This BMus degree is a five-year programme (extended curriculum programme) and consists of the existing number of regular courses for the standard four-year degree in addition to four foundational courses in the first year of study.
Admission requirements
A National Senior Certificate with bachelor’s degree exemption and an Admission Point Score (APS) of between 26 and 29.
English Home Language or English First Additional Language at least 50%.
Music competency skills: Gr 5 practical (UNISA, ABRSM) or comparable standard (and an audition), and Gr 3 theory (UNISA, ABRSM) or comparable standard (and an entrance test).
The BMus five-year programme is a closed programme and requires departmental selection.
A limited number of places are available.
Minimum requirements
Achievement level
English Home Language or English
First Additional Language APS
NSC/IEB AS Level
4 D 26 – 29
Other programme-specific information Alternative option for completion
Students who have passed all the modules in the first year of the five-year BMus programme may apply for transfer to the second year of study in the BEd programme provided the requirements for this programme, as stipulated in the yearbook, are met.
Please note the following: MME 400 can only be taken if the first instrument is piano, violin, jazz or classical voice.
MEI 403 is performing art, with a public concert of 1 hour in the second semester.
The choice of instrument is based on the availability of an appropriate teacher.
The University does not accept responsibility for providing a lecturer of these instruments where teaching costs exceed the normal.
In order to be admitted to MTI 100 (Second instrument) in any instrument other than percussion, organ, harpsichord or singing, a student should have reached at least UNISA Grade V or a comparable standard in that instrument; in the case of organ, harpsichord, percussion and singing, admission is at the discretion of the head of the department.
Foundation in Practical music
Students choose a first and a second instrument from the following: Voice, piano, keyboard, organ, harpsichord, violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, French horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, percussion, harp, guitar, recorder, saxophone and ensemble. Jazz and/or classical streams are allowed, according to availability.
Attendance modules
i. In addition to the modules mentioned in the learning programme, students are obliged to attend the weekly recital classes and seminars.
ii. Students who play in the UP Symphony Orchestra can receive credits for a second instrument in the first, second and third year. In this case, students are expected to attend at least 80% of the orchestra rehearsals, must be available for the concerts, and play an examination of orchestral excerpts (at the discretion of the head of the department) in the Music Department in the first and second semester.
iii. Unsatisfactory attendance at the performance classes, seminars and compulsory concerts may, at the discretion of the head of the department, lead to a lowering of the student’s MEI/MPM year mark.