Discipline of Music

Applications & Auditions UPDATED

Application Process

Are you interested in studying music at UKZN?

Here are the steps that you need to follow to apply:
  1. Visit the Central Applications Office https://www.cao.ac.za/
  2. Fill in the online application form and pay the required fee.
  3. IMPORTANT: We advise all applicants to apply for both the BA in Music Foundation Programme AND the BA in Music.
  4. For consideration in the music programmes at UKZN you will need to meet the following criteria:

Undergraduate Guide

2024
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Entrance Requirement

All applicants need a National Senior Certificate with a Bachelor’s Pass (NSC-Deg) or a Senior Certificate with endorsement.  

For the BA in Music candidates will require:

  • A pass at level 4 in English Home language or first additional language and Life Orientation;
  • At least 28 matric points;
  • The equivalent of Grade 5 music theory;
  • Experience in practical music lessons and performance;
  • A practical audition before an accepted panel of music staff;
  • A series of tests in theory and aural.

For the BA in Music Foundation Programme candidates will require:

  • A pass at level 4 in English Home language or first additional language and Life Orientation;
  • At least 24 matric points (excluding Life Orientation);
  • A practical audition before an accepted panel of music staff;
  • A series of tests in theory and aural.

Those who have successfully completed the accredited BA in Music Foundation year may be admitted to the BA in Music degree.

Learning Assumed to be in Place

  • Have the information-gathering, analysis and presentation skills required at exit level 4 on the NQF;
  • Be able to comprehend what they have learned and to communicate it reliably, accurately, and comprehensively in the required medium of instruction;
  • Be able to begin to take responsibility for their own learning and its progress within a well-structured and managed learning environment;
  • Be able to evaluate their own performance.

Important Notes REGARDING APPLICATION:

  • It is your responsibility to check your status for admissions. Please make sure that you check the online system regularly.
  • If you are given the opportunity to send a set of audition videos, it is your responsibility to ensure that they are sent by the cut-off date (see below). No late submissions will be considered.
  • The decision regarding your placement in the BA in Music Foundation Programme or the BA in Music degree is entirely in the hands of the audition panel AND the university admissions staff.

Auditions

On the Central Applications Office website, you will see if you have been asked to attend a live audition; or you will be invited to do so through an SMS/email from the university. If you meet all the entrance requirements and are offered the chance to attend an audition, you have not necessarily been given a firm offer of acceptance to the university. You will first need to pass the audition to ensure that you satisfy the minimum musical criteria for entry. Please note: there are limited places for opera, pop and jazz voice in the two programmes offered at UKZN. Only the top performing applicants will be given firm offers.