Program Overview

Bachelor of Music [5-year programme]

Programme Information

The Bachelor of Music [5-year programme] is designed for students who do not meet the practical and theoretical requirements to study a 4-year music degree directly after high school. The first year of the programme offers foundational support for critical skills required for music studies, including practical musicianship, music theory, musicology, aural training, academic literary, and academic information management. In the second year of study, students are incorporated into the regular 4-year Bachelor of Music programme.

Career Opportunities

• Music teachers
  • Music technicians
  • Solo and/or chamber music performers
  • Orchestral musicians
  • Composers

Faculty Notes

The Faculty of Humanities provides a holistic education, transferable skills, critical thinking, and communication and problem-solving that will help students develop to their full potential. The faculty offers an exciting and comprehensive range of programmes and discipline-based majors, including studies in languages, social sciences, and visual and performing arts.

Admission Requirements

Important Information for All Prospective Students

The admission requirements apply to all who apply for admission to the University of Pretoria with a National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Independent Examination Board (IEB) qualifications.

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

Selection Process

Prospective students will be required to write an assessment. The School of the Arts: Music selects candidates based on:

• A practical singing or instrument performance of 10 minutes
• A theoretical test
• Audition Required:
  • Video of a practical performance (50%): A performance on the candidate's principal instrument, lasting about 10 minutes, containing three works from different style periods (standard: at least Grade V, Unisa/Royal Schools/Trinity practical music examinations)
  • Online theoretical test (50%): A written test assessing the candidate's knowledge of elementary theoretical principles (standard: at least Grade III, Unisa/Royal Schools/Trinity theory examinations)

Minimum Duration

5 years, full-time

Closing Dates

• South Africa: 30/06/2025
• International: 30/06/2025

Additional Information

• To retain admission, candidates must obtain an APS of at least 26 in the NSC.
• Admissions for the Bachelor of Music [5-year programme] will take place in July, September, and Ad-hoc.
• If admitted to this programme, students may not be considered for any other degree programme within the Faculty, except for the Bachelor of Music 4-year degree.
• Life Orientation is excluded when calculating the APS.
• Applicants currently in Grade 12 must apply with their final Grade 11 (or equivalent) results.
• Applicants who have completed Grade 12 must apply with their final NSC or equivalent qualification results.
• Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission.
• Successful candidates will be notified once admitted or conditionally admitted.