Take your musical life in a new direction
Our flexible, one-year Graduate Diploma in Music (GDipMus) can be your first step into formal music study after graduating in other subjects.
It could also be a chance to explore your musical interests and enrich your life, be the start of a new career in music, or to prepare for further study at postgraduate level.
You'll develop new skills, insights, and knowledge of the study and practice of music, and learn to apply these effectively. Study at Te Kōki—New Zealand School of Music with accomplished performers, teachers, and academics in the field.
Who can study for this qualification
The GDipMus is a focused, flexible 120-point programme that you can tailor to your goals. To enrol, you need to have an undergraduate degree in any subject, not just Music.
This means it’s a good option if you’ve graduated in another discipline and you now want to explore your musical interests. You might be:
- already working in another field and want a flexible qualification to fit your schedule
- need to come up to date in your area of musical interest
- be curious about formal music study at tertiary level, and want to test the waters before committing to further study.
You can also use the GDipMus to change your musical direction. For example, you might have graduated in one musical subject but would now like to move into another at postgraduate level, such as with the Bachelor of Music with Honours or the Master of Music.
Although the entry requirements are flexible, you will need to audition for Performance courses and submit a portfolio for Composition or Sonic Arts courses.
What you’ll learn
The GDipMus is a flexible qualification – what you’ll learn in your GDipMus depends on the courses you choose. Here are some examples.
Performance
Practise your solo and ensemble performance skills, and choose to develop related skills like improvisation or conducting. You can also carry out research in your interest area.
Writing music
Choose to study songwriting, film composition, or composing and arranging for ensembles, for example.
Sonic arts
Take courses in areas like electronic music and sound design; sound as a medium of experience; or the creative use of computer programming for interactive digital music.
Digital music and audio production
You could study:
- digital music and interaction
- music history
- film music
- digital music and interfaces.
Music as a scholarly subject
You might study subjects like Western Art music in the 20th century, or the relationship between jazz and race around the world.
How you’ll study
You'll complete the GDipMus in two trimesters, which is around one year. To graduate, you complete sixt to nine courses. Although most of these courses must be offered by the New Zealand School of Music, you may be able to take courses from other qualifications at the University.
You will learn through coursework—there is no thesis component. Your exact programme of study and timetable depends on the courses you choose.
Because music is a practical pursuit, you’ll need to attend lectures and other forms of in-person instruction on campus. Students taking classical or jazz performance will have weekly lessons, performance workshops, ensemble classes, and instrument-specific group classes.
Workload
If you are studying full time, you can expect a workload of 40 to 45 hours a week.
Part-time study options
If you study part time you can complete the GDipMus in four trimesters over a maximum of two years.
Qualification support and advice
We can help you match your interests and career goals with the right course of study.
If you’re a new student, talk to a Future Student Adviser through our enquiry form.
If you’re already studying with us, talk to Tītoko—Student Success.
For the research portion of your study, you’ll need a supervisor to help guide your research. Your programme coordinator will work with you to find the right person.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for domestic students
- Requirements for students who completed secondary school in:
If you live in New Zealand and are a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand or Australia, you're considered a domestic student.
Some citizens of the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau may automatically hold New Zealand citizenship.
Diplomatic residents living in New Zealand are also regarded as domestic students.
To be accepted into this qualification, you need:
1. (a) Before enrolment, a candidate for the GDipMus shall have:
(i) completed a degree of a tertiary institution in New Zealand; and
(ii) been accepted by the Head of School of the New Zealand School of Music—Te Kōkī as capable of proceeding with the proposed course of study.
(b) Requirement (a)(i) may be waived by the Associate Dean (Students), Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, for a candidate who has adequate training and experience to proceed with the proposed course of study.
Entry requirements
Your acceptance into this programme is based on your previous qualifications and experience.
Qualification requirements
Excerpt from the regulations for the GDipMus
2. (a) Except as provided in (b), the course of study for the GDipMus shall be a coherent programme, approved by the Head of School, and consisting of at least 120 CMPO, MUSC, NZSM, or PERF points at 200–500 level, including at least 75 points at 300 level or above.
