BA in Music Structure
How does a BA in Music degree work?
The BA in Music degree has 3 successive levels: Level 1 Level 2 Level 3. Each level takes one academic year to complete and is worth a specific number of credits. The levels are divided into two semesters. The 1st semester runs from February to June, and the 2nd semester runs from July to November each year. If you are registered for the BA in Music foundation programme, your degree has 4 successive levels: Foundational level Level 1 Level 2 Level 3. Each level has 8 modules, 4 in the 1st semester and 4 in the 2nd semester. The diagram below demonstrates what a level would look like:
Level 1, Level 1,
Semester 1 Semester 2
Module 1 Module 5
Module 2 Module 6
Module 3 Module 7
Module 4 Module 8
Usually a module from the 1st semester will have a related module in the 2nd semester. For example, in the diagram above, Module 1 can be related to or lead to Module 5 (i.e. Practical Studies 1A and Practical Studies 1B).
What are the requirements of the degree?
All degrees at UKZN are structured according to a credit value. Each credit represents 10 hours of work. The BA in Music degree is worth 384 credits. This means that the degree will take at least 3840 hours to complete. The 384 are spread equally across the 3 levels of the degree.
You need to accumulate 128 credits for each level of the degree (foundation, level 1, level 2 and level 3). Foundation credits do not count towards the overall credit value of the degree, BUT you need to pass all foundational credits in order to progress to level 1. Each module you pass gives you 16 credits towards your overall total.
IMPORTANT: You must accumulate a minimum of 128 credits for each level of the degree in order to graduate. For example, you cannot graduate if have 176 level 1 credits, 128 level 2 credits and 80 level 3 credits.
Does the BA in Music accommodate different approaches to studying aspects of music?
Yes, the degree is designed to allow students to focus on different areas in the study of music. There are 3 streams in this degree:
- Performance,
- Theory and Composition,
- Research.
Which stream is for you?
Performance – you are interested in becoming a professional performer.
Theory and Composition – you are interested in becoming a composer or theory teacher.
Research – you are considering becoming a university lecturer or a professional researcher.
You will normally choose which stream you will specialize in when you enter level 1 of the programme.
Can you change streams once you have started?
Depending on your choice of subjects, you may be able to change streams in consultation with the programme coordinator.
Which stream should you choose if you want to be a school teacher?
You can choose any of the streams, provided you meet specific requirements. Anybody who wants to become a school teacher needs to do a teaching certificate. Students usually do this certificate (called the Post Graduate Certificate in Education, or PGCE) when they have finished the BA in Music. To qualify for a PGCE, you need meet specific requirements. The requirements are as follows:
You need to have completed the following subjects:
- Practical Studies 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B
- Music Theory and Perception 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B
- A non-music teaching subject for 4 semesters at level 1 and 2 (at present we offer English, isiZulu, Tourism, History and Drama).
All of our streams allow for these requirements.
What is an elective?
An elective is a subject which you choose and which is not compulsory. A list of electives for each level is provided further below. Usually electives have pre-requisites. A pre-requisite is the requirement you need to fulfil to be eligible to take an elective. For example, to be eligible for Practical Studies 3A, you need to have passed Practical Studies 2B.
What is the BA required language module?
All BA in Music students are required to do one semester of a language. If you are isiZulu speaking, you need to select “English Language Development” (ELDV100) or “Academic Language and English” (ACLE100). Our recommendation is that you choose ELDV100. For those who are not isiZulu speaking, you are required to do one semester of isiZulu non mother tongue (ZULN101).
Which subjects do I need to choose for the performance stream?
These are the subjects you need to choose in order to complete the performance stream. Please note the additional requirements if you decide to do a PGCE.
| Foundation level, semester 1 | Foundation level, semester 2 | Level 1, semester 1 | Level 1, semester 2 | Level 2, semester 1 | Level 2, semester 2 | Level 3, semester 1 | Level 3, semester 2 |
| Foundational practical studies A (16 credits) | Foundational practical studies B (16 credits) | Practical studies 1A (16 credits) | Practical studies 1B (16 credits) | Practical studies 2A (16 credits) | Practical studies 2B (16 credits) | Practical studies 3A (16 credits) | Practical studies 3B (16 credits) |
| Foundational performance skills A (16 credits) | Foundational performance skills B (16 credits) | BA required language module (16 credits) | Performance skills 1 (16 credits) | Performance skills 2A (16 credits) | Performance skills 2B (16 credits) | Performance skills 3A (16 credits) | Performance skills 3B (16 credits) |
| Introduction to music fundamentals A (16 credits) | Introduction to music fundamentals B (16 credits) | Theory and perception 1A (16 credits) | If PGCE: Theory and perception 1B (16 credits) | If PGCE: Theory and perception 2A (16 credits) | If PCGE: Theory and perception 2B (16 credits) | Elective (16 credits) | Elective (16 credits) |
| Introduction to academic English and literature A (16 credits) | Introduction to academic English and literature B (16 credits) | BA non-music subject (16 credits) | If PGCE: Non-music module continued (16 credits) | If PGCE: Non-music module continued (16 credits) | If PGCE: Non-music module continued (16 credits) | Elective (16 credits) | Elective (16 credits) |
Which subjects do I need to choose for the theory and composition stream?
