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.
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Bachelor of Arts (BA), Dunedin, 2025
Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Dunedin, 2025
Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc), Dunedin, 2025
Bachelor of Music (MusB), Dunedin, 2025
Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)), Dunedin, 2025
Bachelor of Music with Honours (MusB(Hons)), Dunedin, 2025
Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad), Dunedin, 2025
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts), Dunedin, 2025
Postgraduate Diploma in Music (PGDipMus), Dunedin, 2025
Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)), Dunedin, 2025
Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis)), Dunedin, 2024
Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis)), Dunedin, 2025
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.
This programme does not have provision for major subjects. A programme may be completed without endorsement, or may be endorsed in one of the following areas of specialisation if it includes the papers specified below.
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Music
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)).
Postgraduate Diploma in Music (PGDipMus)
Papers
MUSI 443 Creative Project
And two of:
MUSI 440 Performance Studies 4
MUSI 471 Research Methods and Approaches (Advanced)
Note: Students are able to take one of HUMS 501-503 not already taken as an optional paper in this pathway.
Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis)) in Music
Thesis
Thesis: MUSI 5
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.
Music as a minor subject for a BA, BTheol, BSc, BCom, BEntr, BHealSc, BACom, BASc or BComSc degree
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree
Level
Papers
Points
100-level
Two MUSI papers, one of which may be replaced with MAOR 108 Waiata: Te Timatanga
