So, youâve found out what itâs like studying a Bachelor of Music at WSU and now youâre scouring the web to find an in-depth opinion on the course?
Well, that would be perfectly understandable. And luckily for you, youâve come to the perfect place!
Look no further because we got to chat to Aaron, a Music student, who walked us through the pros and the cons, the ups and the downs and the ins and outs of studying a Bachelor of Music at WSU.
Letâs get started!Â
Why should you study a Music degree at WSU?
Top 3 Pros of a Music Degree
Top 3 Cons of a Music Degree
Mistakes You Shouldn’t Make
Things to Know Before Starting WSU Music
What Makes this Degree Different
Motivations for Studying WSU Music
Potential Career Paths
Why should you study a Music degree at WSU?
Western Sydney Uniâs Bachelor of Music is a 3-year undergraduate program that teaches everything there is to know about the ubiquitous world of music. Itâs everywhere!Â
Itâs a perfect degree for aspiring band members, passionate songwriters or those of us who are just obsessed with making, feeling and listening to music.Â
The Bachelor of Music at WSU covers the impact, role and function of music throughout communities, cultures and histories, and how this demand for music has evolved and adapted over time. Youâll develop your practical skills and the theoretical knowledge to ace the position youâre after in the music industry and beyond!Â
Aaron told us that since he began studying music at WSU his sight reading, music theory knowledge and stage performances have improved massively.Â
Top 3 Pros of a Music degree
#1: Broad contentÂ
One of the great things about a Bachelor of Music at WSU, according to Aaron, is the wide scope of content and theories that youâll cover throughout your degree. Alongside learning to perform and compose music, youâll also be developing your knowledge on musicâs role, history and function around the world!
âLearning about the different aspects of music such as different cultures and music production is very important to keep an open mind as a musician. Personally, I have learnt a lot by just listening to lecturers and students talking about their music craft,â Aaron said.Â
So, while you practice playing, youâll also be gaining a deep insight into the evolving perception and use of music in our society.Â
#2: Lots of chances to collaborateÂ
Aaron told us, âBeing able to collaborate with other like-minded students really helps with group work as a musician because it allows students to experience what itâs like to be part of a band or a music group.âÂ
A music degree at WSU is perfect for those wanting to hone in on their musical craft and for those wanting to pursue music in a band, choir or group! Aaron told us that while there is quite a lot of group work that youâll be assessed on, itâs a great environment to get used to.
If youâre planning to commit to music full-time, youâll be constantly needing to liaise with producers, agents, sound recorders and band members to make sure everythingâs under control. All the group work will pay off!Â
#3: Helpful and passionate staffÂ
Finally, Aaron told us about the supportive and welcoming staff and teachers that youâre surrounded by during your music degree at WSU.Â
âYouâre always able to ask lecturers questions and expect an answer to help. Being able to go up to a lecturer and ask for help will always develop your assessments and knowledge,â Aaron mentioned.Â
As a student in the music course at WSU, youâll have access to experienced and accomplished staff and academics who are always willing to chat about their wisdom and knowledge. The music staff are made up of professional composers, performers, producers and musicologists so you can be certain that youâll be in safe hands!Â
Aaron added, âThe culture is very friendly â we all communicate through social media, always reaching out to others and supporting each other and the faculty is very helpful in aiding students.â
WSU actually offers students the opportunity to get involved in over 130 clubs and societies! You can be confident that youâll be able to find people with similar interests to you whether thatâs from joining a special interest club, social society, political association, musical group or business club.
You can dive deeper into WSUâs clubs and societies right here!Â
Top 3 Cons of a Music degree
#1: Large workloadÂ
âThe workload may be too much if you don’t have time or the drive to complete some assessments. While the work is straight forward, having the drive and time in wanting to complete the assessments can really drop what would be a distinction down to a credit,â Aaron explained.
There you have it â there can be quite a lot to do. But as Aaron said, as long as youâre passionate and committed to music, you wonât have a problem!
To graduate from the Bachelor of Music at WSU in 3 years, youâll be taking 4 subjects each semester. This means that youâll have about 20 hours of work to do in a week which may sound a little daunting, but itâll go by so quickly. Â
Aaron told us, âYou would definitely need to put in time for the different units, but it’s all worth it. Carrying instruments around can be a pain, and wrapping your head around music theory if it’s something you’re not used to, but the lecturers are more than happy to walk you through everything.â
#2: Material can seem a little tediousÂ
As Aaron mentioned above, youâre going to need to push yourself and sustain your motivation to get through your degree. He also stressed the importance of getting through and understanding those foundational subjects which can come across as a little boring at first.Â
âSometimes the units can feel mundane. The units focusing on history with lots of reading can really feel like a chore because of their length,â Aaron said.Â
While this introductory content may seem a little tedious, itâs super important so try to do your best to get your head around the material.Â
#3: Difficulty learning online (but this wonât apply to you!)
