Bachelor of Music and Performing Arts/Bachelor of Arts
The University of Newcastle
CRICOS provider number: 00109J TEQSA provider ID: PRV12056
Courses included
This course has been cancelled
About
The Bachelor of Music and Performing Arts will prepare you for a career in the music and performing arts industries through practical and creative learning experiences in the performing arts, music, song writing, sound production and scenography.
Study the context of music and the creative and performing arts and their unique value to society at large. Our Bachelor of Music and Performing Arts degree prepares graduates to become performance artists, songwriters, composers, directors, producers, Scenographers, theatre experience makers and teachers, enabling them to take on diverse professional roles across the creative industries.
When you combine this degree with a Bachelor of Arts, you’ll develop critical thinking and communication skills with the flexibility to choose from a broad range of Arts majors and minors to match your specific interests. Tailor the program to suit your needs, and graduate with broad practical and theoretical knowledge in the areas you’re most passionate.
The Bachelor of Music and Performing Arts component of this degree is delivered from the Newcastle City location. The majority of the Bachelor of Arts component of the program is delivered from our Newcastle (Callaghan) campus. Some majors and minors are available online.
Areas of study
For Music and Performing Arts: Depending on your chosen majors, acting for camera, creative and performing arts, directing, drama and theatre skills, entering and engaging in the music industry, music performance, music recording and production techniques, music research and communication, music sound and visual media, song writing and production, stagecraft, writing for performance.
For Arts: English and writing, film, French studies, German, global Indigenous studies, history, human geography and the environment, Japanese studies, linguistics, screen and cultural studies, politics and international relations, psychology studies, sociology and anthropology. Minors are also available in ancient history, Chinese, education, gender and sexuality studies, information technology, studies of religion, violence studies, writing studies.
Career opportunities
A&R manager, artist-in-residence, arts/music administrator, composer, creative consultant, DJ/EDM producer, drama teacher, education manager, event manager, film music composer, freelance or recording session musician, games music designer, music journalist, music producer arranger, music publisher, music researcher, music teacher, musical theatre artist, musicologist, orchestra or band member, outreach coordinator, performing artist, scenographer, script writer, songwriter, sound designer, sound recordist, technical designer, theatre artist, theatre producer, theatre reviewer, voice actor, voice or vocal coach.
Graduates may also pursue careers in arts health, including music and drama therapy, applied performance in community settings, public relations and more.
Practical experience
You will complete 140 hours of supervised placement within your third year of study that will enable you to apply knowledge developed throughout your studies and acquire new knowledge and professional networks to support your career readiness. You will undertake workplace experience in your desired career field, including media, journalism, public relations, advertising, marketing, theatre production, musical ensembles, performing arts and visual communications.
Honours
Available as an additional year (or part-time equivalent) to meritorious students, as a separate program in either music and performing arts or arts.
Fees and charges
Essential requirements for admission
Audition/portfolio and interview: As well as submitting a UAC application and meeting the University's minimum academic entry requirement, applicants are required to apply directly to the University for an audition and interview.
Year 12 applicants should complete their audition before 31 October 2024 to be considered for an offer under the Schools Recommendation Scheme.
If you cannot attend in person, auditions and interviews can be arranged via video.
Depending on your choice of music major you can perform and/or present a
songwriting and production portfolio (e.g., audio recordings, remixes, songs, lyrics, scores) demonstrating your interest and experience in the music major you have chosen. You should also provide an up-to-date curriculum vitae listing any musical achievements and any industry experiences, including paid/unpaid activities and work experience.
The performance major audition requires applicants to perform two pieces of music, providing their own accompaniment or audio backing where necessary. Applicants may also audition as part of a band or ensemble in any style or genre.
Songwriting and production major applicants are required to submit a portfolio of creative works (e.g., audio recordings, remixes, songs, lyrics, scores).
Performing arts major applicants are required to submit a portfolio demonstrating your skills and experiences in the performing arts (e.g., examples of original creative arts performance, individual design projects such as lighting and stage designs or promotion and program material, original scripts, production photographs from shows you have been in or worked on).
All auditions involve an interview (in person or via video) where you will discuss your musical and academic achievements and present your aspirations for the future. During the interview, you will be formally assessed on your verbal
communication skills.
Refer to details of the audition application process and admission criteria or call (02) 4985 4500.
Applicants must undertake all components of the audition process and meet the University minimum academic entry requirement to be considered for an
offer. If you do not undertake the audition/interview, you will not be eligible for an offer.
Admission criteria
Applicants with recent secondary education
Assumed knowledge: Music 1, Stage 5 Drama or demonstrated musical experience or qualification equivalent to Music 1 or AMEB (Grade 6 to 8 pass).
Recommended studies: For Bachelor of Music and Performing Arts: Music 2, Stage 6 Drama, or external music studies. For Bachelor of Arts: English Advanced.
We strongly encourage you to enrol in bridging courses. NUPrep Bridging provides free academic preparation and support short courses, available on campus or online, to complete before beginning your degree.
Explore NUPrep Bridging Courses
Applicants with higher education study
If you have completed or partially completed higher education studies, your grade point average can be converted into a selection rank for admission into our undergraduate programs.
Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study
If you completed or partially completed competency-based vocational education and training (such as TAFE, a private Registered Training Provider, or vocational studies undertaken in high school), this can be used to determine your eligibility for admission.
Completion of studies at an AQF Level 4 (Cert IV) or higher Guarantees Entry into many of our undergraduate programs.
Review the Guaranteed Entry Admission Scheme.
Applicants with work and life experience
If you do not have an ATAR (or equivalent) or formal qualification, Newcastle University offers a range of pathways toward your preferred degree. No matter what your age or experience, there is a place for you.
Advanced standing
If you have completed prior studies at another higher education institution or registered training organisation, you may be eligible to receive credit towards your undergraduate degree. Please note that you must apply for admission before applying for credit.
Further information
View all details of this course on the University of Newcastle website.
University of Newcastle degrees
The academic content of all programs is subject to routine review.
ATAR profile
ATAR-based offers only (semester 1, 2023)
Use all ATAR profile data as a guide only; it provides a broad overview of the ATARs and selection ranks of previous Year 12 students admitted into that course. ATARs and selection ranks required for entry in 2024 may be different. If you are unsure about including a course among your preferences, contact the relevant institution.
- This ATAR profile table is in line with Commonwealth Government transparency requirements. It is based on offers to recent school leavers (ie completed Year 12 in the last 2 years) who were selected solely or partly on their ATAR. Note that some institutions further differentiate this information on their websites.
- The ATAR values exclude any adjustment factors.
- The selection ranks include the ATAR and any adjustment factors.
Abbreviations
– = data is not available.<5 = less than 5 ATAR-based offers were made.
N/A = no offers were made on the basis of ATAR.
NC = new course
NP = Not provided by institution
NR = No reportable profile
NS = No Semester 1 offers
NN = Unavailable (other)
NO = Entry on other criteria
Student profile
Course updates
Courses are added and cancelled throughout the admissions year and course details are subject to change. Check the UAC course search regularly.
Review of programs
The academic content of all programs is subject to routine review. For up-to-date details, visit University of Newcastle degrees.
Honours
Applicants should note that under the revised Australian Qualifications Framework some programs are four-year programs available with direct entry. Other programs are three-year Bachelor degree programs. Meritorious students have the option to apply for an additional one-year end-on component after graduation. Check the course descriptions carefully.