Bachelor of Music

This degree gives you an opportunity to experience and learn from multiple music traditions. This pragmatic and philosophical programme exposes you to new and different music domains, skills, and knowledge – all of which better prepares you for a variety of music careers.

Overview

Experience and learn from multiple music traditions and disciplines. This degree gives you an opportunity to experience and learn from multiple music traditions.

This pragmatic and philosophical programme exposes you to new and different music domains, skills and knowledge all of which better prepares you for a variety of music careers.

Students develop their practical skills with a jazz or classical music focus, voice for musical theatre is an additional option. In each of these choices you will encounter music from South Africa as well as international musical genres. Beyond this chosen practical focus, all students can benefit from learning skills that work across musical genres, such as music technology and studio practice, composition and arrangement and community music-making among others.

Career Opportunities

  • Arrangement
  • Composing
  • Conducting
  • Education
  • Entertainment Law
  • Music Journalism
  • Music Therapy
  • Performance
  • Radio/TV/Digital Media
  • Recording Industry

Curriculum

First-year

  • Film, Visual and Performing Arts IA AND IB
  • Music Literacies and Skills IA AND IB
  • Music Performance Studies IA AND IB
  • two BA semester courses

A student is required to complete two semester courses in one of the following languages: isiZulu or Sesotho or South African Sign Language (SASL). If a student is proficient in any two of the three languages (isiZulu, Sesotho or SASL), the student is advised to do one of the following:

  1. register in a first-language stream for two courses in isiZulu or Sesotho,
  2. register for two courses in any one of the following: French, German, Italian, Portuguese, or Spanish, or
  3. formally apply to the Dean for exemption from the requirement to register for a language subject. Where an exemption has been granted, students must add a course/s yielding at least 36 credits in a subject approved by Senate. A student may also be granted a credit if s/he has completed the same or an equivalent course.

Second-year

  • Critical Music Studies IIA AND IIB
  • Music Literacies and Skills IIA AND IIB
  • Music Performance Studies IIA AND IIB

Third-year

Music in History and Society:

  • Music and the Theatre
  • Community Music
  • Musical Modernisms
  • Music in Contemporary Lives
  • Composition IIIA AND IIIB
  • Performance IIIA AND IIIB

If Music Performance Studies OR Music Composition studies were not chosen, select two from the following courses:

  • Music Composition Studies IIIA AND IIIB
  • Introduction to Cultural Policy and Management
  • Funding Context in Cultural and Creative Industries

Fourth-year

  • Music Criticism: Research Project
  • Music Business Studies

Select one of the following specialisations:

  • Composition
  • Performance
  • Community Music
  • Business and the Arts
  • Long Essay

Select one course at Fourth-year Level from the following:

  • Composition Theory and Analysis (if not taken in the composition specialisation)
  • Music Performance Minor Study
  • Community Music Minor Studies
  • Cultural Entrepreneur
  • Arts Marketing: Context, Strategies and Practices
  • Selected topic in Interdisciplinary Arts and Culture Studies

Entry Requirements

APS 34+

English Home Language OR First Additional Language  Level 5

Wait-listing

Applicants with an entry requirement of at least 30-33 APS points are wait-listed, subject to place availability.

Additional Selection Criteria

Applicants must attend an interview and audition at the Wits School of Arts. Click here for more information.

An extended curriculum provides for BMus students and is determined by academic background and performance.

Due to limited space, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee a place. Final selection is made subject to place availability, academic results and other entry requirements, where applicable.

University Application Process

  • The Student Enrolment Centre at Wits handles all student applications.
  • Please click here for an overview of the application process. 
  • Check the admission requirements for your degree. Check if any additional selection requirements apply. 
  • Submit your application, required documentation and application fee before the closing date.
  • Once you have applied, an admissions consultant will be assigned to your application.
  • Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications via the Self Service Portal.
  • If you are an international applicant and/or have a foreign qualification, please click here.

Compliance with the minimum requirements does not guarantee a place at the University. The University has a specific number of places for first year undergraduates, approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results and other entry requirements where applicable.

University Fees and Funding

Click here to see the current average tuition fees for the first year of study. The Fees website also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal. 

The Financial aid office provides information on student funding and scholarships. University-funded Scholarships include Vice-Chancellor's Scholarships, University Entrance Scholarships, Equality Scholarships, Sports Scholarships and National Olympiad winner awards. For information about NSFAS funding, please visit the NSFAS website. External bursaries portal: The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.

Wits Plus applicants: terms of payment are in accordance with University regulations, and students are not eligible for University bursaries/NSFAS or residential accommodation.