Bachelor of Music (Worship)
Bachelor of Music (Worship)
Duration: 3 years full-time/6 years part-time
Credit Points: 144 credit points
CRICOS CODE: 109057M
Delivery: On campus
Available to: Domestic students (FEE-HELP available) and international students
English: IELTS 6.0 with no band less than 6.0
Tuition Fee for international students: $11,625 semester/$69,750 total tuition fee
AQF: Level 7
Associate Degree of Music (Worship)
Duration: 2 years full-time/4 years part-time
Credit Points: 96 credit points
CRICOS CODE: 109435A
Delivery: On campus
Available to: Domestic students (FEE-HELP available) and international students
English: IELTS 6.0 with no band less than 6.0
Tuition Fee for international students: $11,625 semester/$46,500 total tuition fee
AQF: Level 6
Course overview
The Bachelor of Music (Worship) degree is a new course embedded within the existing Bachelor of Music (see course page for further details). Students gain the technical, artistic and analytical training required to become professional musicians, with the course diverging in its emphasis on theological preparation for a future in Christian ministry. The addition of specific units such as Worship Music in Practice, Worship Music Placement and Theology of Worship equip students with a deeper understanding of biblical directives and theological approaches to worship through music and how to apply this in diverse church settings. Students explore central themes underpinning personal and corporate worship expression in both Old and New Testament. These include God as Creator and Father, tabernacle/temple worship, the figure of King David, the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the church.
Students also apply learnings into music production with a live/digital launch of an EP of original worship music relevant to individual and congregational worship contexts. This industry relevant training encompasses all aspects of pre- and post-production.
Additionally, the course features placement within a congregational setting* under the mentorship of Excelsia staff and a church ministry team. Students are given a context for mentoring, practical skill development, ensemble skills, planning, song writing and worship leading, linking with existing or new campus ministry initiatives at Excelsia, such as Gathering and/or Praise and Worship meetings and events. Graduates will complete the course, prepared to lead worship ministry teams both on campus and in local churches.
* Broader worship music settings available
Where this will take me
The Bachelor of Music (Worship) prepares students for future roles in music & Christian ministry contexts. It is grounded in the understanding that professional musicians will commonly engage in ‘portfolio’ careers requiring versatile, flexible, and adaptable skills including multi-instrumental performing, composing, arranging, producing, ensemble directing, teaching, and researching. Future graduates are expected to secure employment as:
- Worship music leaders
- Worship music songwriters
- Performers (accompanists, chamber musicians, band members, session musicians)
- Composers and arrangers
- Conductors and musical directors (in school and church settings)
- Audio engineers (studio and live sound)
- Teachers (in both private and co-curricular school settings)
- Music critics, journalists and publicists
Course program
YEAR 1: FOUNDATIONS OF MUSICAL PERFORMANCE AND THEORY
Year 1 Program units
Y1 Semester 1
Studio 1: Foundations in Performance
Develop fundamental performance skills through one-on-one instrumental or vocal lessons. Engage in weekly ensemble rehearsals to enhance collaboration. Learn essential stage setup, safety protocols and basic equipment handling to prepare for live performances.
Elective 1
Versatile Musicians: Second Instrument Study 1 (offered in 2025)
Learn a second instrument in a collaborative setting or explore the fundamentals of songwriting, expanding your musical creativity.
OR
Introduction to Songwriting
Gain insight into songwriting techniques, including melody writing, lyric development and basic arrangement strategies.
Music Foundations – (Aural & Keyboard)
Build core musicianship skills, including aural training, harmony and keyboard techniques. Develop sight-reading, improvisation and harmonic analysis abilities to strengthen your foundation in performance and composition.
Y1 Semester 2
Studio 2: Performance and Ensemble Practice (Pre-req: Studio 1)
Advance your instrumental or vocal performance skills. Participate in ensemble practice with increasingly complex repertoire. Gain hands-on experience operating sound systems in live performance settings.
Understanding Popular Music
Explore the history, culture and social influence of popular music. Develop critical listening skills by analysing key genres and artists, gaining a deeper appreciation of musical trends and innovations.
Introduction to Digital Music
Develop skills in arranging, writing charts and transcribing music using industry-standard digital tools. Apply harmonic and aural skills in a digital context.
YEAR 2: ADVANCED PERFORMANCE AND MUSICIANSHIP
Year 2 Program units
Y2 Semester 1
Worship Music in Practice 1
This first of two core second-year units for Bachelor of Music (Worship) students equips them to lead worship in small ensembles across diverse church settings. It develops theological and biblical understanding of music in personal and corporate worship, encouraging students to critique worship practices. Themes include God as Creator, temple worship, King David, Jesus’ life, the Holy Spirit and the church.
Harmony in Practice (Pre-req: Music Foundations; Introduction to Digital Music)
Apply harmonic principles to contemporary music with a focus on Western art music. Analyse, harmonize and arrange pieces to deepen your understanding of musical structure.
History of Western Art Music (Pre-req: Understanding Popular Music)
Examine the evolution of Western art music through key composers, works and stylistic movements, gaining historical and cultural insights.
