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Bachelor of Music (Composition)

The major focus in this degree is the development of composition skills, together with work in electroacoustic music and studies in compositional techniques and analysis. In addition all students take core studies in aural perception, harmony and analysis, and studies in analysis, history and culture.

Core requirements for graduation with a Bachelor of Music (Composition)

Students must successfully complete 192 credit points and reach the minimum levels of achievement in each core area as outlined in the degree resolutions.

Typical enrolment pattern

The following table shows a typical enrolment pattern with the appropriate credit points. The course structure in the first two years is designed to develop basic composition skills, providing greater flexibility and opportunity for students to develop their own interests in the last two years of the degree. It is recommended that students undertake the first four semesters of this enrolment pattern as closely as possible.

Bachelor of Music (Composition)

Semester 1

  

Semester 2

  

Semester 3

  

Semester 4

  

Composition 1

6

Composition 2

6

Composition 3

6

Composition 4

6

Music Skills

(H&A + AP)

 6

Music Skills

(H&A + AP)

 6

Music Skills

(H&A + AP)

 6

Composition Through Improvisation 

 3

Instrumentation and Orchestration

6

New Music, New Thinking

6

Compositional Techniques: Number & Process 

6

Compositional Techniques: Tonality & Process

6

Ensemble

3

Ensemble

3

Electroacoustic Music 1

6

Electroacoustic Music 2

6

Music Technology

3

 Sound Recording Fundamentals  3  

 

 Free Choice

3
 

24

  

24

  

24

  

24

Semester 5

  

Semester 6

  

Semester 7

  

Semester 8

  

Composition 5

6

Composition 6

6

Composition 7

6

Composition 8

6

Analysis, history and cultures studies

6

Analysis, history and culture studies

6

Composition Elective or Free Choice

6

Composition Elective or Free Choice

6

Composition Through Improvisation 2

6

Composition Elective or Free Choice

6

Composition Elective or Free Choice

6

Composition Elective or Free Choice

6
Composer Performer Workshop 1

6

Composition Elective or Free Choice

6

Composition Elective or Free Choice

6

Composition Elective or Free Choice 

 6 

Composition Elective or Free Choice

6

  

 

        
 

24

  

24

  

24

  

24
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Course rules

 

Bachelor of Music (Composition)


These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2000 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Resolutions of the Faculty, the University of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule 2006 (as amended) and the Academic Board policies on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism.

Course resolutions

1 Course codes

Code

Course and stream title

QH010

Bachelor of Music (Composition)

2 Attendance pattern

The attendance pattern for this course is normally full time. Part time study may be permitted upon successful application.

3 Admission to candidature

(1)
Admission to this course is on the basis of a secondary school leaving qualification such as the NSW Higher School Certificate (including national and international equivalents), tertiary study or an approved preparation program. English language requirements must be met where these are not demonstrated by sufficient qualifications taught in English. Special admission pathways are open for mature aged applicants who do not possess a school leaving qualification, educationally disadvantaged applicants and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Applicants are ranked by merit and offers for available places are issued according to the ranking. Details of admission policies are found in the Coursework Rule.
(2)
In addition, admission to this course requires the applicant to complete a music skills or jazz aptitude test; and to submit at least three compositions in different performance media and attend an interview. The results of this process will form part of the ranking of applicants.

4 Requirements for award

(1)
The units of study that may be taken for the course are set out in the Table of units of study for Undergraduate Degrees.
(2)
To qualify for the award of the pass degree, a candidate must successfully complete 192 credit points and reach the minimum levels of achievement as set out in the table below:

Area of study

Minimum Credit Points

Minimum level of achievement

Principal Study

48

Composition Principal Study 8

Composition

42

 

Instrumentation & Orchestration

New Music, New Thinking

Electroacoustic Music 2

Composer Performer Workshop 1

plus a further 15 cps in Composition units

Performance

12

6 cps Ensemble

6 cps Composition Through Improvisation

Music Skills

24

18 cps in Harmony & Analysis and Aural Perception

Music Technology

Sound Recording Fundamentals

Studies in analysis, history & culture

24

At least 12 credit points from Foundation units

Comp Tech & Analysis 3 and 4

Electives

42

  

5 Requirements for the Honours degree

(1)
Honours is available to students who complete an alternative set of units of study in the final year of the course. Admission to the honours program is by permission of the program coordinator after the completion of 144 credit points of study including the prerequisites for Composition Honours A as set out in the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Handbook. Admission requires a WAM of at least 65 in second and third year units of study, and a mark of at least 75 in Composition 5 and 6.
(2)
To qualify for the honours degree, candidates must complete 192 credit points including 48 credit points of Honours units in Composition.

6 Award of the degree

(1)
The Bachelor of Music (Composition) is awarded in the grades of either Pass or Honours. The honours degree is awarded in classes ranging from First Class to Third Class according to the rules specified in the Resolutions of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and a single result is provided as an aggregated mark based on the Honours units of study the student has completed.
(2)
Candidates for the award of the Honours degree who do not meet the requirements, but who have otherwise satisfied the course requirements of the Bachelor of Music (Composition), will be awarded the pass degree.

7 Transitional provisions

(1)
These resolutions apply to students who commenced their candidature after 1 January, 2011 and students who commenced their candidature prior to 1 January, 2011 who elect to proceed under these resolutions.
(2)
Candidates who commenced prior to 1 January, 2011 may complete the requirements in accordance with the resolutions in force at the time of their commencement, provided that the requirements are completed by 1 January, 2016. The Faculty may specify a later date for completion or specify alternative requirements for completion of candidatures that extend beyond this time.

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