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Dip - Music as a subject

A diploma is a short-term study option that can help pave your way to future success.

Study Music with leading performers, composers and musicologists; and perform in the acclaimed Dr John Gallagher Concert Chamber, part of the University of Waikato's purpose-built performing arts academy.

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


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Key information

Years: 1
Start Dates: Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July)
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.

Career opportunities

  • Advertiser
  • Broadcaster
  • Composer
  • Digital Media Producer
  • Film Music Composer or Producer
  • Performer
  • Recording Artist

Degree Planner

Prescriptions for the GradCert(Mus) and GradDip(Mus)

A Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma are available to graduates who have not included Music at an advanced level in their first degree. Each programme of study in Music must include MUSIC112 or equivalent.

For further details, contact the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences Office.

Prescriptions for the PGCert(Mus), PGDip(Mus), BA(Hons), BMus(Hons), MA and MMus

A Postgraduate Diploma in Music is available in either Composition or Performance. Students must complete either MUSIC504 or MUSIC505.

To be eligible to be considered for enrolment in the BMus(Hons), a student should normally hold a BMus degree and have at least a B average in their 300 level Music papers in the area of intended graduate specialisation or all their undergraduate Music papers.

To complete a BA(Hons) or BMus(Hons) in Music, students must gain 120 points at 500 level, including at least 30 points in research (normally MUSIC591) and at least 30 points from papers listed for Music.

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 MUSIC514 or MUSIC524 or MUSIC525.

Candidates for the MA in Music must have completed either:

a) a BA with a major in Music (or equivalent) and have gained at least a B grade average across the 300 level papers, or for a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent, or

b) a BA(Hons) in Music (or equivalent) with at least second class honours (second division), or a PGDip in Music (or equivalent) with at least a B average, and

c) have satisfied the prerequisites for graduate study in the subject(s) being presented for the Degree, at levels considered appropriate by the Academic Board.

Acceptance into the MA is subject to the availability of a suitable supervisor and overall approval from the Programme Convenor.

Completion requirements for the MA in Music vary according to admission criteria:

Students admitted under a) above must complete 180 points from approved 500 level papers, including a research foundations paper, and either a 120 point thesis or a composition portfolio, a 90 point thesis or a 60 point dissertation.

Students admitted under b) above must complete a 120 point thesis or a composition portfolio, or a 90 point thesis and a further 30 points from approved 500 level papers, or a 60 point dissertation and a further 60 points from approved 500 level papers.


Scholarships and prizes

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You will receive lessons and be able to perform, and have your works performed, in the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, through events such as the annual opera production, our contemporary music ensemble – Okta, the Lilburn Trust Student Composition Awards, weekly lunchtime recitals and performance hours.

Our Music programme has excellent facilities available for you to rehearse and compose, the electroacoustic music studios are of an international standard. A long-standing feature of the Music programme is our commitment to integrate the latest technological developments throughout the programme as appropriate.


Subject links

Conservatorium of Music/Music Programme


Music is available in streams for the BMus and as a major for the BA. Music may also be taken as a second major or as a supporting subject within other undergraduate degrees, subject to academic approval of the Faculty or School of Studies in which the student is enrolled.

To complete Music as a single major for the BA, students must gain 135 points from papers listed for Music, including 105 points above 100 level, and 60 points above 200 level. Students must include MUSIC112; at least one of MUSIC115, MUSIC117, MUSIC119, MUSIC140; and at least one of MUSIC213, MUSIC215, MUSIC222, MUSIC240 and MUSIC314.

To complete Music as part of a double major, students must gain 120 points from papers listed for Music, including 90 points above 100 level, and 45 points above 200 level including MUSIC112; at least one of MUSIC115, MUSIC117, MUSIC119, MUSIC140; and at least one of MUSIC213, MUSIC215, MUSIC222, MUSIC240 and MUSIC314.

To complete a minor in Music, students must complete 60 points from the papers listed for the Music major, including at least 30 points above 100 level.

Music is available in streams for the BMus.

To complete a BMus (Academic), students must complete 90 papers from Music, and 135 points from elective papers.

To complete a BMus (Performance), students must complete MUSIC118, MUSIC120, MUSIC121; and MUSIC218, MUSIC220, MUSIC221, MUSIC227; and MUSIC318, MUSIC320, MUSIC321, MUSIC327 and 60 points from elective papers.

To complete a BMus (Composition), students must complete MUSIC140; and MUSIC219, MUSIC222, and MUSIC323; and 30 points from either MUSIC240 and MUSIC340 or MUSIC215 and MUSIC315 and 30 points from Music list and 105 points from elective papers.

For more information about subject requirements please refer to the Catalogue of Papers for the most up to date information. If you have any questions and need more advice contact one of our friendly student advisors phone: 0800 800 145 or +64 7 838 4080 or email: [email protected]

Details of streams for the Performance programme are set out in the Bachelor of Music.

If you wish to undertake performance papers as part of your Music major or if you would like a specialist Music qualification you will enrol in the Bachelor of Music.

Within the BMus, a Soloist specialisation is available. Details of the specialisation can be found in the Bachelor of Music.

All students enrolled for the BMus or the BA majoring in Music are required to participate in group performances, either by singing in the University Chamber Choir or playing in the University Orchestra. Participation in the Choir or Orchestra may be counted towards MUSIC227 Music Ensemble 1 or MUSIC327 Performance Ensemble 2.

Notes:

  1. All BMus students enrolled in first year Music papers should have skills in reading and writing music to Grade 3 level (NZMEB, AMEB) or Grade 5 level (Royal Schools, Trinity College). Candidates must gain at least 60 points at 100 level in any subject(s) before enrolling in Music papers above 100 level, and at least 90 points at 100 and 200 level before enrolling in Music papers above 200 level.
  2. Assessment: Failure to achieve a pass in any Performance, Performance Techniques, or Chamber Music papers will result in the need to re-audition for entry to Performance or Chamber Music streams. Students wishing to enter the Performance stream at any level will be required to audition.

Please note: For all graduate subject requirements check the information provided in the papers section above.


Contacts

School of Arts
Phone: 0800 800 145 or +64 7 838 4380
General and Undergraduate Email Enquiries: [email protected]
Graduate and Postgraduate Email Enquiries: [email protected]