Study the Bachelor of Music (MusB)
Join a creative community with strong professional connections
If you’re passionate about music, you’ll find your home at Otago’s School of Performing Arts. Our community of staff and students encourages and supports personal growth and self-expression. In our classes you’ll get time with your lecturers and tutors, often in small groups, tutorials or workshops. The flexible nature of our degrees allows different study pathways and multiple specialisations, giving you the opportunity to shape your study to suit your passions and career aspirations.
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If this is the qualification for you, get started with your application today.
Programme details
Regulations for the Degree of Bachelor of Music (MusB)
Structure of the Programme
Every programme of study for the degree:
- shall consist of papers worth not less than 360 points, of which at least 270 points will be in Music,
- shall include at least 180 points for papers above 100-level, of which at least 72 points shall be for papers above 200-level,
- shall include the papers specified in the MusB Schedule, Part 1,
- may be completed without endorsement or may be endorsed in an area of specialisation listed in the MusB Schedule, Part 2,
- may include an optional minor subject (in a discipline or subject other than Classical Music, Ethnomusicology, Music, Music Industry, Music Technology or Popular Music) that satisfies the Minor Subject Requirements listed in Arts and Music Schedule A or Science Schedule A or Applied Science Schedule A or Commerce Schedule A or BHealSc Schedule Part 2. Alternatively, a programme may include any papers worth up to a total of 90 points that are not listed in Arts and Music Schedule C.
Prerequisites, Corequisites and Restrictions
Every programme of study for the degree shall satisfy the requirements for prerequisites, corequisites and restrictions set out in the Prescriptions (published in the Guide to Enrolment).
Cross Credits
A candidate who is enrolled for the degree concurrently with another degree, or who has completed one degree and is proceeding with the other, may cross credit 100- and 200-level papers which are common to both degrees up to a maximum of 126 points where the other degree is a three-year degree and up to a maximum of 180 points where the other degree is longer than a three-year degree.
Variations
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities) may in exceptional circumstances approve a course of study which does not comply with these regulations.
Note: An application for admission to Performance papers is required; this is separate from the enrolment process.
Career opportunities
With opportunities to specialise in Performance, Composition, or Music Production, this degree enables you to tailor your study to suit your passions and career ambitions. Our graduates become:
- Performers
- Teachers
- Composers
- Studio producers
The MusB enabled me to pursue performing, composing, conducting and musicology, and also allowed me to explore other disciplines. Students are involved in the local music scene, from playing in orchestras and singing in operas to performing at local music venues. The people at the School of Performing Arts were really supportive and fantastic.
Nathaniel Otley
2024 SOUNZ Contemporary Award Te Tohu Auaha winner
Composer in Residence, NZSO National Youth Orchestra
University jargon
Starting to research your study options and already feeling lost in the jargon? Here are some handy links for common terms you’re likely to come across.
- What’s a degree and how does it work?
- What’s a double degree?
- What’s a combined degree?
- Explore all terminology
Further study
We offer postgraduate opportunities tailored to your interests at Honours, Master's and PhD level.
More information
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