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Bachelor of Contemporary Music

Bachelors Degree

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Course abbreviation

    BContempMus

  • Course code

    3003140

  • Credit points

    288

Overview

The Bachelor of Contemporary Music prepares you for a portfolio career in music — the multi-faceted career pathway that is now most common for contemporary musicians. Tailor your degree towards your area of interest, whether it’s production, performance, songwriting or other professional areas of the music industry.

You will learn using state-of-the-art facilities in either Lismore or Coomera, taught by lecturers who are practising musicians with strong industry links.

On-campus facilities include recording studios, rehearsal studios, music production labs, keyboard lab, and professional-standard performance spaces. You can immerse yourself in the rich local music scene that includes major annual events such as Splendour in the Grass and the APRA AMCOS songwriters’ workshops featuring visiting artists.

Students participate in collaborative, practical music-making activities throughout the degree. An extensive ensemble program also includes small and large repertoire-focused groups and student-led project bands.

Join a fantastic community of Southern Cross music graduates that include award-winning producer Matt Fell, singer-songwriter BUOY, composer and musician Yantra de Vilder, Matt Smith of Thirsty Merc, US country music number-one hit songwriter Phil Barton as well as Matt Collins, Michael Watson, Scott Finch and Fraser Rojo Perrott of WHARVES to name just a few.

Please note: Applicants for the Bachelor of Contemporary Music must complete an Audition/Interview. For more information please see the important information for applicants.

Learn more about this degree in our music showcase.

Course Learning Outcome

Demonstrate skills of analysis, interpretation, evaluation and research.

Apply these skills to musical and other cultural contexts.

Demonstrate creative and interpretive skills in a range of music composition, music performance, music production, and allied activities.

Apply these skills to creative work and outputs.

Demonstrate a commitment to ethical practices and legal obligations in professional and personal contexts.

Demonstrate a broad, integrated command of knowledge, skills and technologies in music.

Demonstrate the ability and confidence to make a successful transition to professional life.

Demonstrate the ability to be responsive to change, to be reflective in practice, and to be information literate.

Apply this ability to update and develop one’s knowledge through independent and self-directed learning.

Demonstrate a repertoire of written, oral, sonic and gestural communication skills.

Apply these skills to personal, and professional settings.

Demonstrate the ability and confidence to engage with different cultural and indigenous perspectives at local, national and international levels.

Apply these skills in the conduct creative artistic practice.

Students have the opportunity to undertake professional placements at major local festivals such as Splendour in the Grass and with music organisations and businesses.

Students can focus their study on either contemporary music performance, songwriting, composition or production.

All students participate in collaborative, practical music-making activities throughout the degree. An extensive ensemble program includes small and large repertoire-focused groups and student-led project bands. Students write, arrange, rehearse, record and perform a wide range of music, and are encouraged to develop their own creative projects.

Students who complete the degree can then apply for a graduate education course (such as the Master of Teaching at Southern Cross) to become a secondary school music teacher. The Bachelor of Contemporary Music course structure enables students to also pick up a second teaching area by taking elective units in another specialist area.

Please note, an interview/audition is part of the application process for the Bachelor of Contemporary Music. Details

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Coomera Session 1 , Session 2 N/A N/A
Lismore Session 1 , Session 2 N/A N/A

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Contemporary Music, students must complete the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points), comprising:

  • 20 core units (240 credit points); and 
  • 4 university wide electives (48 credit points), or
  • one shared minor (48 credit points)

Exit awards

Students may be eligible to exit with a Diploma of Contemporary Music after completing the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points) from the core unit list.

Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes

Year 1, Session 1

MUSC1001 Creative Music Practice I
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session1
Session1
Lismore
Session1
Session1
MUSC1003 Musicianship I
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session1
Session1
Lismore
Session1
Session1
CRTV1002 Create: Innovate: Change
Session1,2
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Session1
Session1
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Lismore
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1,2
Session1,2
Anti-requisites DSGN1001 - Design Fundamentals ART00630 - Design ART10094 - Digital Art and Design I
MUSC1005 Specialist Studies I
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session1
Session1
Lismore
Session1
Session1
Enrolment information This unit is only available to students who have been successful via audition stream entry.
Enrolment restrictions This unit is only available to students who have been successful via audition stream entry.

