Music
Bachelor of Music (Popular Music)
- Domestic
- International
About Degree
Inspire as a contemporary performing artist
Want to be a leader in contemporary music? To have unmatched insight? Want to shake up the industry?
Studying popular music is about valuing your passion and pushing boundaries.
What will you do?
Our Popular Music degree equips you with the knowledge and skills needed to excel as a creative professional. You will:
- Develop your own unique identity, presence and style as a song writer
- explore cutting-edge technologies for music production
- have 24/7 access to rehearsal and recording studios to develop your work
- collaborate in song writing and performance classes
- receive mentorship and business coaching from industry professionals
- research and analyse contemporary music
- showcase your original music through regular performances.
You can also expand your skills by studying electives outside music. A range of options are available in Arts, Business, Science or Media.
Where could it take you?
Our graduates go on to all sorts of exciting music careers. You could take to the stage, or work behind the scenes at major festivals. You might be a producer, coaching other artists in the studio. Perhaps you’ll write songs for pop stars or spend your work hours at concerts as a music journalist.
Entry Requirements
Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions information for this program.I am a:
- Domestic
- International
- Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
(regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors) - Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
(e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR) - 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)
Domestic applicants
Admissions information
| SATAC Code | 334161 |
|---|---|
| Deferment | No |
| Intake | February and July |
| 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.APSB.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 APSB, 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 Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) as as pathway for entry, you must be 18 years or over before 1 February 2023. If you have studied at higher education level in the last two years (for 2023 entry this means you were enrolled in either 2022 or 2021), 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 2021). You must also undertake an audition/interview including an aural/theory test. You compete for a place based on your audition score. Your STAT rank 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 | |
2022 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 | |
Student Profile
| Applicant background | Semester one/Full year intake 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: | ||
| N/A | N/A | |
| N/A | N/A | |
| 94 | 96.9% | |
| International students | <5 | N/A |
| All students | 97 | 100.0% |
- Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
(regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors) - Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
(e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR) - 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)
International applicants
| CRICOS | 002801F |
|---|---|
| Intake | February and July |
| International Qualifications | Applicants must have South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) or equivalent and Audition/Interview & Musicianship test. Please click here for a list of qualifications that are recognised for undergraduate entry |
| Assumed Knowledge | Advanced practical skills relevant to chosen specialisation |
| Additional Entry Requirements | International students applying to the Elder Conservatorium of Music are required to submit a recorded audition. Auditions must address the criteria specific to the applicant's instrument/area of study. For information regarding audition requirements, please visit the Elder Conservatorium of Musichttps://arts.APSB.edu.au/music/study/auditions. Applicants who are living in APSB may be asked to attend an in-person audition, off-shore auditions may be available in selected locations. |
Selection Criteria
English Language Requirements
| Australian Year 12 | Successful completion of an Australian year 12 qualification with a minimum pass in an accepted English language subject | ||||||||||||
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| English Tests accepted by the University of APSB |
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| Qualifications that meet minimum English requirements | A range of alternative qualifications may meet the University’s minimum English requirements | ||||||||||||
Academic Entry Requirements
Detailed information on international qualifications assessment
| Other Qualifications | Students who don't meet the academic requirements or who have other qualifications from the South Pacific Islands, Japan, Korea, Philippines or Taiwan may be eligible to apply for a Pre-University Pathway to prepare for or gain entry into the University's undergraduate academic programs. For additional information see Pathway Programs | |
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How to Apply
Application information for international students
Important application deadlines for international students
Student Profile
| Applicant background | Semester one/Full year intake 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: | ||
| N/A | N/A | |
| N/A | N/A | |
| 94 | 96.9% | |
| International students | <5 | N/A |
| All students | 97 | 100.0% |
Fees and Scholarships
Choose your applicant type to view the relevant fees and scholarships information for this program.I am a:
- Domestic
- International
Domestic applicants
| Indicative annual tuition fees | Commonwealth-supported place: $7,990 |
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
These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.
International applicants
| Indicative annual tuition fees (24 units) | International student place: $37,500 |
Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.
More information on International Student tuition fees.
Scholarships
These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.
Careers
Career Readiness
Popular Music graduates are well equipped for a wide variety of careers in the music industry, with likely roles including:
• musician
• composer
• songwriter
• producer
• sound engineer
• DJ
• music critic
• music administrator
• music researcher
• music journalist or broadcaster.
• musician
• composer
• songwriter
• producer
• sound engineer
• DJ
• music critic
• music administrator
• music researcher
• music journalist or broadcaster.
The University of APSB Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.
Potential careers
Music Journalist / Music Critic, Music Teacher, Music Technologist, Music Tutor, Musician, Musician / Singer, Composer, Lyricist, Backing Musician, Backup Singer, Band Musician, Music Coordinator, Music Educator, Music Festival Director, Music Producer, DJ, Recording Artist / Musician, Entertainer, Entertainment Industry, Rock Star, Hip Hop Artist, Vocalist, ...
Degree Structure
Academic Program Rules
The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.
