Programme details

Master of Musical Arts – MMA

Engage in advanced studies in composition, sonic arts, or performance to emerge as a leader in your field, blending artistry with innovation.

Course description

Enhance your career prospects in music or related fields by pursuing advanced studies through our one-year Master’s program. Designed for graduates with an Honours degree or Postgraduate Diploma in Music, the MMA offers specialized tracks in composition, sonic arts, or performance, preparing you also for progression to a Doctor of Musical Arts.

Study at New Zealand’s foremost music school and benefit from instruction by world-renowned musicians and academics who are at the forefront of their disciplines.

Prospective students must meet specific entry requirements for each specialization, including auditions for performance applicants and portfolio submissions for composition students. All candidates are required to outline their research plans and objectives in a statement of research intent during the application process.

During your MMA, you will engage in both coursework and a thesis, providing a comprehensive foundation for advancing your expertise and critical perspective in music.

Specialisations

– Composition/Sonic Arts
– Performance

Immigration benefits

This course qualifies for 5 points if applying for residency under the Skilled Migrant Category.

This course may qualify for the following visa rights:
In-study work rights
Partner visitor rights
Partner work rights
Post-study work rights

Career Prospects

Graduates of the Master of Musical Arts (MMA) program possess advanced skills and critical perspectives that open doors to diverse career opportunities in the music industry and academia. Potential roles include composer-in-residence, artistic director, music director, conductor, music educator or lecturer, sound designer, music technology specialist, or performer in orchestras, ensembles, or solo settings. They may find employment in prestigious music schools and conservatories, research institutions, cultural organizations, or as freelance artists and consultants. The MMA equips graduates with the expertise and scholarly foundation to excel in leadership positions and contribute innovatively to the evolving landscape of music and the arts globally.

Entry requirements

– A Bachelor of Music with Honours with at least a high B range average or a Postgraduate Diploma in Music with Distinction or Merit
– To submit an acceptable portfolio of compositions and sound-based works
– To be accepted by the director of the New Zealand School of Music as being capable of proceeding with the proposed course of study

EL requirement (any one of the following)
– IELTS (Academic): Minimum overall score of 6.5, with no sub-score below 6.0
– TOEFL (Internet-based test): Minimum score of 90, with at least 20 in writing
– Pearson Test of English: Minimum score of 58, with a ‘Communicative’ score of no less than 50
– EAP: Minimum final scores of 4, 4, 5, 5
– Cambridge English Qualifications: C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a score of 176 or higher, with each skill score no less than 169
– New Zealand Certificates in English Language (NZCEL): Level 5 (Academic)
– NZAPA: English New Zealand Accredited Pathway Assessment Level 3, with no skill lower than Level 2