Music
Why study Music?
If music is your passion, then Waikato has a programme of study to suit. We teach Western Classical Music – from Baroque to contemporary, through performance, composition and musical scholarship. We also offer Music Technology from undergraduate to doctoral level.
Our staff are highly qualified professionals, active nationally and internationally as composers, performers and musicologists. Music is their passion too, and our common aim is to help you develop the technique and understanding you'll need to reach your full musical potential.
Waikato's Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts will be your stage throughout your studies. Situated on the Hamilton campus, the academy is an award-winning performing arts venue.
Career Opportunities
- Advertiser
- Broadcaster
- Composer
- Digital Media Producer
- Film Music Composer or Producer
- Performer
- Recording Artist
Hamilton
Practical experience
You will receive lessons and be able to perform, and have your works performed, in the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, through events such as the annual opera production, our contemporary music ensemble – Okta, the Lilburn Trust Student Composition Awards, weekly lunchtime recitals and performance hours.
Our Music programme has excellent facilities available for you to rehearse and compose, the electroacoustic music studios are of an international standard. A long-standing feature of the Music programme is our commitment to integrate the latest technological developments throughout the programme as appropriate.
Subject Requirements
Music is available in streams for the BMus and as a major for the BA. Music may also be taken as a second major or as a supporting subject within other undergraduate degrees, subject to academic approval of the Faculty or School of Studies in which the student is enrolled.
Details of streams for the Performance programme are set out in the Bachelor of Music.
If you wish to undertake performance papers as part of your Music major or if you would like a specialist Music qualification you will enrol in the Bachelor of Music.
Within the BMus, a Soloist specialisation is available. Details of the specialisation can be found in the Bachelor of Music.
All students enrolled for the BMus or the BA majoring in Music are required to participate in group performances, either by singing in the University Chamber Choir or playing in the University Orchestra. Participation in the Choir or Orchestra may be counted towards MUSIC227 Music Ensemble 1 or MUSIC327 Performance Ensemble 2.
For more information about subject requirements, please refer to the Subject Regulations below for the most up-to-date information.
If you have any questions or need more advice, contact one of our friendly student advisors at phone: 0800 800 145 or +64 7 838 4080, or by email: alpss@waikato.ac.nz
Subject regulations
Music papers
In 2023, most 100 and 200-level BMus papers are also offered in Tauranga.
Scholarships and prizes
Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships