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.
Qualifications
Explore your study options further. Refer to enrolment information found on the following qualification pages.
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom)
- Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
- Bachelor of Music (MusB)
- Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons))
- Bachelor of Music with Honours (MusB(Hons))
- Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Music (PGDipMus)
- Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework))
- Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis))
- Master of Music (MMus)
- Doctor of Music (MusD)
Programme requirements
Bachelor of Arts (BA) majoring in Music
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | MUSI 101 Materials of Music 1 One of: | 18 18 |
| Above 100-level | 126 further MUSI points of which at least 72 must be above 200-level | 126 |
| Plus | 198 further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts | 198 |
| Total | 360 |
Bachelor of Music (MusB)
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | MUSI 101 Materials of Music 1 One of | 18 18 |
| 200-level | MUSI 201 Materials of Music 2 36 further 200- or 300-level MUSI points | 18 36 |
| 300-level | 72 300-level MUSI points | 72 |
| Plus | 198 further points, including at least 54 above 100-level, comprising: 108 further MUSI points (for 18 of which MAOR 108, PERF 205 or PERF 305 may be substituted), and 90 further points (any subject) |
108 90 |
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. CompositionMUSI 331 Composition Projects PerformanceMUSI 341 Performance 3 or MUSI 346 Professional Practice 3 Music ProductionMUSI 332 Music Production 3 and one of | ||
| Total | 360 |
Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)) in Music
| Papers |
|---|
MUSI 490 Dissertation 80 further points from:
Prerequisites: |
Bachelor of Music with Honours (MusB(Hons))
| Papers | |
|---|---|
| Composition | MUSI 431 Composition Portfolio Three of:
Prerequisite: MUSI 331 Composition Projects |
| Musical Performance | MUSI 441 Performance 4 or MUSI 446 Professional Practice 4 Three of:
Prerequisites: at least a B+ grade in MUSI 341 Performance 3, or MUSI 346 Professional Practice 3 |
| Music Research | MUSI 490 Dissertation Four of:
Prerequisites:72 300-level MUSI points |
Music Production | MUSI 432 Music Production Major Project Three of:
Prerequisite: MUSI 332 Music Production 3 or MUSI 333 Electronic Music Production (Advanced) |
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 |
|---|
One of:
Three of: |
Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Music
| Papers |
|---|
|
Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis)) in Music
| 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. |
Minor subject requirements
Music as a minor subject for a BA, BTheol, BSc, BAppSc, BCom, 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 Applied Science (BAppSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), 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 | MUSI 101 Materials of Music 1 One further 100-level MUSI paper or MAOR 108 Waiata: Te Timatanga | 18 18 |
| 200-level | 36 MUSI points at 200-level or above | 36 |
| 300-level | 18 300-level MUSI points | 18 |
| Total | 90 |
Note: This minor subject is not available for students enrolled in the Bachelor of Music (MusB) or Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA).
Papers
| Paper code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MUSI101 | 2023 | Materials of Music 1 | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MUSI103 | 2023 | Popular Music | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MUSI104 | 2023 | World Music | 18 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| MUSI105 | 2023 | Music Matters | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MUSI131 | 2023 | Composition 1 | 18 points | Full Year |
| MUSI132 | 2023 | Music Production 1 | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| MUSI135 | 2023 | Songwriting | 18 points | Full Year |
| MUSI140 | 2023 | Performance Studies 1 | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2, Full Year |
| MUSI141 | 2023 | Performance 1 | 36 points | Full Year |
| MUSI146 | 2023 | Contemporary Music Performance 1 | 36 points | Full Year |
| MUSI191 | 2023 | Introduction to Music | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MUSI201 | 2023 | Materials of Music 2 | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MUSI223 | 2023 | Classical Music | 18 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| MUSI232 | 2023 | Music Production 2 | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MUSI233 | 2023 | Electronic Music Production | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MUSI234 | 2023 | Contemporary Composition | 18 points | Full Year |
| MUSI240 | 2023 | Performance Studies 2 | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2, Full Year |
| MUSI241 | 2023 | Performance 2 | 36 points | Full Year |
| MUSI246 | 2023 | Contemporary Music Performance 2 | 36 points | Full Year |
| MUSI249 | 2023 | Contemporary Vocal Pedagogy: How to Teach Contemporary Voice | 18 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| MUSI259 | 2023 | Special Topic: Practical Conducting | 18 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| MUSI260 | 2023 | Special Topic: Vocal Performance & Recording | 18 points | Summer School |
| MUSI261 | 2023 | Music and Visual Culture | 18 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| MUSI265 | 2023 | Music and Theatre | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MUSI266 | 2023 | Film Music | 18 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| MUSI267 | 2023 | Music in Aotearoa | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MUSI268 | 2023 | Performance in Asia and the Pacific | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MUSI269 | 2023 | Popular Music 2 | 18 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| MUSI270 | 2023 | David Bowie | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MUSI301 | 2023 | Materials of Music | 18 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| MUSI323 | 2023 | Classical Music | 18 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| MUSI331 | 2023 | Composition Projects | 36 points | Full Year |
| MUSI332 | 2023 | Music Production 3 | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MUSI333 | 2023 | Electronic Music Production (Advanced) | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MUSI334 | 2023 | Music Production Projects | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MUSI340 | 2023 | Performance Studies 3 | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2, Full Year |
| MUSI341 | 2023 | Performance 3 | 36 points | Full Year |
| MUSI346 | 2023 | Contemporary Music Performance 3 | 36 points | Full Year |
| MUSI349 | 2023 | Contemporary Vocal Pedagogy: How to Teach Contemporary Voice | 18 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| MUSI361 | 2023 | Music and Visual Culture | 18 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| MUSI365 | 2023 | Music and Theatre | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MUSI366 | 2023 | Film Music | 18 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| MUSI367 | 2023 | Music in Aotearoa (Advanced) | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MUSI368 | 2023 | Performance in Asia and the Pacific | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MUSI369 | 2023 | Popular Music 3 | 18 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| MUSI371 | 2023 | Research Methods and Approaches | 18 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| MUSI375 | 2023 | Music Performance Pedagogy | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MUSI386 | 2023 | Community Project | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MUSI401 | 2023 | Materials of Music (Advanced) | 20 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| MUSI407 | 2023 | Radical Works | 20 points | Full Year |
| MUSI431 | 2023 | Composition Portfolio | 60 points | Full Year |
| MUSI432 | 2023 | Studio Production | 60 points | Full Year |
| MUSI441 | 2023 | Performance 4 | 60 points | Full Year |
| MUSI442 | 2023 | Repertoire Studies | 20 points | Full Year |
| MUSI446 | 2023 | Contemporary Music Practice 4 | 60 points | Full Year |
| MUSI471 | 2023 | Research Methods and Approaches (Advanced) | 20 points | Not offered in 2023 |
| MUSI475 | 2023 | Music Performance Pedagogy (Advanced) | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| MUSI486 | 2023 | Community Project (Advanced) | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| MUSI490 | 2023 | Dissertation | 40 points | Full Year |
| MUSI590 | 2023 | Research Dissertation | 60 points | 1st Non standard period, 2nd Non standard period |
Key information for future students
Contact us
School of Performing Arts
Music Programme
Email spa@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/performing-arts
