Bachelor of Creative Arts and Bachelor of Music

This degree commenced phase out in 2007. This information is provided for indicative purposes only.

The Bachelor of Creative Arts/Bachelor of Music is designed for students interested in both the creative arts and music. The combined degree is a five-year full-time program, which may be taken part-time.

For the course objectives of the Bachelor of Music, see https://handbook.unimelb.edu.au/view/2011/B-MUS

The Bachelor of Creative Arts has as its objectives that graduates should be able to:

• explore new ways of preapring artists to work in interdisciplinary contexts;
• focus on international influences and the intercultural context of the emerging global community;
• facilitate the multi-skilling appropriate for graduates who will have a number of career changes in their lifetimes;
• emphasise new technologies and new forms that are emerging through the application of the technologies;
• explore ways to strengthen the interface between theory and practice, particularly by deconstructing the art of diverse cultures during different periods of time in order to identify the expressive modes and aesthetics that are common to humankind;
• use core curriculum and community extension activities to develop critical forums that will challenge and change the cultural industry;
• increase the health of the cultural ecology by promoting better understanding between arts producer, critics and consumers.

To meet the requirements of the BCA/BMusic students must complete subjects totalling at least 500 points, comprising a minimum of 225 points of Creative Arts and 275 points of Music. Students must complete a Creative Arts major and a 'sub-major' (two-year sequence) in another area of study.

To complete the BCA component of the BCA/BMusic students complete a minimum of 225 points of Creative Arts study, which must include:

• a major study (25 points of first year, 25 points of second year and 50 points of third year); and

• an approved two-year sequence in one other area of study; and

• at least 50 per cent of studies undertaken in theoretical studies.

BCA points must include:

• 50 points of first-year level subjects, comprising 25 points of the major and 25 points of electives; and

• 75 points of second-year level subjects, comprising 25 points of the major and 50 points of electives; and

• 75 points of third-year level subjects, comprising 50 points of the major, 12.5 points of arts management study and 12.5 points of electives.

The Music Component

See course structure below

First Year

First year Creative Arts subjects 25.000

Second Year

Music History subject 12.500

Two Music Skills Electives 12.500

First year Creative Arts subjects 25.000

Third Year

First year Creative Arts subjects 25.000

Second year Creative Arts subjects 25.000

Fourth Year

3rd year Music Theory subject 12.500

Music History subject OR Academic Elective 12.500

Academic Elective OR Applied Elective 12.500

Two Ensemble Electives 12.500

Second year Creative Arts subjects 50.000

Fifth Year

Academic Electives 25.000

Third year Creative Arts subjects 75.000

Music Electives

BMus(Hons) within the BCA/BMus

Music Techniques 2-2 and core music history subjects, when taken in year 3 (or later) as part of a standard course plan in a combined degree, will be included in the honours calculation.

To be eligible for honours, students must take 37.5 points from the following subjects at 4th year level. Pre-requisite for all subjects is special permission. (Subject specific pre-requisites do not apply.) Students should consult a student advisor regarding eligibility and special permission requirements.

• Dissertation 37.50
• Music Performance 4-1 18.75
• Music Performance 4-2 18.75
• Composition 2-1 18.75
• Composition 2-2 18.75
• Composition 3-1 18.75
• Composition 3-2 18.75
• Practical Study 4-1* 12.50
• Practical Study 4-2* 12.50

*Plus 1 academic/applied elective at 4th year level

An overall honours result is calculated as follows:

• best 50 points of music subjects taken at 3rd year level;
• best 37.5 points of music subjects taken at 4th year level;
• the mark for each subject is weighted according to its point value in the course;
• 4th year marks are weighted 2:1 against 3rd year marks;

Students who achieve an average result of 80 per cent or above will be awarded the degree with Honours.

Creative Writing

For students undertaking the BCA: a major in Creative Writing requires the completion of a minimum of 100 points of Creative Writing consisting of:

• 25 points of First year
• 25 points of Second year;
• and 50 points of Third year level subjects in Creative Writing.

First Year Creative Writing Subjects

Second Year Creative Writing Subjects

Third Year Creative Writing Subjects

Theatre Studies

For students undertaking the BCA: a major in Theatre Studies requires the completion of a minimum of 100 points of Theatre Studies subjects consisting of:

• at least 25 points of First Year Theatre Studies subjects;
• at least 25 points at Second Year Theatre Studies subjects;
• and 50 points of Third Year Theatre Studies subjects.

First Year Theatre Studies Subjects

Second Year Theatre Studies Subjects

Second/Third Year Theatre Studies Subjects

Third Year Theatre Studies Subjects

Third/Fourth Year Theatre Studies Subjects

Visual Media (including visual arts and media arts)

For students undertaking the BCA: a major in Visual Media requires the completion of a minimum of 100 points of visual media subjects consisting of:

• at least 25 points of first Year Visual Media subjects;
• at least 25 points of Second year Visual Media subjects;

• and 50 points of third year Visual Media subjects

First Year Visual Media Subjects

Optional Visual Media Subjects

Second Year Visual Media

Second/Third Year Visual Media Subjects

3rd Year Visual Media Subjects

3rd / 4th Year Visual Media Subjects

Interdisciplinary Creative Arts Subjects

The following subjects do not belong to any one particular field of study but may be used towards a major in any of the three specialisations available in the BCA.

First/Second Year Interdisciplinary Creative Arts Subjects

2nd/ 3rd Year Interdisciplinary Subjects

Additional Subjects

3rd and 4th Year Arts Management Subjects

The following Arts management Subjects are to be taken at 3rd or 4th year levels only. Please check the subject description regarding eligibility:

• Master of Music - specialisations available in Performance, Conducting, Composition, Musicology/Ethnomusicology and Music Therapy (by research)
• Master of Music Studies Intensive Mode - designed for music professionals in educational organisations who wish to enhance their expertise in ways directly relevant to their work.
• Master of Music Studies (by coursework) - specialisations available in Performance Studies, Composition, Musicology and Ethnomusicology.
• Master of Music Therapy - A coursework program leading to professional registration as Music Therapists (RMT) with the Australian Music Therapy Association (Inc.).
• Doctor of Musical Arts - a professional coursework doctorate in music performance.
• Doctor of Philosophy - Music (Thesis only)
• Doctor of Philosophy - Performance (50% Performance, 50% Thesis)
• Graduate Diploma in Guided Imagery and Music - an intensive mode coursework degree providing advanced level training in Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) therapy.
• Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma in Music - a pathway for music graduates with a three-year degree to gain an Honours degree equivalent and thereby become eligible for higher degree study. Specialisations available in Instrumental/Vocal Studies, Composition Musicology and Ethnomusicology.
• Graduate Certificate/Diploma in Music - designed for university graduates in any field who wish to undertake university-level study in music.

Creative Arts offers many opportunities for further study. The Bachelor of Creative Arts Honours year leads to higher degree study. It also adds vocational skills to your undergraduate degree and increases your employment options. Creative arts graduates might also use postgraduate study to explore in greater depth and detail areas of study they found interesting during their undergraduate studies or to study a completely new field of knowledge.