Bachelor of Arts & Bachelor of Music

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

The BA/BMus degree provides students with the opportunity to combine their music degree with a general education in the humanities, social sciences and the languages and cultures of other people. Students complete a minimum of 500 points, made up of a minimum of 225 points in subjects in the Faculty of Arts (50 at first-year level, 75 at second-year level, 100 at third-year level) and a minimum of 275 points with a maximum of 312.5 points from the BMus. The same subject cannot be counted towards both degrees.

Students have the option of completing one or two majors, if they find this restrictive, instead taking subjects from several areas of study.

Please note: While it is possible to undertake the Musicology Specialisation in the BA/BMus, it is not possible to complete specialisations in Performance, Music Therapy, Composition or Instrumental/Vocal Teaching. It may be possible to undertake single subjects from these specialisations with special permission. Students wishing to undertake the Musicology Specialisation should discuss their subject choice with Assoc Prof Kerry Murphy.

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) offers unique flexibility with the opportunity to focus on one or two majors chosen from a broad range of Arts study options in the humanities, social sciences and languages.

Students can:

• Undertake specialised fieldwork, research options and integrated internship programs which provide opportunities for professional work experience and community engagement.

• Broaden your horizons and undertake international study exchange at any one of 120 universities worldwide, receiving credit towards your Melbourne Arts degree.

• Study a new language with most areas available from beginners to advanced level.

• Benefit from studying with high achieving local and international students with Melbourne Arts having the highest entry requirements for arts disciplines in Australia.

• Learn from internationally recognised scholars and industry professionals.

• Create pathways into further postgraduate study in professional Arts Masters courses, Melbourne Model Graduate Professional Degrees, and with the completion of an Honours year, entry into research higher degrees in Arts.

• Enjoy a rewarding professional career, with Melbourne Arts graduates enjoying employment rates well above the national Arts average.

The Bachelor of Arts has as its objectives that graduates:

• can demonstrate a sound knowledge and understanding of selected fields of studies in the humanities, languages and social and behavioural sciences;
• can access and appreciate national and international debates in their areas of study;
• can demonstrate an independent approach to knowledge that uses rigorous methods of inquiry and appropriate theories and methodologies that are applied with intellectual honesty and a respect for ethical values;
• can apply critical and analytical skills and methods to the identification and resolution of problems within a changing social context;
• can act as informed and critically discriminating participants within the community of scholars, as citizens and in the work force;
• can communicate effectively and, in the case of those students undertaking a language major, are able to read, write and speak another language with fluency and appreciate its cultural context;
• qualify for employment in a wide range of occupations;
• have a continuing committment to learning;
• are proficient in the use of appropriate modern technologies, such as the computer and other IT systems, for the acquisition, processing and interpretation of dat

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

Students complete 500 points, consisting of 225 points in subjects in the Faculty of Arts (50 at first-year level, 75 at second-year level, 100 at third-year level) and 275 points from the BMus. The same subject cannot be counted towards both degrees.

Arts majors

As well as the completion of 225 points of BA study, four further basic rules apply;

Breadth of study requirements:

No more than 150 points may taken in any one area of study. This consists of a maximum of 25 points at first year level and 125 points at second/third year level.

Subject year level entry requirements:

Level one subjects: Most level one subjects do not have prerequisites apart from admission to a degree or diploma course. However, some language streams require the completion of VCE or IB language study and/or completion of a placement test. This must be done before you enrol. Level one subjects are not available to students enrolled in fourth-year honours, postgraduate certificates, postgraduate diplomas, or masters programs. Level one subjects cannot be credited to level two or three of the BA or BA combined degrees.

Level two subjects Students should complete the level one requirements of their degree before enrolling in a level two subject. Students must complete at least 50 points of level one (four subjects) in order to enrol in a level two or two/three subject. Level two subjects are not available to students enrolled in fourth-year honours, postgraduate certificates, postgraduate diplomas, or masters programs. Level two subjects cannot be credited to level one or three of the BA or BA combined degrees.

Level three subjects Students should complete the level two requirements of their degree before enrolling in a level three subject. Students must complete at least 25 points of level two (usually two subjects) in order to enrol in a level three subject. Level three subjects are not available to students enrolled in fourth-year honours, postgraduate certificates, postgraduate diplomas, or masters programs. Level three subjects cannot be credited to level one or two of the BA or BA combined degrees.

Level four subjects are not available to students enrolled in undergraduate degrees, concurrent certificates, concurrent diplomas, graduate certificates, graduate diplomas or one-year masters programs. Level five subjects are not available to students enrolled in undergraduate degrees, concurrent certificates, concurrent diplomas, graduate certificates, or graduate diplomas.

Subject level rules apply to students in combined Arts degrees.

Language study restrictions:

The study of languages is encouraged in BA combined degrees, and language learning can be one outcome of the arts component, which allows for study of one language. As the BA also seeks to provide a broad base of learning in the humanities and social sciences, therefore a second language is not permitted for credit within the arts component of BA combined degrees.

