Future Students

Music

The Area of Study

The Department of Media, Music and Cultural Studies at Macquarie University is dedicated to teaching and research in a range of 20th and 21st Century musical forms and styles.

Courses in the Department divide into two broad areas: practice and theory. Practice units involve specialisations in areas such as guitar, vocal studies, DJing and digital music production. Theory units cover areas in musicology, film music, as well as the history and context of various forms of music such as urban music and world music.

Students completing music studies will emerge with a broad-based understanding of aspects of contemporary music and the industry that supports it, as well as a competence in one or more practice areas.

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Degree Program Information

Degree UAI 2008 CSP Course Duration
Bachelor of Arts 76.10 3 years full-time/equivalent part-time
Bachelor of Arts in Media and Cultural Studies # 78.25 3 years full-time/equivalent part-time
Bachelor of Arts with Bachelor of Laws 95.45 5 years full-time

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What You Will Study

You must complete a program of study (major) in one of the following:

  • Contemporary Music
  • Music
  • Music and Dance

Your program of study may include units from the subject areas listed below:

  • reading contemporary music
  • music technique
  • vocal studies
  • music business principals
  • guitar styles
  • DJing and mixing
  • digital music production
  • contemporary music culture and theory
  • ethnomusicology
  • film music
  • dance studies

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Recommended Prior Knowledge

First-year music units do not require any assumed knowledge, prerequisites or recommended studies. Intending students are not required to have undertaken previous musical studies of any kind. Neither are they required to be able to read music or have skills in instrumental performance. Guitar and vocal units are streamed according to competence. Other units taken as part of a degree may require assumed knowledge, prerequisites or recommended studies and you should refer to the Macquarie University Handbook of Undergraduate Studies for full degree requirements.

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Career Options

Music industry including:

  • performance
  • studio production
  • record companies
  • music journalism
  • multimedia
    - film industry
    - media
    - theatre industries
    - cultural criticism
    - teaching

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Further Information

Department of Media, Music and Cultural Studies
Macquarie University, NSW, 2109
Telephone: (02) 9850 6808
Fax: (02) 9850 6953
Email: mmcs@mq.edu.au
Web: www.dcms.mq.edu.au

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