Undergraduate
Music Extended Major
Contact us
Address
Student Central
The University of Western Australia (M355), 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009
Telephone
131 UWA (131 892)
International
(+61 8) 6488 1000
Hours
Frequently asked questions
Events you may be interested in
Show more eventsCareers and further study
This course opens up a world of future study pathways and career options.
Career Pathways
Elise Reitze-Swensen
Music and composition graduate, Elise Reitze-Swensen is now a full-time multi-instrumentalist, composer, music producer, sound designer, music community founder, record label CEO and booking agency CEO - and still finds time to teach Electronic Music and Sound Design at UWA.
Further Study
Postgraduate options include all areas of music specialisation:
Master of Music
Fees and scholarships
Undergraduate – Full Fee Paying (FFP) & Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)
The Annual Fee is an estimate only based on a standard annual study load of 48 points. (Courses may teach up to 72 points in a year)
FFP
For Full Fee Paying places, students are charged an annual course fee. Visit the Fee Calculator select 'Postgraduate Coursework Fee-Paying' and chose your course to see the annual and total course fees.
CSP
For Commonwealth Supported Places, student contribution amounts are charged by unit. For an accurate fee estimate, go to the Fee Calculator select 'Postgraduate Coursework Commonwealth-Supported' and chose ‘I want to price my units’.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.
Cost of living
Undergraduate – onshore students
Annual course fees are calculated based on a standard annual study load of 48 credit points.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.
Cost of living
Admission requirements
The University of Western Australia welcomes applications from international and domestic school-leavers. If you’re interested in studying this major, find out the admission details below.
Minimum entry requirements
- 8
- 525
- 12
- 3.3
- 27
- 8
- 66
- 60
- 270
- 75
- 75
- 320
Admission requirements
Streams and requirements
Performance/Musicology/Studio Teaching Streams:
A practical requirement equivalent to AMEB Grade 7, demonstrated by an audition
A strong background in music theory
Composition Stream:
A practical requirement equivalent to AMEB Grade 5, demonstrated by an audition
A strong background in music theory
A portfolio is also required
Creative Music Technology Stream:
A practical requirement equivalent to AMEB Grade 4, demonstrated by an audition
A background in music theory
A portfolio is also required
Admission requirements
English competency
English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.
Minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0 (must include Academic Reading and Writing modules).
Audition process
Prior to the audition, you will be asked to prepare two contrasting pieces. Remember to bring a copy of your music for the members of the audition panel. Given the time constraints for each audition, it is likely you will only have the opportunity to play a portion of each piece. If the members of the panel ask you to stop playing at a certain point, this does not mean the performance is going badly. Being asked to stop is not an indication of anything but a lack of time.
After the performance component of the audition, you will undertake a short aural quiz, followed by a brief discussion with the panel. They may ask about your musical experiences, what sort of music you like, and what else you intend to study. You will be able to ask questions and the members of the audition panel will answer to the best of their ability. During your audition, one of the panel members will look at your prepared portfolio. The whole audition process may take as little as 10 minutes. The length of the audition, however, is no indication of its success.
Read frequently asked questions about the audition process or book your audition here.
How to apply

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Find out how to apply through our simple online application process.
We'll guide you through our entry requirements, admission pathways available to you and application deadlines for your chosen course.
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Course details
About the course
This extended major degree provides you with a rigorous, high-quality tertiary music education and an intensive concentration in a chosen area of specialisation: performance, composition, studio teaching, musicology or creative music technology. As a well-equipped 21st century musician, you will have the opportunity to pursue postgraduate training in many areas, including national and international centres of music excellence, and prepare for a career in the creative arts.
Quick details
- Available
- Perth (Crawley campus)
- Full-time
- Part-time
- On-campus
- Semester 1, Semester 2
- Approximately 15 hours plus own practice and study time, rehearsals and performances
- Undergraduate
- MJD-MUSDM
- 3 years; 4 years (BPhil [Hons])
Thea Rossen
After graduating from UWA, Thea was accepted into the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) in Melbourne and moved there to study percussion. She now runs an ensemble called the ‘Ad Lib Collective’ (with two other UWA alumnus Jared Yapp and Jesse Deane) which has taken them all over the world with performances and concert curation. She also presents concerts with her percussion/clarinet ensemble ‘Enyato Duo’.
Practical experience
UWA is the sole tertiary education partner of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra and the West Australian Opera. Students have unprecedented access to artists as well as participation in side-by-side performances with these industry specialists.
Students can expect to participate in regular industry standard performances in the state’s best venues and will benefit from staff who are actively engaged in music making at the highest level.
Admission requirements
Streams and requirements
Performance/Musicology/Studio Teaching Streams:
A practical requirement equivalent to AMEB Grade 7, demonstrated by an audition
A strong background in music theory
Composition Stream:
A practical requirement equivalent to AMEB Grade 5, demonstrated by an audition
A strong background in music theory
A portfolio is also required
Creative Music Technology Stream:
A practical requirement equivalent to AMEB Grade 4, demonstrated by an audition
A background in music theory
A portfolio is also required