Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music
Duration: 3 years full-time/6 years part-time
Credit Points: 144 credit points
Delivery: On campus
CRICOS Code: 057959G
Available to: Domestic (FEE-HELP) and International
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
Duration: 2 years full-time/4 years part-time
Credit Points: 96 credit points
Delivery: On campus
CRICOS Code: 075645J
Available to: Domestic (FEE-HELP) and International
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 provides you with the technical, artistic and analytical training required to become a professional musician. The course features private tuition for voice and instrument studies and extensive performance and studio experiences.
The course is offered with three strands of specialisation, allowing you to take classes unique to your chosen career path:
Three Strands
This strand prepares musicians for a career in the ever-changing world of contemporary music. Artistic, technical, practical and musicianship skills are honed to create a well-rounded musician prepared for the diverse work lives led by industry professionals. Whether students want to pursue their dream as a singer/songwriter or start their own band, this strand will help to take them there.
This strand offers multiple experiences in improvisation, ensemble work, arrangement, and performance designed to prepare students for the highly skilled world of jazz musicianship. Students are encouraged to partake in multiple performance opportunities and workshops to help them think on their feet and engage with the dynamics of the jazz ethos.
This strand provides musicians with the high-level training in performance, musicianship, ensemble work, musicality and breadth of musical knowledge required for a life in classical music. Students are exposed to a wide range of music across history as well as one-on-one tuition on their instrument with exceptional tutors. Students can continue their journey into the world of classical music.
Music students super cut
What do our students say?
‘Studying the Bachelor of Music at Excelsia College has taught me many things about myself as a person, artist and student. The classes allow me to expand my musical knowledge and to gain more experience and wisdom from the excellent tutors that help encourage and push me to the best of my abilities.
Studying music here has helped boost my confidence as a performer in the most humbling way, and also allows my faith as a Christian to not be compromised but encouraged to use it, to engage with my art.’
Jenelle Craig
Bachelor of Music Alumnus
Where this will take me
The Bachelor of Music is predicated on the understanding that professional musicians will commonly engage in ‘portfolio’ careers requiring versatile, flexible and adaptable skills including performing, composing, arranging, producing, directing, teaching, and researching. Using these skills (and, in some cases, with further study) our current graduates have secured, and future graduates are expected to secure, employment as:
- Performers (accompanists, chamber musicians, band members, session musicians)
- Composers and arrangers
- Conductors and musical directors (in school and church settings)
- Artist managers and agents
- Arts administrators, promoters, fundraisers and event planners
- Audio engineers (studio and live sound)
- Teachers (in both private and public school and non-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
Studio 3: Performance and Collaboration (Pre-req: Studio 2)
Focus on advanced ensemble performance and collaborative projects. Expand technical skills in live production, including sound system setup and operation.
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
Studio 4: Performance and Ensemble Development (Pre-req: Studio 3)
Refine ensemble performance skills and take on leadership roles. Engage in live production workshops covering sound mixing techniques.
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.
Formation I: Living with Purpose: Faith, Learning, Community and the Common Good
This core unit supports the holistic development of students within a Christian higher education context. It equips students to be intentional about their life-choices and helps students explore how faith and service can shape the learning communities that they create. It encourages students to reflect on Christlike Kingdom values including justice, compassion and human dignity.
YEAR 3: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND INDUSTRY PREPARATION (for bachelor degree only)
Year 3 Program units
Y3 Semester 1
Studio 5: Performance Mastery/Industry Placement 1 (Pre-req: Studio 4)
Choose between refining performance mastery through intensive training or gaining hands-on industry experience in a professional music setting.
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.
OR
Music Business
Gain foundational knowledge of music industry operations, covering marketing, copyright, contracts and career development.
Y3 Semester 2
Studio 6: Performance Leadership/Industry Placement 2 (Pre-req: Studio 5)
Advance leadership abilities in ensemble performance and musical direction, or continue gaining real-world experience through an industry placement.
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
Summary of Assessment Strategies
Assessment practices/expectations
- Case studies
- Video presentations
- Essays
- Critical reflections
- Group posters
- Multimedia projects
- Viva voce
- Role play
- Discussion boards
- Screen production analysis, theoretical music analysis, dramaturgical analysis
- Short film projects
- Critical literature critiques
- Mock grant applications
- Business plans
- Online business portfolios
- Multi-form class presentations
- Self-tapes
- Contrasting scene presentations
- Technical exams
- Prompt copy completion
- Production folder
- Reflective paper
- Practical execution of production tasks
- Post production sequence
- Sound design project
- Production pitch
- Journal
- Postproduction pathway plan
- Research blog
- Practical execution of Performance tasks
- Exams
- Professional development Viva Voce
- Arrangement
- Performance
- Listening and Reading Journal
- Literature Review
- Research Presentation
- Composition Journal
- Composition (scores and/or recordings)
- Sight reading and Sight singing
- Ensemble performance
- WIL Industry Placement
- Technical Demonstration
- Teaching Folio
- Recitals
- Operations Manual
- Portfolios (Songwriting, Production Design)
- Exegesis
- Mission & Vision Statement
- Presentations
- Debate
- Creative Works
- Homework Exercises
- Case Study
- Project Performance Marks
- Documentation (Production, development etc)
- Screenplays
- Funding & Distribution Mapping
Entry requirements
Educational prerequisites
NSW Higher School Certificate or its interstate or overseas equivalent, or attainment of tertiary qualification,
or satisfactory completion of at least one year’s full-time load in a tertiary course.
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 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
Applicants must demonstrate that they have been involved in some form of high-level music making for at least 3 years. This could include professional music making, community music making, worship leading.
Credit and recognition of prior learning (RPL)
Please refer to the credit and RPL policies and procedures in the Admissions Framework.
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 - Bachelor of Music
| Applicant background | Number of students | Student Percentages |
|---|---|---|
|
A higher education award course (Australian or overseas equivalent; complete or incomplete) |
1 |
14.29 |
|
A VET award course or VET delivered enabling or bridging course other than a secondary education course (Australian or overseas equivalent; complete or incomplete) |
1 |
14.29 |
|
Recent secondary education was undertaken (whether undertaken at school, VET or another Australian or overseas provider) – ATAR only |
1 |
14.29 |
|
Recent secondary education was undertaken (whether undertaken at school, VET or another Australian or overseas provider) – only other criteria, ATAR not considered |
4 |
57.14 |
|
All students |
7 |
100 |
|
Based on commencements for the 2024 calendar year |
The Experience - Associate Degree of Music
| Applicant background | Number of students | Student Percentages |
|---|---|---|
|
A higher education award course (Australian or overseas equivalent; complete or incomplete) |
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