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Overview

About this course

The Bachelor of Music Studies (Honours) is an appended year open to students who have completed either the Bachelor of Music Studies degree at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music or any other approved three-year degree at another institution.

The course comprises a widely recognised and highly regarded study program offering a unique opportunity for students to explore their research potential with an independent project supervised by one or more internationally recognised scholars. Completing a music degree with honours opens the door to many employment and research opportunities.

The Sydney Conservatorium of Music places a high emphasis on its research activity. We have a vibrant and diverse community of staff and students, many of whom enjoy exceptional careers worldwide as both performers and scholars in the finest musical company. The Conservatorium is a gathering place for experiencing music performance, scholarship and culture by individuals who push the boundaries of innovation, creativity, cognition and expression.

Subject areas

The Sydney Conservatorium of Music offers the opportunity to pursue research in the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Master of Music (MMus) or Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in the areas of Applied Research in Music Performance, Composition, Music Education, Musicology or Performance .

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Admission, fees and how to apply

Depends on your qualification, citizenship status

The details on this page based on your selections are a guide only, and are subject to change.

English language proficiency

Find out if you need to prove English language proficiency (depends on your country of origin and educational background).

Your fee

How to apply

  1. Click apply above to make a course application
  2. Register an audition with the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Standard closing dates:

Semester 1 - 15 January

Semester 2 - 25 June

 

Commencing semesters

Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (August)

  1. Click apply above to make a course application
  2. Register an audition with the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

 

Standard closing dates:

Semester 1 - 15 January

Semester 2 - 25 June

Commencing semesters

Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (August)

What you'll study

Units of Study

Applying for admission

  1. Contact Associate Professor Helen Mitchell: helen.mitchell@sydney.edu.au seeking permission and to put forward an Honours project proposal
  2. Once approved, click apply on the right hand side of this page
  3. Register an audition with the Sydney Conservatorium.

Completion requirement

Honours is awarded in the grades of either Pass or Honours.

The degree is awarded in classes ranging from First Class to Third Class according to the rules specified in the Coursework Policy and the Resolutions of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and a single result is provided as an aggregated mark based on the Honours units of study the student has completed.

Sample study plan

Bachelor of Music Studies (Honours)

Year Sem  Units of study 
1 1 Honours semester one
  2 Honours semester two

Assumed knowledge

Bachelor of Music Studies or equivalent three-year degree.

Admission requirement

To gain entry a candidate must:

  • Have qualified for the award of the pass degree of Bachelor of Music Studies from the University of Sydney or comparable three-year degree from another tertiary institution

  • Candidates must have achieved a distinction average in the overall degree, including all written subjects, and achieved a distinction average in their principal study or area of specialisation in years two or three

  • In addition to the above requirements, prospective candidates will need to submit a minimum 500-word proposal outlining the aims of their research, including the relevance of the research question, references to supporting literature and possible ethical considerations

  • Successful completion of an audition and/or interview.

Course opportunities

Honours is both a completion of an academic education in music, and a preparation for postgraduate study in music. Students enrol in two semesters of full-time study, involving a combination of research seminars, classes, supervision and/or individual lessons depending on their area of study.

Specialisations are available in all Principal Study areas including Performance, Composition and Musicology.

Future study options

Graduate opportunities

The Bachelor of Music Studies (Honours) supports the development of professional musicians through acquisition of an integrated body of knowledge, skills and attitudes. While students are required to specialise in their principal study and to reach levels of excellence demanded by the music profession, graduates are prepared for a diverse range of career opportunities, including careers as performing soloists, chamber musicians and orchestral/ensemble players, as well as music educators, creators, researchers and writers.

  • Artist agent
  • Arts administrator
  • Chamber/orchestral musician
  • Contemporary musician
  • Ethnomusicologist
  • Event producer
  • Festival or venue manager
  • Jazz musician
  • Music journalist
  • Music producer
  • Musicologist

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Domestic students

International students

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.