Get into the music industry as a performer with the New Zealand Diploma in Music (Level 5). Learn and develop a range of music performance and production skills to be able to perform competently and creatively.
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: $6799
International Fees can be found here.
This course will teach you basics, advanced tactics and artistic proficiency that is needed to become a musician.
It provides the music industry with individuals who have a range of music performance and music production skills to perform competently and creatively.
Graduates can contribute to the cultural, social and economic life of Aotearoa New Zealand.
You will learn:
Graduates will be equipped with theoretical and practical skills to perform as professional musicians or progress to higher level study in music.
MUS501 Applied Music 1
This paper focuses on technical elements of music including pitch, rhythm, and harmony in a range of contexts. It also includes individual lessons from an instrument tutor as well as regular workshops.
MUS502 Applied Music 2
This paper focuses on technical elements of music including pitch, rhythm, and harmony in a range of contexts, and builds on the content covered in Applied Music 1. It also includes individual lessons from an instrument tutor as well as regular workshops.
MUS503 Music Performance 1
Students will develop tools for performing original and cover material to a professional standard. Students will develop their capacity as a performer in both a live and studio setting and learn industry critical skills such as transcription, tech riders, and safe operation of a PA system.
MUS504 Music Performance 2
Students will develop tools for performing original and cover material to a professional standard and builds on the content covered in Music Performance 1. Students will develop their capacity as a performer in both a live and studio setting and learn industry critical skills such as transcription, tech riders, and safe operation of a PA system.
MUS505 Contemporary Music Writing 1
This paper helps students develop composition and production skills using a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). Students will examine a broad range of musical genres and contexts.
MUS506 Contemporary Music Writing 2
This paper helps students develop composition and production skills using a Digital Audio Workstation and builds on the content covered in Contemporary Music Writing 1. Students will examine a broad range of musical genres and contexts.
CTX501 Contextual Studies 1
This paper helps students develop critical thinking skills, research skills, and communication skills, and develop the ability to view music through differing sociocultural perspectives including but not limited to race and gender.
CAS501 Creative Arts Industries Studies
Students will study and apply principles and practices of small business for self-employment in the audio, music, and related industries. Students will analyse industry structures, practices and relevant legislation including copyright.
This qualification can lead to employment or self-employment as a performer at a range of events, venues or in roles such as:
School Leavers
University Entrance - NCEA Level 3 or successful completion of the NZ Certificate in Music (Level 4) or equivalent.
Mature Applicants
Consideration 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.
Consideration will be given to students who progress through other TPP/MAINZ/SIT programme pathways (e.g. Foundation Sound and Music).
Applicants may be required to attend an interview or provide a portfolio of audio related work.
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 - Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5 TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - Score of 550 (with an essay score of 5 TWE) TOEFL Internet based test (iBT) - Score of 46 (with a writing score of 14) Cambridge English Examination - B2 First or B2 First 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 4 (General) or (Workplace) b) Level 4 (General) or (Employment) 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) HIGH PASS with no less than 25/50 in each skill and Spoken (S) PASS Trinity ISE - ISE II with no less than merit 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 Diploma in Music Level 5 students must complete the prescribed programme of study and attain a minimum of 120 credits.