The way we experience music is changing. Streaming services and similar new technologies have opened up an array of opportunities for musicians. The BDes/BMus conjoint is positioned to help musicians capitalise on the possibilities presented by new markets.
Within the BMus, you will choose to specialise in creative practice: classical; jazz; composition; popular music; or music studies. Your BDes courses will encourage you to research, design and test new ideas that support and extend contemporary music culture.
You will have the opportunity to become a well-rounded musician, competent in innovative thinking, responsiveness and collaboration. These qualities are highly valued in many industries. Equally, a designer with complementary skills in music and sound is especially sought-after in emerging 360 film and television experiences and the burgeoning fields of augmented and virtual reality.
Programme structure
The BDes/BMus usually takes four years to complete.
You will need to complete 540 points, consisting of:
- 255 points from BDes courses:
- 165 points BDes core courses
- 90 points BDes elective courses
- 255 points from BMus courses
- 15 points from General Education
- 15 points from courses available for any programme
For your BMus component, the majority of your courses are prescribed. Find out about the music specialisations you can study in your BDes/BMus:
- Creative Practice: Classical
- Creative Practice: Composition
- Creative Practice: Jazz
- Creative Practice: Popular Music
- Music Studies
In your Design component, alongside design foundation courses and studio practice, you will build your own study plan of six elective courses from our four design themes:
- Design and Local Community Practices
- Design and Global Challenges
- Design and Business
- Design and Emerging Technologies
In your final year, you will undertake a capstone design research project, working from the initial discovery phase right through to testing and implementation.
You will probably enrol in nine 15-point courses (135 points) each year if you want to complete in four years. You need to maintain a Grade Point Average of 3.5 each year to continue with your conjoint.
Where could this programme take you?
The music industry runs on more than performers and composers. There is a collection of people who keep the industry moving, and those competent in new technologies will be sought-after by record labels, artist management organisations and media companies. They will also be more self-sufficient as artists. Equally, Designers with complementary skills in music and sound are especially employable in emerging 360 film and television experiences and the burgeoning field of augmented and virtual reality environments.
Jobs related to this programme
- Arranger/composer
- Artist development
- Experience designer
- Immersive media designer
- Music director
- Performer
- Producer
- Sound designer
Student career planning service
Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.
Subjects available in this programme
- Creative Practice: Classical
- Creative Practice: Composition
- Creative Practice: Jazz
- Creative Practice: Popular Mus
- Design
- Music Studies
2020 entry requirements
Secondary school qualifications
If you’re joining us from secondary school, here’s what you need to enter the programme.
You are guaranteed entry to this programme if you meet these requirements.
- First, you must meet the University Entrance (UE) standard.
- You must also meet the rank score for this programme.
- You may need to have studied certain subjects or achieved credits in particular subjects.
- Some programmes have additional requirements, such as an interview, portfolio or references.
Guaranteed rank score, subject and other requirements
If your rank score is slightly lower than the guaranteed score, we encourage you to still apply. We will consider your application if places are available. If you don’t meet the requirements, you may be able to apply under our Undergraduate Targeted Admission Schemes.
Read more about entry requirements for New Zealand secondary school applicants.
Further requirements
Selection into the BDes/BMus programme will be based on your academic history and, for Creative Practice music specialisations only, on the strength of your audition or portfolio. (A specialisation in Music Studies has no audition or portfolio requirements.)
View the audition or portfolio requirements for your chosen Creative Practice specialisation:
- Creative Practice: Classical
- Creative Practice: Composition
- Creative Practice: Jazz
- Creative Practice: Popular Music
Tertiary qualifications
If you’ve studied at a tertiary institution, here’s what you need to enter the programme.
You can transfer from another tertiary institution, or another University of Auckland qualification, if you meet these requirements.
Minimum grade requirements
These are the likely grades required, but they do not guarantee entry. Applicants may require higher grades to gain entry to this programme.
- Grade required GPA Grade Point Average 3.9
- Grade required GPE Grade Point Equivalent 3.9
Further requirements
Selection into the BDes/BMus programme will be based on your academic history and, for Creative Practice music specialisations only, on the strength of your audition or portfolio. (A specialisation in Music Studies has no audition or portfolio requirements.)
View the audition or portfolio requirements for your chosen Creative Practice specialisation:
- Creative Practice: Classical
- Creative Practice: Composition
- Creative Practice: Jazz
- Creative Practice: Popular Music
Other pathways to study
You could be eligible for another programme, or check out these alternative pathways:
- See if you meet the criteria for the Undergraduate Targeted Admission Scheme (UTAS).
- Bridge your educational gap with a preparation and foundation programme.
- If you are under 20, have no formal University Entrance (UE) qualification, and are a New Zealand or Australian citizen or permanent resident you can apply for discretionary entrance.
- If you can demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and maturity, we offer admission to applicants under 16.
Key dates
Please note: We will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.
Start dates
Here are the start dates for the programme.
| Semester One | Starts – 2 March |
|---|---|
| Ends – 29 June |
| Semester One | Starts – 1 March |
|---|---|
| Ends – 28 June |