To apply for the Bachelor of Music, you must submit a completed application (via either QTAC or ApplyUSC) and provide a digital portfolio.
You should follow the below guidelines to prepare your digital portfolio.
What does the portfolio need to include?
The portfolio must include three (3) creative works and one (1) 500-word written personal statement.
Creative works
Your three (3) creative works can include original song/s, cover works, composition, sound design, live performed work, recorded work, DAW productions, or other sonic creative works.
Suggested formats
Types of artefacts can include video recordings and/or audio recordings.
For audio files, suggested filetypes are Stereo MP3 file @ 320kbps (recommended), MP3 (other quality), WAV and AIFF.
For video files, suggested filetypes are MP4 with 24bit/48Hz Audio (recommended), MP4 (other quality), MOV and AVI.
Quality of recordings
We are looking for audio/video that clearly communicates your musical practice and ideas.
You can use any technology you have to record your work: smartphone, portable recording device, DAW, laptop, webcam, etc. It does not need to be studio quality.
USC has no preference as to the recording technology used to develop your files.
Written personal statement
You must also provide a 500-word written personal statement responding to these prompt questions:
- Can you tell us a little about yourself and the music you make?
- What music are you listening to at the moment?
- Why do you want to study at USC?
- What are your career aspirations in the music industry?
Your personal statement should be in PDF or Word document format. It must also include links to your creative works (see below).
How to submit
After you have submitted your completed application for the Bachelor of Music via QTAC or ApplyUSC, follow the steps below. (You will need to provide your application number as part of your digital portfolio submission).
- Upload your creative works (audio/video files) to Dropbox, Google Drive or Youtube. (Make sure your settings allow others to view your files without logging in.)
- Complete the online Bachelor of Music - Portfolio Submission form. The form includes fields to upload the links to your creative works and your written personal statement.
Once you have submitted your completed application and your digital portfolio, your application will be assessed.