Bachelor of Music

CQUniversity’s Bachelor of Music is designed to prepare you for a professional career in the music industry. Offering specialist training in vocal or instrumental performance, composition or singer/songwriting, you will graduate with the skills necessary to be an industry-ready music professional. Our flexible and innovative degree allows you to focus on a broad range of music styles including western art music, jazz or contemporary music. The Bachelor of Music allows you to focus your strengths and interests by pursuing minors in performance, ensemble training, music technology, musicology and music pedagogy.

During your course, you will learn foundational aspects of the language of music from western art-music tradition to contemporary popular music styles and examine the role of prominent performers, composers, lyricists, and music producers in the development of these styles. In your first term, you will engage in practical music studies focusing on foundational level repertoire and technical work in your chosen instrument, voice or composition. In your second term, you will build on your knowledge and technical skills further through a combination of theoretical and technical learning activities. Throughout your second and third years, you will continue to build your knowledge and skills applicable to modern music while studying your chosen minors in performance, ensemble training, music technology, musicology and music pedagogy. 

Study on campus in Mackay and be involved in a comprehensive conservatoire style environment with expectations of high standards of performance, musicianship and scholarship. A rigorous performance schedule in various university, community and professional settings is one of the strengths of this course, as is the development of individual skill in a supportive, collaborative environment. 

You will benefit from hands-on experience combined with academic study in the interpretation and understanding of music. On completion of the course, you will have the knowledge and practical skills to be successful in your chosen career.

To gain entry into this course you will be required to audition.

Your choices

The Bachelor of Music offers specialist training in vocal or instrumental performance, composition or singer/songwriting focussed on a broad range of music styles including western art music, jazz or contemporary music. Benefit being part of a conservatoire-style environment that offers intensive individual training with professional musicians. You will open the door to a range of careers in the music industry such as professional musician, recording or sound engineer, performing or recording artist or composer, and may also like to consider teaching, private studio work, and music-related careers in arts administration, communication or creative industries businesses.

Real-world opportunities

You will benefit from a blend of practice-based tuition and theory that provides a solid foundation of skills and knowledge and practical experience. You will gain confidence as a performer in a supportive and collaborative environment.

To be eligible for entry into this course, all applicants will be required to successfully complete an audition and interview.

Visit our Auditions webpage for more information about auditions, including the audition guidelines.

English Language Proficiency Requirements:

If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or United States of America you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University. 

Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion of:

A secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent), or
An Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) diploma level qualification, or
Bachelor level qualification study for a period of at least 2 years full time with a minimum overall GPA 4.0
Completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or United States of America, which will meet the English proficiency. 

If you do not satisfy any of the above you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores as below:

An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 6.0 overall with a minimum 5.5 in each subset; or
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Requires 550 or better overall & minimum TWE score of 4.5 (Paper Based Test), or 75 or better overall and no score less than 17 (Internet Based Test); or
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) - Requires an overall score of 54 with no sub-score less than 46; or
An Occupational English Test with Grades A or B only in each of the four components.
English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate.

If you are an International student please visit International students English requirements for further information.

Each student will be assessed individually.

If you don’t meet our English language entry requirements and need to improve your English language proficiency, you can do so through our approved English Language Instruction Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) providers. This means that you can attend the required English language tuition at approved ELICOS providers and gain direct entry into university without an IELTS or TOEFL test.

Completion of the Bachelor of Music will prepare you to pursue employment opportunities in roles such as a:

• professional musician
• recording or sound engineer
• performing or recording artist
• composer
• private music educator
• educator at Primary, Secondary and Tertiary levels (once suitable postgraduate qualifications in education have been obtained).

⁺estimated annual tuition fee for a full-time study load

Plus Student Services and Amenities fee
Scholarships and financial aid available if eligible

• Select your course
• Check entry requirements.
• Check your eligibility for credit.
• Apply online
• Obtain certified documents.
• Submit your application and documents.