Y2 Semester 2
Worship Music in Practice 2
The second core unit further develops students’ worship leadership skills and introduces collaborative composition and recording. Students produce and launch an EP of original worship music. The unit refines skills in arrangement, rehearsal, recording, and production, drawing on historic, stylistic and cultural worship traditions.
Jazz Harmony & Arranging (Pre-req: Music Foundations; Introduction to Digital Music)
Explore jazz harmonic structures, voicing techniques and orchestration. Develop improvisational skills for ensemble performances.
Theology of Worship
This unit explores the biblical and theological foundations of worship, focusing on worshipful attitudes, servant leadership and meaningful group experiences. It examines how worship engages God and His people, honours God, and unites believers. A literature survey contextualises music and the creative arts in church and personal worship.
YEAR 3: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND INDUSTRY PREPARATION
Year 3 Program units
Y3 Semester 1
Worship Music Placement 1
This unit supports the transition from study to workplace through a 91-hour placement. Students apply Christian worship principles in real-world settings such as churches, youth groups, studios, or arts projects, taking responsibility for sourcing their own placements and developing discipleship skills in a Christian work environment.
Musical Direction 1
In this first unit of the Musical Direction sequence, students study vocal ensemble leadership, focusing on planning, rehearsal and conducting. The unit covers repertoire selection, vocal physiology, beat clarity, warm-ups and techniques like breathing and phrasing, culminating in a major rehearsal and performance with the class choir.
Global Music Studies (Pre-req: History of Western Art Music)
Explore diverse global music traditions using ethnomusicological methods. Analyse cultural, social and historical contexts while expanding critical listening skills.
Elective 2
Music Pedagogy
Implement teaching strategies for studio and ensemble instruction. Build a resource portfolio to support music education careers.
Music Business
Gain foundational knowledge of music industry operations, covering marketing, copyright, contracts and career development.
Y3 Semester 2
Worship Music Placement 1
This second placement unit continues to bridge academic study with real-world worship settings through another 91-hour placement. Students take initiative in arranging placements within churches or ministry-related contexts, further developing practical and discipleship skills in a professional Christian environment.
Formation 2: Designing My Creative Career (Pre-req: Formation 1)
This unit provides students with the opportunity to critically reflect on how a Christian framework can guide their creative and business practices and enable them to proactively draw from biblical principles to undergird their business aspirations. Through a multidisciplinary lens, this unit investigates the spiritual, mental, physical, financial, social, and career management competencies required to build a sustainable career in the arts in Australia.
Digital Music Production: Composing & Recording
Develop advanced skills in digital music production, including composing, recording and mixing techniques.
ELECTIVE OPTIONS (Choose 2)
Elective units
Versatile Musicians: Second Instrument Study
Introduction to bass, piano, or vocal techniques as a second instrument.
Introduction to Songwriting
Learn the fundamentals of songwriting and develop original compositions.
Second Instrument 2 (Pre-req: Second Instrument 1)
Continue second instrument studies with more advanced techniques and repertoire.
Music Pedagogy
Develop instructional techniques and teaching strategies for music education.
Music Business
Gain industry knowledge in music marketing, management and entrepreneurship.
For detailed descriptions of course units, please download the Music brochure.
Academic staff for music
Lecturer, Large Ensemble (Choral), Musical Direction Tutor, Conductor
Dr Sadaharu Muramatsu
Entry requirements
Educational prerequisites
Artistic and academic skill assessment
Auditon:
Applicant should prepare to present 2 pieces demonstrating their skill on their major instrument (including voice).
Interview:
Conducted concurrently with the audition. Applicants will discuss their previous musical experience, personal motivation and aspirations.
International students
In addition to meeting the educational, artistic and academic prerequisites above, international applicants who have not completed an educational qualification in English should provide proof of proficiency in English through internationally recognised tests such as IELTS, or through satisfactory completion of an approved course at one of the Excelsia’s partner language colleges.
Overseas students applying for admission to Excelsia courses must have reached the age of 18 years by the commencement of their studies. Excelsia will not admit overseas students who have not yet reached 18 years of age.
For more information, visit our international student page.
Applicants with work and life experience, VET studies, and higher education
Credit and recognition of prior learning (RPL)
Step 1. Complete your application online
If you are studying at an Australian high school, completing the HSC, you are eligible to apply.
Step 2. Showcase your talents
You’ll be given an opportunity to showcase your talents by attending an audition (Music or Drama) or Interview (Screen Production), so get your application in early!
Step 3. If shortlisted, attend online session
You’ll receive an invitation within two weeks if you succeed in your submission. We are looking forward to seeing you at our online session.
Step 4. Have peace of mind and focus on your exams
We will contact students once receiving their application offering suggestions on how they can audition by uploading performances and/or portfolios online. This may look different for each student and our Student Advisors will do their best to help facilitate alternatives that best suit each student’s unique situation.
The Experience
| Applicant background | Number of students | Student Percentages |
|---|---|---|
|
Recent secondary education was undertaken (whether undertaken at school, VET or another Australian or overseas provider) – only other criteria, ATAR not considered |
1 |
100 |
|
All students |
1 |
100 |
|
Based on commencements for the 2024 calendar year |
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ABN 50 360 319 774 | TEQSA PRV12064 ‘University College’ | CRICOS Provider Code: 02664K