Sequential Degrees
The sequential degree option at the University of Melbourne allows you to double-up on your undergraduate qualifications. In a 5 year time commitment, you’ll be able to qualify for two bachelor degrees, graduating with (for example) a Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Commerce or Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Science.
How does it work?
You enrol in and complete your first new generation undergraduate degree as usual, including the standard 75 points of breadth subjects. After applying and being accepted into your second degree, you automatically receive 100 points of credit towards that sequential enrolment – the equivalent of one year of credit. Your course structure in the sequential degree focused exclusively on discipline based subjects with the 100 points of credit covering the breadth component.
A sequential degree is a highly effective way of undertaking multi-disciplinary study at undergraduate level. The structure helps to avoid the issues experienced in traditional double degrees, such as timetable clashes and conflicting course commitments, and provides for a more focused and cohort based learning experience.
The Bachelor of Music as a sequential degree
As a sequential degree, the Bachelor of Music can be taken with specialisations in Music Performance, Composition or Musicology/Ethnomusicology, as detailed in the example course structures overleaf.
It’s important to note that the Music Performance specialisation in the sequential degree has special entry requirements, in addition to the standard selection requirements (audition, musicianship test, academic background). Normally a three year sequence of Music Performance subjects, in the two year sequential degree, Music Performance applicants will be required to demonstrate at their audition that they have reached the standard of performance required for entry into Music Performance 3 (second year Music Performance).
To make the most of your musical experience at the University of Melbourne, it’s recommended that the Bachelor of Music be taken as your first degree, giving you a full three years of study in Music Performance.
Sequential BMus Example Course Structure – Music Performance Specialisation
| YEAR 1 Semester 1 | YEAR 2 Semester 1 |
| Music Performance 3 | Music Performance 5 |
| Music Language 1: The Diatonic World | Music Language 2: Chromaticism and Beyond |
| Aural Studies 1 (year long subject) | Aural Studies 2 (year long subject) |
| YEAR 1 Semester 2 | YEAR 2 Semester 2 |
| Music Performance 4 | Music Performance 6 |
| Medieval and Early Modern Music | Music Language 3: Modern Directions |
| Music since the French Revolution | |
| Plus 43.75 points of | Plus 31.25 points of |
| Applied Skills electives | Applied Skills electives |
| Academic electives | Academic electives |
| Music Studies electives | Music Studies electives |
Sequential BMus Example Course Structure – Composition Specialisation
| YEAR 1 Semester 1 | YEAR 2 Semester 1 |
| Composition 1 | Composition 3 |
| Electro-Acoustic Music | Music Language 2: Chromaticism and Beyond |
| Music Language 1: The Diatonic World | Aural Studies 2 (year long subject) |
| Writing About Music: Australian Issues | |
| Minor Music Performance 1 | |
| YEAR 1 Semester 2 | YEAR 2 Semester 2 |
| Composition 2 | Composition 4 |
| Medieval and Early Modern Music | Music Language 3: Modern Directions |
| Aural Studies 1 (year long subject) | Music since the French Revolution |
| Orchestration | |
| Plus | Plus |
| 2 Applied Skills electives | 1 Applied Skills elective |
| 1 Academic elective |
Sequential BMus Example Course Structure – Musicology/Ethnomusicology Specialisation
| YEAR 1 Semester 1 | YEAR 2 Semester 1 |
| Music Performance 1 | Music Language 2: Chromaticism and Beyond |
| Music Language 1: The Diatonic World | Music Research and/or The Ethnography of Music |
| Writing About Music: Australian Issues | Academic Elective |
| Aural Studies 1 (year long subject) | |
| YEAR 1 Semester 2 | YEAR 2 Semester 2 |
| Music Performance 2 | Music since the French Revolution |
| Medieval and Early Modern Music | Academic Elective |
| Plus 37.5 points of | Plus 37.5 points of |
| Applied Skills electives | Applied Skills electives |
| Academic electives | Academic electives |
| Music Studies electives | Music Studies electives |
| Music Performance 3 and/or 4 |