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Quick Facts

Programme Tabs

Overview

Programme Overview

In the BMus, you’ll learn to both preserve the past and nurture progress as you focus on your chosen discipline and prepare to enter a changing music industry. You’ll learn from some of the finest instrument teachers in the country, as well as recognised music historians and composers. Our partnerships with industry organisations will give you contact with leading local and international musicians.

Through your involvement in our many small and large ensembles, tutorials and studio classes, you’ll develop strong collaborative skills and grow your confidence.

You can study music alongside another discipline as part of a conjoint degree in Arts, Commerce, Engineering, Law or Science.


Conjoint Options Test

BA/BMus - Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Music Conjoint

BCom/BMus - Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Music Conjoint

BMus/LLB - Bachelor of Music / Bachelor of Laws Conjoint

MUS 284 - Popular Music Theory and Musicianship 1

MUS 103 - Music Fundamentals

Programme Structure

While each specialisation differs slightly, in the first year you will undertake a cross-genre music theory course, one in contemporary music culture, and a selection of other courses within your specialisation. You will also take a Waipapa Taumata Rau course in your first year.

In second year and beyond, you continue to develop within your specialisation and you can explore areas of personal interest in complementary fields such as sonic arts, music education, production, and history.

More information regarding the programme structure can be found on the specialisation pages:

  • Creative Practice: Classical
  • Creative Practice: Composition
  • Creative Practice: Jazz
  • Creative Practice: Popular Music
  • Music Studies


Conjoint Options

BA/BMus - Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Music Conjoint

BCom/BMus - Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Music Conjoint

BE(Hons)/BMus - Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) / Bachelor of Music Conjoint

BMus/LLB - Bachelor of Music / Bachelor of Laws Conjoint

BMus/LLB(Hons) - Bachelor of Music / Bachelor of Laws (Honours) Conjoint

BMus/BSc - Bachelor of Music / Bachelor of Science Conjoint

MUS 149 - Rock to Reggae: Tracking Popular Music in New Zealand

Programme Careers

Potential Careers

As a graduate you’ll have the skills and expertise to pursue a wide range of career opportunities in New Zealand and overseas. Building a career on stage is a common goal, but the music industry runs on more than performers and composers. There is a collection of people who keep the industry moving, such as writers, managers, producers and teachers.

Jobs related to this programme

  • Arts administrator/manager/director
  • Arranger/composer
  • Conductor
  • Music director
  • Music journalist
  • Performer
  • Radio/television/digital media/recording producer
  • Sound engineer

Student career planning services

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

Key Information for Students

Key Information for Students

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

Experience the University

Video

Enjoy a 360° virtual tour of some of the Music spaces on campus.

Entry Requirements, Fees and Dates

Fees and scholarships

Fees

Fees Disclaimer

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses. For more information, please see Fees and Money Matters.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

Scholarships

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Loans and Allowances

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of Living

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

Advice on Programme Limits

This is a limited entry programme: there is a limit on the number of enrolments due to staff or space capacity. For more information, please see the Programme and Course Limitations section of the University Academic and General Statutes and Regulations.

Key Dates

Application Advice

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.

You will be required to audition if you are applying for the following specialisations:

  • Creative Practice: Classical
  • Creative Practice: Jazz
  • Creative Practice: Popular Music


Creative Practice : Classical

  • First you must complete your Application for Admission.
  • Once you have completed your Application for Admission, our team will then get in touch with you to book you in for an in-person audition slot.

Location: University of Auckland City Campus.

If you are unable to attend an in-person audition, you can do an online audition.

Learn more about Creative Practice: Classical auditions.

Creative Practice: Jazz

  • First you must complete your Application for Admission.
  • Once you have completed your Application for Admission, our team will then get in touch with you to book you in for an in-person audition slot.

Location: University of Auckland City Campus.

Live in-person auditions are always preferred as they give you the best possible opportunity to showcase your musical skills and a chance to meet the jazz staff. If you live outside the Auckland region, we welcome you to submit an online audition.

Learn more about Creative Practice: Jazz auditions.

