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.
Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Postgraduate qualifications
Honours, Master’s, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a Master’s or to step up to a PhD.
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)).
Papers
MUSI 443 Creative Project
And two of:
MUSI 440 Performance Studies 4
MUSI 471 Research Methods and Approaches (Advanced)
Note: Students are able to take one of HUMS 501-503 not already taken as an optional paper in this pathway.
Thesis
Thesis: MUSI 5
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.
This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.
Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
World-class research
The University of Otago has a global reputation for research excellence. Our expertise is vast across health, society, culture, sustainability and the environment.
