Bachelor of Music at University of Cape Town

Programme overview

The Bachelor of Music (HB010, NQF level 8, SAQA ID 59301) is a degree of the South African College of Music offered in streams: African Music Performance, General, Jazz Studies, Music Technology, Opera, Classical Composition and Classical Performance. The General stream gives a broad musical training at degree level. It does not qualify graduates to teach in schools; intending teachers are advised to take the General stream with Music Education electives before a PGCE.

Faculty: Faculty of Humanities | Department: South African College of Music | Duration: Four years (regular programme); five years (extended programme) | Intake: No new intake in 2026 for the extended programme (HB034); continuing students only | Study mode: full-time | Location: Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

What you will study

Each stream has its own prescribed curriculum with practical instrument study, theory, aural and music history courses. Performance streams (except Jazz) end with a public recital in final year.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Except by permission of Senate, applicants need a matriculation endorsement or an NSC endorsed for degree studies, must have written the NBT and achieved at least lower intermediate, and must pass an audition. For the regular programme they also need Music at 60% (HG) or 70% (SG) in the Senior Certificate, or Music at level 5 in the NSC, or the Unisa Grade V Theory and Grade VII practical examinations or equivalent; or must satisfy the Admission Board of the SA College of Music through practical audition, interview and theory examination. Extended-programme applicants must meet the same minimum requirements.

Tuition is charged per module, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Applications to study at UCT in 2027 opened on 1 April 2026 and close on 31 July 2026 for undergraduate study; late applications are not considered.

The application fee is R100 for undergraduate and postgraduate applications from South Africa and the SADC region, and R300 for applications from outside the SADC region; it is non-refundable and payable by direct deposit, EFT or credit card (online). UCT students and graduates are exempt except for GSB programmes.

Apply through the official page: https://applyonline.uct.ac.za

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