Music

Entry requirements

Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities).

Every applicant must either:

• have been admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Music with Honours, or
• have been awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Music, or
• have alternative qualifications or experience acceptable to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities).

If your first language is not English you need to meet our English language requirements as follows: IELTS score of 6.5 in the academic module (with no individual band below 6.0); we also accept a number of other English language tests. Due to COVID-19, we currently accept Duolingo English Test (DET), IELTS Indicator Test, and TOEFL iBT Special home Edition.

Don’t meet the English language requirements? The University of Otago Language Centre "English for Otago" programme offers a pathway for Undergraduate and Postgraduate students to meet the English language requirements for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

Months of entry

Anytime

Course content

The Master of Music (MMus) degree requires at least one year of full-time study. It may be awarded in Composition, Studio Production, or Performance.

Every candidate for the degree must either have been admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Music with Honours (MusB(Hons)) or have been awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Music (PGDipMus), or have alternative qualifications or experience acceptable to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities).

To gain the degree in Composition, a candidate must present an approved portfolio comprising an extended work and such further compositions as may be required, accompanied by a written component.

To gain the degree in Studio Production, a candidate must present a substantial, professional-quality sound recording of original or arranged works, accompanied by a written component.

To gain the degree in Performance, a candidate must present two approved public performances of approximately 50 minutes each in the University, at least one of which shall be at the end of the programme, undergo an oral examination, and complete a written component. The candidate may replace one of the performances with a recorded performance.

Graduates find themselves in a wide variety of careers, including music performance, composition, education, technology, theatre and the media.

Music has an important place in the lives of people in all cultures, and the study of music enriches any student's university programme, opening doors to lifelong learning and enjoyment.

Structure of the Programme

As a guide to the candidate, the recommended relative workload weighting may vary from 90% for the compositions, performances or studio productions and 10% for the written component, through to 70% for the compositions, performances or studio productions and 30% for the written component.

A candidate may not present a composition, studio sound recording, or performance programme which has previously been accepted for another degree.

The research and other work necessary for the degree should be of a kind that a diligent and competent student should complete within one year of full-time study.

Information for international students

Otago offers students an unrivalled campus experience and a vibrant, social student culture. The majority of Otago’s 21,000 students live, work and play in Dunedin - New Zealand’s only true university city. Otago is home to over 3,000 students, from over 100 countries.

Fees and funding

New Zealand is a relatively affordable country to live in. Dunedin, being a student-focused city, has living and entertainment options for all budgets.

Students are eligible for the Otago International Excellence Scholarship.