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BMus
Bachelor of Music

In 2023, most 100 and 200-level BMus papers are also offered in Tauranga.

Sharpen your musical talent with the guidance of our internationally acclaimed musicians and lecturers when you study a Bachelor of Music at Waikato. With countless opportunities for public performance and access to a world-class performing arts venue, you’ll be learning among the best.

Chamber

The Bachelor of Music (BMus) is a specialist degree that will suit you if you have musical skill and ambition or just a sheer love of music. Choose an Academic or Performance based programme and learn different styles and techniques that build your skill-base in the areas of music that interest you.

Combining theory with practical tuition, you’ll have access to our specialist teaching facilities, including the acclaimed Dr John Gallagher Concert Chamber in the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts.

The three BMus streams are:

Academic Programme

  • Composition
  • Digital Music
  • Māori Musical Instruments in Traditional and Contemporary Contexts
  • Māori Song and Dance in Traditional and Contemporary Contexts
  • Western Music History

Performance Programme

  • Chamber Music
  • Performance
  • Performance Techniques
  • Western Music History

Composition Programme

  • Composition
  • Harmony and lyric development
  • Performance Techniques
  • Digital Music
  • Western Music History

Tuition is available in voice, piano, cello, violin, classical guitar, and a range of orchestral instruments.

    Apply to enrol

    Key information

    Years: 3.0
    Points: 360
    Study Locations:Hamilton
    Start Dates: Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July)
    Estimated Fees* (Domestic): $7,571 per year
    See if you're eligible for fees-free study in your first year
    Estimated Fees* (International): $34,745 per year
    Entry Requirements: Undergraduate International
    Area of Study:
    *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.

    Degree Planner

    Degree planner — Bachelor of Music (BMus) Overview

    Year 1

    One from List A (see BMus papers below)

    MUSIC112
    1000 years of Music

    MUSIC115
    Composition 1

    MUSIC116
    Harmony and Counterpoint and Musicianship

    Any 100 level
    paper listed for Music

    100 Level
    Elective

    100 Level
    Elective

    100 Level
    Elective

    Year 2

    One from List B

    MUSIC213 History and Analysis of Music: 1600-1800

    Any 200 Level
    MUSIC paper

    Any 200 Level
    MUSIC paper

    Any 200 Level
    MUSIC paper

    200 Level
    Elective

    200 Level
    Elective

    200 Level
    Elective

    Year 3

    One from List C

    MUSIC314
    History and Analysis of Music: 1800 to the Present

    Any 300 Level
    MUSIC paper

    Any 300 Level
    MUSIC paper

    Any 300 Level
    MUSIC paper

    300 Level
    Elective

    300 Level
    Elective

    300 Level
    Elective

    • Stream
    • Compulsory
    • Elective
    This information is provisional and subject to change.

    Degree planner — BMus Academic Stream

    Year 1

    One from
    List A

    MUSIC112
    1000 years of Music

    MUSIC115
    Composition 1

    MUSIC116
    Harmony and Counterpoint and Musicianship

    Any Level 100
    MUSIC paper

    Any Level 100
    MUSIC paper

    100 Level
    Elective

    100 Level
    Elective

    Year 2

    One from
    List B

    MUSIC213 History &
    Analysis of Music 1600-1800: Romantics & Revolutionaries

    Any 200 Level
    MUSIC paper

    Any 200 Level
    MUSIC paper

    200 Level
    Elective

    200 Level
    Elective

    200 Level
    Elective

    200 Level
    Elective

    Year 3

    One from
    List C

    MUSIC314
    History and Analysis of Music 1800 to the Present:

    Any 300 Level
    MUSIC paper

    Any 300 Level
    MUSIC paper

    Any 300 Level
    MUSIC paper

    300 Level
    Elective

    300 Level
    Elective

    300 Level
    Elective

    • Stream
    • Compulsory
    • Elective
    This information is provisional and subject to change.

    Degree planner — BMus Composition Stream

    Year 1

    One from List A

    MUSIC112
    1000 years of Music

    MUSIC115
    Composition 1

    MUSIC116
    Harmony, Counterpoint and Musicianship

    MUSIC140
    Audio Tech: Communication and Creativity

    Any 100 level
    MUSIC paper

    Elective

    Elective

    Year 2

    One from List B

    MUSIC213
    History and Analysis of Music 1600 -1800

    MUSIC215
    Composition 2

    MUSIC219
    Materials of Music 2

    MUSIC222
    Orchestration

    MUSIC240
    Creative Music Technology 2: Music and Visuals

    Elective

    Elective

    Year 3

    One from List C

    MUSIC314
    History and Analysis of Music: 1800 to present

    MUSIC315
    Composition 3

    MUSIC323
    Performance, Creative or Research Project

    MUSIC340
    Music Technology 3: Creative Project

    Elective

    Elective

    Elective

    • Stream
    • Compulsory
    • Elective
    This information is provisional and subject to change.

