Bachelor of Music (Classical Performance)
Enchant your listeners
Out of chaos, classical music finds harmony. Our Bachelor of Music (Classical Performance) shows you where to look.
Whether you express your music with an instrument or with your own voice, you can link yourself to a tradition that reaches back through centuries.
What will you do?
You’ll attend workshops, rehearsals and masterclasses, and receive one-on-one vocal or instrumental training. 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:
- listen to the greats and immerse yourself in music theory
- take classes in technique and repertoire
- participate in ensemble activities
- explore aural, theoretical and historical studies
- benefit from weekly performance opportunities with feedback from both staff and students.
Where could it take you?
You might find new ways to express age-old styles. You could see your name etched alongside the names of classical giants. Perhaps you’ll enrapture an international audience, and conduct them from heartfelt sobs to gasps of delight.
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
| SATAC Code | 354061 |
|---|---|
| Deferment | No |
| Intake | February and July |
| Assumed Knowledge | Year 12 Solo Performance or AMEB Practical Grade 6-7, plus Year 12 Musicianship 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. |
| Vocational Education and Training (VET) study | You must have completed an AQF Certificate IV or above from a Registered Training Organisation. You must also undertake an audition/interview including an aural/theory test. You compete for a place based on your audition score. Further ranking according to the level of TAFE award is undertaken 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 Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) as as pathway for entry, you must be 18 years or over before 1 February 2025. If you have studied at higher education level in the last two years (for 2025 entry this means you were enrolled in either 2024 or 2023), 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 2023). 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 | |
2024 Admissions Data for school leavers
| ATAR (raw ATAR, excluding any applicable adjustment factors) |
Lowest ATAR to receive an offer | * |
|---|---|---|
| Median ATAR to receive an offer | * | |
| Highest ATAR to receive an offer | * | |
| Selection Rank (ATAR plus any adjustment factors) |
Lowest Selection Rank to receive an offer | * |
| Median Selection Rank to receive an offer | * | |
| Highest Selection Rank to receive an offer | * | |
| Minimum eligibility score | N/A | |
| Additional criteria considered | Audition required | |
-
Admissions Transparency Data
Student Profile
Applicant background Semester one/Full year intake 2024 Number of students Percentage of all students (A) Higher Education study
(includes a bridging or enabling course)N/A N/A (B) Vocational education and training (VET) study N/A N/A (C) Work and life experience
(admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)N/A N/A (D) Recent secondary education: - Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
(regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors)
N/A N/A - Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
(e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
81 98.8% - Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
(e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
N/A N/A International students <5 N/A All students 82 100.0% - Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
Ready to Apply?
Find out more about the application process and start your studies at the University of Adelaide.
Be sure to check the critical dates to avoid missing application deadlines.
ApplyFees 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: $9,730
|
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 the Australian String Quartet
Industry Placement
Potential careers
Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:
Musician; Musician / Singer; Musicologist
Degree Structure
The Bachelor of Music provides the intensive professional training required for employment in the music industry. It seeks to provide a challenging and stimulating learning environment in which all students may achieve their full potential in their chosen major. It aims to develop educated, flexible and imaginative graduates who possess the knowledge and skills required to function effectively in a wide range of professional contexts. The program provides students with the option to undertake a major 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 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 (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 comprising:
- Level I courses not exceeding 30 units including MUSGEN 1301 Life in Music (3 units)
- Level III courses to the value of at least 24 units
- Sufficient courses at Level II to make the total of 72 units
- Chosen major - Classical Performance
- A minimum of 12 units at Level I before undertaking courses at Level II
- A minimum of 6 units at Level II before undertaking courses at Level III.
Areas of Specialisation
Classical Performance
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 48 units.
Level I
All of the following courses must be completed:
| MUSCLASS 1200 | Classical Performance 1A | 3 units |
| MUSCLASS 1201 | Classical Performance 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 2200 | Classical Performance 2A | 3 units |
| MUSCLASS 2201 | Classical Performance 2B | 3 units |
| MUSGEN 2201 | Music Professional Development 2A | 3 units |
| MUSGEN 2202 | Music Professional Development 2B | 3 units |
| MUSSUPST 2001 | Musicianship 2A | 3 units |
| MUSSUPST 2002 | Musicianship 2B | 3 units |
Level III
All of the following courses must be completed:
MUSGEN 3201 Music Professional Development 3A 3 units
MUSGEN 3200 Classical Performance 3A 3 units
and
All of the following courses must be completed:
MUSCLASS 3201 Classical Performance 3B 3 units
MUSGEN 3202 Music Professional Development 3B 3 units
Electives:
To satisfy the requirements for Electives, students must complete up to 21 units of closed and/or open electives:
Classical Performance (21 units)
Level I - 3 units
Level II - 6 units
Level III - 6 units
Note: 9 units of electives must be broadening electives.
Related Degrees
Testimonial
The Elder Conservatorium of Music has a long history and a good reputation for providing students with a wide range of learning subjects and practical opportunities.
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, 12 Sep 2024
