Bachelor of Music (Honours) - The University of Auckland

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.

2025 entry requirements

My highest qualification is from:

University of Auckland Another tertiary institution

Programme requirements

Minimum programme requirements

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.

Study option

Taught 120 points

Grade required

GPA Grade Point Average 5.0

Bachelor of Music

Calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA)

Further programme requirements

Taught 120 points

You must have completed your BMus within two years of starting the BMus(Hons). If you did not, you must submit a portfolio applicable to the area of study being applied for.

Other pathways to study

You must have completed a Bachelor of Music (BMus) in the same major as you intend to undertake within the BMus(Hons) degree. You will require a GPA of 5.0 or higher in 60 points above stage II.

If you have less than 20 points remaining to complete your BMus, and have an average grade of B (or higher) in your final year of study, you are still eligible to apply for entry into the BMus(Hons).

You will need to complete your remaining BMus points before you are eligible to graduate with your BMus(Hons).

Programme requirements

Minimum programme requirements

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.

Study option

Taught 120 points

Grade required

GPE Grade Point Equivalent 5.0

An undergraduate degree
Qualification

IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System

Score required

6.5

No bands less than 6.0

See alternative English language requirements

Calculate your Grade Point Equivalent (GPE)

Further programme requirements

Taught 120 points

You must have completed an undergraduate music degree at a recognised university (or similar institution) in the same discipline as the major you are applying for. You will require a GPE of 5.0 across the highest-level courses that are relevant to your intended major.

You must also submit a portfolio applicable to your area of study.

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

Key dates

Please note: We will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Application closing dates

Semester One 2025: 8 December 2024

Semester Two 2025: 4 July 2025

Start dates

Here are the start dates for the programme.

2025

Semester One

Starts – 3 March

Ends – 30 June

Semester Two

Starts – 21 July

Ends – 17 November

2026

Semester One

Starts – 2 March

Ends – 29 June

Semester Two

Starts – 20 July

Ends – 16 November

Other important dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

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

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Bachelor of Music (Honours) BMus(Hons)

Programme overview

Programme structure

Subjects available in this programme