Bachelor of Creative Arts - Music Performance

Course Description

The Faculty of Creative Arts at the University of Wollongong offers sequential subjects leading to a major in Music Performance. For outstanding students, a fourth year is available at honours level.

Students enrolling in Music Performance are required to take subjects in the history and theory of Western art music This study provides a fundamental and complementary training to the practical studies in instrumental or vocal performance (please note that this course does not offer jazz or popular music).

Students accepted into Music Performance work with a specialist instrumental or vocal teacher. The teacher aims to develop and refine technical and interpretative skills along with building a suitable repertoire for the individual student over a period of three years. This process is complemented by seminars which address all aspects of performance, giving students the opportunity to perform for their peers and for visiting professional musicians in masterclass situations. The chance to discuss and evaluate the performance of fellow students enables the development of a self-critical facility which is essential to the good performer.

There are also many opportunities for performance offered both within the University and, in particular, in the Faculty in collaboration with staff and students in Theatre classes. Ensemble classes allow for a diversity of instrumental and vocal combinations, while affiliated choral and orchestral groups provide valuable experience for committed members.

Application Requirements

1. HSC Music or equivalent: Minimum of 2 unit level Music or equivalent, preferably 3 unit level Music or equivalent.

2. Performance Ability: All applicants for Music Performance selected for audition will be asked to prepare three pieces of music.

In Music Performance, preference will be given to applicants for voice and piano.


Students enrolling in the Bachelor of Creative Arts (BCA) and BCA double degrees are required to complete:

1. A Major Area of Study in the BCA
The major study is comprised of compulsory subjects which focus on practice and includes compulsory history and theory subjects.

and for students enrolled in a BCA double degree only:

A major area of study in the second degree (for information, please refer to the other Faculty from which the second degree will be taken).

2. Elective Subjects
In addition to subjects required for their major study area/s, students choose elective subjects which make up the total credit point requirement for the degree/s. A limited range of electives are offered by the Faculty of Creative Arts. However, students are encouraged to take advantage of the full range of subjects offered within the University. Please note that elective subjects may be limited in double degree programs.


Degree Structure

Each subject is allocated a credit point value. Generally, subjects that take a full year to complete (annual subjects) are valued at 12 credit points, while subjects undertaken for one session (sessional subjects) are, on average, valued at 6 credit points. Normally a full-time student undertakes 48 credit points per year. Thus a degree requiring 144 credit points, such as the BCA, will normally take three years to complete (3 x 48 credit points).

Compulsory subjects (totalling 108 credit points) for a major study in Music Performance are:

100 Level