Bachelor of Music

Apply TodayRegister Your Interest
Duration
3 years full-time, 6 years part-time
Location
Online
Next start term
Term 1, 2026
Study mode
On Campus, Online
Course code
CG51
First-year fee
$9,312 (Indicative) (CSP)
OverviewStructure & AvailabilityRequirementsFees & ScholarshipsHow to Apply
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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.

Choose to study on campus in Cairns or Mackay at our purpose-built facilities. The flexible delivery model also 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.

Audition Entry Requirements

To gain entry into this course, you will be required to complete an audition. Visit www.cqu.edu.au/auditions for more information.

Study Experience

Discover more about your music degree and how you'll benefit from authentic learning experiences, whether you choose to study at our purpose-built facilities in Cairns or Mackay or online. Click 'Explore Study Experience' for more information.

  • Authentic Learning Experiences
  • Global Experiences
  • Industry Relevant
  • Real-world Learning Facilities
  • Seamless Pathways
  • Study Full-time or Part-time

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).

Postgraduate Pathways

After completing the Bachelor of Music, you may be interested in our Master of Arts. The Master of Arts is the perfect postgraduate degree for you to advance your skills and knowledge. 

As a graduate of the Bachelor of Music, you'll benefit from a smooth transition into the Master of Arts with a credit transfer option. You can apply for credit for the four AQF level 8 units embedded within the Bachelor of Music, reducing the duration of your postgraduate studies from 18 months to one year full-time.

Structure & Availability

The course structure and available locations can change depending on when you want to study. You can choose the intake that best suits you in the drop-down menu below.

Available Locations

Your Course

You must complete 24 units (144 credits):

  1. 1
    The core structure (12 units)
  2. 2
    Three four-unit minors

Unit Details

The units you'll study are listed below. Click on a unit to learn more.

Showing 8 of 12

Liberal Arts Minor

The Liberal Arts Minor consists of four units.

This minor is available to gain credit for studies you may have completed in another course. Approval from our Course Management team is required to access this minor.

Course Planner

To help you plan your studies and see which unit comes first, if one unit should be completed before another and when you will study each unit, check out our course planners.

Browse course planners

Additional Information

If you have completed prior study relevant to units within this course, you may be eligible for credit for your past studies. Learn more about credit and recognition of prior learning.

Requirements

To Be Eligible

For your application to be considered, you must meet the following entry requirements. 

Student and Course Profiles

View the student and course profiles for this course and learn about CQU's Undergraduate Profile for Term 1, 2025 via our Institute Profile. 

Institute Profile

During Your Study

While not needed to apply, you'll need to meet the following requirements throughout your studies. 

Fees & Scholarships

Indicative First-Year Fee

The Indicative First-Year Fee is the approximate cost of enrolling in this course for one full-time academic year (eight units over two terms) for a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and should be used as a guide only. Your actual fees may vary depending on the units you select to study and your study load. Check the Cost per Unit spreadsheet available on our Understanding Course Fees webpage. 

Fees are reviewed each year and are subject to change. Fee estimates for the following year are expected to be available in November each year.

Commonwealth Supported Places

This course has Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) available, and as a domestic student, you'll be offered a CSP, provided you meet CSP eligibility requirements. CSPs are subsidised by the Australian Government, meaning you are only required to pay the student contribution rather than full tuition fees.

HECS-HELP Loan

You may be eligible for a HECS-HELP government loan if you are offered a CSP. 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.

Part of your course costs will include Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF). SSAF is charged in addition to your student contribution or tuition fees and is used to help enhance your study experience. There may also be other costs as part of your studies, such as textbooks, technology expenses, travel expenses, professional certifications, uniforms, or vaccinations. 

Explore other study costs.

We believe a quality education can be for everyone – regardless of background, location, or life circumstances. That's why we offer a variety of scholarships and bursaries that can give you a helping hand with a range of expenses and enhance your employability.

Explore scholarships.

How to Apply

How to Apply

Check what you need to do to apply to study this course. 

Your Application Options

Follow These Steps

  1. 1
    Check you meet the course requirements
  2. 2
    Get a Unique Student Identifier

Extra Admission Information

Prior to applying, take a look at important application dates and learn about our admission considerations, such as information for domestic students with overseas qualifications, indigenous support, and elite athlete, coach and performer support. You should also check out the adjustment schemes that might be available to you and how to access them. You can also explore our offer information to learn more about what happens after you've submitted an application and how to respond to an offer to study with CQU. 

Applying for 2026

Applications for Term 1, 2026 open on Tuesday, 5 August 2025.

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