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
Yes
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ATAR
60
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Inherent Requirements
Yes
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Language Requirements
IELTS Overall Score 6.0
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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 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.
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 |
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GA1: Intellectual rigour Consolidate and integrate complex knowledge and skills in music. Demonstrate academic literacy skills to share knowledge through written and verbal communications Resolve musical and conceptual challenges using analysis, research, creativity and critical judgment. |
GA2: Creativity Undertake sustained, independent and collaborative music practice Consolidate and integrate complex knowledge and skills in music Communicate complex musical ideas through music-specific forms of representation Resolve musical and conceptual challenges using analysis, research, creativity and critical judgment |
GA3: Ethical practice Undertake sustained, independent and collaborative music practice Actively engage with different cultural and indigenous perspectives at local, national and international levels Prepare for a career in music demonstrating reflective and ethical practice, integrity, legal obligations and adaptability, in a dynamic industry |
GA4: Knowledge of a discipline Undertake sustained, independent and collaborative music practice Consolidate and integrate complex knowledge and skills in music Communicate complex musical ideas through music-specific forms of representation Resolve musical and conceptual challenges using analysis, research, creativity and critical judgment Prepare for a career in music demonstrating reflective and ethical practice, integrity, legal obligations and adaptability, in a dynamic industry |
GA5: Lifelong learning Undertake sustained, independent and collaborative music practice Demonstrate academic literacy skills to share knowledge through written and verbal communications Prepare for a career in music demonstrating reflective and ethical practice, integrity, legal obligations and adaptability, in a dynamic industry |
GA6: Communication and social skills Demonstrate academic literacy skills to share knowledge through written and verbal communications Communicate complex musical ideas through music-specific forms of representation Actively engage with different cultural and indigenous perspectives at local, national and international levels |
GA7: Cultural competence Undertake sustained, independent and collaborative music practice Actively engage with different cultural and indigenous perspectives at local, national and international levels Prepare for a career in music demonstrating reflective and ethical practice, integrity, legal obligations and adaptability, in a dynamic industry. |
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 |
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Coomera | Term 1 , Term 3 | N/A | N/A |
Lismore | Term 1 , Term 3 | 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 equivalent elective units (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), comprising 8 core units as per the Schedule of Units.
Entry requirements
English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows
Language 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 equivalent elective units (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), comprising 8 core units as per the Schedule of Units.
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 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award |
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First Year |
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MUSC1012 | Music Craft I |
Term1
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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MUSC1001 | Creative Music Practice I |
Term1
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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MUSC1013 | Music Craft II |
Term2
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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CRTV1002 | Create: Innovate: Change |
Term2,4
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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MUSC1014 | Music Craft III |
Term3
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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MUSC1002 | Creative Music Practice II |
Term3
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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MUSC1015 | Music Craft IV |
Term4
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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MUSC1008 | Music Industry Landscapes |
Term4
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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Students may be eligible to exit with a Diploma of Contemporary Music after completing the above 8 (eight) units. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Second Year |
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MUSC2008 | Music Craft V |
Term1
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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MUSC2005 | Creative Music Practice III |
Term1
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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MUSC1009 | Sounds, Styles and Cultures |
Term2
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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MUSC2009 | Music Craft VI |
Term2
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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MUSC2010 | Music Craft VII |
Term3
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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MUSC2007 | Creative Music Practice IV |
Term3
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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MUSC3010 | Oceans of Sound |
Term4
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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MUSC2011 | Music Craft VIII |
Term4
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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Third Year |
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Elective
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Note 1, Note 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
MUSC3001 | Creative Music Practice V |
Term1
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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MUSC1010 | Music Second Study |
Term2
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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Elective
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Note 1, Note 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Elective
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Note 1, Note 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Elective
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Note 1, Note 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
MUSC3008 | The Portfolio Career Musician |
Term4
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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COMM3004 | Independent Project |
Dual Term2,4
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12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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Note 1:
Electives can be any University-wide elective or the elective music units - Advanced Music Studio Practice I and Advanced Music Studio Practice II.
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 Faculty of Education. Confirm with the Faculty of Education regarding areas of specialisation and the specific units required.
Unit Code | Unit Title | Notes | |||
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Core Units |
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MUSC1012 | Music Craft I | ||||
MUSC1001 | Creative Music Practice I | ||||
MUSC1013 | Music Craft II | ||||
CRTV1002 | Create: Innovate: Change | ||||
MUSC1014 | Music Craft III | ||||
MUSC1002 | Creative Music Practice II | ||||
MUSC1015 | Music Craft IV | ||||
MUSC1008 | Music Industry Landscapes | ||||
Students may be eligible to exit with a Diploma of Contemporary Music after completing the above 8 (eight) units. | |||||
MUSC2008 | Music Craft V | ||||
MUSC2005 | Creative Music Practice III | ||||
MUSC1009 | Sounds, Styles and Cultures | ||||
MUSC2009 | Music Craft VI | ||||
MUSC2010 | Music Craft VII | ||||
MUSC2007 | Creative Music Practice IV | ||||
MUSC3010 | Oceans of Sound | ||||
MUSC2011 | Music Craft VIII | ||||
MUSC3001 | Creative Music Practice V | ||||
MUSC1010 | Music Second Study | ||||
MUSC3008 | The Portfolio Career Musician | ||||
COMM3004 | Independent Project | ||||
Elective Units |
Note 1, Note 2 | ||||
Choose 4 elective units from the following | |||||
MUSC3005 | Advanced Music Studio Practice I | ||||
MUSC3006 | Advanced Music Studio Practice II | ||||
University-wide electives |