The University of KwaZulu-Natal
Bachelor of Arts in Music
Durban, South Africa
BA
DURATION
3 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Feb 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 18,300 / per year
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
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 à Level 1 à Level 2 à Level 3. Each level has 8 modules, 4 in the 1st semester and 4 in the 2nd semester.
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.
- Performance – You are interested in becoming a professional performer.
- Theory and Composition – You are interested in becoming a composer or a 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.
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 or Academic Language and English.
For those who are not isiZulu speaking, you are required to do one semester of isiZulu non mother tongue.
Performance Steam Subjects
| 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 | Foundational practical studies B | Practical Studies 1A | Practical Studies 1B | Practical Studies 2A | Practical Studies 2B | Practical Studies 3A | Practical Studies 3B |
| Foundational Performance Skills A | Foundational Performance Skills B | BA required language module | Performance Skills 1 | Performance Skills 2A | Performance Skills 2B | Performance Skills 3A | Performance Skills 3B |
| Introduction to Music Fundamentals A | Introduction to Music Fundamentals B | Theory and Perception 1A | If PGCE: Theory and perception 1B | If PGCE: Theory and perception 2A | If PCGE: Theory and perception 2B | Elective | Elective |
| Introduction to academic English and literature A | Introduction to academic English and literature B | BA non-music subject | If PGCE: Non-music module continued | If PGCE: Non-music module continued | If PGCE: Non-music module continued | Elective | Elective |
Theory and Composition Steam Subjects
| 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 | Foundational practical studies B | Practical Studies 1A | Practical Studies 1B | Practical Studies 2A | Practical Studies 2B | Practical Studies 3A | Practical Studies 3B |
| Foundational Performance Skills A | Foundational Performance Skills B | BA required language module | Elective | Elective | Elective | Elective | Elective |
| Introduction to Music Fundamentals A | Introduction to Music Fundamentals B | Theory and Perception 1A | Theory and Perception 1B | Theory and Perception 2A | Theory and Perception 2B | Theory and Perception 3A | Theory and Perception 3B |
| Introduction to academic English and literature A | Introduction to academic English and literature B | BA non-music subject | If PGCE: Non-music module continued | If PGCE: Non-music module continued | If PGCE: Non-music module continued | Composition A | Composition B |
Research Steam Subjects
| 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 | Foundational practical studies B | Practical Studies 1A | If PGCE: Practical studies 1B | If PGCE: Practical studies 2A | If PGCE: Practical studies 2B | Elective (16 credits) | Elective |
| Foundational Performance Skills A | Foundational Performance Skills B | BA required language module | Music and Society 1 | Music and Society 2A | Music and Society 2B | Music and Society 3A | Music and Society 3B |
| Introduction to Music Fundamentals A | Introduction to Music Fundamentals B | Theory and Perception 1A | Theory and Perception 1B | Theory and Perception 2A | Theory and Perception 2B | Theory and Perception 3A | Theory and Perception 3B |
| Introduction to academic English and literature A | Introduction to academic English and literature B | BA non-music subject | If PGCE: Non-music module continued | If PGCE: Non-music module continued | If PGCE: Non-music module continued | Musicology A | Musicology B |
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 to 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.
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.