Bachelor of Music with Honours

Why study the Bachelor of Music with Honours at UNE?

The Bachelor of Music with Honours program is designed to allow well qualified graduates in Music or Music/Teaching to extend their studies by pursuing specialist Music research and creative portfolio projects. Students will work with a supervisor to pursue guided research in ethnomusicology, musicology, performance studies, popular music studies, or in the study of creative music making principles and techniques in the areas of composition or music technology. Students complete their studies by presenting a dissertation, or research informed exegesis and creative portfolio in their area of specialisation. The course prepares students for postgraduate study and establishes a sound basis for a successful future career.

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Degree Snapshot

DURATION

1 Year Full-time
2 Years Part-time

FEES

CSP
International

2020 STUDY OPTIONS
Armidale

Trimester 1, Online
Trimester 1, On Campus

Official Abbreviation BMus(Hons)
Course Type Bachelor Honours
CRICOS Code 093388E
Commencing
Location Admission Period Mode of Study
Armidale Trimester 1 Online
Armidale Trimester 1 On Campus
Course Duration
  • 1 Year Full-time
  • 2 Years Part-time
Fees CSP / International
For fee information, click here
Total Credit Points 48
Intensive Schools

Mandatory intensive schools may be a requirement of some of the units in this course. See Unit Catalogue for specific requirements.

Entry Requirements

1. Admission to candidature shall be determined by the Head of School on the recommendation of the course coordinator.

2. Except as provided in Rule 3, a candidate for admission to the honours course shall:

(a) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Education (Secondary Music) from the University of New England; and

(b) have attained a minimum grade point average of 5.0 (Credit); and

(c) have achieved 18 credit points at Distinction level or better in 300-level units in Music; and

(d) have passed units to the value of at least 60 credit points in Music, except that with the approval of the relevant Head of School, up to 12 credit points in another subject may be substituted; and

(e) have fulfilled any additional requirements prescribed and published by the school or area concerned.

3. With the approval of the Head of School a person who has fulfilled the requirements of an equivalent AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification of a university or other institution and who meets requirements considered by the school to be equivalent to those specified in Rule 2 (b), (c), (d) and (e) may be admitted to the honours course leading to the degree of Bachelor of Music with Honours.

4. The candidate shall pursue a music topic for which the University can provide adequate supervision.

Advanced Standing

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.

Advanced standing shall not be granted for the dissertation component.

Academic Colours

Spectrum Green (BCC 100)

Further Information

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These course rules & plans are ONLY to be used if you commenced, transferred or changed versions in the Bachelor of Music with Honours in 2020.

Admission to Candidature

1. Admission to candidature shall be determined by the Head of School on the recommendation of the course coordinator.
2. Except as provided in Rule 3, a candidate for admission to the honours course shall:
(a) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Education (Secondary Music) from the University of New England; and
(b) have attained a minimum grade point average of 5.0 (Credit); and
(c) have achieved 18 credit points at Distinction level or better in 300-level units in Music; and
(d) have passed units to the value of at least 60 credit points in Music, except that with the approval of the relevant Head of School, up to 12 credit points in another subject may be substituted; and
(e) have fulfilled any additional requirements prescribed and published by the school or area concerned.
3. With the approval of the Head of School a person who has fulfilled the requirements of an equivalent AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification of a university or other institution and who meets requirements considered by the school to be equivalent to those specified in Rule 2 (b), (c), (d) and (e) may be admitted to the honours course leading to the degree of Bachelor of Music with Honours.
4. The candidate shall pursue a music topic for which the University can provide adequate supervision.

Advanced Standing

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.
Advanced standing shall not be granted for the dissertation component.

Period of Candidature

The period of candidature shall be:
(a) one year as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to two years as a part-time candidate.

