Songwriting

Diploma in Songwriting & Musicianship

Get on track to make serious noise in the Music Industry
Available at
Auckland
Fees
Duration(s)
Full time: 1 year

Diploma

Start Date(s)
Auckland
  • February 2025

Entry Requirements

TUNE INTO THE ART OF SONGWRITING

Course Structure

The Diploma of Songwriting & Musicianship is the first step towards a Bachelor of Songwriting
TRIMESTER 1
Develop the essential technical skills and the knowledge required to collaborate with other creative media students and professionals.
Credit Points: 15

To develop a suite of writing tools and techniques underpinned by introductory concepts of genre and style.
Credit Points: 15

To develop skilful use of structure and arrangement by writing in condensed short forms. Includes music cues for film and jingle writing.
Credit Points: 15
This 36-week course provides a platform for engagement with transferable skills via collaborative client projects which may include contracted roles within projects of more advanced student groups. With a key focus on employability in Aotearoa/New Zealand students engage with professional practice situated in the holistic ideals of Te Ao Maori. Students conduct peer review via the Transferable Skills Matrix in an effort to foster and develop employability skills.
TRIMESTER 2
Credit Points: 15

To analyse and develop interpretations of songs by celebrated New Zealand writers. The songs will be presented in workshop performances on campus and in a public performance.
Credit Points: 15

Across a range of genres, to develop dramatic composition and arrangement techniques to effectively intersect with dramatic text.
Credit Points: 15
This 36-week course provides a platform for engagement with transferable skills via collaborative client projects which may include contracted roles within projects of more advanced student groups. With a key focus on employability in Aotearoa/New Zealand students engage with professional practice situated in the holistic ideals of Te Ao Maori. Students conduct peer review via the Transferable Skills Matrix in an effort to foster and develop employability skills.
TRIMESTER 3
Credit Points: 15

Students will give a mixed media presentation with analysis and interpretation of key songs, and connect the artist to a genre-led community of practice.
Credit Points: 30
Requires groups to produce a suite of outputs that display an individualised integration of production techniques acquired over the previous courses. Includes a reflective blog on the multiple ways such integration occurs and the effectiveness of such.
NZQA Course Codes
NZQA Level 5 Diploma (3 Trimesters)
New Zealand Qualifications Authority
NZQA: Level 5 This is an NZQA accredited programme of study that leads to the Level 5 NZ Diploma in Music.

What jobs will this course lead to?

  • Songwriter
  • Composer
  • Musician
  • Performer
  • Music Producer

YOUR DREAM CAREER BEGINS NOW

With our industry connections, specialised lecturers and personalised education in world-class facilities, you can unleash your creative future with confidence.

Key Information For Students