Duration
Full-time: 1 year
Part-time: Varies
Next start date
2025 Semester Two – 21 July
2026 Semester One – 2 March
Available locations
City
Points
120
Programme type
Postgraduate

Programme overview

Whether you are a performer, composer, musicologist or music studio teacher, your honours year sees you focus exclusively on your area of specialisation. You will work closely with our staff of leading musicians and music-writers while you explore your chosen major in depth, and further develop the required intellectual and creative skills to thrive in the industry.

You will choose to major in classical or jazz performance, composition, music technology, musicology, popular music or music education.

Programme structure

All students complete 120 points. Your programme structure depends on which major you choose to specialise in. For specific information on the courses for your specialisation, refer to the BMus(Hons) degree planner.

Classical Performance

  • Core courses: 60 points
  • Elective courses: 60 points chosen from a curated list of music and anthropology courses

Composition

  • Core courses: 60 points
  • Elective courses: 60 points chosen from a curated list of music and anthropology courses

Jazz Performance

  • Core courses: 90 points
  • Elective courses: 30 points chosen from a curated list of music and anthropology courses

Music Technology

  • Core courses: 60 points
  • Elective courses: 60 points chosen from a curated list of music, computer science and anthropology courses

Musicology

You may choose to further refine your musicology major to focus on either music education research or ethnomusicology.

  • Core courses: 30 points
  • Elective courses: 90 points chosen from a curated list of music, anthropology and education courses specific to your chosen specialisation

Popular Music

  • Core courses: 60 points
  • Elective courses: 60 points chosen from a curated list of music and anthropology courses

Music Education

  • Core courses: 60 points
  • Elective courses: 60 points chosen from a curated list of music and anthropology courses

You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Where could this programme take you?

On top of the career pathways available following your undergraduate degree, postgraduate study in music boosts your potential to build a successful performance or composition career. It also helps to secure a future in academia and research, contributing to influential projects in the music and wider arts community.

Jobs related to this programme

  • Academic
  • Arts administrator/manager/director
  • Arranger/composer
  • Instrumental teacher
  • Music journalist
  • Music educator
  • Performer
  • Radio/television/digital media/record producer
Anne Maroussia Filimoehala stands with her violin looking down from the internal balcony at the School of Music

Anne Maroussia Filimoehala says her style of violin teaching is inspired by her time at the School of Music.

Read Anne's story

Student career planning service

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

For more, visit our careers webpage.

Key Information for Students

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

Do you need help?

AskAuckland

Your online help and support centre. Search our frequently asked questions.

Can’t find the answer in AskAuckland?

Our student support team is here to help. Use our online contact form.

Need to speak to someone?

You can phone us directly.

Auckland
923 5025
Outside Auckland
0800 61 62 63
International
+64 9 373 7513