Bachelor of Music (Advanced)(Classical Performance)

Transcend expectations

The Bachelor of Music Advanced (Classical Performance) is a distinctive degree for students seeking deeper virtuosity.

Whether you study with a classical instrument or with your own voice, you can join yourself to a tradition that reaches back through centuries.

What will you do?

Our advanced degree offers exclusive courses specifically designed for high-achieving students. You’ll study with students as inspired as you are. Your education will culminate in a special major project, which can be further developed for postgraduate study. 

 

We offer the following specialisations:

  • classical voice
  • classical brass (trumpet, trombone, tuba, French horn, euphonium)
  • classical keyboard (piano, organ, harpsichord)
  • classical percussion
  • classical strings (violin, viola, cello, double bass, guitar, harp)
  • classical woodwind (flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone, recorder).
     

You’ll also:

attend workshops, masterclasses, and receive one-on-one vocal or instrumental training
discover history’s most remarkable composers and immerse yourself in music theory
take classes in technique and repertoire
participate in ensemble activities
benefit from weekly performance opportunities with feedback from both staff and students.
 

Note: You must maintain a GPA of 5.0 or you’ll be required to transfer to the Bachelor of Music (Classical Performance)

  • In partnership with Australian String Quartet
  • Work with international performers and teachers
  • Study at Australia's most distinguished tertiary music school

Entry Requirements

Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions information for this program.
I am a:

Before applying make sure you understand the eligibility and entry requirements for your chosen degree.

Look out for any prerequisites or assumed knowledge subjects. Some degrees also have additional entry requirements like interviews and auditions.

Domestic applicants

Admissions information

SATAC Code 354601
Deferment No
Intake

February and July

Prerequisites

Applicants to the Bachelor of Music (Advanced)(Classical Performance) must have:

  • Audition/interview with a minimum score of 90 or above 
  • South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) or equivalent
  • Musicianship test.
Assumed Knowledge

Year 12 Solo Performance or AMEB Practical Grade 6-7, plus Year 12 Music Studies or AMEB Grade 5 Theory

Additional Entry Requirements

All prospective students applying to the Elder Conservatorium of Music are required to attend an audition/interview for each area of specialisation, regardless of the number or type of music programs they are applying for.

The audition/interview will assess each applicant's current skill level and potential for future studies and offers will be made on the basis of the audition/interview score, academic achievement and the musicianship test.

The Musicianship test aims to assess the applicant's general level of musicianship, which involves the ability to identify and recognise musical concepts within aural, written and theoretical contexts. The test comprises: aural questions covering rhythm, tonality, melody and harmony; score interpretation questions about a given short piano extract; theoretical questions such as keys, major and minor scales, intervals and chords.

For details regarding the audition rounds and the application process, please visit the Elder Conservatorium of Music (https://able.adelaide.edu.au/music/study/auditions).

Selection Criteria
Recent Secondary Education

Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, however if you completed your secondary education more than two years ago, you may still be able to be considered on the basis of your secondary schooling. You must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study (48 units).

You must also undertake an audition/interview including an aural/theory test. You compete for a place based on your audition score. 

Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.

Higher Education Study

You must have completed at least six months full time equivalent higher education study (the number of courses and units will vary depending on your prior institution however at the University of Adelaide, this equates to 4 courses / 12 units).

A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for each separate program you have undertaken (apart from some double degree programs where the GPA is combined).

You must also undertake an audition/interview including an aural/theory test. You compete for a place based on your audition score. Your best GPA is used in the case of a tie-breaker. 

Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.

Work and life experience

To be eligible to sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) as a pathway for entry, you must be 18 years or over before 1 February 2024. If you have studied at higher education level in the last two years (for 2024 entry this means you were enrolled in either 2023 or 2022), you must not have accumulated more than a TOTAL of 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) higher education study (ie. including any study prior to 2022). Your STAT result is not weighted between verbal and quantitative components. 

You must also undertake an audition/interview including an aural/theory test. You compete for a place based on your audition score. Your STAT result is used in the case of a tie-breaker. 

Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.