These are the subjects you need to choose in order to complete the theory and composition stream. Please note the additional requirements if you decide to do a PGCE.
| Foundation level, semester 1 | Foundation level, semester 2 | Level 1, semester 1 | Level 1, semester 2 | Level 2, semester 1 | Level 2, semester 2 | Level 3, semester 1 | Level 3, semester 2 |
| Foundational practical studies A (16 credits) | Foundational practical studies B (16 credits) | Practical studies 1A (16 credits) | Practical studies 1B (16 credits) | Practical studies 2A (16 credits) | Practical studies 2B (16 credits) | Practical studies 3A (16 credits) | Practical studies 3B (16 credits) |
| Foundational performance skills A (16 credits) | Foundational performance skills B (16 credits) | BA required language module (16 credits) | Elective (16 credits) | Elective (16 credits) | Elective (16 credits) | Elective (16 credits) | Elective (16 credits) |
| Introduction to music fundamentals A (16 credits) | Introduction to music fundamentals B (16 credits) | Theory and perception 1A (16 credits) | Theory and perception 1B (16 credits) | Theory and perception 2A (16 credits) | Theory and perception 2B (16 credits) | Theory and perception 3A (16 credits) | Theory and perception 3B (16 credits) |
| Introduction to academic English and literature A | Introduction to academic English and literature B | BA non-music subject (16 credits) | If PGCE: Non-music module continued (16 credits) | If PGCE: Non-music module continued (16 credits) | If PGCE: Non-music module continued (16 credits) | Composition A (16 credits) | Composition B (16 credits) |
Which subjects do I need to choose for the research stream?
These are the subjects you need to choose in order to complete the research stream. Please note the additional requirements if you decide to do a PGCE.
| Foundation level, semester 1 | Foundation level, semester 2 | Level 1, semester 1 | Level 1, semester 2 | Level 2, semester 1 | Level 2, semester 2 | Level 3, semester 1 | Level 3, semester 2 |
| Foundational practical studies A (16 credits) | Foundational practical studies B (16 credits) | Practical studies 1A (16 credits) | If PGCE: Practical studies 1B (16 credits) | If PGCE: Practical studies 2A (16 credits) | If PGCE: Practical studies 2B (16 credits) | Elective (16 credits) | Elective (16 credits) |
| Foundational performance skills A (16 credits) | Foundational performance skills B (16 credits) | BA required language module (16 credits) | Music and society 1 (16 credits) | Music and society 2A (16 credits) | Music and society 2B (16 credits) | Music and society 3A (16 credits) | Music and society 3B (16 credits) |
| Introduction to music fundamentals A (16 credits) | Introduction to music fundamentals B (16 credits) | Theory and perception 1A (16 credits) | Theory and perception 1B (16 credits) | Theory and perception 2A (16 credits) | Theory and perception 2B (16 credits) | Theory and perception 3A (16 credits) | Theory and perception 3B (16 credits) |
| Introduction to academic English and literature A (16 credits) | Introduction to academic English and literature B (16 credits) | BA non-music subject (16 credits) | If PGCE: Non-music module continued (16 credits) | If PGCE: Non-music module continued (16 credits) | If PGCE: Non-music module continued (16 credits) | Musicology A (16 credits) | Musicology B (16 credits) |
What subject could I choose for the non-music requirement in Year 2?
These are the current non-music subjects which are available to BA in Music students:
- English
- isiZulu (mother tongue or 2nd language)
- Drama
- History
- Tourism
- Psychology
- Philosophy
- Religious studies
- Media studies
If you are planning you do a PGCE, you must choose a non music subject which is a school teaching subject, and you must select it for 4 consecutive semesters (see above).
What are the music electives?
The electives vary slightly depending on the stream you choose. The list below is of all the possible electives.
Level 1
Practical Studies 1B
Music and Society 1
Performance Skills 1
Music Theory and Perception 1B
Level 2
Practical Studies 2A and B
Performance Skills 2A and B
Music and Society 2A and B
Music Theory and Perception 2A and B
Please note: students are usually required to choose these electives in pairs, i.e. Practical Studies 2A and B.
Level 3
Practical Studies 3A and B
Performance Skills 3A and B
Music and Society 3A and B
Music Theory and Perception 3A and B
African Music Outreach A and B
Choral Studies A and B
Composition A and B
Instrumental/Vocal Teaching Method A and B
Music Technology A and B
Musicology A and B
Please note: students are usually required to choose these electives in pairs, i.e. Practical Studies 2A and B.
Can I get advice when choosing subjects each semester?
Yes, you can and should seek advice about your subject choices. Each year students should consult with the BA in Music programme coordinator (or the staff member designated for your particular stream or year) in order to choose subjects correctly.
