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

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.

In addition, admission to this course requires the applicant to complete a music skills or jazz aptitude test; and to submit three compositions in different performance media and attend an interview. The results of this process will form part of the ranking of applicants.

The units of study that may be taken for the course are set out in the Table of units of study for Undergraduate Degrees.

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:

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.

To qualify for the honours degree, candidates must complete 192 credit points including 48 credit points of Honours units in Composition.

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.

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.

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.

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.