Other Entry Pathways

2023 Admissions Data for school leavers
ATAR
(raw ATAR, excluding any applicable adjustment factors)
Lowest ATAR to receive an offer N/A
Median ATAR to receive an offer N/A
Highest ATAR to receive an offer N/A
Selection Rank
(ATAR plus any adjustment factors)
Lowest Selection Rank to receive an offer N/A
Median Selection Rank to receive an offer N/A
Highest Selection Rank to receive an offer N/A
Minimum eligibility score See Entry Req.
Additional criteria considered Audition required

Fees and Scholarships

Choose your applicant type to view the relevant fees and scholarships information for this program.
I am a:

Domestic applicants

Indicative annual tuition fees
Commonwealth-supported place: $9,275

Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.

More information on Student Contribution Amounts.

Scholarships

Scholarships are not only for high achievers—they are also available to provide students with an equal opportunity to study at university, no matter where they live or what their financial situation might be.

Scholarships are available to both new and continuing students. We encourage students to apply for any scholarships for which they may be eligible.

To browse scholarships offered by the University, visit: University Scholarships

To explore scholarships offered by organisations external to the University, visit: External Scholarships

Careers

Industry Partner

Proudly in partnership with Australian String Quartet

Potential careers

Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:

Musician;  Musician / Singer;  Musicologist

Degree Structure

The Bachelor of Music (Advanced) is intended to provide an enhanced learning experience for high achieving students. Students will benefit from more intensive individual tuition, access to advanced classes in their major and special opportunities for higher level study through masterclasses and professional placements. It is anticipated that such an offering will attract higher-level students seeking a more challenging and rewarding learning experience.

The program provides students with the option to undertake specialised study in either Classical Performance, Jazz Performance, Music Education or Creative Practice (a broad area of study that includes courses in Music Composition, Popular Music and Sonic Arts).

The Bachelor of Music (Advanced) is an AQF Level 7 qualification with a standard full-time duration of 3 years.

Academic Program Rules

The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

To qualify for the degree of Bachelor of Music (Advanced)(Classical Performance), the student must complete satisfactorily a program of study consisting of the following requirements with a combined total of not less than 72 units.

  1. Level I courses not exceeding 30 units including MUSGEN 1301 Life in Music
  2. Level III courses to the value of at least 24 units
  3. Sufficient courses at Level II to make the total of 72 units
  4. Chosen major - Classical Performance
  5. A minimum of 12 units at Level I before undertaking courses at Level II
  6. A minimum of 6 units at Level II before undertaking courses at Level III.

Areas of Specialisation

Classical Performance major

Example Study Plan

Core courses:
MUSGEN 1301    Life in Music   3 units

Major:
To satisfy the requirements for Classical Performance Major students must complete courses to the value of 57 units.

Level I
All of the following courses must be completed: 

MUSCLASS 1300 Classical Performance Advanced 1A 3 units
MUSCLASS 1301 Classical Performance Advanced 1B 3 units
MUSGEN 1201 Music Professional Development 1A 3 units
MUSGEN 1202 Music Professional Development 1B 3 units
MUSSUPST 1001 Musicianship 1A 3 units
MUSSUPST 1002 Musicianship 1B 3 units


Level II

All of the following courses must be completed: 

MUSCLASS 2300 Classical Performance Advanced 2A 3 units
MUSCLASS 2301 Classical Performance Advanced 2B 3 units
MUSGEN 2201 Music Professional Development 2A 3 units
MUSGEN 2202 Music Professional Development 2B 3 units
MUSSUPST 2000 Music Advanced Minor Project 3 units
MUSSUPST 2001 Musicianship 2A 3 units
MUSSUPST 2002 Musicianship 2B 3 units

 

Level III
All of the following courses must be completed:
MUSCLASS 3300     Classical Performance Advanced 3A        3 units
MUSGEN 3201        Music Professional Development 3A         3 units

and 

All of the following courses must be completed:
MUSGEN 3202        Music Professional Development 3B       3 units
MUSCLASS 3301     Classical Performance Advanced 3B       3 units
MUSSUPST 3000     Music Advanced Major Project               6 units



Electives:
To satisfy the requirements for Electives, students must complete up to 12 units of open and/or closed electives depending on the major studied as follows:

Classical Performance  (12 units)
Level I - 3 units
Level II - 3 units
Level III - 6 units

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Last updated: Thursday, 6 Jun 2024