Take your musical expertise to a professional standard
Take your music skills and knowledge to the next level with a postgraduate Diploma from the New Zealand School of Music. If you have a Bachelor’s degree in Music and want to broaden and deepen your musical skills in one focused qualification, the Postgraduate Diploma is for you.
You’ll dedicate yourself exclusively to developing your performance, composition, or scholarly expertise to a professional standard. Whether you’re a performer, composer, or sonic artist, you'll reach a professional standard of artistry in your area. You’ll also enhance your organisational, time management, and presentation skills valuable for careers in music and elsewhere.
You’ll study at the New Zealand School of Music with accomplished performers, teachers, and academics in the field.
Who can study for this qualification
To enrol, you need a Bachelor of Music or an equivalent undergraduate degree.
To study Performance, you'll also need to audition, and to study Composition/Sonic Arts you'll need to submit a portfolio.
The PGDipMus is a focused, flexible 120-point programme. You can use it to explore your musical interests and skills or to change your musical direction.
For example, you might be:
- a graduate in one musical subject area and would now like to follow a new musical direction
- already be working in another field and want to explore or develop your musical interests
- need to bring yourself up to date with recent developments in your musical area
- curious about formal musical education study at tertiary level, and want to test your interests before committing to fuller postgraduate study.
What you’ll learn
This one-year Postgraduate Diploma builds on your abilities in Performance, Composition, or Digital Music and Audio Production.
It’s a flexible qualification—what you’ll learn depends on the subject you focus on.
If you study Performance, you might focus on jazz or classical performance on your chosen instrument or voice. You can also choose to do a supervised practical project on an approved performance topic of your choice.
If you’re a Composition student, you could work on orchestration and arranging, composing music for film, advanced recording and post-production techniques, or explore software development for sonic arts. You'll complete a supervised project and produce a portfolio of compositions and/or sound-based works.
You can also apply to do an independent study project, which is a chance to do focused individual work with a supervisor.
How you’ll study
You’ll study for the PGDipMus through coursework—there's no thesis option. Your study timetable depends on the courses you choose.
To graduate, you need to complete three to six courses. You can choose courses from 200- to 500-level, but you must include at least 75 points at 300 level or above.
Although most of these courses must be offered by the NZSM, you may be able to take some courses from other qualifications at the University.
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.
You'll complete the PGDipMus in two trimesters, which is one year. You can expect a workload of 40 to 45 hours a week for much of the year.
You can start studying in either the first trimester or second trimester of the year.
Part-time study options
Studying part time, you can complete the PGDipMus in up to four trimesters over two years.
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.
Degree 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.
If you’re already studying with us, talk to Tītoko—Student Success.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for domestic students
- Requirements for students who completed university 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 PGDipMus shall have:
(i) completed a Bachelor of Music; and
(ii) passed an audition, in the case of a candidate in Performance, or submitted an acceptable portfolio of compositions or sound-based works, in the case of a candidate in Composition/Sonic Arts; and
(iii) 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 completed a 300-level programme other than the BMus and who has adequate training and experience to proceed with the proposed course of study.
Qualification requirements
2. The course of study for the PGDipMus shall comprise 120 points of coursework as specified in section 4.
3. A candidate shall normally be enrolled full time for one year, or part time for two years. The associate dean may extend the maximum period in special cases.
Subject requirements
Majors are the subjects you focus your degree on.
Subjects and requirements
Explore your major options below.
PGDipMus subjects
Composition/Sonic Arts
No matching majors found.
Future careers
The PGDipMus builds on your Bachelor’s degree and prepares you for a professional music career. It can also prepare you for further postgraduate study—such as with the Master of Music or Doctor of Musical Arts.
With this qualification, you’ll build the confidence and skills to audition, enter competitions, and pursue professional opportunities in the music industry. You’ll be well prepared to apply your skills and take the next step towards a rewarding performance career.
More career information
Find out more about careers in music.
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 Postgraduate Music
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The Scholarship exists to attract and support cellists of outstanding ability and potential to study cello performance at NZSM, and to engage each recipient with the life, artistry, and legacy of Greta Ostova.
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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.
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The Clare Galambos-Winter Scholarships were established to support students in the New Zealand School of Music who demonstrate exceptional talent in violin 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 Postgraduate Music
-
The Scholarship exists to attract and support cellists of outstanding ability and potential to study cello performance at NZSM, and to engage each recipient with the life, artistry, and legacy of Greta Ostova.
-
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
Your PGDipMus is an excellent pathway to further postgraduate study at Master's level
Master of Music—Build your performance skills and expand your musical knowledge with a thesis and further creative work. The MMus is good preparation for our doctorate-level degrees in Music.
Master of Fine Arts (Creative Practice)—An industry-focused, practical degree that raises your leadership, collaborative, creative, and business skills as a practising artist. If you study Performance, you can choose an orchestral training programme.
Master of Arts (Coursework)—A coursework-based degree that includes options for Music: Composition/Sonic Arts, Music Performance, or Music 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.