Postgraduate Studies in Music
If you already have a degree in Music and you wish to develop your skills and understanding to the next level, the University of Otago offers opportunities at the Graduate Diploma, Masters and Doctoral degree levels.
Supervisors
At the graduate level, whom you study with is important. The Department has specialists in a large number of areas.
Please visit the
Our People and Research pages for information on specialist research areas.
Scholarships
Go to the Scholarships page.
International students
Go to the Postgraduate International Students page for information.
Postgraduate Study Pathways and Qualifications
Opportunities in Musical Performance
Whether you have a three-year Bachelor’s degree, or a four-year Bachelor with Honours degree, you can proceed to advanced study as the following table shows.
Opportunities in Musical Composition
Whether you have a three-year Bachelor’s degree, or a four-year Bachelor with Honours degree, you can proceed to advanced study as the following table shows.
Opportunities in the Study of Music
The Study of Music includes music history, music analysis, musicology and ethnomusicology, in Classical Music, Popular Music or World Music. Whether you have a three-year Bachelor’s degree, or a four-year Bachelor with Honours degree, you can proceed to advanced study as the following table shows.
Postgraduate Diploma in Music
The papers which make up a Postgraduate Diploma are the same as those which make up the final year of an honours degree.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Music (PGDipMus) is intended for students who are composers or performers or both, and must contain 120 points at 400-level, including at least one of MUSI 431 Composition Portfolio and MUSI 441 Performance 4. This qualification leads on to a one-year MMus degree or to a three-year DMA degree.
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts
Students who are interested in studying music as historians, analysts, musicologists or ethnomusicologists take a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (PGDipArts), which is made up of MUSI 490 and 400-level MUSI papers worth a further 72 points. This qualification leads on to a one-year MA degree or to a three-year PhD degree.
Graduate Diploma in Studio Music Teaching
The Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad) endorsed in Studio Music Teaching offers graduates in musical performance the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to be an effective private music teacher. The programme includes papers in education and music education, and a practicum in which the student works under supervision with pupils. The programme also covers everything necessary to obtain the diploma offered by the Institute of Registered Music Teachers, and those taking the programme may apply to the Institute to be examined for that diploma too.
The following papers are required:
MUSI 348, MUSI 375, MUSI 385, EDUC 252, and at least 36 further MUSI points (including at least 18 points at 300-level or above).
Master of Music in Performance
If you already have an Honours degree you can complete the MMus in Performance in twelve months; if you have a Bachelor’s degree without Honours you will first take the Postgraduate Diploma in Music programme. For your MMus degree you will work with your supervisor towards the presentation of two recitals and a viva voce by the end of your study period (usually twelve months). Following MMus study you may proceed to study for a DMA degree.
Master of Music in Composition
If you already have an Honours degree you can complete the MMus in Composition in twelve months; if you have a Bachelor’s degree without Honours you will first take the Postgraduate Diploma in Music programme. You will work with your supervisor towards the presentation of a portfolio of compositions, including a major work, by the end of your study period (usually twelve months). If you already have an Honours degree there are no additional papers. Following MMus study you may proceed to study for a DMA degree.
Master of Music in Studio Production
If you already have an Honours degree you can complete the MMus in Studio Production in twelve months; if you have a Bachelor’s degree without Honours you will first take the Postgraduate Diploma in Music programme. You will work with your supervisor towards the presentation of a portfolio of recorded music by the end of your study period (usually twelve months). If you already have an Honours degree there are no additional papers. Following MMus study you may proceed to study for a DMA degree.
Master of Arts (MA)
If you already have an Honours degree you can complete the MA in twelve months; if you have a Bachelor’s degree without Honours you may be admitted to the MA as a two-year programme in which the first year consists of the papers required for the Postgraduate Diploma in Arts.
The MA degree programme is for students working in Musicology, Ethnomusicology, Popular Music Studies and Cultural Studies in music. You will work with your supervisor towards the presentation of a thesis on your research topic by the end of your study period (usually twelve months). Following MA study you may proceed to study for a PhD.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
The PhD programme is for students working in Musicology, Ethnomusicology, Popular Music Studies and Cultural Studies in music. You will work with your supervisor towards the presentation of a thesis on your research topic by the end of your study period. For a full-time student this is normally at least two and a half years, and for a part-time student it is normally at least four years.
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)
The DMA programme is for students working in Musical Performance, Composition and Studio Composition. You will work with your supervisor towards the presentation of a performance programme, a portfolio of compositions, or a studio production by the end of your study period. For a full-time student this is normally at least two and a half years, and for a part-time student it is normally at least four years.
The degree of Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) is awarded on the basis of the presentation of either:
a. a performance programme; or
b. a portfolio of compositions; or
c. a studio production.
Doctor of Music (MusD)
The degree shall be awarded for special excellence in musical composition.