Master of Arts [M.A] (Music)

at University of Waikato

• A Postgraduate Diploma in Music is available in either Composition or Performance. Students must complete either MUSIC504 or MUSIC505.

• To be eligible to be considered for enrolment in the BMus(Hons), a student should normally hold a BMus degree and have at least a B average in their 300 level Music papers in the area of intended graduate specialisation or all their undergraduate Music papers.

• To complete a BA(Hons) or BMus(Hons) in Music, students must gain 120 points at 500 level, including at least 30 points in research (normally MUSIC591) and at least 30 points from papers listed for Music.

• Candidates for the MMus must have at least second class honours (second division) in their BMus(Hons) degrees. The MMus is taken in Composition or Performance. Students are required to take either MUSIC514 or MUSIC524.
   

Candidates for the MA in Music must have completed either:
 

•  a BA with a major in Music (or equivalent) and have gained at least a B grade average across the 300 level papers, or for a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent, or

•  a BA(Hons) in Music (or equivalent) with at least second class honours (second division), or a PGDip in Music (or equivalent) with at least a B average, and

•  have satisfied the prerequisites for graduate study in the subject(s) being presented for the Degree, at levels considered appropriate by the Academic Board.
   

Acceptance into the MA is subject to the availability of a suitable supervisor and overall approval from the Programme Convenor.
 

Completion requirements for the MA in Music vary according to admission criteria:
 

Students admitted under a) above must complete 180 points from approved 500 level papers, including a research foundations paper, and either a 120 point thesis or a composition portfolio, a 90 point thesis or a 60 point dissertation.
 

Students admitted under b) above must complete a 120 point thesis or a composition portfolio, a 90 point thesis and a further 30 points from approved 500 level papers, or a 60 point dissertation and a further 60 points from approved 500 level papers.
 

Prescriptions for the PhD and DMA

The Doctor of Philosophy is a three year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.
 

The Doctor of Musical Arts is a research degree in which the research component is divided equally between research-based performance and a supporting thesis. The thesis will be conceptually related to the student's performance.

This degree consists of either:

• a dissertation and coursework

• coursework only
   

This degree can be either in the same area as your undergraduate study or in a new area of study.
 

Depending on your previous study and chosen subject, a masters may take one, one and a half, or two years to complete.
 

A recognised bachelors degree with a B/B+ average, and a B/B+ average in a relevant subject if required.
 

Some Faculties/Schools require an honours degree (to demonstrate research capacity). Where the above requirements are not met, further study in a lower level programme may be required first.
 

To provide flexibility to students during COVID-19 who are affected by the closure of testing centres, the University of Waikato will accept the following alternative tests for all 2021 and 2022 intakes. Please note this policy is subject to review.
 

• IELTS Indicator (this is an online version of the regular IELTS test)

• TOEFL iBT Home (Plus) (this is an online version of the regular TOEFL test)

• Duolingo English Test (DET) with the following scores:

  • DET score of 90 for pre-degree programmes (IELTS 5.5 equivalent)

  • DET score of 100 for undergraduate programmes (excluding those listed below)

  • DET score of 110 for postgraduate programmes (excluding doctoral programmes)
     

The University of Waikato will accept Duolingo (DET) as an alternative means of meeting the English language entry requirements for the majority of its programmes (excluding all Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes, BSW and LLB) while test centres remain closed and until further notice.

Students who are accepted into their programme using any of the three language tests named above will be issued an unconditional offer, but will be required to undertake a supplementary online language assessment. For doctoral students using DET to gain admission, you will be required to undertake a supplementary assessment prior to an offer being issued.
 

If you are an international student, you will also need to meet an English language entry requirement. If you do not meet the requirement for your chosen postgraduate qualification, we have Academic English Language programmes available that you can enrol in to help you meet these entry requirements.
 

For admission to the Master of Teaching and Learning (MTchgLn) an academic IELTS overall score of 7.0 (with no less than 7.0 in any band) is required.
 

Equivalent qualifications
 

If you have successfully completed study in the English medium, you may not have to take a language test. This document also includes all approved alternatives to our IELTS requirements.

Estimated Fees* (International):    $49,795-$56,670 (180 pts)

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