Program Overview

Programme: Bachelor of Music [BMus] 5-year programme

The Bachelor of Music [BMus] degree is a five-year programme that consists of the existing number of regular modules for the standard four-year degree, in addition to four foundational modules in the first year of study. The first year of the programme offers foundational support in Academic and Quantitative Literacy and Academic Information Management, as well as competence in music performance and music (theory and aural) literacies.

Programme Information

This programme is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in music, including performance, theory, and musicology. The programme is structured to ensure that students develop a strong foundation in music performance, theory, and history, as well as the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the music industry.

Admission Requirements

• Achievement level of 4 in English Home Language or English First Additional Language
• APS of 26 (Grade 11) or 26 (NSC/IEB completed)
• Music: 4 (50-59%) or Grade V Practical and Grade III Theory (UNISA/Royal Schools/Trinity) or a comparable standard
• Practical audition and theoretical test passed with at least 50%

Additional Requirements

• Admission is subject to tests in the first instrument, music theory, and harmony
• Level 4 in Music as a Grade 12 subject or Grade V Practical and Grade III Theory (Unisa, Royal Schools, Trinity) serves as a guideline of the expected standard

Programme Structure

The programme is structured into five years, with a minimum of 566 credits required for completion. The programme includes a range of core and elective modules, including:

Year 1

• Fundamental modules:
  • UPO 101: Academic orientation 101
• Core modules:
  • GHO 102: Foundation in Aural training 102
  • MAM 102: Foundation in General music studies 102
  • MEI 102: Foundation in Practical music (First instrument) 102
  • MKT 103: Foundation in Music theory 103
  • MTI 102: Foundation in Practical music (Second instrument) 102

Year 2

• Fundamental modules:
  • AIM 111: Academic information management 111
  • AIM 121: Academic information management 121
  • ALL 110: Academic literacy 110
  • ALL 125: Academic literacy for Humanities 125
• Core modules:
  • GHO 100: Aural training 100
  • MAM 100: General music studies 100
  • MEI 100: First instrument 100
  • MGS 100: Musicology 100
  • MKT 100: Music theory 100
  • MME 100: Methodology 100
  • MML 100: Music education 100
  • MTI 100: Second instrument 100

Year 3

• Core modules:
  • GHO 200: Aural training 200
  • MEI 200: First instrument 200
  • MGS 200: Musicology 200
  • MKT 200: Music theory 200
  • MME 200: Methodology 200
  • MML 200: Music education 200
  • MTI 200: Second instrument 200
  • SOA 210: Community arts in practice 210

Year 4

• Core modules:
  • MEI 300: First instrument 300
  • MGS 300: Musicology 300
• Elective modules:
  • KPS 300: General composition studies 300
  • MCS 300: Capita selecta: Music 300
  • MCS 302: Music technology 302
  • MKT 300: Music theory 300
  • MKZ 300: Music entrepreneurship 300
  • MME 300: Methodology 300
  • MML 300: Music education 300
  • MPE 370: Music psychology 370
  • MTI 300: Second instrument 300

Year 5

• Core modules:
  • SOA 400: Arts research and methodology 400
• Elective modules:
  • KPS 400: Composition portfolio 400
  • MCS 401: Capita selecta: Music 401
  • MCS 402: Music technology 402
  • MEI 400: First instrument 400
  • MEI 403: First instrument 403
  • MGS 400: Musicology 400
  • MKT 400: Music theory 400
  • MKZ 400: Music entrepreneurship 400
  • MME 400: Methodology 400
  • MML 400: Music education 400
  • MPE 470: Music psychology 470

Promotion to Next Study Year

Students selected for the BMus five-year degree must pass all the modules at the end of the first year of study. The registration of students who do not comply with this requirement will be suspended, and no readmission will be considered. Students will only be promoted to the second year of study after successful completion of all the first-year modules.

Minimum Credits

• Minimum credits for Year 1: 56
• Minimum credits for Year 2: 132
• Minimum credits for Year 3: 138
• Minimum credits for Year 4: 120
• Minimum credits for Year 5: 120

Attendance Modules

• Students are obliged to attend the weekly recital classes and seminars
• It is compulsory for all music students to be a member of a departmental ensemble, stage production, choir, and/or the UP Symphony Orchestra and UP Symphonic Wind Orchestra
• Unsatisfactory attendance at the performance classes, seminars, and compulsory ensembles and choirs may lead to a lowering of the student's practical or any one academic module's year mark.