Music major
The Bachelor of Music (double major) is an advanced, practical degree offering specialisations for composers, electronic musicians, musicologists, and performers.
The degree enables students to significantly expand their thinking about music and sound art; to hone their practical skills and technique to an international standard; to work with experts in the field and collaborate with visiting artists and scholars; and to establish lifelong skills in communication and critical thinking. The degree provides a firm foundation for postgraduate study in music, as well as for a variety of careers within the music profession, such as performer, composer, academic, educator, administrator, and a range of other professions in the Arts and beyond.
Outcomes
Students are able to (1) integrate transferable skills in critical thinking and communication suitable for professional and academic contexts at a national and international level; (2) demonstrate an experimental and creative orientation in the production and presentation of music and sound artworks; (3) produce work/s that incorporate specialised knowledge within a stream of composition, music technology, musicology, performance, or music education; (4) integrate a command of technique within either composition, musicological research, music technology, or instrumental/vocal performance; (5) apply a high level of musicianship and expression within solo, small ensemble, large ensemble, and project settings; (6) develop advanced concepts and devices in music language (harmony, rhythm, melody, timbre, texture, dynamic) in aural and written analysis OR in relation to physical properties of sound; (7) evaluate in-depth concepts of music, taking into account historical, cultural and aesthetic aspects, across a range of genres and time periods, and a global perspective; and (8) interpret key texts from, a range of music sub-disciplines (e.g. historical musicology, ethnomusicology, psychology of music, music sociology, key musical works from various genres and time periods).
Broadening guidelines
All students studying towards a Bachelor's Degree at UWA are required to Broaden their studies by completing a minimum of four units (24 points) of study outside their degree specific major. Broadening is your opportunity to explore other areas of interest, investigate new disciplines and knowledge paradigms and to shape your degree to suit your own aspirations and interests. Many of you will be able to undertake more than this minimum amount of broadening study and we encourage you to do so if this suits your aspirations. Over the next few months you will find here some broadening suggestions related to your degree-specific major. While we know that many students value guidance of this sort, these are only suggestions and students should not lose sight of the opportunity to explore that is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office.
Prerequisites
Successful audition with the School of Music
Music can only be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:
BP008 Bachelor of Music
BH005 Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)
Overview of unit sequence
Music is a degree-specific double major comprising:
- 15 Level 1 units
- 15 Level 2 units
- 23 Level 3 units
| Key to availability of units: |
|---|
| S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2; N/A = not available in 2021 |
Note: Units that are indicated as N/A may be available in 2022 or 2023.
The Music Major consists of two streams (specialisations): the Creative Music Technology Stream and the Western Art Stream. Students should choose which stream to follow in their first year. Students must then take units from within their stream as per the unit instructions listed below.
Level 1
Degree-specific major units
Creative Music Technology stream—for students in the Creative Music Technology stream, take all units (36 points) from this group.
| Availability |
Unit code |
Unit name |
unit requirements |
| S2 |
MUSC1055 |
Electronic Music: Methods and Means |
|
| S1 |
MUSC1321 |
Music Language 1 |
- Prerequisites:
- ATAR MUS Music
or
WACE Music 3A/3B
or
Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) grade 5 practical and grade 5 theory
or
equivalent - Incompatibility:
- MUSC1201 Techniques of Music 1
|
| S2 |
MUSC1322 |
Music Language 2 |
- Prerequisites:
- MUSC1321 Music Language 1
or
MUSC1201 Techniques of Music 1 - Incompatibility:
- MUSC1202 Techniques of Music 2
|
| S1 |
MUSC1340 |
Musical Revolutions |
- Incompatibility:
- MUSC1310 Communication Skills in Music
|
| S1, S2 |
MUSC1345 |
Keyboard and Performance Technologies 1 |
- Prerequisites:
- successful audition comprising an interview AND either a composition portfolio (any style
or
genre, and either written
or
sound)
OR
a musical performance on the instrument/voice of their choice - Co-requisites:
- MUSC1591 Music Large Ensemble 1 AND enrolled in Bachelor of Music degree
- Incompatibility:
- MUSC1401 Practical Studies 1
MUSC1741 Practical Studies A
MUSC1341 Principal Studies 1
|
| S2 |
MUSC1350 |
Popular Music in Global Perspective |
- Incompatibility:
- MUSC3010 Popular Music and Culture
|
| S1, S2 |
MUSC1591 |
Music Large Ensemble 1 |
- Co-requisites:
- MUSC1341 Principal Studies 1
OR
MUSC1741 Practical Studies A
OR
MUSC2455 Keyboard and Performance Technologies 2
|
Degree-specific major units
Western Art Stream—for students in the Western Art stream, take all units (36 points) from this group.
