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Course snapshot
Domestic snapshot
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Start Date
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Duration
3 years full-time; 6 years part-time
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Location
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Placements
NA
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ATAR
68 / 14
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Inherent Requirements
NA
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Entry Requirements
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Course abbreviation
BContempMus
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Course code
3003140
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Credit points
288
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Equivalent units
24
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Indicative Fee
Overview
The Bachelor of Contemporary Music equips graduates for a range of careers in the music industry and reflects the diverse creative practices that are part of music-making in the 21st century.
Students learn in a professional music industry environment, using state-of-the art facilities and work with lecturers who are all practising musicians with strong industry links. During the course performance students hone their practical musical and musicianship skills while developing extensive knowledge across a range of contemporary music-making practices.
Many students perform individually or with bands at a variety of North Coast entertainment venues. Students have the opportunity to regularly use the professional studio and performance space, Studio One29, at the Lismore campus for rehearsal and performance.
Graduates from the course are well equipped to pursue careers as performers, songwriters, composers, arrangers, producers, and music educators.
Situated in a region with vibrant creative industries, students benefit from numerous high profile music events such as Splendour in the Grass and Byron Bay Bluesfest.
| Graduate Attribute | Course Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| Intellectual rigour | Demonstrate skills of analysis, interpretation, evaluation and research. Apply these skills to musical and other cultural contexts. |
| Creativity | 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. |
| Ethical practice | Demonstrate a commitment to ethical practices and legal obligations in professional and personal contexts. |
| Knowledge of a discipline | Demonstrate a broad, integrated command of knowledge, skills and technologies in contemporary music. Demonstrate the ability and confidence to make a successful transition to professional life. |
| Lifelong learning | 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. |
| Communication and social skills | Demonstrate a repertoire of written, oral, sonic and gestural communication skills. Apply these skills to personal, and professional settings. |
| Cultural competence | 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 undertake professional placements at major national and international venues and with music organisations. Public performances are a major part of the assessment process and students have opportunities to perform at North Coast entertainment venues or form bands, taking advantage of the rich music environment throughout the region.
During first year, students study the fundamental concepts of contemporary music theory and styles, the fundamentals of music practice, music technology and the internet, songwriting and musicianship. They then select two majors from the following to specialise in their areas of interest.
- Performance enables specialisation in the student’s chosen instrument (guitar, bass, keyboards, voice or drums). Practical tuition is provided through individual lessons and group workshops. These intensive technical music study sessions are supported by an ensemble performance program that includes a wide range of contemporary music repertoire. Entry to the performance major is by audition during the first year of study, with students commencing the major in the second year.
- Industry and Audio Production prepares students for working professionally in the music industry and enables students to train for a portfolio career that encompasses composition and music production as well as practical music. Other areas of specialised study include conducting business in the music industry, marketing musical products and managing a career as an independent musician.
- Music Education provides training for students who are pursuing a career in music teaching. Areas of study include Western art music, ensemble direction and arranging, music theory, musicianship and practical music. These units provide vocational skills specifically required for secondary music teaching and also essential for teaching music in other contexts.
Please note: Entry to the performance major is by audition during the first year of study, with students commencing the major in the second year.
| Location | Teaching period | UAC code | QTAC code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lismore | Session 1 | 333101 | 053011 |
Career Outcomes
Graduates can become members of the Australasian Performing Right Association and Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (APRA AMCOS), International Association for the Study of Popular Music, and the International Society for Music Education.
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.
Entry requirements
Credit for prior learning
Candidates who can demonstrate artistic or academic expertise at a professional level in any approved area of the award course may be granted advanced standing for up to 12 units from Parts A or B, provided that except in special circumstances, such artistic expertise has been demonstrated within seven (7) years prior to admission of candidature.Course requirements
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To be eligible for the award of Bachelor of Contemporary Music degree a candidate shall successfully complete not less than twenty-four (24) units comprising:
- all units listed in Part A of the Schedule of Units attached to these Rules; and
- two (2) majors in Part B of the Schedule of Units noting that the Performance Major has a pre-requisite of demonstration of aptitude through an Audition prior to enrolment in units in the Performance Major.
- To be eligible for the award of Diploma of Contemporary Music a candidate shall successfully complete not less than eight (8) units comprising all units listed in Part A of the Schedule of Units attached to these Rules.
- A candidate who, while enrolled in the Bachelor of Contemporary Music, may elect to be awarded the Diploma of Contemporary Music following withdrawal from the Bachelor Degree.