Year 1, Session 2

MUSC1002 Creative Music Practice II
Session2
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session2
Session2
Lismore
Session2
Session2
Pre-requisites MUSC1001 - Creative Music Practice I
MUSC1004 Musicianship II
Session2
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session2
Session2
Lismore
Session2
Session2
Pre-requisites MUSC1003 - Musicianship I
MUSC1008 Music Industry Landscapes
Session2
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session2
Session2
Lismore
Session2
Session2
MUSC1006 Specialist Studies II
Session2
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session2
Session2
Lismore
Session2
Session2
Pre-requisites Achieve a grade of credit or aboveMUSC1005 - Specialist Studies I
Enrolment restrictions Enrolment in this unit requires Course Co-ordinator and Unit Assessor approval.

Year 2, Session 1

MUSC2005 Creative Music Practice III
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session1
Session1
Lismore
Session1
Session1
Pre-requisites MUSC1002 - Creative Music Practice II
MUSC2002 Musicianship III
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session1
Session1
Lismore
Session1
Session1
Pre-requisites MUSC1004 - Musicianship II
MUSC2003 Specialist Studies III
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session1
Session1
Lismore
Session1
Session1
Pre-requisites Achieve a grade of credit or above inMUSC1006 - Specialist Studies II
Elective Note 1, Note 2

Year 2, Session 2

MUSC2007 Creative Music Practice IV
Session2
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session2
Session2
Lismore
Session2
Session2
Pre-requisites MUSC2005 - Creative Music Practice III
MUSC3004 Musicianship IV
Session2
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session2
Session2
Lismore
Session2
Session2
Pre-requisites MUSC2002 - Musicianship III
MUSC2004 Specialist Studies IV
Session2
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session2
Session2
Lismore
Session2
Session2
Pre-requisites Achieve a grade of credit or above MUSC2003 - Specialist Studies III
Elective Note 1, Note 2

Year 3, Session 1

MUSC3001 Creative Music Practice V
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session1
Session1
Lismore
Session1
Session1
Pre-requisites MUSC2007 - Creative Music Practice IV AND MUSC3004 - Musicianship IV
MUSC3007 Studies in Western Art Music
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session1
Session1
Lismore
Session1
Session1
Pre-requisites MUSC3004 - Musicianship IV
MUSC1009 Sounds, Styles and Cultures
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session1
Session1
Lismore
Session1
Session1
Elective Note 1, Note 2

Year 3, Session 2

COMM3004 Independent Project
Session1,2,3
Location Domestic International
Online
Session1,2,3
Session2,3
Enrolment information This is a capstone unit that integrates the knowledge you have developed during your degree. In it you will work independently with an academic supervisor. To successfully complete this unit, you should have completed units equivalent to 192 credit points (typically 16 units).
MUSC3010 Oceans of Sound: Global Music Cultures in the 21st Century
Session2
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session2
Session2
Lismore
Session2
Session2
Enrolment information The content and assessment for this unit draws on ethnomusicological concepts introduced in MUSC1009 - Sounds, Styles and Cultures. It is recommended that students complete MUSC1009 - Sounds, Styles and Cultures prior to enrolling in this unit.
MUSC3008 The Portfolio Career Musician
Session2
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session2
Session2
Lismore
Session2
Session2
Enrolment information This is a capstone unit that integrates the knowledge you have developed during your degree. Students enrolling in this unit should have completed units equivalent to 144 credit points (typically 12 units) in MUS code units. The focus of the assessment is to prepare you for a career in music.
Elective Note 1, Note 2

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes

Year 1, Session 1

MUSC1001 Creative Music Practice I
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session1
Session1
Lismore
Session1
Session1
MUSC1003 Musicianship I
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session1
Session1
Lismore
Session1
Session1
CRTV1002 Create: Innovate: Change
Session1,2
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Session1
Session1
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Lismore
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1,2
Session1,2
Anti-requisites DSGN1001 - Design Fundamentals ART00630 - Design ART10094 - Digital Art and Design I
MUSC1005 Specialist Studies I
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session1
Session1
Lismore
Session1
Session1
Enrolment information This unit is only available to students who have been successful via audition stream entry.
Enrolment restrictions This unit is only available to students who have been successful via audition stream entry.

Year 1, Session 2

MUSC1002 Creative Music Practice II
Session2
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session2
Session2
Lismore
Session2
Session2
Pre-requisites MUSC1001 - Creative Music Practice I
MUSC1004 Musicianship II
Session2
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session2
Session2
Lismore
Session2
Session2
Pre-requisites MUSC1003 - Musicianship I
MUSC1008 Music Industry Landscapes
Session2
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session2
Session2
Lismore
Session2
Session2
MUSC1006 Specialist Studies II
Session2
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session2
Session2
Lismore
Session2
Session2
Pre-requisites Achieve a grade of credit or aboveMUSC1005 - Specialist Studies I
Enrolment restrictions Enrolment in this unit requires Course Co-ordinator and Unit Assessor approval.