| Availability |
Unit code |
Unit name |
unit requirements |
| S1 |
MUSC1321 |
Music Language 1 |
- Prerequisites:
- ATAR MUS Music
or
WACE Music 3A/3B
or
Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) grade 5 practical and grade 5 theory
or
equivalent - Incompatibility:
- MUSC1201 Techniques of Music 1
|
| S2 |
MUSC1322 |
Music Language 2 |
- Prerequisites:
- MUSC1321 Music Language 1
or
MUSC1201 Techniques of Music 1 - Incompatibility:
- MUSC1202 Techniques of Music 2
|
| S1 |
MUSC1340 |
Musical Revolutions |
- Incompatibility:
- MUSC1310 Communication Skills in Music
|
| S1, S2 |
MUSC1341 |
Principal Studies 1 |
- Prerequisites:
- passed Conservatorium of Music audition/composition portfolio
- Co-requisites:
- MUSC1591 Music Large Ensemble 1
AND MJD-MUSST Music Studies Major
OR
MJD-MUSDM Music Double Major - Incompatibility:
- MUSC1741 Practical Studies A
MUSC1742 Practical Studies B
MUSC2741 Practical Studies C
MUSC3741 Practical Studies D
|
| S1, S2 |
MUSC1342 |
Principal Studies 2 |
- Prerequisites:
- MUSC1341 Principal Studies 1
AND MJD-MUSST Music Studies Major
OR
MJD-MUSDM Music Double Major - Co-requisites:
- MUSC1592 Music Large Ensemble 2 and
enrolled in the Music Studies Major
or
Music Double Major - Incompatibility:
- MUSC1741 Practical Studies A
MUSC1742 Practical Studies B
MUSC2741 Practical Studies C
MUSC3741 Practical Studies D
|
| S2 |
MUSC1350 |
Popular Music in Global Perspective |
- Incompatibility:
- MUSC3010 Popular Music and Culture
|
| S1, S2 |
MUSC1591 |
Music Large Ensemble 1 |
- Co-requisites:
- MUSC1341 Principal Studies 1
OR
MUSC1741 Practical Studies A
OR
MUSC2455 Keyboard and Performance Technologies 2
|
| S1, S2 |
MUSC1592 |
Music Large Ensemble 2 |
- Prerequisites:
- MUSC1341 Principal Studies 1
OR
MUSC1741 Practical Studies A
OR
MUSC1345 Keyboard and Performance Technologies 1 - Co-requisites:
- MUSC1342 Principal Studies 2
OR
MUSC1742 Practical Studies B
OR
MUSC2455 Keyboard and Performance Technologies 2
|
Level 2
Degree-specific major units
Creative Music Technology Stream—for students in the Creative Music Technology stream, take all units (36 points) from this group.
