.

Music Technology minor
Enhance your abilities of audio recording and mixing for a range of music technology applications including sound design techniques for the production of a podcast. Plus, you'll learn the fundamentals of electronic music production and composition, mastering and music distribution.

This course has no residential schools.

Requirements

 

Student profile

If you would like to read about the student profile for this course view our Course and Entry Score Profile for Term 1, 2023.

 

 

Institute profile

To find out about CQUniversity's Undergraduate Profile for Term 1, 2023 view our Institute Profile.

 

Recommended study

Year 12 studies in music or the equivalent private music study in your chosen instrument or voice.

Prerequisites

Audition and interview

For entry into this course, all applicants will be required to successfully complete an audition and interview.

Further information regarding auditions, including the audition guidelines can be found via https://www.cqu.edu.au/cqcm

You will have to meet this course's inherent requirements by demonstrating essential skills and attributes.

Fees & Scholarships

2024 Indicative Fees

Fee TypeFees
Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee$8,944
Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee$23,856

Indicative first-year fee

The fees listed are indicative only and based on enrolling in a full-time study load for one academic year (generally, this is eight units over two terms). Your fees may vary depending on the units you select and the number you study per term. Fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change. Understanding your fees.

Commonwealth support and government assistance loans

Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) are subsidised by the Australian Government, meaning you are only required to pay the student contribution rather than full tuition fees if you meet eligibility requirements. If offered a CSP, you may be eligible for a HECS-HELP government loan. HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme that assists you in paying your student contributions. Provided you meet the HECS-HELP eligibility criteria, you may use HECS-HELP to defer part or all of your student contribution fees. Learn more about paying for university.

Other study costs

Part of your course costs includes Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF). There may also be additional costs as part of your studies, such as textbooks, technology expenses, travel expenses, professional certifications, uniforms, or vaccinations. Explore other study costs.

At CQUniversity, we believe higher education should be for everyone. No matter your situation, we know that everyone needs a helping hand from time to time, and we are proud to offer a wide range of scholarships, bursaries and stipends.
Our scholarships could help you pay for things like relocation, living on campus, laptops and technology, childcare, study and living expenses, travel and more. 

How to apply

StateAdmission Code
QueenslandOnline: 850965; Cairns: 820962; Mackay: 860962
Northern TerritoryOnline: 150821
South AustraliaOnline: 150821
TasmaniaOnline: 150821
VictoriaOnline: 150821
Western AustraliaOnline: 150821
New South WalesOnline: 160821

If you have decided what you would like to study and are ready to apply, we’re here to help you along the way. Before you apply, you will need to have a Unique Student Identifier (USI). If you do not have a USI, creating one is quick and easy. Simply visit usi.gov.au to create one.

Want to know more about application dates and other admission information?

View our important dates information and read about other admission considerations such as information for domestic students with overseas qualifications, indigenous support, and elite athlete, coach and performer support.


Don't forget to register for an audition

After you have submitted your application, you will need to register for an audition. For everything you need to know about auditions at CQUniversity including any supporting documentation required, such as artistic resume and medical certificates view our auditions guidelines.

Register for an Audition


 

What’s the best way to apply?

  • Option 1: Ideal for most situations, whether you have completed high school recently or some time ago.
  • Option 2: Ideal if you have previously studied with CQUni.

Option 1: In most situations, apply via a tertiary admission centre (TAC)

Whether you have completed high school recently or some time ago, you will need to submit your application for this course via a TAC.

Want to study on campus? To apply to study this course on campus, submit your application via QTAC.

Apply via QTAC

Want to study online? To apply to study this course online, you will need to submit your application via a TAC based on where you live. View the table below to see which TAC to apply through.

If you live in Tertiary Admissions Centre (TAC)*
Queensland Apply via QTAC
New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Apply via UAC
Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, South Australia Apply via ApplyCQUNI

*Please note that you may be required to pay a fee when applying via a TAC. After you have submitted your application, you will need to register for an audition. You can do this by clicking on the Register for an Audition button above.


Option 2: If you have previously studied with CQU, apply direct

As a past CQU student, you may be eligible to apply directly to CQU for this course. To apply direct, your prior study with CQU must be a completed or partially completed CQU course or unit, including:

  • CQU’s Skills for Tertiary Entrance Preparatory Studies (STEPS), Tertiary Entrance Program (TEP), or Start Uni Now (SUN) units.
  • A CQU certificate, diploma, advanced diploma, associate degree, bachelor degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, master or research higher degree, or a unit within these courses.

After you have submitted your application, you will need to register for an audition (click on the Register for an Audition button above).