Creative Practice: Popular Music

  • First you must complete your Application for Admission.
  • Once you have completed your Application for Admission, please upload your audition portfolio via the SlideRoom portal. You will be required to upload your performance videos. Your videos should be recent – preferably recorded within the past 12 months.
  • An online interview may also be required. If so, the School of Music will contact you.

Learn more about Creative Practice: Popular Music auditions.

Key Dates

SemesterApplication Closing DateSemester Start DateSemester End Date
2025 Semester One08 December 202403 March 202530 June 2025
2025 Semester Two04 July 202521 July 202517 November 2025
2026 Semester One02 March 202629 June 2026
2026 Semester Two20 July 202616 November 2026

Other Important Dates

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

Regulations

Preamble

The regulations for this degree are to be read in conjunction with all the other relevant statutes and regulations including the Academic Statutes and Regulations.

Notes:

(i) This is a limited entry programme as per the Limitation of Entry Statute 1991 and selection criteria apply. Selection criteria are available from the Faculty of Creative Arts and Industries.

(ii) To be eligible for selection an applicant must demonstrate that they have the knowledge required for the Creative Practice specialisations in the degree. An audition or composition portfolio is required.

Duration and Total Points Value

1 A student enrolled for this degree must follow a programme of the equivalent of six full-time semesters and pass courses with a total value of 360 points, unless credit is granted under the Admission Regulations and/or the Credit Regulations.

Structure and Content

2 Of the 360 points required for this degree, a student must pass:

a at least 315 points as listed in the Bachelor of Music Schedule, including:

(i) at least 180 points above Stage I

(ii) 60 points: MUS 104, 125, 225, 325

(iii) the courses specified for one of the specialisations listed in the Bachelor of Music Schedule, of which at least 75 points must be above Stage II

(iv) 15 points: WTR 100

and

b 15 points from courses offered in either the General Education Open Schedule or the General Education Faculty Schedule approved for this degree or from a combination of these schedules and the Academic Integrity course as specified in the Enrolment and Programme Regulations, Academic Integrity, of the University Calendar.

3 A student who is required to meet the Academic English Language Requirement, as specified in the Enrolment and Programme Regulations, Academic English Language Requirement, of the University Calendar, may substitute an academic English language course approved by Senate or its representative for 15 points of General Education.

4 Up to 30 points may be substituted for elective courses in the Bachelor of Music Schedule from courses in other programmes offered at this University.

General Education Exemptions

5 a A student is exempted from the requirement to pass courses offered in the General Education Schedules who has:

either

(i) completed an undergraduate degree at a tertiary institution

or

(ii) commenced study for this degree at a tertiary institution before 1 January 2006

or

(iii) been admitted to this degree having completed 240 points or more of degree-level study at another tertiary institution.

b A student who has been exempted from the requirement to pass courses offered in the General Education Schedules must substitute the requirement with courses approved by the Head of School of Music.

c A student admitted to this degree, who has completed between 120 and 235 points inclusive of degree-level study at another tertiary institution, or who has completed a minimum of 50 points of study towards this degree in one semester at an overseas institution, either through an overseas exchange programme or through prior approval under the Credit Regulations, must pass 15 points from courses offered in the General Education Schedules.

d A student who has been fully or partially exempted from the requirement to pass courses offered in the General Education Schedules is nonetheless required to complete the Academic Integrity course.

Practical Professional and Practicum Requirements

6 In any course that includes performance work of a practical nature, a student must comply with the requirements for that course as specified by the Head of School of Music.

Conjoint Degrees

7 Special arrangements apply where this degree is taken as a component degree of an approved conjoint combination. The specific requirements and a complete list of the conjoint degrees available are set out in the Conjoint Degrees section of the University Calendar.

Variations

8 In exceptional circumstances the Programme Director may approve a variation to a student’s programme of study in accordance with the Enrolment and Programme Regulations.

Regulation Commencement or Amendment

9 These regulations and/or schedule have been amended with effect from 1 January 2025.

Schedule

Programme Schedules

Complete 360 points comprising:

  • 15 to 285 points for one Specialisation from Bachelor of Music Schedule, and
  • 15 points for all Waipapa Taumata Rau Course, and
  • 15 points from General Education Courses, and
  • 45 points from Other Courses, and
  • 1 item from Academic Integrity Course

Waipapa Taumata Rau Course

Complete 15 points for ALL of the following:

General Education Courses

Complete exactly 15 points from the following:

Other Courses

Select 45 credits from University of Auckland at levels 100 to 400.