    Degree planner — BMus Performance Stream

    Year 1

    One from List A

    MUSIC112
    1000 years of Music

    MUSIC115
    Composition 1

    MUSIC116
    Materials of Music: Harmony Counterpoint & Musicianship

    MUSIC118
    Performance Techniques 1

    MUSIC120
    Performance 1

    MUSIC121
    Classical Collaborations or MUSIC122 Musical Collaborations

    Elective

    Year 2

    One from List B

    MUSIC213
    History and Analysis of Music 1800 to the Present

    MUSIC218
    Performance Techniques 2

    MUSIC220
    Performance 2

    MUSIC221
    Classical Collaborations 2

    MUSIC227
    Performance Ensemble: Choir, Orchestra, Jazz, Bigband

    Elective

    Elective

    Year 3

    One from List C

    MUSIC314
    or any other 300 level Music paper

    MUSIC318
    Performance Techniques 3

    MUSIC320
    Performance 3

    MUSIC321
    Classical Collaborations 3

    MUSIC327
    Performance Ensemble 2

    Elective

    Elective

    • Stream
    • Compulsory
    • Elective
    This information is provisional and subject to change.

    Choose a major

    Career opportunities

    • Advertising Executive
    • Arts Administration
    • Broadcaster
    • Composer
    • Film Music Producer
    • Journalist
    • Music Blogger
    • Music Retailer
    • Performer
    • Recording Artist
    • Teacher

    If you have (or expect to gain) New Zealand University Entrance you are eligible to apply for this degree. You must also meet one of the following requirements:

    • NCEA - 14 credits in Music at Level 3
    • NCEA - 20 credits in Music at Level 2
    • A Grade 3 Theory pass or better in the New Zealand Music Education Board or Australian Music Education Board examinations, or
    • A grade 5 theory pass or better in the Trinity College, or Royal College of Music examinations, or
    • A qualification considered equivalent

    All other applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

    For the Performance programme, a selection process applies and you will be required to successfully complete an audition. These are usually held in September and October and applications are required prior to the audition date. Find out further information about Music at Waikato.

    Some first-year papers may have specific prerequisites, so please check the catalogue of papers carefully. If you do not meet the prerequisites, please contact [email protected] as there may be other pathways that you can take to study in this field.

    Scholarships and prizes

    Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships

    Find your scholarship

    Requirements

    The Bachelor of Music with Honours (BMus(Hons)) involves two semesters of full-time study, or the equivalent in part-time study. The BMus(Hons) comprises 120 points at 500 level, of which 30 points must be in research, normally a 30 point dissertation or an approved equivalent, specialising in either composition or performance. The BMus(Hons) is awarded with classes of honours.

    Entry

    In general, to be admitted to the BMus(Hons) you must have a B grade average in the 300 level Music papers of your undergraduate degree. Performance candidates must also have passed an audition. Admission criteria may vary so please consult the Music Graduate Adviser for specific admission criteria.
    Music is also available for the BA(Hons).

    BMus(Hons) specialisations

    • Composition
    • Performance

    You may take up to 30 points from subjects listed outside the degree. You should discuss your intended programme of study with the Graduate Adviser in each of the Faculties or Schools concerned.

    Graduate study options

    The opportunities for you to practice through performance are endless. Have your compositions performed, or perform yourself, at any of our regular events including the annual Opera production, weekly lunchtime recitals, Friday performance hours and competitions such as the Lilburn Trust Student Competition Awards concert – to name a few.

    We also have strong networks in the wider community, which gives you a wider range of performance opportunities.

    Qualifications links

    Students from Waikato's Conservatorium of Music are renowned for standing out on the world stage. They have excelled nationally in New Zealand's major music competitions, such as the New Zealand National Concerto Competition, the National Woodwind Competition and the Lexus Aria Competition, as well as on the international stage, for example the Beijing International Cello Competition and the Johanssen International String Competition in Washington DC.

    The soloist specialisation is for exceptionally talented music students who have the potential to become successful international soloists. Every specialisation student has their own programme of study and we provide intensive one-to-one teaching to raise technical and interpretative skills, with a strong focus on performance skills. You'll develop your on-stage personalities through multiple opportunities to perform before live audiences, and participate in national and international competitions.

    Admission to the soloist specialisation is at the discretion of the Convenor of Music. It is restricted to exceptional students who have:

    • been awarded a major prize at a recognised international or New Zealand competition;
    • performed a concerto with a professional orchestra, or a solo or chamber music concert at a major concert venue;
    • successfully completed the interview process.

    The core undergraduate papers in the soloist specialisation are:

    2024 BMus entry auditions for performance are now open for students to apply.

    The deadline for the first round audition applications is 1 August 2023 and the first round of auditions is scheduled for 12 August 2023.

    Note, all auditions will take place at the University of Waikato.

    It is recommended that students intending to apply for a Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship schedule their audition in the first round.

    Find out more about University of Waikato Scholarships.

    Second round of auditions will remain open until the end of November 2023.

    More information on auditions can be found here.

    Contacts

    Have a chat with one of our friendly advisers to help you plan your degree.

    Student Centre
    Phone: 0800 WAIKATO (0800 924 528) or 07 838 4176
    Email: [email protected]

    Have a chat with one of our friendly advisers to help you plan your degree.

    Phone: +64 7 807 9275
    Email: [email protected]

    Enquire Now