BA in Music
The BA in Music programme offers academic and performance training in music consisting of practical instruction in piano and all modern orchestral instruments, as well as in singing, the harpsichord, guitar, organ, choir conducting and recorder. Ample opportunities are available for music-making in such groups as the Stellenbosch University Symphony Orchestra, the Collegium Musicum, the Stellenbosch Symphonic Winds, Konsubrass, choirs and many smaller ensembles.
Contact information
Programme overview
Duration
Three years
Campus
Stellenbosch
More information
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Career opportunities
Private music teacher, conductor, performing artist or accompanist. Upon further studies musicrelated professions such as music journalist, music therapist or high school teacher. Postgraduate studies in your chosen major may open up other careers.
Occupations:
Musician
Teacher
Minimum admission requirements – NSC/ IEB
- An NSC aggregate of at least 60% (excluding Life Orientation)
- Home Language 50%
- First Additional Language 40%
- In the main instrument (or in singing) at least a practical standard in classical music equivalent to the Grade VII examination and theoretical knowledge equivalent to any of the examining bodies’ Grade V theory examination.
- Candidates must be available for an audition and theoretical test at the Department of Music in Stellenbosch, where they must demonstrate proof of the required standards. Upon receiving your application, we send you information about the audition. Further information at [email protected].
If you take Mathematics as a university subject, then also:
- Mathematics 70%
- Home Language 50%
- First Additional Language 40%
- In the main instrument (or in singing) at least a practical standard in classical music equivalent to the Grade VII examination and theoretical knowledge equivalent to any of the examining bodies’ Grade V theory examination.
- Candidates must be available for an audition and theoretical test at the Department of Music in Stellenbosch, where they must demonstrate proof of the required standards. Upon receiving your application, we send you information about the audition. Further information at [email protected].
If you take Mathematics as a university subject, then also:
- Mathematics 70%
Minimum admission requirements – International curricula
IEB-ISC
IEB-ISC (NBTs compulsory) IEB-ISC aggregate of at least 65% (excluding Active Citizenry)
- Home Language 50%
- First Additional Language 40% If you take Mathematics as a university subject, then also Mathematics 70% In the main instrument (or in singing) at least a practical standard in classical music equivalent to the Grade VII examination and theoretical knowledge equivalent to any of the examining bodies’ Grade V theory examination.
- Candidates must be available for an audition and theoretical test at the Department of Music in Stellenbosch, where candidates must demonstrate proof of the required standards. Upon receiving your application, we send you information about the audition. Further information at [email protected]
German Abitur
University Exemption with 60% average
Language requirements will be satisfied by
meeting the exemption requirements
If Mathematics is taken as university subject,
Maths 8 (Nam 10) - In the main instrument (or in singing) at least a practical standard in classical music equivalent to the Grade VII examination and theoretical knowledge equivalent to any of the examining bodies’ Grade V theory examination.
- Candidates must be available for an audition and theoretical test at the Department of Music in Stellenbosch, where candidates must demonstrate proof of the required standards. Upon receiving your application, we send you information about the audition. Further information at [email protected]
International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB Diploma)
University Exemption with 60% average
Language requirements will be satisfied by
meeting the exemption requirements
If Mathematics is taken as university subject, Maths 5 on SL OR Maths 4 on HL In the main instrument (or in singing) at least a practical standard in classical music equivalent to the Grade VII examination and theoretical knowledge equivalent to any of the examining bodies’ Grade V theory examination.
- Candidates must be available for an audition and theoretical test at the Department of Music in Stellenbosch, where candidates must demonstrate proof of the required standards. Upon receiving your application, we send you information about the audition. Further information at [email protected]
Cambridge International/Pearson Edexcel AS-level , IGCSE/O-level
University Exemption with
60% average
Language requirements will be satisfied by meeting the exemption requirements
If Mathematics is taken as university subject, Maths B on AS-Level In the main instrument (or in singing) at least a practical standard in classical music equivalent to the Grade VII examination and theoretical knowledge equivalent to any of the examining bodies’ Grade V theory examination.