(b) The Head of School may approve the inclusion of up to 30 points at an equivalent level from other qualifications offered by Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
3. A candidate shall normally be enrolled for at least two trimesters and shall complete the requirements of the diploma within four years of first enrolling in it. The associate dean may extend this maximum period in special cases.
Why Wellington
Make the most of our decades of scholarship and study. Our Department of Music was established in 1946 and became Te Kōkī—New Zealand School of Music in 2006. Our academic staff include top professional musicians and singers, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise.
As the cultural capital, Wellington is home to many of Aotearoa New Zealand's most acclaimed performers, composers, teachers, scholars, and arts organisations.
National Music Centre
Opening in 2027, the National Music Centre will be a vibrant and innovative hub celebrating music, creativity, and connection in the heart of our city.
Bringing together Te Kōkī students, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra musicians, and industry leaders, the Centre will enable some of the best music education and performance experiences in the world.
Future careers
The GDipMus opens doors, whether you're transitioning into music or advancing within it. The qualification's advantage is its flexibility—it’s a good first step towards work in the creative sector, or it can help you find opportunities in other areas.
For example, you can use it to help you find work:
- as a performer or music tutor
- in event management
- in the film and entertainment industries
- as a teacher—either privately, or (with further postgraduate study) in higher education
- in arts administration or events management
- in creative projects.
It’s also a pathway to further postgraduate study in music, like an Honours or Master's degree.
More career information
Find out more about careers in.
The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas.
We encourage you to apply—many scholarships don’t receive enough applications.
Scholarships for the GDipMus
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This scholarship is for students undertaking or intending to undertake an Honours or Masters degree at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington in areas related to Peace Building or Peace Studies, Trust Building, Conflict Resolution, addressing Historical Injustice, Restorative Justice, Social Cohesion, Community building and promoting cross-cultural understanding, Change Making or Ethical Leadership.
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This scholarship is open to female students of the New Zealand School of Music who are studying or who aspire to study sonic arts. The successful applicant will be chosen on the basis of prior attainment and identified potential, taking into account, where appropriate, financial need.
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The Fisher Trumpet Scholarship aims to support undergraduate music students at NZSM, Victoria University of Wellington who demonstrate excellence in trumpet performance.
Scholarships for international students
We're currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
Other scholarships
We also have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas.
We encourage you to apply—many scholarships don’t receive enough applications.
Scholarships for GDipMus
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This scholarship is open to female students of the New Zealand School of Music who are studying or who aspire to study sonic arts. The successful applicant will be chosen on the basis of prior attainment and identified potential, taking into account, where appropriate, financial need.
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The Fisher Trumpet Scholarship aims to support undergraduate music students at NZSM, Victoria University of Wellington who demonstrate excellence in trumpet performance.
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Applicants will be current violin, viola or violoncello students, enrolled in the NZSM. A particular of the scholarship is to fund postgraduate study, travel, accommodation and other expenses incurred in the pursuit of such study, both within and outside New Zealand. The scholarship is available to both domestic and international students.
Join our postgraduate community
The Postgraduate Students’ Association provides a voice for you on campus and information on studying at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Postgraduate Students’ Association
MAI ki Pōneke
MAI ki Pōneke are part of an international network of Māori and Indigenous postgraduate students. They provide advice, support, and information to Indigenous postgraduate students of all levels, as well as those thinking about enrolling.
Further research or study
The GDipMus can also prepare you for study in your new subject at postgraduate level, such as the Bachelor of Music with Honours or the Master of Music.
We offer many postgraduate qualifications in Music, from graduate diplomas to doctoral-level studies.
Get help to manage your finances
We can help you:
- budget your money
- manage your student loan or allowance
- work out your accommodation payment schedule.
If you’re facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for the Hardship Fund.
You may be eligible for government or community support, too.
Apply for a New Zealand study visa
You’ll need to apply for a study visa if you plan to study with us as an international student.
You should apply for your visa after you’ve received your Offer of Place, and before you come to New Zealand.