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 | Level of learning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Session 1 |
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| MUS00497 - Introduction to Music Technology | Introductory | ||||
| MUS10509 - Contemporary Music Styles | Introductory | ||||
| MUS10501 - Music Practice I | Introductory | ||||
| MUS00620 - Contemporary Music Theory I | Introductory | ||||
| Part-time students should complete MUS00497 and MUS00620 for Year 1, Session 1 and MUS10501 and MUS10509 for Year 2, Session 1 | |||||
Session 2 |
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| MUS00630 - Songwriting | Introductory | ||||
| MUS10506 - Music and the Internet | Introductory | ||||
| MUS10502 - Music Practice II | Introductory | ||||
| MUS10505 - Applied Musicianship | Introductory | ||||
| Part-time students should complete MUS00630 and MUS10506 for Year 1, Session 2 and MUS10502 and MUS10505 for Year 2, Session 2 | |||||
| Majors must be selected and saved to study plan before enrolling in Year 2 units [except for Performance major units - successful students for this major will be enrolled by the Student Management Unit on their behalf] | |||||
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Available | Credit points | Level of learning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year 1, Session 1 |
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| Part-time students should complete MUS00497 and MUS00620 for Year 1, Session 1 - MUS10501 and MUS10509 for Year 2, Session 1 | |||||
| MUS00497 - Introduction to Music Technology | Introductory | ||||
| MUS10509 - Contemporary Music Styles | Introductory | ||||
| MUS10501 - Music Practice I | Introductory | ||||
| MUS00620 - Contemporary Music Theory I | Introductory | ||||
Year 1, Session 2 |
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| Part-time students should complete MUS00630 and MUS10506 for Year 1, Session 2 - MUS10502 and MUS10505 for Year 2, Session 2 | |||||
| MUS00630 - Songwriting | Introductory | ||||
| MUS10506 - Music and the Internet | Introductory | ||||
| MUS10502 - Music Practice II | Introductory | ||||
| MUS10505 - Applied Musicianship | Introductory | ||||
Year 2, Session 1 |
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| MUS10531 - Performance I | Intermediate | ||||
| MUS10541 - Ensemble I | Intermediate | ||||
| MUS10544 - Advanced Musicianship | Intermediate | ||||
| MUS10508 - Sound Theory and Recording Technique | Intermediate | ||||
Year 2, Session 2 |
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| MUS10532 - Performance II | Intermediate | ||||
| MUS10542 - Ensemble II | Intermediate | ||||
| MUS10548 - Sounds, Beats and the Home Studio | Intermediate | ||||
| Choose 1 unit from: Contemporary Music - Option units | |||||
Year 3, Session 1 |
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| MUS10533 - Performance III | Intermediate | ||||
| MUS10543 - Ensemble III | Intermediate | ||||
| MUS10507 - The Independent Musician 10507 | Intermediate | ||||
| MUS10552 - Advanced Recording Studio Production | Advanced | ||||
Year 3, Session 2 |
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| MUS10534 - Performance IV | Advanced | ||||
| COM00471 - Professional Placement | Advanced | ||||
| Choose 2 units from: Contemporary Music - Option units | |||||
Note 1:
Entry into the Performance major is by selection. Students enrolled in MUS10502 Music Practice II unit are required to nominate by submitting the MPII Performance Major nomination form, available through MySCU Unit Learning Site, to the unit assessor at the commencement of session 2. The notification of a placement in the Performance major will take place directly after the final grades are published for session 2. Students will be advised of the outcome to their SCU email account. Students admitted to the combined Music/Education degree can only apply for entry if they are undertaking Music as the ONLY teaching area. Students who are undertaking two [2] teaching areas are not eligible to nominate. Students in the combined Music/Law degree are not eligible to nominate.
Note 2:
For Industry and Audio Production/Music Education major combination this unit becomes core — to satisfy NSW Teachers Institute eligibility to teach
Note 3:
For Industry and Audio Production/Music Education major combination — an extra option unit is added to Music Education major based on duplicate core unit MUS10548 Sound, Beats and the Home Studio — this unit is recognised towards the Industry and Audio Production major.
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Level of learning | Notes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Part A |
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| MUS00497 | Introduction to Music Technology | Introductory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MUS00620 | Contemporary Music Theory I | Introductory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MUS00630 | Songwriting | Introductory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MUS10501 | Music Practice I | Introductory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MUS10502 | Music Practice II | Introductory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MUS10505 | Applied Musicianship | Introductory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MUS10506 | Music Industry Landscapes | Introductory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MUS10509 | Sounds, Styles and Cultures | Introductory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Part B |
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Note 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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