Course details

Summary

Build on your Honours degree with advanced study and research at Master's level and become an expert in your area of music.

Take your musical skills and knowledge to the next level and focus on research with the MMus. This one-year Master's programme will further your knowledge in either composition (including sonic arts), performance, musicology, ethnomusicology, music theory or music education, and is also designed to prepare you for research at PhD level.

Pathway to the MMus

If you have a Bachelor of Music (Honours), First or Second Class, and want to continue your studies, then the MMus is a good choice for you. Each subject has its own entry requirements you'll need to have met before enrolling. Performance students will need to do an audition and Composition students submit a portfolio. All students will need to outline their research plans and goals in a statement of research intent when they apply.

Music thesis

All or most of your Master's study will involve completing a research thesis. You can choose to include 30 points worth of coursework in your programme.

Musicology students will complete a written 120-point thesis of up to 40,000 words which may include some creative work that helps explain your research. Or you can complete a 90-point written thesis of up to 30,000 words, which may also include some creative work, and 30 points from approved 400- or 500-level courses.

Composition and Performance students complete a 120-point thesis made up of a written exegesis of up to 25,000 words and significant creative work. Or you can do a 90-point thesis comprising creative work and a written report of between 10,000 and 20,000 words, and 30 points from approved 400- or 500-level courses.

Research proposal

You'll need to submit a research proposal within one month of enrolment for approval by the NZSM Postgraduate Committee. Composition and Performance students will need to outline the scope of your proposed recital or portfolio, and include an annotated bibliography demonstrating your awareness of the relevant literature and of how it relates to your creative work.

Advance your expertise with PhD study

If you do well in your Master's degree and show an aptitude for advanced research, you'll be able to apply to do a PhD.

You’ll work under supervision to produce original research that makes a significant contribution to knowledge. Full-time candidates usually complete the degree within three to four years. You’ll carry out original and sustained research under supervision from world-class academics in the School of Music.

All available subjects

• Composition
• Musicology
• Performance

Entry criteria

To be eligible to apply, you must have completed either a Bachelor of Music with Honours (BMus(Hons)) degree from a New Zealand University with First or Second Class Honours Division 1, or equivalent.

Other English Language requirements:

• IELTS overall band of 6.5, no sub-score below 6.0; or
• TOEFL 90 on the internet-based test with at least 20 in writing; or
• A minimum of two ratings of 5 and two ratings of 4 in the Victoria University English Proficiency Programme test
• Pearson Test of English: A score of 65 (with a ‘Communicative’ score of not less than 58).