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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
3.5F/6.5P if commencing in Session 2 -
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
This Bachelor of Contemporary Music prepares students for a portfolio career in music – the multi-faceted career pathway that is now most common for contemporary musicians.
Students learn in a professional music industry environment, using state-of-the-art facilities with lecturers who are all practising musicians.
On-campus facilities include recording studios, music production labs, keyboard lab, and Studio One29 – a professional-standard concert performance space. Students participate in collaborative, practical music-making activities throughout the degree and can immerse themselves 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 which are held on campus.
| 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 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 have the opportunity to undertake professional placements at major local festivals such as Splendour in the Grass and with music organisations.
There are eight streams:
- Performance (audition stream)
- Performance (non-audition stream)
- Songwriting/Composition (audition stream)
- Songwriting/Composition (non-audition stream)
- Music Education
- Sound Production
- New Media Arts
- Screen
The flexible course structure enables students to choose the pathway most suited to their interests. Students can combine elements from different streams to create their own pathway.
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.
Performance audition and Songwriting/Composition audition streams
The Performance audition stream and the Songwriting/Composition audition stream offer students who are entering the course with high-level abilities the opportunity to work closely with staff and hone their skills in a specialist area. Students in these streams receive extensive one-on-one tuition and consultations.
Please note that students wishing to be considered for the performance or songwriting/composition audition streams must complete the audition process as part of their application to this course. Information about the audition process is available at scu.edu.au/music.
Students who achieve a high level in the performance non-audition stream, or songwriting/composition non-audition stream, can transfer into the audition stream in second year.
Music Education stream
Students who complete the degree with the Music Education stream 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 either English, history, maths or geography.
Sound Production stream
The Sound Production stream develops students' skills in live recording and sound engineering. Students have access to state-of-the-art production facilities, including purpose-built recording and performance spaces. They work closely with performers and songwriters in both live and recording environments.
New Media Arts and Screen streams
Students in the New Media Arts stream and the Screen stream pursue design, film, video and emerging arts practices. There are opportunities for students to collaborate on projects with students studying the Bachelor of Digital Media and Communication and the Bachelor of Art and Design.
| Location | Teaching period | UAC code | QTAC code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Entry requirements
Students wishing to be considered for the performance or songwriting/composition audition streams must complete the audition process prior to entry into the course.
Credit for prior learning
Candidates who can demonstrate artistic or academic expertise at a professional level in any approved area of the 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 (288 credit points) comprising:
- all fourteen (14) units listed in Part A; and
- six (6) units from Part B (including at least 2 advanced level units) and 4 elective units; or
- one ten (10) unit Recommended Stream from Part C
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To be eligible for the award of Diploma of Contemporary Music a candidate shall successfully complete not less than eight (8) units (96 credit points) comprising:
- six (6) units listed in Part A and 2 units in Part B or Part C
- 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.
Note 1:
Electives can be any undergraduate unit offered by the University
Note 2:
Enrolment in Specialist Studies I-VI units is restricted and requires UA and CC approval
Note 3:
Only suggested in the music education stream if not doing Specialist Studies I and II
Note 4:
Depending on whether Instrumental Techniques I and II are undertaken as part of the music education stream
Note 5:
Students wishing to gain entry into a graduate music education course should use the 4 electives to complete a second teaching area. At SCU the recommended areas are: English, maths, history or geography. Confirm with the School of Education the specific units required.
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Level of learning | Notes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Part A |
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| MUS71005 | Creative Music Practice I | Introductory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MUS71006 | Creative Music Practice II | Introductory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MUS72010 | Creative Music Practice III | Intermediate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MUS72011 | Creative Music Practice IV | Intermediate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MUS73015 | Creative Music Practice V | Advanced | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MUS73016 | Creative Music Practice VI | Advanced | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MUS71001 | Musicianship I | Introductory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MUS71002 | Musicianship II | Introductory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MUS72003 | Musicianship III | Intermediate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MUS72004 | Musicianship IV | Intermediate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MUS73005 | Musicianship V | Advanced | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MUS10509 | Sounds, Styles and Cultures | Introductory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MUS10506 | Music Industry Landscapes | Introductory | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MUS73001 | The Portfolio Career Musician | Advanced | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Part B |
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Part C |
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