Year 2, Session 1

MUSC2005 Creative Music Practice III
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session1
Session1
Lismore
Session1
Session1
Pre-requisites MUSC1002 - Creative Music Practice II
MUSC2002 Musicianship III
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session1
Session1
Lismore
Session1
Session1
Pre-requisites MUSC1004 - Musicianship II
MUSC1009 Sounds, Styles and Cultures
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session1
Session1
Lismore
Session1
Session1
MUSC2003 Specialist Studies III
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session1
Session1
Lismore
Session1
Session1
Pre-requisites Achieve a grade of credit or above inMUSC1006 - Specialist Studies II

Year 2, Session 2

MUSC2007 Creative Music Practice IV
Session2
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session2
Session2
Lismore
Session2
Session2
Pre-requisites MUSC2005 - Creative Music Practice III
MUSC3004 Musicianship IV
Session2
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session2
Session2
Lismore
Session2
Session2
Pre-requisites MUSC2002 - Musicianship III
MUSC3010 Oceans of Sound: Global Music Cultures in the 21st Century
Session2
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session2
Session2
Lismore
Session2
Session2
Enrolment information The content and assessment for this unit draws on ethnomusicological concepts introduced in MUSC1009 - Sounds, Styles and Cultures. It is recommended that students complete MUSC1009 - Sounds, Styles and Cultures prior to enrolling in this unit.
MUSC2004 Specialist Studies IV
Session2
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session2
Session2
Lismore
Session2
Session2
Pre-requisites Achieve a grade of credit or above MUSC2003 - Specialist Studies III

Year 3, Session 1

MUSC3001 Creative Music Practice V
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session1
Session1
Lismore
Session1
Session1
Pre-requisites MUSC2007 - Creative Music Practice IV AND MUSC3004 - Musicianship IV
MUSC3007 Studies in Western Art Music
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session1
Session1
Lismore
Session1
Session1
Pre-requisites MUSC3004 - Musicianship IV
Elective Note 1, Note 2
Elective Note 1, Note 2

Year 3, Session 2

COMM3004 Independent Project
Session1,2,3
Location Domestic International
Online
Session1,2,3
Session2,3
Enrolment information This is a capstone unit that integrates the knowledge you have developed during your degree. In it you will work independently with an academic supervisor. To successfully complete this unit, you should have completed units equivalent to 192 credit points (typically 16 units).
MUSC3008 The Portfolio Career Musician
Session2
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session2
Session2
Lismore
Session2
Session2
Enrolment information This is a capstone unit that integrates the knowledge you have developed during your degree. Students enrolling in this unit should have completed units equivalent to 144 credit points (typically 12 units) in MUS code units. The focus of the assessment is to prepare you for a career in music.
Elective Note 1, Note 2
Elective Note 1, Note 2

