Bachelor of Music

Victoria University

About

This course focuses on popular and contemporary music, including international perspectives.

You’ll develop your music knowledge, technical fluency, and creativity.

Through practice, cultural analysis and critical listening, you’ll discover an inspiring variety of musical styles.

Areas of study include:

music performance music theory song writing and arranging popular music culture and history music technology.

Considered one of the best live-music cities in the world (external link) , Melbourne offers a range of performance opportunities.

Alongside your collaborative projects with other VU students, you'll have the chance to work with some of the city's industry professionals and community organisations.

You’ll also have access to cutting-edge music technology and our commercial recording facilities at Kindred Studios (external link) .

All students should be able to read music notation.

If you’ve studied music performance, or worked as a musician, you may be eligible for advanced standing, and credits towards your degree.

Structure

To attain the Bachelor of Music students will be required to complete 288 credit points in total consisting of:

  • 240 credit points Professional Core studies including 24 credit points of Capstone studies;
  • 48 credit points of Minor studies from the list below.

Course structure and units

First Year Core Units

  • Music Techniques 1 Unit code ACO1008 Credits12
  • Practical Music 1A Unit code ACO1011 Credits12
  • Practical Music 1B Unit code ACO1012 Credits12
  • Music Theory 1 Unit code ACO1014 Credits12
  • Academic Discourse in Music Unit code ACO1016 Credits12
  • Music and Text Unit code ACO1017 Credits12
  • Music Inquiry Unit code ACO1018 Credits12
  • Creativity and Communication in Music Unit code ACO1019 Credits12

Year 2

  • Music Techniques 2 Unit code ACO2005 Credits12
  • Music Theory 2 Unit code ACO2009 Credits12
  • Practical Music 2A Unit code ACO2011 Credits12
  • Practical Music 2B Unit code ACO2012 Credits12
  • Popular Music History Unit code ACO2014 Credits12
  • Technology of Music and Audio Unit code ACO2015 Credits12

Plus

24 credit points (equivalent to 2 units) from Minor studies listed

Year 3

  • Arranging for Popular Music Unit code ACO3010 Credits12
  • Practical Music 3A Unit code ACO3011 Credits12
  • Practical Music 3B Unit code ACO3012 Credits12
  • Music Theory 3 Unit code ACO3014 Credits12

Plus

Capstone Units

  • Studio Project 1 Unit code ACX3007 Credits12
  • Studio Project 2 Unit code ACX3008 Credits12

Plus

24 credit points (equivalent to 2 units) from Minor studies listed

Minors

  • Writing Unit code AMIWRI
  • Digital Media Unit code AMIDIG
  • Popular Music Studies Unit code AMIPOP
  • The Musical Mind Unit code AMIMIN
  • Visual Art Unit code AMIVSU

Entry requirements

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.

Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Essential requirements for admission

An interview and/or audition is required as part of the application process.

Admission criteria

The minimum criteria for admission varies depending on your education background. If you’re not sure which criteria applies to you, use the help tool on this page or make an enquiry and we can assist.

Applicants with recent secondary education (within the last 2 years)

  • Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE) or
  • an Australian or overseas equivalent or
  • an International Baccalaureate (IB).

Importance of ATAR for this course

ATAR+

We consider both ATAR and other criteria

NA

ATAR is not a consideration. We use other criteria

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English.

Why is ATAR not applicable?

You will not need an ATAR score to meet the admission requirements for this course. Only the successful completion of your secondary school studies, and any additional prerequisites. Our courses and support programs are designed to prepare students from diverse cultures for success, regardless of their prior experience, ATAR, age, socioeconomic or educational background.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET/TAFE) study

This information is for people who have completed an accredited award at an Australian Registered Training Organisation.

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).OR:Completion of the Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation (or equivalent).

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with higher education study

This information is for people whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course.

Admission criteria

Full or partial completion of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent). OR:Completion of a single unit of Higher Education studies in Music. OR:Completion of a bridging or enabling course eg. Foundation course or equivalent.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with work & life experience

This information is for applicants who left secondary school more than two years ago and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then.

Admission criteria

Five years (minimum) work/life experience in Creative Arts or similar.OR:Applicants that completed an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago.PLUS:Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English (or equivalent).

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Pathways from VU courses

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Credit for skills and past study

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course coordinator or academic adviser.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

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  1. Devise, compose, transform and analyse musical works by employing theory, practice and research in the fields of music performance, music theory, music technology, music culture and music cognition;  
  2. Conceptualise and adapt their knowledge and skills to implement new and emerging technologies and practices in music;  
  3. Reflect on their knowledge and interpersonal skills to network with other professionals, and negotiate their own roles as professionals, in the music industry;  
  4. Contextualise music practice in relation to other creative arts disciplines, and adapt to the diversity of fields required for music practitioners;  
  5. Integrate technical skills and craft in music with the creative, cultural, technological and entrepreneurial acumen required for successful participation and employment in the music industry; and  
  6. Exhibit academic skills in independent research, critical analysis, reading, note-taking and collection and organisation of resource materials, including the presentation of oral and written material, and online and digital media resources.  

Institution