Why Study / Key Benefits

The Master of Commercial Music (MCommMus) is a postgraduate creative-practice and research qualification designed for musicians, producers, composers, music-industry practitioners, technologists and other creative professionals. Massey describes it as industry aligned, grounded in Aotearoa New Zealand and connected with international creative and research fields.

Key benefits include:

• Advanced commercial music practice combined with research.
• Opportunity to work across music production, recording, performance, songwriting, composition, music technology, sound design, publishing, promotion and management.
• Development of conceptual, theoretical and commercial music strategies.
• Substantial independent creative-practice research through a 120-credit thesis.
• Access to experienced academic staff and visiting practitioners with industry backgrounds.
• Access to specialised creative facilities, including recording and production studios, rehearsal studios, immersive and emerging-technology labs, post-production suites and a Dolby Atmos cinema.
• Exposure to Indigenous perspectives, research methodologies and creative-practice approaches.
• Opportunities to develop an advanced project that can connect creative practice with industry and wider social or cultural contexts.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The standard 180-credit programme consists of Part One and Part Two. Students must successfully complete Part One before progressing to Part Two.

Part One – 60 credits

Students select:

• 15 credits in Research Methods.
• 30 credits in Prototyping and Development for Advanced Music Projects.
• 15 credits from a 400- or 700-level College of Creative Arts elective.

Research Methods options include:

• 293731 Contextualising Creative Enterprise Practice – 15 credits. Explores advanced critical and enterprise frameworks and their application to creative practice, including developing a plan to take a major project to market.
• 293732 Creative Practice Research Methods – 15 credits. Develops understanding of creative-practice research approaches, methods and theory.
• 298730 Maori Research Methodologies for Creative Practice – 15 credits. Examines tikanga, ethics, accountability and methodologies relevant to creative practice, including matauranga toi Maori and related knowledge systems.

Project Development:

• 133701 Prototyping and Development for Advanced Music Projects – 30 credits. Students undertake research towards a creative project, develop an early prototype/synopsis or equivalent concept, and prepare a proposal for the major project.

Elective:

• One 15-credit 400- or 700-level elective from the College of Creative Arts, subject to the permitted course prefixes and availability.

Part Two – 120-credit thesis

The thesis consists of two 60-credit courses:

• 133811 Commercial Music 120 Credit Thesis Part 1 – 60 credits.
• 133812 Commercial Music 120 Credit Thesis Part 2 – 60 credits.

The thesis involves an advanced Commercial Music-led research project together with an exegetical component.

Progression requirement:

Students must maintain at least a B grade, equivalent to GPA 5, across the 60 credits completed in Part One before progressing to Part Two.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The Master of Commercial Music is awarded without a formal specialisation.

The programme nevertheless supports research and creative practice across areas such as:

• Music production and recording
• Performance
• Songwriting
• Composition
• Composition for games and screen-based media
• Music publishing
• Music promotion
• Concert promotion
• Artist and stage management
• Music-industry management
• Music technology
• Sound design
• Experimental music practices
• Music software and hardware development
• Interface and interaction design
• Music systems design
• Music-industry research.

Programme Highlights

• NZQF Level 9 master's degree.
• 180 credits.
• 18 months full-time.
• Wellington campus.
• February and July starts.
• Selected-entry qualification.
• Portfolio and interview required.
• Research Statement required for the standard 180-credit route.
• Research Proposal required for accelerated 120-credit entry.
• 60 credits of Part One followed by a 120-credit thesis.
• Access to professional recording and production facilities.
• Access to rehearsal studios, immersive/emerging technology labs, post-production facilities and Dolby Atmos cinema.
• Strong connection between creative practice, research and industry.
• Integration of Indigenous perspectives and research methodologies.
• Possibility of Merit or Distinction based on performance in Part Two.

Career Outcomes

Massey identifies a wide range of employment pathways for MCommMus graduates, including:

• Solo or band artist
• Music producer
• Songwriter
• Composer
• Composer for games and screen-based media
• Music publisher
• Marketing and concert promotion
• Stage management
• Artist management
• New and social media public relations
• Content acquisition
• Sound engineering and production
• Film, broadcast and new media
• Corporate events
• Sound design
• Location recording
• Live monitor engineering
• Front of House engineering
• Music software and hardware development
• Interface and interaction design
• Music systems design
• Music-industry research.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

Important current points for applicants:

• MCommMus is a selected-entry qualification.
• The current programme page confirms a 180-credit, 18-month full-time structure.
• The programme currently starts in February and July.
• The specific 2027 international application deadlines are 29 November 2026 for Semester One and 14 May 2027 for Semester Two.
• Applicants must submit a portfolio and attend an interview as part of selection.
• A Research Statement is required for the standard 180-credit route.
• Applicants seeking accelerated 120-credit entry need a Research Proposal instead.
• Students need at least a B average/GPA 5 over the first 60 credits to progress to Part Two.
• The degree has no formal specialisation.
• The programme is currently presented as Wellington-campus study rather than a standard distance/online qualification.
• Eligible international students can potentially receive the NZ$10,000 Postgraduate International Study Grant or be considered for the International Creative Excellence Masters Degree Scholarship, subject to their respective criteria.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student physically studying the MCommMus in New Zealand, the relevant visa is generally the Fee Paying Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand currently states that applicants must:

• Have an Offer of Place from an approved education provider.
• Have enough money to pay tuition fees or hold an applicable scholarship.
• Have sufficient funds for living expenses or an acceptable sponsor.
• Have acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Meet health and character requirements.
• Demonstrate a genuine reason for coming to New Zealand.
• Show that they can leave New Zealand at the end of their stay.