Course details

Summary

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 two BMus streams are:

Academic Programme

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

Performance Programme

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

Soloist Specialisation

Within the BMus degree, we offer a soloist specialisation 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.

Career opportunities

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

Graduate study options

• Bachelor of Music with Honours (BMus(Hons))
• Master of Music (MMus)
• Graduate Certificate (GradCert)
• Graduate Diploma (GradDip)
• Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert)
• Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip)
• Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Entry criteria

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.

University Entrance means: From 2015 - (i) NCEA Level 3, (ii) a minimum of 14 credits at Level 3 or higher on the National Qualifications Framework, in each of three approved subjects, and (iii) the numeracy requirements of a minimum of 10 credits at Level 1 or higher on the National Qualifications Framework, made up of achievement standards and/or unit standards specified by NZQA, and (iv) the literacy requirement of a minimum of 10 credits at Level 2 or higher on the National Qualifications Framework, made up of: (a) 5 credits in reading , and (b) 5 credits in writing from a list specified by NZQA.

English language requirements:

IELTS (Academic) - 6.0 overall (no band less than 6.0); iBT (internet based) TOEFL - 79-80 with a score of 20 in writing; Pearson PTE Academic - 57 with no less than 57 for each communicative skill; Waikato Pathways - Successful completion of Level 7 with a B grade average in the Certificate of Attainment in Academic English (CAAE) program.