The University of New England’s unique fully online Bachelor of Music enables students to build substantial creative portfolios. Image: University of New England.
Awarded five stars in the 2015 Good Universities Guide, the University of New England (UNE) is also ranked No.1 for online study. Next year UNE is taking that strength to creative arts with a new online degree for students looking to develop their professional music skills and knowledge. The Bachelor of Music will allow students to get a degree while building a portfolio based on their own creative practice.
Dr Eve Klein, the Convenor of Music at UNE, said that there are a lot of options within the degree for students to develop their own projects and test their knowledge against professional practice.
‘A good example of this is the elective unit WORK300, where students apply their knowledge and skills in a host workplace and document and reflect on their experiences.
‘There is also an emphasis on students building substantial creative portfolios and research projects as part of their course work.’
She said that most students choose to tie this into work they are currently doing in the arts and media sectors.
Klein is currently the only Ableton Certified Trainer teaching in an Australian university. Ableton’s software Live is the industry standard for electronic music production and DJing.
As part of the three-year degree, students will gain the skills to broaden their employability and learn how to independently develop, realise and evaluate creative projects.
‘The UNE Music program emphasises problem solving and teaches creative project management skills across three specialist areas: performance, music technology and composition/songwriting.
‘Students test and develop these skills by pursuing self-directed projects and building their portfolios,’ said Klein.
She said that the ideal student is one with some current engagement within the music industry such as studio music teachers, composers or performers who wish to up-skill and broaden their ability to work on a range of projects.
‘Current music industry professionals are increasingly being asked to obtain formal qualifications by their employers, and they make excellent candidates because the Music program can be studied wholly online around other commitments.
‘Incoming students with an existing professional profile benefit greatly from the academic and research oriented aspects of the program and can use it to form a pathway to higher level research study.’
One of the key differences between UNE’s online music course and what other universities offer is the emphasis on theory, complemented by practical training.
‘Our students study formal music theory and aural skills to a high-professional standard.
‘Many other institutions have moved away or de-emphasised these core skills but we think they are essential for informed, broad careers across the music industry,’ said Klein.
Here is a video of a student who is studying music online at UNE, as part of a Bachelor of Arts degree.
To apply & to learn more about the program click here.
