Master of Music
Studying for a Master of Music at Waikato gives you the skills you need to pursue a music career and work as a professional musician. You'll focus on musical composition or musical performance.
Why study the Master of Music?
The Master of Music (MMus) is an advanced, one-year programme designed for students with an Honours-level qualification in Music. You’ll work closely with expert supervisors in individual sessions and complete substantial projects in your chosen area, developing both your expertise and the professional attributes needed to succeed in the field.
For performers:
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Prepare for a public recital from planning to performance.
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Integrate music research with performance practice.
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Develop skills to demonstrate each stage of your performance journey.
For composers:
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Create a significant body of original music.
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Develop professional-level composition skills.
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Prepare works for public performance at concerts or similar events.
This programme allows you to deepen your knowledge, refine your craft, and advance toward a professional career in music.
Degree information
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Plan your study -
Entry Requirements Following the successful completion of the BMus(Hons) you may apply to enrol for the Master of Music (MMus). This degree is awarded with classes of honours. The MMus involves one year of full-time study, or the equivalent in part-time study.
Candidates for the MMus must have at least second class honours (second division) in their BMus(Hons) degrees. The MMus is taken in Composition, Opera or Performance. Students are required to take either MUSIC514 or MUSIC524.
For the Master of Music Performance programme, a selection process applies, and applicants are required to successfully complete an audition. View the audition requirements.
Please consult the Music Graduate Adviser for specific admission criteria.
MMus – Opera
Entry to the programme is by audition only.
A BMus or academic equivalent is required along with a proven ability as a singer of promise with evidence provided at the time of application consisting of:
- Curricula Vitae
- Links to 2 or more video recordings of performances
- Up to two references from a teacher or opera practitioner (these need to be sent directly to us at tepaekokako@waikato.ac.nz or your referees can complete the Referee form for TANZOS Applicants form).
- Audition requirements: Applicants will be required to present three contrasting opera arias from memory to a select audition panel. The panel may also engage in a discussion with the applicant during the audition.
Information about how to apply to the TANZOS programme.
Applications for 2025 are now open and will close at 5pm on Monday 15 July, 2024.
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Fees and scholarships Estimated fees
$8,276 - $9,137 per year
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Domestic tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
Domestic tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 02 July 2024.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. View information about fees free study.
Estimated fees
$41,730
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International tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for international students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
International tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 02 July 2024.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees.
-
Following the successful completion of the BMus(Hons) you may apply to enrol for the Master of Music (MMus). This degree is awarded with classes of honours. The MMus involves one year of full-time study, or the equivalent in part-time study.
Candidates for the MMus must have at least second class honours (second division) in their BMus(Hons) degrees. The MMus is taken in Composition, Opera or Performance. Students are required to take either MUSIC514 or MUSIC524.
For the Master of Music Performance programme, a selection process applies, and applicants are required to successfully complete an audition. View the audition requirements.
Please consult the Music Graduate Adviser for specific admission criteria.
MMus – Opera
Entry to the programme is by audition only.
A BMus or academic equivalent is required along with a proven ability as a singer of promise with evidence provided at the time of application consisting of:
- Curricula Vitae
- Links to 2 or more video recordings of performances
- Up to two references from a teacher or opera practitioner (these need to be sent directly to us at tepaekokako@waikato.ac.nz or your referees can complete the Referee form for TANZOS Applicants form).
- Audition requirements: Applicants will be required to present three contrasting opera arias from memory to a select audition panel. The panel may also engage in a discussion with the applicant during the audition.
Information about how to apply to the TANZOS programme.
Applications for 2025 are now open and will close at 5pm on Monday 15 July, 2024.
Estimated fees
$8,276 - $9,137 per year
-
Domestic tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
Domestic tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 02 July 2024.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. View information about fees free study.
Estimated fees
$41,730
-
International tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for international students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
International tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 02 July 2024.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees.
Links with Music Professionals and Associations
Studying for your MMus at Waikato offers numerous opportunities to connect with professional groups in the music industry, helping you grow as a musician.
Orchestral opportunities
- New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
- Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra
- Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra
- Opus Orchestra.
Chamber and Opera connections
Local Music groups
- Hamilton School of Instrumental Music
- Hamilton Community Centre of Music
- Waikato Museum Concert Series
- Arts Waikato
- Hamilton Civic Choir
Music associations
- Atoll Records
- New Zealand Institute of Registered Music Teachers
- Radio New Zealand Concert
- Composers Association of New Zealand
- New Zealand Music Examinations Board.
International links
- Computer Music Journal (MIT Press, USA)
- Australasia Computer Music Association
- Electronic Music Foundation (USA)
- Sonic Arts Network (UK)
- Oxford Music on Line (Oxford Uni Press, UK)
- St Paul's Concert Series (London)
- Interlochen Arts Academy (USA)
- Australian Centre for Interactive Design (Queensland Conservatorium of Music.)
These connections open doors to industry involvement and career advancement in music both locally and internationally.
Career Opportunities
By the end of your MMus, you'll be working at a professional level in your chosen field. If your passion is performance, you may choose to pursue a career as a studio musician or solo performer, in a chamber group or orchestra, or do experimental or theatrical work. You may prefer to go on to work in broadcasting or in radio, television or recording production. Perhaps you'd like to work in film or video music production, or in multi-media creation. You could alternatively work as a musical director or producer.
You may use your MMus to work in a role as an arts administrator, communications coordinator or in community development (for tribal authorities). You may like to work in human-computer interface development or as an educator, in the primary, secondary or tertiary sectors. Perhaps you'd like to work as a journalist or as a librarian or information consultant and music technician.
Scholarships and prizes
Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships.
Te Pae Kōkako - The Aotearoa New Zealand Opera Studio (TANZOS)
This new, immersive MMus programme provides exceptionally promising young opera singers with international-level training and experience, from both national and visiting international tutors, and industry residencies in NZ and abroad.