Course Requirements

1. To qualify for the degree a candidate must pass units to the value of 48 credit points comprising:
(i) an advanced course work component to the value of 24 credit points in music research methods, including a minor project relevant to their field of musical endeavour; and
(ii) either a dissertation on a music topic or an exegesis with a major creative output to the value of 24 credit points.
2. A candidate shall complete the Honours course and pass the examinations in their chosen field of musical endeavour. Enrolment and approval of Honours topics is subject to approval by the course coordinator.
3. Each candidate will be required to consult with their supervisor. The supervisor and Head of School will determine the nature and extent of such consultation with the candidate prior to commencement of each year of candidature.
4. A candidate may not enrol concurrently for other units at this University or at another institution, except that, upon the recommendation of the Head of School, the course coordinator may grant permission to do so.

Suspensions and Extensions to Candidature

The School may grant an extension or suspension of candidature, or a combination of both, to full-time candidates for up to six months or to part-time candidates for up to 12 months as follows:
(a) by way of extension of candidature, to compensate a candidate for time lost by ill-health or unforeseeable and unavoidable difficulties; or
(b) by way of suspension of candidature, to compensate a candidate who produces evidence that they shall not be in a position to pursue work towards the Bachelor of Music (Honours).

Re-enrolment

1. A candidate may be granted a deferral by the school concerned to re-enrol in a subsequent year if they withdraw from candidature by the census date of the teaching period in which they commenced. This is subject to the School being able to provide appropriate supervision.
2. A candidate who withdraws later than the census date in the second year of enrolment but prior to two months before the submission of the dissertation as required by the head of school may re-enrol in the same subject for the degree, provided that:
(a) two years will have elapsed before such re-enrolment;
(b) the topic of study undertaken within the dissertation is different from that of the original enrolment; and
(c) subject to the School being able to provide appropriate supervision.
3. A candidate who withdraws later than two months prior to the date on which the dissertation is required shall be deemed to have failed.
4. A candidate who is deemed to have failed may, after a lapse of three years, be permitted to apply for re-admission to the course, provided the proposed work is in a different topic of study within the dissertation from that of the original enrolment and subject to the School being able to provide appropriate supervision.

Program of Study

Candidates shall complete an approved program of study as outlined in the Course Schedule comprising:

Course Structure Credit Points
Core Units 48 cps
Total 48 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

Classes of Honours

There shall be three classes of Honours, namely First Class Honours (H1), Second Class Honours, Division 1 (H2.1), Second Class Honours, Division 2 (H2.2) and Third Class Honours (H3). Class II shall have two divisions. The final class of honours will be determined on the basis of marks awarded for both dissertation and course work.
An exceptionally distinguished candidate who has been awarded First Class Honours may be awarded a University Medal.

Calculation of Honours Result

The ratio of assessment components should equal the ratio of marks within the final grade. For example, if the coursework is worth 50% and the dissertation 50% then the final mark will be the coursework mark multiplied by 0.50 plus the dissertation mark multiplied by 0.50.

Dissertation

1. A candidate who satisfies the research project entry requirements shall submit a dissertation embodying an original investigation of a topic within their chosen specialisation.
2. Depending on the topic under investigation, the approval of the relevant Ethics Committee must be sought if required.
3. The School will appoint a supervisor who shall be a member of the teaching or research staff of the University or an associate of the University and on the UNE register of supervisors. The supervisor shall advise and supervise the candidate during the period of candidature.
4. Except with the permission of the School, on the recommendation of the supervisor, the dissertation must be either:
(a) a written dissertation of 14,000-16,000 words, or
(b) a written exegesis accompanied by a portfolio of creative work/works.
For option (b), the combined exegesis and portfolio are equivalent in length to 14,000-16,000 words, and the exegesis must be at least 3,500 words. Appendices are not included in word counts.

Submission of Dissertation

1. Electronic submission of the dissertation is highly recommended. Alternatively two soft bound and one unbound copy of the dissertation together with a certificate from the supervisor certifying that the dissertation is in a form suitable for examination can be submitted to the School following liaison with the course coordinator.
2. At least one month prior to the date of submission candidates shall inform the course coordinator of their intention to submit a dissertation.
3. Submission of the dissertation will be 39 weeks from the commencement of the trimester for which a candidate is enrolled and will not be tied to trimester dates.

