Where you can study
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
Specialise in Music Technology for your Bachelor of Commercial Music at Massey
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 qualification 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.
Further study
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.
A Bachelor of Commercial Music in Music Technology is a good fit if you:
- want hands-on experience in world-class production facilities
- like experimenting with music gear and new technology
- want to be able to record and produce music like a pro.
Planning information
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’.
Official regulations
To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.
You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate Certificates.
Returning students
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 qualification 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 qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.
Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.
Courses you can enrol in
Course planning key
- Prerequisites
- Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
- Corequisites
- Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
- Restrictions
- Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.
Core courses for the Bachelor of Commercial Music
As well as the specialisation courses listed below, this qualification has core courses that you will need to complete.
Bachelor of Commercial Music core courses
Music Technology courses
Compulsory courses
Course code: 133185 Music and Sound Engineering 1 15 credits
In this course students gain a theoretical understanding of the key concepts, techniques and principles of sound. Technical and practical knowledge of sound are applied in studio and live environments to recording and mixing. Practical applications include analogue and digital signal processing, microphone workings and placement, monitoring, and planning and operating live music systems.
View full course detailsCourse code: 133186 Musical Interface and Interaction 1 15 credits
In this course students are introduced to design and representation techniques for musical interaction. Students develop an understanding of how performers and consumers interact with a range of music hardware and software, and apply this knowledge to design and develop new musical instruments, controllers, web and mobile music interfaces and experiences.
View full course detailsCourse code: 133281 Musical Interface and Interaction 2 15 credits
In this course students gain practical experiences working with physical computing and DSP to develop a range of new music technologies. Students are also supported in practical workshops to interface with a range of input and output devices with microcontrollers, to develop creative ideas and designs into working prototypes. Students combine software development with hardware and electronics and rapid prototyping tools.
View full course detailsCourse code: 133288 Music and Sound Engineering 2 15 credits
In this course students extend their theoretical knowledge and understanding of the principals of sound and recording technologies and develop their technical and practical knowledge in studio techniques. Students develop recording skills in digital multi-track recording, complex microphone techniques, as well as skills in pre-production and post-production.
View full course detailsCourse code: 133388 Music Technology Major Project 30 credits
In this course students realise an ambitious major project by means of self-directed study under academic supervision and professional mentorship appropriate to their music technology major specialism. Students are required to work individually and in teams in and across majors displaying high levels of organisation demonstrating the culmination of creative, technical, critical and professional skills gained throughout the degree.
View full course detailsCourse code: 133381 Musical Interface and Interaction 3 15 credits
In this course students extend their theoretical and technical knowledge of working with electronics and software programming to develop advanced new music technologies. Students are supported in practical development workshops to transform their creative ideas into prototype products.
View full course detailsCourse code: 133389 Advanced Sound and Music Technologies 15 credits
In this course students develop skills in advanced sound and music technologies that relate to both studio and live performance settings. Students explore the creative potentials of advanced industry standard hardware and software by applying practical and theoretical skills in a range of relevant musical contexts. Both commercial and experimental applications are explored via inter-disciplinary group projects.
View full course detailsEntry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
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.
English language requirements
To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
English language skills
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.
Can't meet the entry requirements?
If you need to do a course before you start your qualification, there may be options for you in Summer School.
Fees and scholarships
Fees, student loans and free fees scheme
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.
- Get an estimate of the tuition fees for your qualification
- View a list of non-tuition fees that may be payable
Already know which courses you're going to choose?
You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.
Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme
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 can find their National Student Number in the student portal.
- Student loans (StudyLink)
- Fees Free
- Student portal
Fees disclaimer
This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.
Careers and job opportunities
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.
International students
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.
Related study options
Bachelor of Commercial Music (Honours) – BCommMus(Hons)
Refine your specialist music skills with postgraduate study in Commercial Music. Singer, DJ, lighting tech, or tour manager—whatever your jam, we’ll help you get further.
Music Industry – Bachelor of Commercial Music
Seek out and develop new ways to work in the commercial music industry. Learn artist development, management and distribution, and how to stage live events and tours.
Music Practice – Bachelor of Commercial Music
Study musicianship and performance in the popular genre of your choice — whether you’re a singer, DJ, or in a band. Music Practice will give you the skills and confidence to take risks and make it in the music industry.
Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz