Institute of Technology or Polytechnic

Southern Institute of Technology
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Bachelor of Contemporary Music

This course is available

On-Campus

Level of Study

Bachelor's Degree

Duration

3 years

Next start date

Expected Feb 2027

Campus

Invercargill Campus

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Summary

The Bachelor of Contemporary Music provides an industry-focused programme aimed at preparing students for professional careers in contemporary music.

Students will acquire a range of practical skills, including performance, composition, arranging, and songwriting, along with proficiency in industry-standard recording and production software.

The Bachelor of Contemporary Music offers an industry-focused programme designed to prepare students for a professional career in contemporary music.

Students learn a variety of practical skills including performance, composition, arranging, songwriting, as well as learning industry standard recording and production software.

Students are further prepared for a professional career through classes in music and audio industry studies, music education, tour planning and concert promotion.Students also have access to world-class recording equipment and studios at SIT sound in collaboration with audio production students.

SIT also offers students the opportunity to complete a double degree in the Bachelor of Audio Production and Bachelor of Contemporary Music after four years' full-time study. Graduates from this pathway of study will be well rounded musicians and sound engineers. They will be well versed in high quality studio recording and live sound work, as well as having skills to pursue a career as performers, composers, or specialised instrumental teachers.

Features of the programme include:

  • Access to high quality instruments, equipment, studios and two performance theatres (both equipped with state-of-the-art audio equipment)
  • Strong music theory and practical components, with a broad base of industry studies
  • Students are provided with daily ensemble rehearsals and practical weekly performance opportunities to hone skills and develop stage presence
  • Students are provide weekly lessons, workshops and formal grading on their desired instrument major.
  • Complete a double degree in Audio Production and Contemporary Music in just four years

Entry criteria

School Leavers

University Entrance - NCEA Level 3, three subjects at Level 3, made up of:

  • 14 credits each, in three NZQA University Entrance approved subjects, and
  • Literacy; 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of;five credits in reading and five credits in writing, and
  • Numeracy; 10 credits at Level 1 or above, made up of specified achievement standards through a range of subjects, or a package of three numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627; all three required), or
  • Completion of an external or overseas qualification, which is considered to be the equivalent of any of the above qualifications, as approved by the Head of Faculty

Mature Applicants

Mature entry applicants will be the age of 20 by March 1 of the first year of enrolment in the programme, and have provided evidence of relevant prior learning and experience.

Special Admission

An applicant who does not meet academic criteria, may be provisionally admitted to enrol in one or more Year One papers, provided he or she meets the requirements above. Upon successful completion of the papers, the student may apply for special admission or admission by mature entry.

Notwithstanding the above admissions categories, in exceptional circumstances, an applicant below the age of 20 who can show evidence of ability to succeed in the programme may be considered for admission, provided the applicant has successfully completed an approved course or programme which is deemed to prepare graduates for the required academic standard for entry e.g. Certificate in Contemporary Music.

Additional Criteria

In addition, the following requirements apply to applicants in all admissions categories:

All applicants are required to attend a live audition, or to provide a high quality CD or provide links to an audition performance on a shared platform such as Youtube or Dropbox. Once an application is received, applicants will be sent details regarding audition material

Applicants are required to provide two confidential references from people who are able to affirm that the applicant is of good character and reputation

English Language Requirements

Applicants, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having achieved one of the following

NCEA Level 3 with University Entrance, or

an International Baccalaureate Diploma or Cambridge A- level qualification for which the teaching and assessment was conducted in English; or

Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA),or Trinity College London Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL);or

Successful completion of all primary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand primary school years 1 to 8) and at least three years of secondary education (being the equivalent of three years from New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand,,Australia,Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States one of the countries listed in Rule 18.5 where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or

Successful completion of at least five years of secondary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or

Successful completion of a Bachelor's Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor Honours degree, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters' Degree or Doctoral Degree, the language of instruction of which must be in English and which must be from a tertiary education provider from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States or

Successful completion of one of the following internationally recognised proficiency tests listed below to the level required of the programme of study and with all scores achieved in a single test during the two years preceding the proposed date of enrolment

Certificate or Diploma at Level 6 / Diploma or Degree at Level 7 / Graduate Certificate or Diploma at Level 7

  • IELTS test - Academic score of 6 with no band score lower than 5.5
  • TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - Score of 550 (with an essay score 5 TWE)
  • TOEFL Internet based test (iBT) - Score of 60 (with a writing score of 18)
  • Cambridge English Examination - B2 First or B2 First for schools or C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a score of 169. No less than 162 in each skill.
  • OET - Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests
  • NZCEL - a) Expiring Level b) Current: a) Level 4 (Academic) b) Level 4 (Academic)
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE (Academ...

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