Bachelor of Music (Honours)/Bachelor of Education (Secondary) (CRICOS course code 085913M) is a Bachelor Honours Degree delivered by The University of New South Wales (UNSW) over 5 years. This dual qualification allows you to combine your passion for music with a career in secondary education, preparing you to teach music in schools across Australia and internationally. As a CRICOS-registered course (00098G), UNSW guarantees compliance with Australian Government standards for international students, ensuring your qualification is recognised worldwide. This page provides comprehensive, up-to-date information on fees, entry requirements, duration, and the application process, all sourced from the official CRICOS register (April 2026). Whether you're a prospective student exploring your options or ready to apply, HeadStart Academy helps you navigate your study journey in Australia.
The Bachelor of Music (Honours)/Bachelor of Education (Secondary) is a combined degree that integrates advanced music performance, composition, or musicology with professional teacher training. As a Bachelor Honours Degree (AQF Level 8), it offers a deeper academic and practical foundation than a standard bachelor's degree. Students develop expertise in their chosen music specialisation while gaining the pedagogical skills to teach music from Years 7 to 12. The course is classified under Field of Education 100101 - Music, within the Creative Arts. Graduates are eligible for teacher registration in Australia, subject to state requirements. UNSW is a Group of Eight university ranked among the top 50 globally, providing access to world-class facilities including the Sir John Clancy Auditorium and state-of-the-art music studios.
This dual qualification covers both music and education. In the music component, you will study areas such as performance, composition, music history, and music theory, with opportunities for ensemble work and individual tuition. The education component includes curriculum design, classroom management, educational psychology, and professional teaching practice. At the honours level, you will also complete a research project or creative portfolio. While specific subjects are set by UNSW, typical learning outcomes include advanced musicianship, critical analysis, lesson planning, and assessment strategies. The course integrates theory with practical teaching experience, ensuring you graduate ready to inspire the next generation of musicians.
According to the CRICOS register, this course has a duration of 5 years (260 weeks) of full-time study. The language of instruction is English. As a dual qualification, you study both degrees concurrently, reducing the total time compared to completing them separately. This means you graduate with two qualifications in five years: a Bachelor of Music (Honours) and a Bachelor of Education (Secondary). The course is delivered on campus at UNSW Kensington, with no online or part-time options listed. International students must maintain full-time enrolment to comply with student visa conditions.
The indicative tuition fee for this course is A$251,000, with additional non-tuition fees estimated at A$5,000, bringing the estimated total to A$256,000. These figures are sourced from the CRICOS register (April 2026) and are subject to change by UNSW. Please note that Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), living costs, and the student visa application charge are not included. OSHC is mandatory for international students and costs approximately A$500–A$700 per year for single cover. Living expenses in Sydney are estimated at around A$25,000–A$30,000 per year, including accommodation, food, and transport. Always confirm current fees on the UNSW website at www.unsw.edu.au before applying.
Admission to this course requires meeting both academic and English language standards. For international students, UNSW typically requires an IELTS score of 6.0–6.5 overall, with no band below 5.5–6.0 (exact requirements vary by intake). Equivalent English tests like TOEFL or PTE are also accepted. Academically, you should have completed Australian Year 12 or equivalent with a high ATAR, or a recognised foundation program. Specific prerequisites may include music performance or theory. UNSW offers alternative pathway programs, including the University of New South Wales Foundation Studies, which can lead into this degree if you don't meet direct entry requirements. Consult UNSW's website for current entry criteria.
This course includes a compulsory work-integrated learning (WIL) component: 16 weeks of professional experience, typically completed at 40 hours per week (total approximately 640 hours). This is a supervised teaching placement in a secondary school setting, where you will observe, assist, and eventually take on teaching responsibilities under the guidance of a mentor teacher. The placement is a core part of teacher accreditation and allows you to apply classroom theories in a real school environment. Some placements may be in rural or disadvantaged schools, providing valuable experience. You must have a valid Working with Children Check and may need to complete pre-placement training.
This course is delivered at The University of New South Wales — Kensington, NSW. Kensington is a suburb of Sydney, approximately 6 km south-east of the city centre. Sydney is Australia's largest city, home to over 5 million people, with a vibrant student population of around 200,000 international students from 150+ countries. The campus is well connected by public transport, including buses and light rail, with easy access to the city and beaches. There are over 1,500 CRICOS-registered providers in Australia, with many concentrated in Sydney. Living costs in Sydney are higher than the national average: weekly rent for a room in a shared house is around A$250–A$400, groceries A$80–A$150, and public transport A$30–A$50.
Sydney offers a dynamic multicultural environment with world-class cultural institutions, music venues, and beaches — ideal for music students. However, living costs are among the highest in Australia, so budget carefully. The city has a strong job market for teachers, especially in areas like music education. Consider your preferences: if you thrive in a fast-paced urban setting and value networking opportunities, Sydney could be a great fit. For a more affordable alternative, regional campuses in NSW may offer similar degrees. HeadStart Academy can help you compare providers across multiple cities.
To study this course as an international student, you will need a Student visa (Subclass 500). This visa allows you to study full-time in a CRICOS-registered course and work up to 48 hours per fortnight during term time, with unlimited work during scheduled breaks. You must maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of your stay and demonstrate genuine temporary entrant (GTE) status. Financial capacity evidence is also required. For dependents (e.g., spouse) accompanying you, they may need a Student Guardian visa (Subclass 590). Note that HeadStart Academy does not provide immigration advice; consult a registered MARA agent or the Department of Home Affairs at homeaffairs.gov.au.
Ready to apply for the Bachelor of Music (Honours)/Bachelor of Education (Secondary) at UNSW? Follow these three steps: 1. **Research CRICOS-registered providers**: Use HeadStart Academy to filter by course level (Bachelor Honours Degree), field (Music), and location (Sydney). Confirm that your chosen provider is on the CRICOS register. 2. **Apply directly to your chosen institution**: Check UNSW's entry requirements, English language tests, and application deadlines. Submit your application online via UNSW's admissions portal, including transcripts, personal statement, and evidence of English proficiency. 3. **Receive your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and apply for your Student visa**: If accepted, UNSW will issue a CoE. Use this to apply for a Student visa (Subclass 500) through the Department of Home Affairs. Ensure you have OSHC and sufficient funds.
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Bachelor of Music (Honours)/Bachelor of Education (Secondary) is a CRICOS-registered programme at The University of New South Wales (UNSW). Use this register extract [CRICOS register, Apr 2026] to cross-check codes, duration and indicative fees before you apply.
This page is general information only and not migration advice. Confirm Student visa (Subclass 500) requirements with the Department of Home Affairs.