| Availability |
Unit code |
Unit name |
unit requirements |
| S1, S2 |
MUSC1592 |
Music Large Ensemble 2 |
- Prerequisites:
- MUSC1341 Principal Studies 1
OR
MUSC1741 Practical Studies A
OR
MUSC1345 Keyboard and Performance Technologies 1 - Co-requisites:
- MUSC1342 Principal Studies 2
OR
MUSC1742 Practical Studies B
OR
MUSC2455 Keyboard and Performance Technologies 2
|
| S1 |
MUSC2273 |
Electronic Music: Generative Processes |
- Prerequisites:
- MUSC1055 Electronic Music: Methods and Means
or
CITS1001 Object-oriented Programming and Software Engineering - Incompatibility:
- MUSC2275 Electronic Music: Interactive Systems
|
| S1 |
MUSC2274 |
Electronic Music: Experimental Investigations |
- Prerequisites:
- MUSC1055 Electronic Music: Methods and Means
|
| S2 |
MUSC2276 |
Sound, Image and Space |
- Prerequisites:
- MUSC1055 Electronic Music: Methods and Means
|
| S2 |
MUSC2277 |
Electronic Music: Interactive Systems |
- Prerequisites:
- MUSC2273 Electronic Music: Generative Processes
|
| S2 |
MUSC2455 |
Keyboard and Performance Technologies 2 |
- Prerequisites:
- MUSC1345 Performance Skills 1
- Co-requisites:
- MUSC1592 Music Large Ensemble 2 and
enrolled in Bachelor of Music
- Incompatibility:
- MUSC1402 Practical Studies 2
|
| S1 |
MUSC2520 |
Music Language 3 |
- Prerequisites:
- MUSC1322 Music Language 2
or
MUSC1202 Techniques of Music 2 - Incompatibility:
- MUSC2201 Techniques of Music 3
|
Degree-specific major units
Western Art Stream—for students in the Western Art stream, take all units (36 points) from this group.
| Availability |
Unit code |
Unit name |
unit requirements |
| S1 |
MUSC2341 |
Music and Practices of Listening |
- Incompatibility:
- MUSC2331 Western Art Music 1 (Renaissance and Baroque)
MUSC2332 Western Art Music 2 (Classical and Romantic)
MUSC3331 Western Art Music 3 (Modernist and Postmodernist)
|
| S2 |
MUSC2342 |
Music in Action |
- Incompatibility:
- MUSC2331 Western Art Music 1 (Renaissance and Baroque)
MUSC2332 Western Art Music 2 (Classical and Romantic)
MUSC3331 Western Art Music 3 (Modernist and Postmodernist)
|
| S1 |
MUSC2520 |
Music Language 3 |
- Prerequisites:
- MUSC1322 Music Language 2
or
MUSC1202 Techniques of Music 2 - Incompatibility:
- MUSC2201 Techniques of Music 3
|
| S2 |
MUSC2525 |
Music Language 4 |
- Prerequisites:
- MUSC2520 Music Language 3
|
| S1, S2 |
MUSC2541 |
Principal Studies 3 |
- Prerequisites:
- MUSC1342 Principal Studies 2
AND MJD-MUSDM Music Double Major
- Co-requisites:
- MUSC2591 Music Large Ensemble 3
- Incompatibility:
- MUSC1741 Practical Studies A
MUSC1742 Practical Studies B
MUSC2741 Practical Studies C
MUSC3741 Practical Studies D
|
| S1, S2 |
MUSC2542 |
Principal Studies 4 |
- Prerequisites:
- MUSC2541 Principal Studies 3
- Co-requisites:
- MUSC2592 Music Large Ensemble 4 AND
AND MJD-MUSDM Music Double Major
- Incompatibility:
- MUSC1741 Practical Studies A
MUSC1742 Practical Studies B
MUSC2741 Practical Studies C
MUSC3741 Practical Studies D
|
| S1, S2 |
MUSC2591 |
Music Large Ensemble 3 |
- Prerequisites:
- MUSC1342 Principal Studies 2
OR
MUSC1742 Practical Studies B - Co-requisites:
- MUSC2541 Principal Studies 3
OR
MUSC2741 Practical Studies C
|
| S1, S2 |
MUSC2592 |
Music Large Ensemble 4 |
- Prerequisites:
- MUSC2541 Principal Studies 3
OR
MUSC2741 Practical Studies C - Co-requisites:
- MUSC2542 Principal Studies 4
OR
MUSC3741 Practical Studies D
|
Level 3
Degree-specific major units
Creative Music Technology Stream—for students in the Creative Music Technology stream, take all units (24 points) from this group.
