Develop your experience and practice in Music with the New Zealand Certificate in Music (Level 4). Become a confident performer with the exceptional technical ability.
One year full-time
2022 Semester 2:25 July to 2 December
2023 Semester 1: 20 February to 30 June
2023 Semester 2: 24 July to 1 December
This programme is NOT eligible for the Zero Fees Scheme.
Domestic fees- $6106
International Fees can be found here.
This qualification is for individuals who wish to develop their experience and practice in Music.
It provides the music industry with performers that have the technical ability to perform with confidence.
Graduates can contribute to the cultural, social and economic life of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Graduates of this qualification will be able to:
MUS401 Applied Music 1
Students will learn the fundamentals of music theory including reading music, listening analysis and knowing your scales. The concepts are applied on keyboards in class as well as on students’ chosen instrument in one-one lessons.
MUS402 Applied Music 2
Students will further their music theory knowledge including music notation, modes and scales, harmony, melody and rhythm, sight reading, listening analysis and notation skills. The concepts are applied on keyboards in class as well as on students’ chosen instrument in one-one lessons.
MUS403 Contemporary Music in Context
This paper helps students develop an understanding of an array of historical music genres and study the historical and technological influences on these in the context of Aotearoa/New Zealand.
MUS404 Performance 1
This paper helps students develop essential band performance skills, as well as practice and rehearsal skills. Students will prepare for and perform a series of concerts covering a range of contemporary music genres.
MUS405 Performance 2
This paper helps students develop their stagecraft skills, as well as practice and rehearsal skills. Students will prepare for and perform a series of concerts covering a range of contemporary music genres.
MUS406 Contemporary Music Writing
This paper helps students creatively apply their music theory knowledge and performance skills in song writing tasks to help write their own material or be an effective collaborator.
MUS407 Music Industry Studies
Students will gain essential knowledge for working in the music industry, including basic business skills and an understanding of copyright and royalties.
EMP403 Electronic Music Production
Students will learn to use technology in recording and live sound production using digital audio workstations (DAW). They will work with sound equipment in studio and live performance environments.
This qualification may lead to employment or self-employment as an entry-level musician at a range of events and venues.
School LeaverApplicants should be 16 years of age, or older, have successfully completed NCEA Level 1 or equivalent, and have achieved a minimum standard of English as demonstrated by a minimum of eight credits at NCEA Level 1 in English.
Mature ApplicantConsideration will be given to applicants aged 20 years or older who do not meet the entry criteria if they can demonstrate a history of work, industry experience which in the opinion of the Programme Manager exhibits a likelihood of success in the programme of study.
AuditionAll applicants are required to attend an audition covering: instrumental or vocal skills and ability, aptitude and potential to study music within a range of disciplines, musical aural competence and music theory literacy – tested at time of audition (equivalent to Grade 1 level).
English Language Requirements
Applicants, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having achieved one of the following
NCEA Level 3 with University Entrance, or
an International Baccalaureate Diploma or Cambridge A- level qualification for which the teaching and assessment was conducted in English; or
Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA),or Trinity College London Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL);or
Successful completion of all primary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand primary school years 1 to 8) and at least three years of secondary education (being the equivalent of three years from New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand,,Australia,Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States one of the countries listed in Rule 18.5 where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or
Successful completion of at least five years of secondary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or
Successful completion of a Bachelor's Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor Honours degree, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters' Degree or Doctoral Degree, the language of instruction of which must be in English and which must be from a tertiary education provider from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States or
Successful completion of one of the following internationally recognised proficiency tests listed below to the level required of the programme of study and with all scores achieved in a single test during the two years preceding the proposed date of enrolment
IELTS test - General or Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5 TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - Score of 530 (with an essay score of 4.5 TWE) TOEFL Internet based test (iBT) - Score of 46 (with a writing score of 14) Cambridge English Examination - B2 First or B2First for schools with a score of 162. No less than 154 in each skill. OET - Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests NZCEL - a) Expiring Level b) Current: a) Level 3 (Academic) b) Level 3 (Applied) Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE (Academic) score of 42 with no band score lower than 36 Language Cert - B2 Communicator International ESOL Written (LRW) PASS with no less than 25/50 in each skill and Spoken (S) PASS Trinity ISE - ISE II with no less than pass in any band
* New versions of some NZCEL qualifications, and in some cases new qualifications, were published on 13 June 2017. These are intended to replace pre-existing versions and qualifications, which have been given expiring status until discontinued on 31 December 2019. (a) denotes expiring (b) denotes current
To successfully complete and be awarded the New Zealand Certificate in Music (Level 4) students must complete the prescribed programme of study and attain a minimum of 120 credits.