Learn the world’s oldest form of music
Study Songwriting to develop your own sound and create a career grounded in original music. Get the technical, collaborative, and professional skills you need to thrive in today’s music industry.
We'll encourage you to draw from universal songwriting concepts alongside your own experiences, communities, meanings, and practices.
Hone your lyrical writing and deepen your ability to create captivating melodies and harmonies. Work with other musicians—both in live performance and in the studio—while learning about different approaches to popular music.
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.
Choose your study path
You can study Songwriting as your major or minor subject in a three year Bachelor of Popular Music (BPM).
Many students broaden their expertise by taking Songwriting with another subject as a double major. Songwriting pairs well with subjects such as:
- Audio Production and Recording
- Electronic Music
- Popular Music Studies.
If you’re studying for a double degree or conjoint degree, Songwriting goes well with Arts, Commerce, Law, Music, or Teaching.
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.
Study options
Find out how you can study Songwriting at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Future careers
Music graduates bring creativity, discipline, technical skills, and passion to a diverse range of careers, including:
- arts and culture
- events management
- film and theatre music
- communications
- media, including broadcasting.
It’s common for Music graduates to have portfolio careers, which combine professional music roles with other work.
With further study, you could aim for roles in teaching and score writing.
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 first-year and school-leaver 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 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 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.
Scholarships for international students
We are currently offering a NZ$15,000 VUW Undergraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Bachelor’s degree.
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 offer 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
-
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.
-
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.
Postgraduate study
If you choose to continue postgraduate study with us after finishing your degree, you’ll join a talented team of internationally recognised researchers doing innovative work.
If you get good results in your undergraduate study, you could go on to an Honours degree. And if you want to do independent research, you could also study for a Master’s or a PhD.
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.
Wellington Global Exchange
If you're a current student at Victoria University of Wellington, you can complete part of your degree overseas. Choose from our 140 partner universities worldwide.
Study Abroad and Exchange Programme
If you're an overseas student, you can spend a trimester or a year at Victoria University of Wellington. You'll earn credits at your home university while you study here.