The Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) six-year Dual degree program enables you to complete a Major in Advanced Science (Honours) as well 24-48 UOC of project or thesis work in Science while studying for a specialist music program that offers intensive pre-professional training in one of four streams: Music Creative Practice, Musicology, Sonic Arts and Music Pedagogy. All streams are supported by a variety of large and small, western and non-western music ensembles as well as extensive opportunities for developing musicianship skills.

The Advanced Science (Honours) program is designed to challenge you with an interest in critical thinking, research and innovation. The development of depth of understanding and practical skills in a discipline is a key part of the program; however, the degree also focuses on instilling a culture of research and enquiry through early induction into the research ethos and access to research groups and facilities. In their final year students undertake an Honours program, which involves a supervised research project and in some cases advanced level coursework. Outstanding Honours students may continue their studies in a higher research degree.

Admission to the program is subject to a satisfactory music audition and an acceptable level of attainment in year 12 music studies or equivalent.

An Advanced Entry Scheme is available to suitably qualified applicants. Students admitted into the advanced entry scheme may receive a block credit of up to 36 UOC in Level 1 music courses.

For questions regarding the Bachelor of Music requirements for the program, students should contact the UNSW Arts and Social Sciences Student Centre. For questions relating to the Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) component of the program, students should consult the UNSW Science Student Centre.

Please refer to the program objectives as listed for the Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) program 3962 and the Bachelor of Music program 3436.

A total of 288 UOC is required to complete this Dual program. Students must satisfy the following requirements for the Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) components.

The basic requirements for the degree in dual mode (144 UOC) are:

The following stream specialisations are available in the Bachelor of Music:

Students must complete 12 UOC from the following list of Prescribed Music Electives:

Note: Students cannot double count their stream courses as Prescribed Music Electives. Prescribed Music Electives must be chosen from outside their stream courses.

You are eligible for the award of your Pass Degree "with Distinction" if you achieve a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 75 in all courses and complete at least 50% of the requirements of your award at UNSW.

Honours is a compulsory component of the Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) program. However, high achieving Bachelor of Music / Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) students who have successfully completed all course requirements for levels 1-4, and are interested in also doing honours in Music, may apply to continue their fifth/sixth year of study in the Bachelor of Music (Honours) / Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) program 3472. A minimum WAM of 70 is required for entry into Honours in Music. Please refer to the Bachelor of Music (Honours) / Advanced Science (Honours) program 3472 for further information.

BMus students must take part in a required number of the performance ensembles offered by the School.

To qualify for the award of the degree at Pass level, a student must:

When taken concurrently a Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) is comprised of 144 units of credit which includes:-

Academic rules relating to the Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) in Dual mode are as follows:

1. Students must complete a minimum of 144 units of credit;

2. Students must complete at least one approved Advanced Science (Honours) major, and this must be declared before enrolling in level II courses. Details of approved Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) majors and how to declare a major can be found on the 3962 Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) program page;

3. Students may choose to complete an optional minor using their Science electives. Students cannot complete a minor with the same name as their nominated major, and Level II and III courses cannot be double-counted between majors and minors. More than one minor may be completed subject to the limit on double-counting. Students must declare their minor(s) before their final semester. Details of approved Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) minors and how to declare a minor can be found on the 3962 Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) program page;

4. SCIF1121 Advanced Science: Professional Perspective and Practice (6 units of credit) or SCIF1131 Science: Technological & Professional Perspectives (6 units of credit) must be completed in first year. Students taking the Vision Science major should take VISN1101 instead of SCIF1121 or SCIF1131.

5. An Honours Year of 48 units of credit must be completed. Honours may only be completed in one discipline. For information regarding the admission requirements and application process for honours, please see the information under 'Honours' on the 3962 Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) program page;

6. In addition to the courses required for a student's chosen major, SCIF1121/1131, and honours, students must take 'science' courses so that the major plus SCIF1121/1131, plus Honours year plus 'science' courses total 144 units of credit. Details of what courses constitute 'science' courses can be found in Table 1 on the 3962 Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) program page;

7. Students must complete at least 24 UOC of level I 'science' courses;

8. Students must complete at least 30 UOC of level III ‘science’ courses;

9. When offered in a particular major, students must take higher versions of any level II or level III courses. Any variation to this must be approved by the Associate Dean (Academic Programs) or nominee.

10. Students may not enrol into level II courses until at least 30 UOC of level I courses have been successfully completed;

11. Students may not enrol into level III courses until at least 72 UOC of courses have been successfully completed;

12. Progression to stages 2, 3, and 4 of this program is subject to academic performance. Students will be required to attain a weighted average mark (WAM) of 70 in each semester. If a student does not maintain this minimum level of academic performance, they will be transferred to the 3457 Bachelor of Music / Bachelor of Science program.

Students who intend to complete a double major or a major combined with a minor in the Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) when taken as part of a dual degree should be aware that it may be difficult to complete these combinations within 144 UOC. This may involve extra time and cost to complete, and may have visa implications for international students.

For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website:  UNSW Fee Website.

The Academic Rules for the UNSW BMusBAdvSci(Hons) and the online enrolment facility provide students with a wide range of course choices. The online enrolment facility checks that students meet the enrolment requirements for individual courses but not that a course complies with Program Rules. Students are responsible for ensuring they are enrolling in accordance with the Academic Rules outlined above. Students should not assume that because they have enrolled in a course online that the course is automatically credited to their degree program.

Admission to the program is subject to a satisfactory audition/interview and an acceptable level of attainment in year 12 studies or equivalent. Assumed knowledge: HSC Music 2 or Extension or equivalent qualification.

For more information on the audition/interview, please contact school

For all other enquiries, please contact the UNSW Arts and Social Sciences Student Centre.
Tel: + 61 2 9385 2289
Email: arts@unsw.edu.au
Location: Room G1 Ground Floor, Morven Brown building (C20)
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
Frequently asked questions