Bachelor of Music (Honours)
Overview
This program is suited to high-achieving music students who want to better prepare themselves for a successful professional or academic career by undertaking a research project.
Undertake advanced courses that build on your bachelor’s study and focus heavily on research methods and techniques for your chosen music discipline.
This knowledge prepares you to complete a substantial research project – the major component of your honours program – across a range of formats, including creative practice research recitals, and folios of new compositions.
Depending on the design of your chosen research project, you will work one-on-one with a supervisor to complete all aspects of this substantial project. You'll develop a suitable topic, apply the appropriate research techniques and methodologies, and present your ideas in a written thesis, recital and exegesis, or folio of compositions.
Program highlights
- Learn from nationally and internationally acclaimed music professionals.
- Develop a specialised research focus.
How you'll learn
Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Research experience
What you'll study
At UQ, degrees are called 'programs' and subjects are called 'courses'.
Career possibilities
Our programs prepare you for your first job and beyond. Here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:
- Music researcher
- Music reviewer
- Music critic
- Music tutor
- Music producer
Next steps after graduation
Graduates of the program are equipped for professional careers in music and to undertake postgraduate studies in their chosen music discipline.
Studying music at UQ has developed my skills in abstract and critical thinking, concepts of social performativity and the dynamics of human behaviour. Music is the ultimate expression of being able to connect with someone on a level that doesn’t require language.
My journalism and communication studies was an invaluable experience and provided a foundation for the practical learning I received from other professional experiences. It made me excited to work in the industry.
As French is a part of my degree, I would love to play in francophone countries to use both skills simultaneously. I also hope to do a lot of teaching and mentoring to instil a love of classical music in future generations.
The number of things I have learnt about piano technique in such a short time has been amazing and it is really helping me to improve... my previous piano teacher specifically recommended UQ to me because of the teachers here.
Studying music at UQ has developed my skills in abstract and critical thinking, concepts of social performativity and the dynamics of human behaviour. Music is the ultimate expression of being able to connect with someone on a level that doesn’t require language.
My journalism and communication studies was an invaluable experience and provided a foundation for the practical learning I received from other professional experiences. It made me excited to work in the industry.
As French is a part of my degree, I would love to play in francophone countries to use both skills simultaneously. I also hope to do a lot of teaching and mentoring to instil a love of classical music in future generations.
The number of things I have learnt about piano technique in such a short time has been amazing and it is really helping me to improve... my previous piano teacher specifically recommended UQ to me because of the teachers here.
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Careers
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Entry requirements
Prerequisites
- the Bachelor of Music from UQ (or equivalent) with a grade point average (GPA) of 5.5 for the 32 units of BMus Core Courses and BMus Flexible Core Courses
If your bachelor's degree is not from UQ, the GPA will be calculated based on completed, equivalent courses.
Prerequisites
- the Bachelor of Music from UQ (or equivalent) with a grade point average (GPA) of 5.5 for the 32 units of BMus Core Courses and BMus Flexible Core Courses
If your bachelor's degree is not from UQ, the GPA will be calculated based on completed, equivalent courses.
English language requirements
IELTS overall 6.5; reading 6; writing 6; speaking 6; listening 6. For other English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores approved for UQ
TOEFL iBT (including Paper Edition) - Overall 87, listening 19, reading 19, writing 21 and speaking 19.
PTE Academic - Overall Score of 64 and 60 in all sub bands.
BE - A minimum overall grade of 4 plus a minimum grade of C in all macro skills.
CES - Overall 176 and 169 in all sub bands.
OET is not accepted.
There are other ways to meet the English language requirements. For some programs, additional conditions apply.
Student visas
International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Bachelor of Music (Honours) are eligible to apply for an Australian student visa (subclass 500).
There are a number of requirements you must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the Genuine Student (GS) requirement.
Fees and Scholarships
Indicative annual fee
Approximate yearly cost of tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your selected courses and study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
$11,505
2026
Approximate yearly cost of tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
AUD $45,792
2026
Government assistance
Financial aid
As an international student, you might be eligible for financial aid – either from your home country, or from the Australian Government.
HECS-HELP
Domestic places in the Bachelor of Music (Honours) are Commonwealth supported, as long as you meet all Commonwealth supported place eligibility requirements.
This means the cost of your education is shared between you and the Australian Government. Instead of tuition fees, Commonwealth supported students pay what are called student contribution amounts.
If you have a Commonwealth supported place, you may also be eligible for HECS-HELP. This is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their student contribution amounts.
Centrelink support
The Australian Government offers a number of income-support payments to eligible Australian university students.
Scholarships
You may be eligible for more than 100 scholarships, including:
How to apply
Applying online
All international applications should be submitted to UQ. If you prefer, you can use an approved UQ agent near you.
The program code for the Bachelor of Music (Honours) is 2536.
Applying online
All domestic applications should be submitted to UQ.
The program code for the Bachelor of Music (Honours) is 2536.
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
- To commence study in semester 1 - November 30 of the previous year.
Visa processing times vary. Apply and accept your offer as early as you can.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
- To commence study in Semester 1 - January 31 of the year of commencement.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants
For support with applying – or if you have any questions about university life – get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (ATSIS) Unit.
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