Arts-approved subject requirements:

All arts subjects undertaken in this BA must be from the following arts-approved study areas. Non-arts approved subjects cannot be completed in a combined degree, even if they are included as part of a major.

all language subjects
American studies
Ancient, Medieval and Early Modern Studies (some non-arts approved subjects included)
Anthropology
Art History
Asian Studies (some non-arts approved subjects included)
Australian Indigenous Studies (some non-arts approved subjects included)
Australian Studies
Cinema Studies
Classical studies and Archaeology
Creative Writing
Criminology
Cultural Studies
Development Studies (some non-art approved subjects included)
English Literary Studies
English as a Second Language
English Language Studies
Environmental Studies (some non-arts approved subjects included)
European Studies
Gender Studies
Geography
Hebrew and Jewish Studies
History
History and Philosophy of Science
International Studies
Islamic Studies
Linguisitics and Applied Linguistics
Philosophy
Planning and Design
Political Science
Psychology
Social Theory
Socio-legal Studies
Sociology
Theatre Studies

All students are responsible for planning a course that satisfies course requirements.

First Year

One Music Skills Elective 6.250

BA first year level subjects 25.000

PLUS

Two Music Skills Electives 12.500

OR

One Academic or Applied Music Elective 12.500

Second Year

Two Music Skills Elective 12.500

BA first year level subjects 25.000

PLUS

One Music History subject 12.500

OR

One Academic or Applied Music Elective 12.500

Third Year

Two Ensemble Electives (see below) 12.500

Two Academic or Applied Music Electives 25.000

BA second year level subjects 25.000

Fourth Year

EITHER

One Academic Music Elective 12.500

BA second year level subjects 50.000

OR

3rd year Music Theory subject

Three Academic or Applied Music Electives 37.500

BA second year level subjects 50.000

Fifth Year

BA third year level subjects 100.000

Music Electives

For music elective subject options, see https://handbook.unimelb.edu.au/view/2011/B-MUS

BMus(Hons) within the BA/BMus

The BMus component of this combined degree may be awarded with Honours, on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners, on the basis of a student's performance in third and fourth year level music subjects (indicated by subject codes: 740-3xx or 740-4xx), excluding Ensemble electives.

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.

There will be no further entry into this course from 2007.

The Bachelor of Arts requires a standard level of ability across all disciplines. It will be assumed students are able to access and attend classes on a regular basis, are capable of learning in a University environment and will be able to take responsibility for their own learning. Any ability beyond this threshold will be robustly supported through the curriculum. There are no pre-requisites for first year subjects, and any intensive use of IT or technologies will be adequately supported. Certain subjects have more specific requirements and demands, such as fieldwork or travelling, which are clearly outlined in the subject description.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. The Faculty Disability Contact Officer works with students, the University Disability Liaison Unit and teaching staff to assist students with their special requirements, with a particular focus on accommodations for in-class and examination assessment tasks. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website.

The Melbourne Conservatorium of Music offers a wide range of graduate courses:

• 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.

For other graduate courses offered by the University, see http://www.futurestudents.unimelb.edu.au/

Honours

Depending on your major area of study, you have the option of applying for an Honours year after you complete the BA, which will include a research project. For more information on entry to Honours, see the Arts webpage.

Coursework Masters

If you wish to continue your professional studies at postgraduate level, the studies you undertake in your major can provide a direct pathway to Coursework Masters Degrees in areas such as editing, media and communications, public policy and management, international studies, arts management, development studies and many more. Entry is based on academic merit and in most cases requires a Bachelors degree or equivalent in the relevant study area.

You will also be well-prepared to undertake a Melbourne Model Graduate Professional Degree in areas such as law, teaching and commerce.

For more information on entry into a coursework masters degree, see the Arts coursework programs webpage, or the University graduate programs webpage.

Research Higher Degrees

If you wish to undertake advanced research and explore particular study areas in more depth, there will be opportunities to proceed to a range of Research Higher Degrees at masters and doctoral level. For more information about research higher degree study in Arts, see the Arts webpage.

For the graduate attributes of Arts students, see the course objectives.

For the graduate attributes of Music students, see https://handbook.unimelb.edu.au/view/2011/B-MUS

Arts students are encouraged to pursue their academic interests and professional aspirations by taking a variety of subjects in a range of different areas of study. All arts subjects provide students with transferable generic skills that prepare them for further study and the workplace.

As a result of attendance at scheduled classes, participation in planned activities and discussion groups, and timely completion of essays and assignments, arts graduates should acquire transferable generic skills in the following areas:

• research

  through competent use of the library, electronic databases, and other information sources, and the definition of areas of inquiry and methods of research;

• critical thinking and analysis

  through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument;

• thinking in theoretical terms

  through lectures, tutorial discussion, essay writing and engagement in the methodologies of the humanities and social sciences;

• thinking creatively

  through essay writing, creative writing, tutorial discussions and presentations, conceptualising theoretical problems, forming judgements and arguments from conflicting evidence and by critical analysis;

• understanding of social, ethical and cultural context

  through the contextualisation of judgements, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and possibilities and by constructing an argument;

• communicating knowledge intelligibly and economically

  through essay writing and tutorial and seminar discussion;

• written communication

  through essay preparation and assignment writing;

• public speaking

  through tutorial and seminar discussion and class presentations;

• attention to detail

  through essay preparation and writing, and examination revision;

• time management and planning

  through managing and organising workloads for recommended reading, essay and assignment completion and examination revision;

• teamwork

  through joint projects and group discussions.

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