| Availability |
Unit code |
Unit name |
unit requirements |
| S2 |
MUSC3336 |
Music in Film, TV and Video Games |
- Prerequisites:
- any level 2 unit (this unit does not require any technical music literacy)
|
| S1, S2 |
MUSC3571 |
Sound Art: Advanced Studio |
- Prerequisites:
- Any two units selected from:
MUSC2273 Electronic Music: Generative Processes;
MUSC2274 Electronic Music: Experimental Investigations;
MUSC2276 Sound, Image and Space;
MUSC2277 Electronic Music: Interactive Systems
|
| S1, S2 |
MUSC3572 |
Sound Art: Major Project |
- Prerequisites:
- MUSC3571 Sound Art: Advanced Studio
|
Degree-specific major units
Creative Music Technology stream—for students in the Creative Music Technology stream, take units to the value of at least 12 points from this group.
| Availability |
Unit code |
Unit name |
unit requirements |
| N/A |
MUSC3334 |
Soundscapes of Australia |
- Prerequisites:
- any Level 2 MUSC unit
- Incompatibility:
- MUSC3130 Australian Art Music Since Federation
|
| S2 |
MUSC3335 |
Music in the Sixties |
- Prerequisites:
- any level 2 unit (this unit does not require any technical music literacy)
|
| S2 |
MUSC3341 |
Music, Society, and Ideas |
- Prerequisites:
- MUSC2342 Music in Action
- Incompatibility:
- MUSC3331 Western Art Music 3 (Modernist and Postmodernist)
|
| S1 |
MUSC3353 |
Music in the Community |
- Prerequisites:
- any Level 2 MUSC unit
- Incompatibility:
- MUSC2010 Music in the Community
|
| S1, S2 |
MUSC3543 |
Advanced Ensemble |
- Prerequisites:
- any Level 2 Music unit
- Co-requisites:
- enrolled in the Music Studies major (degree specific major)
- Incompatibility:
- MUSC3401 Practical Studies 5, MUSC3402 Practical Studies 6, MUSC4401 Practical Studies 7, MUSC4402 Practical Studies 8
|
| S2 |
MUSC3544 |
Topics in Performance Practice |
- Prerequisites:
- MUSC2542 Practical Music 4
or
MUSC2402 Practical Studies 4 - Incompatibility:
- MUSC3401 Practical Studies 5; MUSC3402 Practical Studies 6; MUSC4401 Practical Studies 7; MUSC4402 Practical Studies 8
|
| S1 |
MUSC3560 |
Music Education in Research and Practice |
- Prerequisites:
- any Level 2 Music unit
- Incompatibility:
- MUSC2610 Introduction to Music Teaching
|
| S2 |
MUSC3603 |
Music Wild Card |
- Prerequisites:
- any MUSC Level 2 unit
|
Degree-specific major units
Western Art Capstone Specialisation—for students in the Western Art stream, take units to the value of 12 points from this group.
