Bachelor of Music
MusB
Duration
3 years full-time
Entry times
Semester 1 or 2 (February or July)
Fees Estimate
Scholarships
Pathways
Pathways include:
- Bachelor of Music with Honours
- Master of Music
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Download Brochure
Duration
3 years full-time
Entry times
Semester 1 or 2 (February or July)
Fees Estimate
Scholarships
Pathways
Pathways include:
- Bachelor of Music with Honours
- Master of Music
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Download Brochure
Overview
Music in all its forms is used the world over as a means of leisure, communication and enlightenment. The music industry is prolific globally and offers paid work to a vast array of practitioners.
The Bachelor of Music (MusB) is a specialised three-year degree for those who want to concentrate their studies on Music.
- A wide selection of courses, both practical and academic.
- Nationally and internationally respected staff of performers, composers, and musicologists.
- A rich music environment is enjoyed university-wide, with over a hundred concerts performed on campus each year.
- Ōtautahi Christchurch offers additional musical opportunities within a vibrant, extended music community.
Admission to UC with University Entrance (or equivalent) is required to enrol.
Students with English as an additional language are also required to meet UC's English language requirements.
Entry to the Bachelor of Music is open to all students (except for the Performance and Composition courses – see below), however it is strongly recommended that you have NCEA Level 2 or 3 music, or the equivalent of these.
For more details on applications for the Performance and Composition music courses, see Te Kura Puoro | School of Music website.
For information on the enrolment process, please see how to apply for undergraduate qualifications.
Performance courses
Entry to Performance courses MUSA 141 Performance Major 1A and MUSA 143 Performance Non-Major 1 (instrument or voice) is limited. Places are awarded on the basis of a School of Music audition.
Applications for the Performance courses should be made to Te Kura Puoro | School of Music no later than 20 September 2019. Early auditions begin 24 August 2019.
Composition or song writing courses
If you intend to study composition in the Bachelor of Music, you will need to have good musical literacy and notational skills.
An application form and submission of a small portfolio of previous work is required for MUSA 120 Song Writing 1 and MUSA 121 Notated Composition 1A and should be made to Te Kura Puoro | School of Music by 31 January 2020.
Entry into MUSA 120 Song Writing 1 requires the submission of a portfolio that demonstrates the applicant's songwriting abilities. This portfolio may contain recordings and/or notated songs, and the notation format may include anything from a lead sheet to a fully notated music score. A typical portfolio will contain approximately three songs that demonstrate the stylistic breadth and songwriting strengths of the applicant.
Entry into MUSA 121 Notated Composition 1A requires the submission of a portfolio of approximately three notated works that demonstrate your composition style and strengths to date. It should include notated scores for each composition (handwritten or computer typeset), and may also include recordings and/or MIDI files.
Typical degree structure for Bachelor of Music (majoring in Musical Culture)
-
Compulsory Music courses
-
Music major courses
-
Courses from Music or other degrees
(1) Some MUSA 300-level courses may be 30 points.
Each small block represents a 15-point course. However, some courses may be 30 points (or more).
Please note: other majors have different requirements. For all major requirements and more information, go to the Regulations for the Bachelor of Music.
The Bachelor of Music requires a total of 360 points:
- 135 points of compulsory Music courses
- at least 120 points towards a major
- 120 points of courses in Music or from other degrees.
A minimum of 225 points must be from courses above 100-level, with at least 90 points at 300-level (60 points of which must be from Music courses).
MusB students complete a major in the degree. Each major has specific course requirements, but all consist of a minimum of 120 points.
The degree takes 3 years of full-time study, or can be studied part-time for up to 10 years.
For study planning help, contact the UC Liaison Office | Te Rōpū Takawaenga o UC (new students) or a College of Arts | Te Rāngai Toi Tangata Student Advisor (advancing students).
Double degrees
It is possible to combine a Bachelor of Music with other degrees, such as the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws, or Bachelor of Commerce.
Find out more information about Double degrees.
The Bachelor of Music is a highly flexible degree, including core courses in music production, performance, and community. Students have considerable flexibility in choosing their courses in the second and third years of the degree, from Music and other subject areas.
Students will also undertake courses from their chosen major throughout the degree.
See ‘How do I plan my degree?’ above for an example degree structure diagram.
Music majors
Students can choose from one of the following major subjects:
Compulsory courses
All students in the MusB take core Music courses in their first and second years.
Year 1
- MUSA 100 Essentials in Music Techniques
- MUSA 101 Musicianship, Harmony and Analysis 1
- MUSA 125 Music Technologies
- MUSA 131 Song, Symphonies and Samples: Music in a Changing World
- MUSA 150 Music in Aotearoa New Zealand
Year 2
- MUSA 200 Musicianship, Harmony and Analysis 2
- MUSA 201 Harmony and Score-Reading
- MUSA 250 Music in our Community
Plus one of:
Optional courses
All students in the MusB must complete 120 points in additional courses from Music or other subjects at UC across their degree studies.
Including the required courses in your chosen major, at least 75 points must be at 200-level, and at least 90 points must be at 300-level (with 60 points of 300-level Music).
Additional Music courses include notated composition, songwriting, popular music genres, Kapa Haka and Māori performances, acoustics and recording techniques, chamber choir, performances, and music internships.
Note that some 100-level performance and songwriting courses are limited entry and require an application, audition, or a portfolio. See 'Entry requirements' above for more information.
Postgraduate options at UC include:
Our MusB graduates are found in a wide range of occupational contexts.
Those who wish to work in education find that the inclusion of some music in their degree can be beneficial.
UC Music graduates also work in fields such as journalism, television and radio (planning as well as production), publishing, and in technical areas such as recording, computer instruments, sound engineering, and music technology.
People with musical training are sought after by festival organisers and arts organisations.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree from UC.
See Tuition Fee Structure for more information
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) |
| 2020 | 360 | Banded Fee - total tuition fee dependent on course selection | $6,939 per 120 points |
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) |
| 2020 | 360 | This is an indicative fee - total tuition fee will be dependent on your course selection (banded) | $32,000 (first 120 points) |
Contact us
For study planning help, contact the UC Liaison Office | Te Rōpū Takawaenga o UC (new students) or a College of Arts | Te Rāngai Toi Tangata Student Advisor (advancing students).
For more general information, email info@canterbury.ac.nz or freephone 0800 VARSITY (827 748).
For the full degree requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Music. For more information on facilities, resources, and staff, see the College of Arts | Te Rāngai Toi Tangata.