Duration
Full-time: 1 year
Part-time: Varies
Next start date
2025 Semester One – 3 March
2025 Semester Two – 21 July
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 studio pedagogy. Musicology students can also choose to further refine their major to focus on music education research or ethnomusicology.

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

Studio Pedagogy

This major is for students from a classical performance background.

  • Core courses: 90 points
  • Elective courses: 30 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.

Subjects available in this programme

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

2024 entry requirements

My highest qualification is from:

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

Further programme requirements

Taught 120 points

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 across the required Stage III courses for your major.

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

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

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.

How much does a Bachelor of Music (Honours) cost per year?

2025 fees

Domestic students
NZ$10,892.40*
International students
NZ$43,243*

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. Amounts shown are indicative only. In addition to the tuition fees, there is a Student Services Fee of $8.88 per point, estimated at $1,065.60 for full-time study (120 points). Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses.

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

Find out about financial support information

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

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

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

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.

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.

Postgraduate Adviser

We welcome any questions you may have about postgraduate study in the School of Music. Contact our postgraduate adviser by phone or email.

Director of Postgraduate Studies
Dr Olivier Holland

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