Undergraduate
Music General Studies
Contact us
Address
Student Central
The University of Western Australia (M355), 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009
Telephone
131 UWA (131 892)
International
(+61 8) 6488 1000
Hours
Frequently asked questions
Events you may be interested in
Show more events
Careers and further study
This course opens up a world of future study pathways and career options.
Career Pathways
Well-rounded graduates benefit from communication, musical, analytical, written and research skills that are desirable in a wide range of professions. Some graduates pursue careers within the creative arts, while others may use the skills gained in music alongside their other area of study to pursue employment in any number of different areas.
Potential jobs for graduates include artistic director, arts administrator or manager, journalist, music professional, music teacher, primary school teacher, secondary school teacher, musician and university lecturer.
Further Study
Master of Music
Fees and scholarships
Domestic Student Fees
Eligible Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) students can use the HECS-HELP loan program to pay their tuition fees. For Full-Fee Paying (FFP) places, students are charged an annual course fee.
Find out more information about tuition fees, or visit the fee calculator for a more accurate cost.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.
Cost of living
International Student Fees
Find out more about tuition fees or visit the fee calculator for the estimated total course fee.
Note, tuition fees are reviewed annually and are subject to increase up to 7.5 per cent per annum.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.
Cost of living
Admission requirements
Admission requirements
The University of Western Australia welcomes applications from international and domestic school-leavers. If you’re interested in studying this major, find out the admission details below.
Minimum entry requirements
- 3.6
- 75.5
- 254
- 324
- 14.5
- 280
- 61
- 1130
- 56
- 75
English competency
English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.
Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.
Music prerequisites
Prerequisite subjects: Audition to demonstrate a musical background equivalent to Music ATAR.
Admission requirements
Audition process
Prior to the audition, you will be asked to prepare two contrasting pieces. Remember to bring a copy of your music for the members of the audition panel. Given the time constraints for each audition, it is likely you will only have the opportunity to play a portion of each piece. If the members of the panel ask you to stop playing at a certain point, this does not mean the performance is going badly. Being asked to stop is not an indication of anything but a lack of time.
After the performance component of the audition, you will undertake a short aural quiz, followed by a brief discussion with the panel. They may ask about your musical experiences, what sort of music you like, and what else you intend to study. You will be able to ask questions and the members of the audition panel will answer to the best of their ability. During your audition, one of the panel members will look at your prepared portfolio. The whole audition process may take as little as 10 minutes. The length of the audition, however, is no indication of its success.
Read frequently asked questions about the audition process or book your audition here.
How to apply
Ready for the next step?
Find out how to apply through our simple online application process.
We'll guide you through our entry requirements, admission pathways available to you and application deadlines for your chosen course.
We can’t wait for you to join us!
Course details
About the course
This major can be studied as a second major alongside almost any of UWA’s other majors (such as engineering, law and biomedical science). Music General Studies is a stepping stone to a variety of careers within and beyond the music profession. Studying Music General Studies allows you to continue your musical journey while pursuing other fields of interest.
Why study this course?
- Performance is at the heart of all study, staging more performances than any other Western Australian tertiary institution. Students can expect to participate in regular performances, and will benefit from staff who are actively engaged in music making at the highest level
- Allows students to continue their musical journey while pursuing other areas of interest
You'll learn
- Instrumental, vocal or composition technique
- Intermediate music language skills (harmony, rhythm, melody, timbre, texture, dynamic)
- Foundational knowledge of key issues relating to music such as music psychology, musical memory, practice strategies, composition techniques
- Musicianship when performing within solo, small and/or large ensemble settings
Quick details
- Available
- Perth (Crawley campus)
- Full-time
- Part-time
- On-campus
- Semester 1, Semester 2
- Approximately 15 hours plus own practice and study time, rehearsals and performances
- Undergraduate
- MJD-MSTGM
- 3 years (BA); 4 years (BPhil [Hons])
Course Structure
Our undergraduate degrees offer you a broad range of options allowing you to combine subjects in a way that matches your career goals and personal interests.
Popular combinations
Practical experience
UWA is the sole tertiary education partner of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra and the West Australian Opera. Students have unprecedented access to artists as well as participation in side-by-side performances with these industry specialists.
Students can expect to participate in regular industry standard performances in the state’s best venues and will benefit from staff who are actively engaged in music making at the highest level.
Steph Winter
Steph Winter
Music has always been a big part of my life, and learning languages is a passion that was sparked in me when I went on exchange to Germany during high school. I couldn’t bear to separate the two passions of mine, so when I heard there was a way to combine my majors to let me study both at a high level, I jumped at the chance.
No other tertiary institution in the state lets me complete my {Bachelor of Arts} like I can here at UWA. I am able to pursue German and Japanese, and still have rehearsals for Wind Orchestra at the end of the day in my Music General Studies major. Not a single day is boring or wasted here, I’ve been very lucky to be able to study all of the subjects I have an interest in.
I love the flexibility I have been awarded while studying here, and it’s been especially encouraging to know that the admin staff in the Arts and Music Offices for example, genuinely want to accommodate every student in their unique path.
I am currently in a Direct Pathway to a Master of Translation Studies for German and becoming a translator has been a dream of mine for a while now. I would love to incorporate music into this career pathway, and with how flexible a career in translation can be, I think it’s possible.
Your degree options
This major is offered as a degree-specific, or first, major for these degrees. It is also offered as a second major in our other bachelor's degrees.
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Philosophy
Music: Electronic Music and Sound Design 
Music Studies