Develop your distinctive musical voice
Create a substantial body of original music or sound art, with one-on-one supervision from our expert staff.
Tailor your study to your goals and interests, including by working between disciplines and genres. You might compose works for the NZSM orchestra or New Zealand String Quartet, or create electronic music in our dedicated surround-sound studio. You could work with our collection of analogue synthesisers, or collaborate with Film, Theatre, or Design students.
You’ll develop advanced technical skills and a critical perspective on aesthetics and creative practice. Learn under the guidance of active composers and electronic musicians.
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.
Choose your study path
Choose the qualification that suits your career goals, time commitments, and eligibility.
These are flexible qualifications—for most of them, you can study full time or (if you’re a domestic student) part time.
Postgraduate study pathways
Postgraduate study gives you the flexibility to focus on either coursework or research, depending on your goals and interests.
Taught study combines supervised creative work with seminars and other coursework, while research degrees centre on an independent project developed with a supervisor.
Focus on coursework
- Graduate Diploma in Music—upskill quickly or explore postgraduate study before committing to a longer qualification.
- Postgraduate Diploma in Music—deepen your knowledge and develop your skills in research, writing, and critical thinking.
- Master of Arts (Coursework)—build on your Bachelor's degree with a flexible Master's programme and become a leader in your field.
Develop and refine your skills with a career-focused qualification
- Master of Fine Arts (Creative Practice)—develop your mastery, craft, and high-level practical skills for a career in the creative industries.
Focus on research
- Bachelor of Music with Honours—expand your knowledge through advanced study that’s a mix of coursework and independent research.
- Master of Music—become an expert through extensive independent research.
- Doctor of Musical Arts—a specialist doctorate aimed at working musical professionals that combines coursework, research, and creative practice.
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)—complete advanced research and make an original contribution to your field.
Master of Fine Arts (Creative Practice)
Develop your arts practice while drawing on everything the creative capital has to offer. Our Master of Fine Arts (Creative Practice) is a practical, industry-focused degree that helps you develop as a creative leader.
The degree develops your mastery, craft, and practical skills, and helps you build new networks in Wellington’s creative industries. Lead an ambitious creative project over 12 months of intensive study.
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.
Study options
Find out how you can study Postgraduate Composition/Sonic Arts at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
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.
Future careers
Postgraduate study increases your knowledge of your specialist area of music, and develops your skills in research, writing and critical thinking. Graduates with degrees in music find employment in many different fields.
You may forge a career as a composer. Graduates pursue careers as full-time composers or conductors. Others have portfolio careers that combine professional music roles with other work.
More career information
Find out more about careers in music composition and sonic arts.
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. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It's a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Music
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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 was established in 2025 to honour Professor Margaret Hyland who held the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research at Victoria University of Wellington from 2018 to 2025.
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Applicants must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents who have applied for the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Practice (MFA(CP)) within NZSM, will reside in Wellington during their studies, and have either completed an undergraduate performance degree on an orchestral instrument with a GPA of at least 7.0 at a New Zealand university or demonstrated equivalent professional experience.
Scholarships for international students
We are 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. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It's a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Music
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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 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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This scholarship is available to students intending to do research at postgraduate level at the New Zealand School of Music – Te Kōkī in the field of Music Education. Master’s or Doctoral research is preferred, though Honours level research and projects may be considered. Research or projects which may lead to qualification or enhanced professional practice of the applicant may...
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.
Academic staff research areas
Dugal McKinnon
Associate Professor
Jim Murphy
Senior Lecturer in Sonic Arts/Music Technology
Michael Norris
Associate Professor
Mo Zareei
Senior Lecturer
Ewan Clark
Lecturer (Teaching) in Composition
David Long
Lecturer in Composition
Thomas Voyce
Senior Lecturer
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.