Master of Musical Arts – MMA
Build on your Honours degree or Postgraduate Diploma and get the high-level music skills and critical perspective you need for a career in music or a related field. This one-year Master's programme will further your knowledge in either composition, sonic arts or performance and is also designed to prepare you for the Doctor of Musical Arts.
Study at New Zealand's most prestigious music school and learn from world-class musicians and academics who are leaders in their fields.
If you have a Bachelor of Music with Honours or a Postgraduate Diploma in Music, and want to continue your studies, then the MMA could be the right choice for you. Each subject has its own entry requirements you'll need to have met before enrolling. Performance students will need to do an audition and Composition students submit a portfolio. All students will need to outline their research plans and goals in a statement of research intent when they apply.
In your MMA you'll complete both coursework and a thesis.
Choose 30 points worth of courses at 400 or 500 level. You'll need to select topics that explore critical perspectives relating to your creative work, such as aesthetics, performance practice and critical analysis. Your courses must contain substantial written components.
You'll complete a 90-point creative research thesis on an approved topic of your choice.
Composition students will complete a portfolio of compositions or sound-based works, and a written report of between 10,000 and 20,000 words.
Performance students will express their research through one or two public recitals, and a written report of around 10,000 to 20,000 words.
Research proposal
You'll need to submit a research proposal within one month of enrolment for approval by the NZSM Postgraduate Committee. Performance students will express their research through one or two public recitals, and a written report of between 10,000 and 20,000 words.
Available subjects
Composition/Sonic Arts
Performance
Campus Information
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand
Intakes
- Feb
- July
- Nov
Application Processing Time in Days: 20
Application Process
Minimum English Language Requirements
| English Level Description | IELTS (1.0 -9.0) | TOEFL IBT (0-120) | TOEFL CBT (0-300) | PTE (10-90) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert | 9 | 120 | 297-300 | 86-90 | |
| Very Good | 8.5 | 115-119 | 280-293 | 83-86 | |
| Very Good | 8 | 110-114 | 270-280 | 79-83 | |
| Good | 7.5 | 102-109 | 253-267 | 73-79 | |
| Good | 7 | 94-101 | 240-253 | 65-73 | |
| Competent | 6.5 | 79-93 | 213-233 | 58-65 | |
| Competent | 6 | 60-78 | 170-210 | 50-58 | |
| Modest | 5.5 | 46-59 | 133-210 | 43-50 | |
| Modest | 5 | 35-45 | 107-133 | 36-43 | |
| Limited | 4 | 32-34 | 97-103 | 30-36 | |
| Extremely Limited | < 4 | < 31 | < 93 | < 30 |
Job Opportunity Potential
Wellington Careers and Employment
Get connected with employers and the community and prepare for your future employment. Develop your skills and experiences through our programmes and launch your career with confidence.
CV checks
Get your CV checked at a drop-in session.
Talk to someone
Make an appointment for one-to-one guidance with a careers consultant.
Network with employers
Explore your career possibilities and network with potential employers at our expos and other upcoming events.
Employers
Engage with us to build your organisation’s profile on campus and connect with our talented students and graduates.
Graduate recruitment
We host a number of graduate recruitment events throughout the year, where you can meet potential employers and find out about jobs and internships.
PSW Opportunity
- During study, all students on a student visa can work up to 20 hours per week during semester and full time during vacations.
- After completing Level 7 Bachelor’s Degree or Higher Qualification, a student will get a three years open post-study work visa.
- After completing Level 8 Post Graduate courses of 1 year, students get 1 year PSW.
Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria
For entry into a programme at postgraduate level (including a graduate diploma, Honour’s degree, postgraduate diploma, or Master’s degree), as a minimum, you need the equivalent of a Bachelor’s (undergraduate) degree from a recognised institution with at least a B average.
A background in a particular subject area may be required or recommended. Entry is at the programme director’s discretion.
IELTS (Academic)
Overall band of 6.5 with no sub-score below 6.0
TOEFL (iBT)
A score of 90 on the internet-based test with at least 20 in writing
Pearson Test of English (Academic)
A score of 58 with a ‘Communicative’ score of not less than 50
C1 Advanced (formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE))
A score of 176 or higher, with each skill score no less than 169
C2 Proficiency (formerly known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE))
A score of 176 or higher, with each skill score no less than 169
New Zealand Certificates in English Language (NZCEL)
NZCEL Level 5 (Academic)
Victoria University of Wellington English Proficiency Programme (EPP)
A minimum of two ratings of 5 and two ratings of 4
English New Zealand's Accredited Pathway Assessment
English New Zealand Accredited Pathway Assessment Level 3 (with no skill lower than Level 2)
- Course Type: Full Time
- Course Level: Masters/PG Degree
- Duration: 01 Year 06 Month
-
Total Tuition Fee:
41000 NZD
Annual Cost of Living: 20000 NZD
Application Fee: N/A
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