Lastly, Aaron told us about the difficulty he had performing and concentrating when classes were online. Luckily for any future students, this wonât be applying to you and you can expect to enjoy all the benefits of face to face classes.Â
âLearning on Zoom for music performance and production didnât create the full experience so itâs a good thing weâre back on campus,â Aaron said.Â
He explained further, âNot being able to experience performance in person can inhibit and limit a musician by not having the experience of experimenting with a live audience and live music. Also not being able to do music production on campus. Students may not have the same facilities and hardware to record âprofessionalâ sounds like in a music studio.âÂ
Itâs great that WSU is transitioning back to in person classes because the facilities that music students have access to are extremely resourceful. As a WSU student, youâll get to use advanced recording studios, sound technologies and instruments to refine your studies.Â
Any regrets?Â
âPersonally for me, I do not have any regrets about studying the Bachelor of Music because I am not only enjoying my time, but I am learning a lot about the diversity in the musical world from genres and styles to what goes on in the music industry,â Aaron said.Â
Despite the negatives listed above, Aaron has told us that he has thoroughly enjoyed his degree so far. Itâs a great option for anyone wanting to delve deeper into the music world, learn an instrument or for anyone wanting to pursue a career in the music industry!Â
Itâs also important to keep in mind that every student has a different experience at uni. So, Aaronâs least favourite parts of the degree may be your favourite parts and vice versa. Â
You can also take a look at WSUâs subject outline to get a better idea of the kinds of classes that youâll be taking.Â
What do you wish you had known before starting WSU Music?Â
#1: Time commitmentÂ
âSomething I wish I knew was that I needed to be able to dedicate time to practice and study to be able to keep up with the content. This isn’t a bad thing, however, preparing mentally for that would help in the long run,â Aaron advised.Â
As we said, itâs going to be a lot of work but itâll be totally worth it for your own understanding, your musical capabilities and your future. So, make sure youâre aware of the work that youâre expected to do â this includes tutorials, lectures, readings and study alongside instrument and performance practice.Â
#2: Youâll be covering lots of different topicsÂ
Aaron explained, âAnother thing I wish I knew was that we would be looking into the music business side of things which again is not a bad thing â it just caught me off guard.âÂ
Since youâll be covering such diverse subjects, itâs great to be aware that not all you do will focus specifically on music. There are so many elements to music and so many things to learn!Â
What makes this degree different from the ones offered at other universities?Â
Aaron explained that he was most drawn to studying music at WSU because of their modern approach which wasnât offered at other nearby unis.Â
âMusic at WSU is different to universities such as UNSW and USYD because it’s very contemporary focused. It looks at a wide range of popular styles instead of just jazz or classical,â Aaron said.Â
If you value music studies that prioritise a contemporary understanding, WSU may be perfect for you! At WSU, youâll also get to choose a sub-major out of the following options:
Aaron went on to explain the importance of the content offered at WSU:
âThis is because as a musician, it is important to draw from different genres and styles, from traditional cultures, classical pieces and modern music, learning bits and pieces from each genre helps a musician to hone their craft.â
What inspired you to choose WSU Music?
âI was inspired to choose this degree because it acted as a pathway to the Master of Creative Music Therapy which is something specific to WSU. Since this was specific to WSU, and was something I am aiming to do, I chose WSU so I could follow the career path I wanted to do,â Aaron told us.Â
Another great feature of WSUâs Bachelor of Music is that youâre able enhance your career prospects with some further study. If youâre also interested in exploring additional study, you could check out the Master of Creative Music Therapy or the Master of Primary Teaching. Â
What are the possible career paths?
Getting a Bachelor of Music degree from WSU under your belt will prep you for a vast world of career opportunities. Youâll develop the technical abilities to produce music, the theoretical knowledge to understand music and the practical skills to write and play the tunes!
While you may have a preferred instrument to play, youâll be exposed to a wide range of instruments, sounds and techniques to suit any future position.Â
While the ones that weâve mentioned are mainly positioned within the music industry, you could pursue some further study to become a music teacher for primary or high school students! Really, youâve got a lot of options.
So, if youâre passionate and committed to learning, teaching and understanding music, youâll just need to find a profession to channel this interest and then youâre good to go! Â
Gemma Billington is a Content Writer at Art of Smart and an undergraduate student at the University of Technology Sydney. While studying Journalism and Social and Political Sciences, Gemma enjoys spending her time at the gym or reading about Britainâs medieval monarchy â ideally not at the same time. She currently creates and administers social media posts for Central News and writes for the student publication, The Comma. After completing her undergraduate degree, she hopes to study a Masters of Medieval History and is very excited about the prospect!