Examination of Dissertation

1. The dissertation will be assessed by at least two examiners neither of whom will be the candidate’s supervisor.
2. The dissertation examination processes are described in the School’s Honours Handbook.

Appeals

Candidates are referred to the Academic Assessment Appeals Policy and the Academic Assessment Appeals Procedures.

Course Progression

Candidates are referred to the Course Progression Rule and the Course Progression Procedures.

Improper Conduct

Candidates are referred to the Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Rule and the Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Procedures.

Course Aims

The Bachelor of Music with Honours develops a student's ability to undertake increasingly independent research in music and critically apply approaches to methodology and/or practice to large projects. Students are able to synthesise and critique current knowledge in the discipline and apply this knowledge to a project under specialised supervision.

Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
  1. independently apply a coherent and advanced knowledge of the underlying principles and concepts in one or more music specialisations and knowledge of research principles and methods;
  2. demonstrate a high level of research skills and the ability to write critically;
  3. conduct and report independent research that contributes knowledge to a particular musical specialisation;
  4. demonstrate enhanced communication proficiency within a discipline specific context; and
  5. demonstrate an understanding of the social and ethical issues in relation to various musical contexts with intellectual independence.
Graduate Attributes
Knowledge of a Discipline

Graduates will have coherent and advanced knowledge of the underlying principles and concepts in one or more musical specialisations as well as highly developed knowledge of research principles and methods and an advanced comprehension of one particular area of study that the student has selected to research. Supervisors will guide students to identify important resources that will be used as the basis for their dissertation or exegesis and creative portfolio. This knowledge will then be assessed throughout the degree through a range of assessment tasks, including the dissertation or exegesis and creative portfolio. Graduates will gain a global musical perspective in one or more specialised areas through discussion, presentation, research and critical evaluation activities guided by their supervisor and pertaining to their primary research topic.

Communication Skills

Graduates will have high-level communication skills, oral and written, and be able to present a clear and coherent exposition of knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences. Guided by their supervisor, these communication skills will be developed by students when completing, for example, ethics applications, contacting potential research participants, conducting empirical and other research, communicating their ideas orally, and in the writing of the dissertation or in the development, documentation and presentation of musical work. The honing of these skills will stand students in good stead for the workplace.

Problem Solving

Graduates will have cognitive skills to review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge to identify and provide solutions to complex problems with intellectual independence. With initiative and judgement these skills will enable students to adapt knowledge and skills in diverse contexts. During the course of their studies, students will need to locate, evaluate and apply information from a variety of sources throughout their degree. Students will be taught how to evaluate and interpret information in a useful manner and will be assessed on their ability to deconstruct relevant literature and to integrate theoretical and critical approaches into their work.

Information Literacy

Graduates will be able to recognise pertinent information and will have the advanced cognitive skills to use appropriate media, tools and methodologies to locate, access, critically analyse and interpret information. They will have the cognitive skills to exercise critical and creative thinking and judgement in developing new understanding of a subject.

Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility

Graduates will be aware of their professional responsibilities as a researcher to act ethically by providing balanced and accurate research and data. In addition, students will be taught that they have a social responsibility to question and challenge some 'facts'.

Lifelong Learning

Graduates will have the research and critical thinking skills as well as intellectual capacity to enable them to continually further their learning. These attributes will be fostered throughout the honours program. Through completing the coursework, dissertation, or exegesis and creative portfolio, students will be provided with the necessary lifelong skills to be able to independently research, write about and discuss critical issues. These skills can be transferred to any discipline, will be useful in any career positions and are essentially lifelong competences.

Independence and Collaboration

Graduates will be able to exercise responsibility and accountability for their own learning and professional practice as well as the ability to work collaboratively with others within broad parameters. Students will be required to participate in professional, respectful and ethical discussions with their supervisor, and with other students, on issues associated with their area of study.

How to Apply

Domestic Students

All domestic students apply through the link below

For more information, click here

International Students

International students apply direct to UNE through UNE International

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