Postgraduate Study in Music
A world of Music.
At the University of Otago Music programme we cover a unique combination of classical music, contemporary rock music, music production and world music. Our focus is on developing and growing each student’s creativity as a musician. Otago’s School of Performing Arts has an international reputation and ranking: students learn from leading practitioners and educators.
If you want to develop as a performer, a composer or a songwriter we have papers to suit. We also offer papers that help you discover what makes music work as a language, how it communicates to people today and in the past, and what it means to people in various world cultures including our own.
Why study Music?
Music is a very important part of our lives: the study of music enriches any student's university course and opens the door to lifelong enjoyment. There are many types of music from different parts of the world, and from different times in the world's history. At Otago we make Music, we know about Music, and we are passionate about Music and our role in educating a new generation of musicians and music lovers.
Are you just starting uni?
Learn about studying Music as an undergraduate at Otago.
Choose a study option
Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Postgraduate qualifications
Honours, Master’s, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a Master’s or to step up to a PhD.
Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons))
A four-year degree focusing on advanced study and culminating in a research project in the final year
Bachelor of Music with Honours (MusB(Hons))
A one-year (full time), restricted-entry postgraduate programme, enabling specialisation into a particular field of music
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts)
A two-semester programme of structured coursework, and in some cases supervised research, extending the knowledge and skills gained from the bachelor’s degree
Postgraduate Diploma in Music (PGDipMus)
A one-year full-time (or longer part-time) diploma that includes both coursework and a creative project
Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework))
A coursework degree with an optional research dissertation component, usually completed in 12 to 18 months of full-time study, or part-time over a longer period
Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis))
A one- or two-year degree entailing a major research project, culminating in a thesis
Master of Music (MMus)
A one-year degree (with full-time study) that may be awarded in Composition, Studio Production, or Performance, and which includes a written component
Doctor of Music (MusD)
A higher doctorate for individuals who have achieved special excellence in their original contributions in musical composition, performance or scholarship
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)
A three-year full-time programme in Music with three areas of specialisation: Performance, Composition or Studio Production
Graduate Qualifications
Our graduate qualifications are crafted to transition students from foundational studies to advanced, specialised knowledge.
Ready to apply?
Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
| Papers |
|---|
|
MUSI 443 Creative Project or MUSI 490 Dissertation Two of:
|
The Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) programme in Music is the same as the programmee for the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)).
| Papers |
|---|
MUSI 443 Creative Project And two of: |
| Dissertation / Studio Project Requirements |
|---|
| MUSI 590 Research Dissertation |
| Two of: |
| HUMS 501 Writing and Revision for Graduate Research |
| HUMS 502 Research Methods in the Humanities |
| HUMS 503 Key Debates in the Humanities |
| And: |
| Approved 400-level MUSI papers worth 60 points |
| Papers-Only Requirements |
| At least two of: |
| HUMS 501 Writing and Revision for Graduate Research |
| HUMS 502 Research Methods in the Humanities |
| HUMS 503 Key Debates in the Humanities |
| And further: |
| Approved 400-level MUSI papers worth 120 points |
| Note: Students are able to take one of HUMS 501-503 not already taken as an optional paper in this pathway. |
| Thesis |
|---|
Note: Students who have not completed a Bachelor of Arts (BA(Hons)) in Music or a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Music must complete the required papers for the BA(Hons) in Music prior to undertaking the thesis. |
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
MUSI papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MUSI101 | 2025 | Materials of Music 1 | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MUSI103 | 2025 | Popular Music | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MUSI104 | 2025 | World Music | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MUSI105 | 2025 | Music Matters in Human Life | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MUSI131 | 2025 | Composition 1 | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MUSI132 | 2025 | Music Production 1 | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| MUSI135 | 2025 | Songwriting | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MUSI140 | 2025 | Performance Studies 1 | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2, Full Year |
| MUSI143 | 2025 | Instrumental or Vocal Performance 1 | 18 points | Full Year |
| MUSI144 | 2025 | Music Ensemble 1 | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MUSI191 | 2025 | Introduction to Music | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MUSI201 | 2025 | Materials of Music 2 | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MUSI207 | 2025 | Radical Works | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MUSI232 | 2025 | Music Production 2 | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MUSI233 | 2025 | Electronic Music Production | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MUSI234 | 2025 | Contemporary Composition | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MUSI240 | 2025 | Performance Studies 2 | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2, Full Year |
| MUSI243 | 2025 | Instrumental or Vocal Performance 2 | 18 points | Full Year |
| MUSI244 | 2025 | Music Ensemble 2 | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MUSI249 | 2025 | Contemporary Vocal Pedagogy: How to Teach Contemporary Voice | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MUSI259 | 2025 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MUSI260 | 2025 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MUSI266 | 2025 | Film Music | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MUSI267 | 2025 | Music in Aotearoa | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MUSI268 | 2025 | Performance in Asia and the Pacific | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MUSI269 | 2025 | Popular Music 2 | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MUSI307 | 2025 | Radical Works (Advanced) | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MUSI310 | 2025 | Materials of Music 3 | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MUSI331 | 2025 | Composition Projects | 36 points | Full Year |
| MUSI332 | 2025 | Music Production 3 | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MUSI333 | 2025 | Electronic Music Production (Advanced) | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MUSI334 | 2025 | Music Production Projects | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MUSI340 | 2025 | Performance Studies 3 | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2, Full Year |
| MUSI343 | 2025 | Instrumental or Vocal Performance 3 | 36 points | Full Year |
| MUSI344 | 2025 | Music Ensemble 3 | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MUSI349 | 2025 | Contemporary Vocal Pedagogy: How to Teach Contemporary Voice | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MUSI366 | 2025 | Film Music | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MUSI367 | 2025 | Music in Aotearoa (Advanced) | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MUSI368 | 2025 | Performance in Asia and the Pacific | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MUSI369 | 2025 | Popular Music 3 | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MUSI371 | 2025 | Research Methods and Approaches | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MUSI375 | 2025 | Music Performance Pedagogy | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MUSI379 | 2025 | Performance, Health and Well-being | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MUSI386 | 2025 | Community Project | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MUSI440 | 2025 | Performance Studies 4 | 30 points | Semester 1, Semester 2, Full Year |
| MUSI443 | 2025 | Creative Project | 60 points | Full Year |
| MUSI471 | 2025 | Research Methods and Approaches (Advanced) | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| MUSI475 | 2025 | Music Performance Pedagogy (Advanced) | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| MUSI479 | 2025 | Performance, Health and Well-being (Advanced) | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| MUSI486 | 2025 | Community Project (Advanced) | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| MUSI487 | 2025 | Creative Practice | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| MUSI490 | 2025 | Dissertation | 60 points | Full Year |
| MUSI590 | 2025 | Research Dissertation | 60 points | 1st Non standard period (28 February 2025 - 21 February 2026), 2nd Non standard period (11 July 2025 - 3 July 2026) |
Contacts
School of Performing Arts
Music Programme
Email spa@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/performing-arts
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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