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes
Year 1, Session 2
MUSC1008 Music Industry Landscapes
Session2
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session2
Session2
Lismore
Session2
Session2
Elective Note 1, Note 2
Elective Note 1, Note 2
Year 2, Session 1
MUSC1001 Creative Music Practice I
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session1
Session1
Lismore
Session1
Session1
MUSC1003 Musicianship I
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session1
Session1
Lismore
Session1
Session1
CRTV1002 Create: Innovate: Change
Session1,2
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Session1
Session1
Gold Coast
Session1
Session1
Lismore
Session1
Session1
Online
Session1,2
Session1,2
Anti-requisites DSGN1001 - Design Fundamentals ART00630 - Design ART10094 - Digital Art and Design I
MUSC1005 Specialist Studies I
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session1
Session1
Lismore
Session1
Session1
Enrolment information This unit is only available to students who have been successful via audition stream entry.
Enrolment restrictions This unit is only available to students who have been successful via audition stream entry.
Year 2, Session 2
MUSC1002 Creative Music Practice II
Session2
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session2
Session2
Lismore
Session2
Session2
Pre-requisites MUSC1001 - Creative Music Practice I
MUSC1004 Musicianship II
Session2
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session2
Session2
Lismore
Session2
Session2
Pre-requisites MUSC1003 - Musicianship I
MUSC1006 Specialist Studies II
Session2
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session2
Session2
Lismore
Session2
Session2
Pre-requisites Achieve a grade of credit or aboveMUSC1005 - Specialist Studies I
Enrolment restrictions Enrolment in this unit requires Course Co-ordinator and Unit Assessor approval.
Year 3, Session 1
MUSC2005 Creative Music Practice III
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session1
Session1
Lismore
Session1
Session1
Pre-requisites MUSC1002 - Creative Music Practice II
MUSC2002 Musicianship III
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session1
Session1
Lismore
Session1
Session1
Pre-requisites MUSC1004 - Musicianship II
MUSC1009 Sounds, Styles and Cultures
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session1
Session1
Lismore
Session1
Session1
MUSC2003 Specialist Studies III
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session1
Session1
Lismore
Session1
Session1
Pre-requisites Achieve a grade of credit or above inMUSC1006 - Specialist Studies II
Year 3, Session 2
MUSC2007 Creative Music Practice IV
Session2
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session2
Session2
Lismore
Session2
Session2
Pre-requisites MUSC2005 - Creative Music Practice III
MUSC3004 Musicianship IV
Session2
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session2
Session2
Lismore
Session2
Session2
Pre-requisites MUSC2002 - Musicianship III
MUSC3010 Oceans of Sound: Global Music Cultures in the 21st Century
Session2
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session2
Session2
Lismore
Session2
Session2
Enrolment information The content and assessment for this unit draws on ethnomusicological concepts introduced in MUSC1009 - Sounds, Styles and Cultures. It is recommended that students complete MUSC1009 - Sounds, Styles and Cultures prior to enrolling in this unit.
MUSC2004 Specialist Studies IV
Session2
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session2
Session2
Lismore
Session2
Session2
Pre-requisites Achieve a grade of credit or above MUSC2003 - Specialist Studies III
Year 4, Session 1
MUSC3001 Creative Music Practice V
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session1
Session1
Lismore
Session1
Session1
Pre-requisites MUSC2007 - Creative Music Practice IV AND MUSC3004 - Musicianship IV
MUSC3007 Studies in Western Art Music
Session1
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session1
Session1
Lismore
Session1
Session1
Pre-requisites MUSC3004 - Musicianship IV
Elective Note 1, Note 2
Year 4, Session 2
COMM3004 Independent Project
Session1,2,3
Location Domestic International
Online
Session1,2,3
Session2,3
Enrolment information This is a capstone unit that integrates the knowledge you have developed during your degree. In it you will work independently with an academic supervisor. To successfully complete this unit, you should have completed units equivalent to 192 credit points (typically 16 units).
MUSC3008 The Portfolio Career Musician
Session2
Location Domestic International
Coomera
Session2
Session2
Lismore
Session2
Session2
Enrolment information This is a capstone unit that integrates the knowledge you have developed during your degree. Students enrolling in this unit should have completed units equivalent to 144 credit points (typically 12 units) in MUS code units. The focus of the assessment is to prepare you for a career in music.
Elective
Note 1, Note 2

Note 1:

Electives can be any University-wide elective or the elective music units - Specialist Studies V, Specialist Studies VI, Instrumental Techniques I

Note 2:

Students wishing to gain entry into a graduate music education course (e.g., Masters of Teaching) are advised to complete 4 electives that will contribute to a second specialisation within the School of Education. Confirm with the School of Education regarding areas of specialisation and the specific units required.

Unit Code Unit Title Notes

Core Units
MUSC1001 Creative Music Practice I
MUSC1002 Creative Music Practice II
MUSC2005 Creative Music Practice III
MUSC2007 Creative Music Practice IV
MUSC3001 Creative Music Practice V
MUSC1003 Musicianship I
MUSC1004 Musicianship II
MUSC2002 Musicianship III
MUSC3004 Musicianship IV
MUSC1009 Sounds, Styles and Cultures
MUSC1008 Music Industry Landscapes
MUSC3008 The Portfolio Career Musician
MUSC3010 Oceans of Sound: Global Music Cultures in the 21st Century
MUSC3007 Studies in Western Art Music
MUSC1005 Specialist Studies I
MUSC1006 Specialist Studies II
MUSC2003 Specialist Studies III
MUSC2004 Specialist Studies IV
COMM3004 Independent Project
CRTV1002 Create: Innovate: Change

Elective Units

 Note 1, Note 2
MUSC3005 Specialist Studies V
MUSC3006 Specialist Studies VI
MUSC1010 Instrumental Techniques I
Any University-wide elective