Bachelor of Music 

This programme is designed for students who have already attained an advanced level of music skills and is aimed at developing specialist music skills and knowledge. Students receive tuition in instrumental or vocal music (classical or jazz). Students choose additional elective modules to enhance their music expertise. 

In the third year of study, students are required to select modules to specialise in during the final year of study. These fields include composition, music education, music entrepreneurship, music psychology, music philosophy, pedagogy, ethnomusicology, chamber music, music technology, music therapy and performance art.

Both musicology and music theory cover Western classical and jazz/popular styles. Any orchestral instrument, voice, piano, organ, harpsichord, recorder, saxophone or guitar may be chosen as a practical instrument.

The School of the Arts: Music offers a broad range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes, covering classical, jazz and African music. We are the only university on the African continent that offers training in music therapy.

Our students are involved in numerous outreach projects and in-service training courses, all designed to bring music, music education, music technology and music therapy to the wider South African population. 

Our facilities include two auditoria with exceptional acoustics, three Steinway concert grand pianos, lecture halls spread in three buildings over two campuses, a recording studio, individual practice rooms, and dedicated staff with expertise in classical, jazz, instrumental, vocal, choral, African and world music.

For more information, please consult the Faculty webpage.

Music teachers, music technicians, solo and/or chamber music performers, orchestral musicians and composers

Important information for all prospective students for 2026

The admission requirements below apply to all who apply for admission to the University of Pretoria with a National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Independent Examination Board (IEB) qualifications. Click here for this Faculty Brochure.

* To retain admission, you must obtain an APS of at least 28 in the NSC. 

Admissions for the Bachelor of Music degree will take place in July, September and Ad-hoc.

Life Orientation is excluded when calculating the APS. 

Applicants currently in Grade 12 must apply with their final Grade 11 (or equivalent) results.

Applicants who have completed Grade 12 must apply with their final NSC or equivalent qualification results.

Please note that meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission.

Successful candidates will be notified once admitted or conditionally admitted.

Applicants should check their application status regularly on the UP Student Portal at click here.

Applicants with qualifications other than the abovementioned should refer to the International undergraduate prospectus 2026: Applicants with a school leaving certificate not issued by Umalusi (South Africa), available at click here.

International students: Click here.

Transferring students

A transferring student is a student who, at the time of applying at the University of Pretoria (UP) is/was a registered student at another tertiary institution. A transferring student will be considered for admission based on NSC or equivalent qualification and previous academic performance. Students who have been dismissed from other institutions due to poor academic performance will not be considered for admission to UP.

Closing dates: Same as above.

Returning students

A returning student is a student who, at the time of application for a degree programme is/was a registered student at UP, and wants to transfer to another degree at UP. A returning student will be considered for admission based on NSC or equivalent qualification and previous academic performance.

Note:

• Students who have been excluded/dismissed from a faculty due to poor academic performance may be considered for admission to another programme at UP, as per faculty-specific requirements.
• Only ONE transfer between UP faculties and TWO transfers within a faculty will be allowed.
• Admission of returning students will always depend on the faculty concerned and the availability of space in the programmes for which they apply.

Closing date for applications from returning students

Unless capacity allows for an extension of the closing date, applications from returning students must be submitted before the end of August via your UP Student Centre.

The School of the Arts: Music selects candidates based on a practical singing or instrument performance of 15 minutes, as well as a theoretical test.

Audition required.

• Video of a practical performance (60%): A performance on the candidate’s principal instrument. The performance should last about 15 minutes, and the programme must contain three works from different style periods (standard: At least Grade VII, Unisa/Royal Schools/Trinity practical music examinations);
• Online theoretical test (60%): A written test that will assess the candidate’s knowledge of elementary harmony (standard: at least Grade V, Unisa/Royal Schools/Trinity theory examinations). 

Except in cases where modules or programmes require the use of a language other than English, all modules will be presented only in English, which is the University's official language of tuition, communication and correspondence.

The Faculty of Humanities provides a holistic education, transferable skills, critical thinking, and communication and problem-solving that will help you develop to your full potential. You will be entering a stimulating environment that will broaden your intellectual horizons and help you achieve personal and professional success through the best possible learning experience.

As the most diverse Faculty of the University of Pretoria, we offer an exciting and comprehensive range of programmes and discipline-based majors, including studies in languages, social sciences and visual and performing arts.

• Disclaimer: This publication contains information about regulations and programmes of the University of Pretoria. Amendments to or updating of the information may be effected from time to time without prior notification. The accuracy, correctness or validity of the information contained here is therefore not guaranteed by the University at any given time and is always subject to verification. The user is kindly requested to verify the correctness of the information with the University at all times. Failure to do so will not give rise to any claim or action of any nature against the University by any party whatsoever.