Entry requirements for the Bachelor of Music (Degree with Honours)

• Admission criteria
• English language requirements
• About selection
• Additional information

Admission criteria

In order to be considered for entry into this course, you must:

• Have completed a Bachelor of Music degree (AQF7) in a cognate (relevant) discipline with a weighted average mark (WAM) of 65%, or equivalent, within the last 5 years.
  
  Cognate (relevant) disciplines include: a major relevant to the specialisation within the Bachelor of Music (Degree with Honours) you seek to enter, or equivalent.

You are also required to meet any specific subject prerequisites, prior academic performance requirements and audition, folio or academic writing requirements associated with the discipline stream that you seek to enter.

Please note: The Tailored Program specialisation will not be offering a 2027 intake.

All degree levels referenced align with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), the national policy guide for regulated qualifications in Australian education and training. Applications will be assessed against these standards.

Where our admission criteria includes a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) and/or specific subject criteria, these are based on University of Melbourne grades and subjects. If you've studied elsewhere, we'll assess your relevant prior studies and equivalent grades. Your final WAM may be adjusted depending on your previous institution's accreditation, subject grading, and pass marks.

English language requirements

All applicants to the University of Melbourne must satisfy the English language requirements. You can meet this requirement in several ways, including recognised previous study taught and assessed entirely in English or an approved English language test. If you are from a non-English speaking background, the required standard of English for this degree is one of the following English proficiency test scores:

• IELTS Academic English: Minimum score of 6.5 overall (writing 6.0; speaking 6.0; reading 6.0; listening 6.0)
• TOEFL: Minimum score of 81 (writing 19; speaking 19; reading 16; listening 16)
• Pearson: Minimum score of 64 (writing 60; speaking 60; reading 60; listening 60)
• Cambridge C1 Advanced: Minimum score of 169 (writing 170; speaking 179; reading 163; listening 163)
• LanguageCert: Minimum score of 67 (writing 64; speaking 70; reading 60; listening 57)
• MET: Minimum score of 58 (writing 57; speaking 48; reading 55; listening 56)

^{*Accepted tests: IELTS (Academic English only); TOEFL Internet-based test; Pearson Test of English Academic; Cambridge English: Advanced/Certificate of Advanced English (CAE); LanguageCert Academic; Michigan English Test. If a test displays N/A, it is not accepted for this course.}

About selection

Selection tasks

As part of selection, you must also complete the selection tasks for the specialisation you seek to enter:

Composition

• Provide a folio demonstrating skills relevant to the program
• For further details, see Composition honours specialisation

Interactive composition

• Provide a folio demonstrating skills relevant to the program
• Provide a written proposal in accordance with course-specific requirements
• For further details, see Interactive Composition honours specialisation

Jazz and Improvisation

• Complete an audition
• Provide a written proposal in accordance with course specific requirements
• Attend an interview (if shortlisted).
• For further details, see Jazz and Improvisation honours specialisation

Musicology/Ethnomusicology

• Provide a writing example in accordance with course specific requirements
• Attend an interview, if relevant.
• For further details, see Musicology/Ethnomusicology honours specialisation

Performance

• Complete an audition
• For further details, see Performance honours specialisation

Tailored Program (no 2027 intake)

• Provide a 500-word personal statement outlining motivation for applying to the course. The statement should include relevant supporting information such as skills, experience, achievements and potential contributions to the program.
• For further details, see Tailored Program honours specialisation (no 2027 intake)

For further information on the additional requirements, see the Honours specialisation pages linked above. Exceptions to these requirements are listed under Additional Information below.

Missing information or documents may result in your application being deemed ineligible.

When assessing (and where relevant, ranking) applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• Prior academic performance
• Relevance of previous study
• Assessment of folio, if relevant
• Audition performance, if relevant
• Demonstrated ability in academic writing, if relevant.
• Performance at an interview, if relevant
• Quality of written proposal, if relevant
• Capacity to complete the course.

The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Selection and Admission Policy.

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for this course does not guarantee selection.

Additional information

• Applicants will not be required to complete some selection tasks for specialisations if they meet the following:

  • Composition: For the University of Melbourne Bachelor of Music students with a result of at least 75% in Composition 6 (MUSIC30214), submission of a folio is not required.
  • Interactive Composition: For the University of Melbourne Bachelor of Music students with a result of at least 75% in Interactive Composition 6 (MUSIC30230), submission of a folio is not required.
  • Jazz and Improvisation: For the University of Melbourne Bachelor of Music students with a result of at least 75% in Individual Performance Studies 6 (MUSI30228), an audition is not required.
  • Musicology/Ethnomusicology: For the University of Melbourne Bachelor of Music students with a result of at least 75% in an academic elective subject at third-year level in the Bachelor of Music, submission of an academic writing sample is not required.
  • Performance: For the University of Melbourne Bachelor of Music students with a result of at least 75% in Performance 6 (MUSI30253) or Practical Music 6 (MUSI30251), an audition is not required

• Applicants for the Musicology and Ethnomusicology stream that are applying from outside the field of Musicology or Ethnomusicology (e.g. Art History, Cultural Studies, or Anthropology) may be required to attend an online interview.
• Quotas may be applied to the degree as a whole or to individual discipline streams and preference may be given in some discipline streams to applicants with evidence of appropriate preparation or potential to undertake research.
• Fine Arts and Music applicants must complete a supplementary creative application to submit Selection tasks via our Creative Application Platform (SlideRoom), in addition to your direct application via the University’s course application portal.