Explore and extend how music is created, produced and heard
In Music Technology, you’ll work at the intersection of music, creativity and technology. Study new interface and instrument development and electronics alongside audio engineering, recording and editing technologies, and live lighting and sound.
You’ll study musical interface and interaction development, electronics, and concepts for developing new musical interfaces.
Once we know you have the basics, you will be designing and building your own instruments and applications.
Master microphone techniques and sound design. Learn how to operate leading industry equipment, work with musicians to capture great recordings, and mixing and mastering techniques to produce professional quality recordings.
You’ll also learn live light and sound skills, including how to operate small and large scale PAs, and design and programme advanced lighting and projection rigs. We’ll teach you about all aspects of live, venue-based industry requirements.
Engage critically with the music industry, considering the philosophy, politics and economics of commercial music, and how it can be disrupted through new models.
Recent developments in digital technologies and online platforms offer new and exciting entrepreneurial and employment careers in the music industry. You could work in sound design and audio production for films, TV, games, apps and digital platforms.
Many graduates find work freelance or find jobs in software and hardware development, sound engineering live and in studios, as well as lighting design, and stage and production design.
Extend your study with postgraduate research in the Bachelor of Commercial Music (Honours), or take a creative product or idea to market in the Master of Creative Enterprise.
New Zealand is a great place to study. Massey University’s reputation is supported by our international rankings, accreditations and associations. We are rated five star plus by the QS World University Rankings.
Massey University has small class sizes, and our lecturers and staff are friendly and approachable.
As an international student, there are entry requirements that will apply to you. We recommend that you apply at least three months before your anticipated start date so your application can be processed in time. There are additional steps you will need to take. These include obtaining a visa and travel bookings if your study is to be in New Zealand.
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
There are no specific entry requirements for the Bachelor of Commercial Music, outside of university admission regulations.
We recommend you join us for a consultation if you’re applying for Music Technology major, to make sure it’s right for you.
15 February 2021
To study this programme you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, we have courses and programmes that may help.
If you need to do a course before you start your programme, there may be options for you in Summer School.
From the Schedule to the Degree:
Major courses
Core qualification courses including 15 credits at 100 level from any BCommMus major
Elective courses including at least 15 credits at 200 level or higher
Ensure across your courses you also have:
Attend studios, workshops, tutorials, and events as required.
See ‘Courses for this programme’ below for schedules of courses.
| 133185 | Music and Sound Engineering 1 | 15 |
| 133186 | Musical Interface and Interaction 1 | 15 |
| 133281 | Musical Interface and Interaction 2 | 15 |
| 133288 | Music and Sound Engineering 2 | 15 |
| 133388 | Music Technology Major Project | 30 |
| 30 credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| 133381 | Musical Interface and Interaction 3 | 15 |
| 133385 | Music Software Development 2 | 15 |
| 133386 | Music Hardware and Electronics 2 | 15 |
| 133389 | Advanced Sound and Music Technologies | 15 |
If you study full-time, in your first year, you’ll take eight 15-credit courses, making a total of 120 credits.
If you wish to study over two semesters, you should aim for 60 credits per semester. You may be able to take some courses at summer school. Make sure you include courses that are prerequisites for the next level of courses you wish to study.
More information: ‘Yellow Book’.
Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.
There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.
If you already know which courses you are going to take, you can use our fees calculator to get an estimate of your fees.
You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.
The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.
Current and returning Massey students will find their National Student Number on their student homepage.
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.
Review this important information before you apply for this programme. This gives you full details of the rules and regulations about what you need to study and what you must achieve in order to graduate with this qualification. That includes structure, courses and requirements. These regulations should be read in conjunction with all other Statutes and Regulations of the University including the below.
If you are ready to apply, have a look at our application checklist. It will help you get prepared with what you need. Please also check the entry requirements carefully before you apply.
You will apply for the programme using the Apply now button on this page. You’ll also choose your specialisation (major, subject or endorsement) if applicable.
Some programmes have additional requirements such as the submission of a portfolio or CV. Click on Apply now and you will be able to submit those documents as part of the application process.
You will receive an Admission Offer of Place when you have been accepted into the programme. You need to accept this before you can enrol in your courses. International students also need to pay their fees at this point.
You’ll then get access to your own student homepage (also known as the student portal). This is where you can enrol in courses. Any updates on your application or enrolments will also be on your student homepage. Make sure you check this regularly.
When you choose courses, ensure you check for any requirements that apply including:
Each of our courses has its own webpage where you can find this information. You can use our course search to find course pages.
More information on courses is in the ‘Courses for this programme’ section on this page.
You can find information on application due dates and semester dates on the key dates page.
We look forward to welcoming you to Massey!
If you have any questions, contact us through the Enquire button on this page.
Each Massey programme is made up of courses (in some tertiary institutions they are called ‘papers’).
You will have some compulsory courses and some you can choose from.
Each course is worth a certain amount of credits (often 15 credits, but this does vary). You must gain a set number of credits to be able to graduate from this programme.
There may also be some rules about which courses you need to pass to progress to the next year, or stage, of your study (known as progression). There are also courses you must pass to graduate with a specialisation.
The first three digits of our course numbers show you which subject the course is about.
The second three digits show you the level and course ID number. For instance:
| 1 | 6 | 2 | . | 3 | 0 | 1 | |
| Subject area | Level | Course ID number | |||||
Electives are courses that are not compulsory. Certain guidelines are usually provided on courses you may take. Elective courses contribute to the programme, but not to your major or specialisation.
Use this tool to help determine how much time you will need each week to complete your studies.
For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.
In some cases the programme or specialisation you enrolled in may be no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these programmes go to the Massey University Calendar.
Please contact us through the Enquire button on this page if you have any questions.
There are a number of scholarships available for new and current students. They could relate to your situation, achievement or interest.