Universities New Zealand Ara Institute of Canterbury City Campus Courses Bachelor of Music

Bachelor of Music
at Ara Institute of Canterbury City Campus

Christchurch, New Zealand

Tuition Fee NZ$ 22,944
Country Rank#18
Duration36 Months
Score IELTS: 6

Program Overview

Prepare to thrive as a professional musician.

Bachelor of Music covers all the skills and knowledge you need to be a multi-faceted professional musician. It’s built around collaboration - you’ll learn the foundational skills and apply them in group projects and classes that directly mirror the real world of the music industry.

The programme focuses on the practical; even the ‘academic’ subjects are taught in a style that relates directly to the practical application of those subjects. More than half the programme content is practical in nature, a higher proportion than most music degrees in New Zealand. With such a focus on the practical, you’re a musician from day one at Ara.

The degree offers three pathways: Music Creation (composition), Music Performance and Music Production. This choice lets you specialise in the area you’re passionate about, while learning alongside and working with musicians from other pathways. Your third-year capstone project allows you to design your own major project (which can include a work placement if relevant) with dedicated specialist tutor support.

At Ara you’ll learn from a great team of tutors who are each also professional, working musicians. They perform, write and record across the country, from the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra to Salmonella Dub and everything in between.

Course Content
Level 5

Core courses
- Principal Study - Music Performance 1
- Prinicipal Study - Music Creation 1
- Principal Study - Music Production 1
- Contextual Studies 1
- Theory 1
- Musicianship 1
- Sound
- Jazz 1
- Contemporary 1
- Percussion 1
- Classical / Band 1
- Multimedia Music
Level 5

Core courses
- Principal Study - Music Performance 2
- Principal Study - Music Creation 2
- Principal Study - Music Production 2
- Contextual Studies 2
- Theory 2
- Musicianship 2
- Music Industry Studies
- Jazz 2
- Contemporary 2
- Percussion 2
- Classical / Band 2
- Sonic Design
Level 7

Core courses
- Capstone Project
- Contextual Studies 3
Entry Requirement
University Entrance: NCEA Level 3 (60 credits at level 3 and 20 credits at level 2 or higher) which must include 14 credits at Level 3 in each of three approved* subjects and:
- Literacy* - 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of 5 credits in reading, 5 credits in writing,
- Numeracy* - 10 credits at Level 1 or above (specified achievement standards, or unit standards 26623, 26626, 26627)
OR New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4) Ara Business and ICT Pathway or equivalent

Due to Covid-19 disruption, if you studied and achieved NCEA Level 3 during 2020, you only need 12 credits per Level 3 subject (i.e. total of 36 credits). Literacy and Numeracy requirements remain the same

If you have undertaken examinations other than NCEA (e.g. International Baccalaureate, Cambridge Examination), Ara will assess your qualification for academic entry equivalency.

Additional Requirements

You are also required to:
- Attend an audition to evaluate musical skills (Music Performance pathway). The audition will include a theory test, an aural test, a performance and an interview
- Supply a portfolio of musical outputs (Music Creation / Music Production pathways) and attend an interview / theory / aural test
- Provide two referee reports that show good character, suitability for the programme and ability to study (all pathways)
- Include a written statement outlining relevant work experience, interests, strengths, skills and community involvment (all pathways)
- Complete the Additional Requirements Form
Selection Criteria
- All applicants are sbject to a selection process to ensure suitability for this degree
- Applicants are auditioned, which includes a theory test, an aural test, a performance and an interview
- The audition panel is comprised of the programme leader and specialist tutors from the degree programme. Applicants are ranked based on their audition score.
- Depending on that ranking, applicants will be offered a place in the degree (or another programme) subject to any pending entry requirements being met (NCEA results etc)
- An offer of place on the degree may be conditional on the completion of a short course (e.g. summer theory school) or other recommended tuition
- To ensure a balanced programme, specific numbers of each instrument are accepted each year
- Those who are not initially accepted but who meet the standard are waitlisted in order of ranking (within those instruments)
Overall IELTS 6.0 Academic
- 5.5 Listening
- 5.5 Reading
- 5.5 Writing
- 5.5 Speaking
Fees & Scholarships
International Fee

$22,944 per year
Career Prospect
More than ever, music is a portfolio career and this degree sets you up perfectly to excel in the ‘gig economy’. As a graduate you’ll possess a comprehensive and varied set of skills, backed up by a working knowledge of the industry and how to establish your place within it.

Possible career outcomes include:

Professional musician
- Performer, composer, songwriter, arranger, musical director, instrumentalist, music consultant, music contractor.
Professional performance
- Performer, singer, songwriter, band or orchestra member, backing musician, soloist, cruise ship performer, studio session musician, theatre pit orchestral player, private or commissioned performer (e.g. wedding/corporate event, hotel and tourism).
Creative industries
- Composer (multimedia, film soundtrack/scores, advertising jingles, documentary/TV series), performer/producer, broadcast composer (music library composition and production), theatre and installation sound designer, music producer, computer/website/gaming music composer, music software developer, performance art exponent, presenter.
Education
- Music teacher, music tutor/lecturer, music therapist, musicologist, ethnomusicologist.
Events and music management
- Event planner, venue management, promoter, artist manager.

Cost Of Studying At Ara Institute of Canterbury City Campus

Interest rates as low as 8.9% ^*

250K+

Students Assisted

800Cr+

Loan Amount Disbursed

5000+

Loans Sanctioned

Check Loan Eligibility

Bachelor of Music at Ara Institute of Canterbury City Campus