- Candidates must be available for an audition and theoretical test at the Department of Music in Stellenbosch, where candidates must demonstrate proof of the required standards. Upon receiving your application, we send you information about the audition. Further information at [email protected]
Cambridge International/Pearson Edexcel A-level , IGCSE/O-level
University Exemption with
60% average
Language requirements will be satisfied by meeting the exemption requirements
If Mathematics is taken as university subject, Maths D on A-Level In the main instrument (or in singing) at least a practical standard in classical music equivalent to the Grade VII examination and theoretical knowledge equivalent to any of the examining bodies’ Grade V theory examination.
- Candidates must be available for an audition and theoretical test at the Department of Music in Stellenbosch, where candidates must demonstrate proof of the required standards. Upon receiving your application, we send you information about the audition. Further information at [email protected]
IEB-ISC (NBTs compulsory) IEB-ISC aggregate of at least 65% (excluding Active Citizenry)
- Home Language 50%
- First Additional Language 40% If you take Mathematics as a university subject, then also Mathematics 70% In the main instrument (or in singing) at least a practical standard in classical music equivalent to the Grade VII examination and theoretical knowledge equivalent to any of the examining bodies’ Grade V theory examination.
- Candidates must be available for an audition and theoretical test at the Department of Music in Stellenbosch, where candidates must demonstrate proof of the required standards. Upon receiving your application, we send you information about the audition. Further information at [email protected]
German Abitur
University Exemption with 60% average
Language requirements will be satisfied by
meeting the exemption requirements
If Mathematics is taken as university subject,
Maths 8 (Nam 10) - In the main instrument (or in singing) at least a practical standard in classical music equivalent to the Grade VII examination and theoretical knowledge equivalent to any of the examining bodies’ Grade V theory examination.
- Candidates must be available for an audition and theoretical test at the Department of Music in Stellenbosch, where candidates must demonstrate proof of the required standards. Upon receiving your application, we send you information about the audition. Further information at [email protected]
International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB Diploma)
University Exemption with 60% average
Language requirements will be satisfied by
meeting the exemption requirements
If Mathematics is taken as university subject, Maths 5 on SL OR Maths 4 on HL In the main instrument (or in singing) at least a practical standard in classical music equivalent to the Grade VII examination and theoretical knowledge equivalent to any of the examining bodies’ Grade V theory examination.
- Candidates must be available for an audition and theoretical test at the Department of Music in Stellenbosch, where candidates must demonstrate proof of the required standards. Upon receiving your application, we send you information about the audition. Further information at [email protected]
Cambridge International/Pearson Edexcel AS-level , IGCSE/O-level
University Exemption with
60% average
Language requirements will be satisfied by meeting the exemption requirements
If Mathematics is taken as university subject, Maths B on AS-Level In the main instrument (or in singing) at least a practical standard in classical music equivalent to the Grade VII examination and theoretical knowledge equivalent to any of the examining bodies’ Grade V theory examination.
- Candidates must be available for an audition and theoretical test at the Department of Music in Stellenbosch, where candidates must demonstrate proof of the required standards. Upon receiving your application, we send you information about the audition. Further information at [email protected]
Cambridge International/Pearson Edexcel A-level , IGCSE/O-level
University Exemption with
60% average
Language requirements will be satisfied by meeting the exemption requirements
If Mathematics is taken as university subject, Maths D on A-Level In the main instrument (or in singing) at least a practical standard in classical music equivalent to the Grade VII examination and theoretical knowledge equivalent to any of the examining bodies’ Grade V theory examination.
- Candidates must be available for an audition and theoretical test at the Department of Music in Stellenbosch, where candidates must demonstrate proof of the required standards. Upon receiving your application, we send you information about the audition. Further information at [email protected]
Programme structure
Full-time
Last updated
01 April 2026
Disclaimer:
The University reserves the right to amend the information on this webpage at any time. While every effort is made to ensure that the information provided is accurate and complete, it may be subject to change or become outdated. It remains the responsibility of prospective students to verify all details against the relevant faculty yearbook or directly with the relevant department.