| Availability |
Unit code |
Unit name |
unit requirements |
| S1, S2 |
MUSC3581 |
Principal Studies 5: Composition |
- Prerequisites:
- MUSC2542 Principal Studies 4 in the specialisation of composition with a portfolio mark of 60%
AND
MUSC2591 Music Large Ensemble 3
AND
MUSC2520 Music Language 2
AND EITHER MUSC2341 Music and Practices of Listening
OR
MUSC2342 Music in Action - Co-requisites:
- MUSC3591 Music Large Ensemble 5
- Incompatibility:
- MUSC3401 Practical Studies 5
|
| S1, S2 |
MUSC3582 |
Principal Studies 6: Composition |
- Prerequisites:
- a mark of at least 60% in MUSC3581 Principal Studies 5 in the specialisation of composition with a portfolio mark of 60%
- Co-requisites:
- MUSC3592 Music Large Ensemble 6
- Incompatibility:
- MUSC3542 Principal Studies 6
|
| S1, S2 |
MUSC3583 |
Principal Studies 5: Musicology |
- Prerequisites:
- MUSC2542 Principal Studies in any specialisation AND
MUSC2591 Music Large Ensemble 3 AND
MUSC2520 Music Language 2 AND
A mark of 60% in EITHER MUSC2341 Music and Practices of Listening
OR
MUSC2342 Music in Action - Co-requisites:
- MUSC3591 Music Large Ensemble 5
- Incompatibility:
- MUSC3541 Principal Studies 5
MUSC3581 Principal Studies 5: Composition
MUSC3585 Principal Studies 5: Performance
MUSC3587 Principal Studies 5: Studio Teaching
|
| S1, S2 |
MUSC3584 |
Principal Studies 6: Musicology |
- Prerequisites:
- a mark of at least 60% in MUSC3583 Principal Studies 5 in the specialisation of musicology
- Co-requisites:
- MUSC3592 Music Large Ensemble 6
- Incompatibility:
- MUSC3541 Principal Studies 6
MUSC3581 Principal Studies 6: Composition
MUSC3585 Principal Studies 6: Performance
MUSC3587 Principal Studies 6: Studio Teaching
|
| S1, S2 |
MUSC3585 |
Principal Studies 5: Performance |
- Prerequisites:
- MUSC2542 Principal Studies 4 in the specialisation of performance on the continuing instrument with a performance examination mark of 60% AND
MUSC2591 Music Large Ensemble 3 AND
MUSC2520 Music Language 2 AND EITHER
MUSC2341 Music and Practices of Listening
OR
MUSC2342 Music in Action - Co-requisites:
- MUSC3591 Music Large Ensemble 5
- Incompatibility:
- MUSC3541 Principal Studies 5
MUSC3581 Principal Studies 5: Composition
MUSC3583 Principal Studies 5: Musicology
MUSC3587 Principal Studies 5: Studio Teaching
|
| S1, S2 |
MUSC3586 |
Principal Studies 6: Performance |
- Prerequisites:
- MUSC3585 Principal Studies 5 in the specialisation of performance on the continuing instrument with a performance examination mark of 60%
- Co-requisites:
- MUSC3592 Music Large Ensemble 6
- Incompatibility:
- MUSC3542 Principal Studies 6
MUSC3582 Principal Studies 6: Composition
MUSC3584 Principal Studies 6: Musicology
MUSC3588 Principal Studies 6: Studio Teaching
|
| S1, S2 |
MUSC3587 |
Studio Teaching 1 |
- Prerequisites:
- MUSC2542 Principal Studies in any specialisation AND
MUSC2591 Music Large Ensemble 3 AND
MUSC2520 Music Language 2 AND
EITHER MUSC2341 Music and Practices of Listening
OR
MUSC2342 Music in Action AND
eligible for Western Australian Working with Children Check (
or
equivalent) - Co-requisites:
- Either MUSC3591 Music Large Ensemble 5
or
MUSC3592 Music Large Ensemble 6 - Incompatibility:
- MUSC3541 Principal Studies 5 (ID 1241)
|
| S1, S2 |
MUSC3588 |
Studio Teaching 2 |
- Prerequisites:
- MUSC3587 Studio Teaching 1
- Co-requisites:
- MUSC3592 Music Large Ensemble 6
- Incompatibility:
- MUSC3542 Principal Studies 6
MUSC3582 Principal Studies 6: Composition
MUSC3584 Principal Studies 6: Musicology
MUSC3586 Principal Studies 6: Performance
|
Degree-specific major units
Western Art stream—for students in the Western Art stream, take all units (12 points) from this group.