Academic Integrity Course

Complete exactly 1 of the following:

Degree Plan

Overview

testing

Degree Planner for the Bachelor of Music - Composition specialisation

Year 1
Semester One
Composition Studio 1 
Bachelor of Music Schedule - CPS-BMus - Bachelor of Music specialisation in Composition - Core Courses 3
15 Points
Introduction to Musical Phenomena 
Bachelor of Music Schedule - CPS-BMus - Bachelor of Music specialisation in Composition - Core Courses 1
15 Points
Musicking
Bachelor of Music Schedule - CPS-BMus - Bachelor of Music specialisation in Composition - Core Courses 1
7.5 Points
Waipapa Taumata Rau: Introduction to Te Pūtahi Mātauranga, Arts and Education
Waipapa Taumata Rau Course
15 Points

Semester One or Two

TESTING - Please ignore

Points

TESTING - Please ignore

Semester Two
Composition Studio 2 
Bachelor of Music Schedule - CPS-BMus - Bachelor of Music specialisation in Composition - Core Courses 3
15 Points
Music in Aotearoa New Zealand
Bachelor of Music Schedule - CPS-BMus - Bachelor of Music specialisation in Composition - Core Courses 1
15 Points
Introduction to Music Teaching and Learning
Bachelor of Music Schedule - CPS-BMus - Bachelor of Music specialisation in Composition - Core Courses 1
15 Points
Musicking
Bachelor of Music Schedule - CPS-BMus - Bachelor of Music specialisation in Composition - Core Courses 1
7.5 Points
General Education Courses
15 Points

Can be swapped with an elective in another semester

Year 2
Semester One
Composition Studio 3 
Bachelor of Music Schedule - CPS-BMus - Bachelor of Music specialisation in Composition - Core Courses 3
15 Points
Classical Theory and Musicianship 1
Bachelor of Music Schedule - CPS-BMus - Bachelor of Music specialisation in Composition - Core Courses 2
15 Points
Music in Society
Bachelor of Music Schedule - CPS-BMus - Bachelor of Music specialisation in Composition - Core Courses 1
15 Points

OR

Elective course (if MUS 346 is selected in Year 3)

15 Points

TESTING 10/11/25

Points

TESTING 10/11/25

Semester Two
Composition Studio 4 
Bachelor of Music Schedule - CPS-BMus - Bachelor of Music specialisation in Composition - Core Courses 3
15 Points
Classical Theory and Musicianship 2
Bachelor of Music Schedule - CPS-BMus - Bachelor of Music specialisation in Composition - Core Courses 2
15 Points
Instrumentation
Bachelor of Music Schedule - CPS-BMus - Bachelor of Music specialisation in Composition - Core Courses 3
15 Points

Elective Course

15 Points

Bachelor of Music Schedule course


OR


Other Undergraduate course

Year 3
Semester One
Composition Studio 5 
Bachelor of Music Schedule - CPS-BMus - Bachelor of Music specialisation in Composition - Core Courses 3
15 Points
Classical Theory and Musicianship 3
Bachelor of Music Schedule - CPS-BMus - Bachelor of Music specialisation in Composition - Core Courses 2
15 Points

OR

Elective course (if MUS 315 is selected in Semester 2)

15 Points

OR

Any Undergraduate course (if MUS 246 is selected in Year 2)

15 Points
Semester Two
Composition Studio 6 
Bachelor of Music Schedule - CPS-BMus - Bachelor of Music specialisation in Composition - Core Courses 3
15 Points
Analytical Methods
Bachelor of Music Schedule - CPS-BMus - Bachelor of Music specialisation in Composition - Core Courses 3
15 Points
Music as History
Bachelor of Music Schedule - CPS-BMus - Bachelor of Music specialisation in Composition - Core Courses 1
15 Points

OR

Any Undergraduate course (if MUS 314 is selected in Semester 1)

Points

Graduate Profile and Programme Capabilities

Graduate Profile

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Programme Capabilities

#Programme Capability

Programme Capabilities to Graduate Profile Map