| Availability |
Unit code |
Unit name |
unit requirements |
| S2 |
MUSC3341 |
Music, Society, and Ideas |
- Prerequisites:
- MUSC2342 Music in Action
- Incompatibility:
- MUSC3331 Western Art Music 3 (Modernist and Postmodernist)
|
| S1 |
MUSC3560 |
Music Education in Research and Practice |
- Prerequisites:
- any Level 2 Music unit
- Incompatibility:
- MUSC2610 Introduction to Music Teaching
|
| S1, S2 |
MUSC3591 |
Music Large Ensemble 5 |
- Prerequisites:
- MUSC2542 Principal Studies 4
- Co-requisites:
- MUSC3541 Principal Studies 5
OR
MUSC3581 Principal Studies 5 Composition
OR
MUSC3583 Principal Studies 5 Musicology
OR
MUSC3585 Principal Studies 5 Performance
OR
MUSC3587 Studio Teaching 1
|
| S1, S2 |
MUSC3592 |
Music Large Ensemble 6 |
- Prerequisites:
- MUSC3541 Principal Studies 5
OR
MUSC3581 Principal Studies 5 Composition
OR
MUSC3583 Principal Studies 5 Musicology
OR
MUSC3585 Principal Studies 5 Performance
OR
MUSC3587 Studio Teaching 1 - Co-requisites:
- MUSC3542 Principal Studies 6
OR
MUSC3582 Principal Studies 6 Composition
OR
MUSC3584 Principal Studies 6 Musicology
OR
MUSC3586 Principal Studies 6 Performance
OR
EITHER
MUSC3587 Studio Teaching 1
OR
MUSC3588 Studio Teaching 2
|
Degree-specific major units
Western Art stream—for students in the Western Art stream, take units to the value of at least 12 points from this group.
| Availability |
Unit code |
Unit name |
unit requirements |
| N/A |
MUSC3334 |
Soundscapes of Australia |
- Prerequisites:
- any Level 2 MUSC unit
- Incompatibility:
- MUSC3130 Australian Art Music Since Federation
|
| S2 |
MUSC3335 |
Music in the Sixties |
- Prerequisites:
- any level 2 unit (this unit does not require any technical music literacy)
|
| S2 |
MUSC3336 |
Music in Film, TV and Video Games |
- Prerequisites:
- any level 2 unit (this unit does not require any technical music literacy)
|
| S1 |
MUSC3353 |
Music in the Community |
- Prerequisites:
- any Level 2 MUSC unit
- Incompatibility:
- MUSC2010 Music in the Community
|
| S1, S2 |
MUSC3543 |
Advanced Ensemble |
- Prerequisites:
- any Level 2 Music unit
- Co-requisites:
- enrolled in the Music Studies major (degree specific major)
- Incompatibility:
- MUSC3401 Practical Studies 5, MUSC3402 Practical Studies 6, MUSC4401 Practical Studies 7, MUSC4402 Practical Studies 8
|
| S2 |
MUSC3544 |
Topics in Performance Practice |
- Prerequisites:
- MUSC2542 Practical Music 4
or
MUSC2402 Practical Studies 4 - Incompatibility:
- MUSC3401 Practical Studies 5; MUSC3402 Practical Studies 6; MUSC4401 Practical Studies 7; MUSC4402 Practical Studies 8
|
| S2 |
MUSC3603 |
Music Wild Card |
- Prerequisites:
- any MUSC Level 2 unit
|
Choosing your degree-specific major
Specialised degrees – Bachelor of Advanced Computer Science (Honours), Bachelor of Automation and Robotics, Bachelor of Environmental Design, Bachelor of Music
You must satisfy the requirements of the degree-specific major in your degree before you complete your course.
Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics
This comprehensive degree does not allow you to choose a double major.
General degrees
You must satisfy the requirements of a degree-specific major before you complete your course. The flexible structure of an undergraduate course allows you to try out a number of different subjects to see what interests you before nominating your degree-specific major. You have the choice to either nominate your degree-specific major when you first enrol in the course or delay nominating it until your second year.
To plan the first year of your study without nominating a degree-specific major, you are advised to choose units that will pave the way to two or more degree-specific majors that are of interest to you. For examples of the choice of units available in first year, search the first-year study plans .
To fully understand the structure of an undergraduate course, read the course structure information and the Undergraduate Degree Course Rules.
There are more choices open to you. For more examples, search the study plans .