Why Study / Key Benefits

The Bachelor of Commercial Music (BCommMus), Music Industry major, is designed for students who want to work behind the scenes in the commercial music sector rather than primarily as performers. The major develops skills in artist development and management, music promotion, marketing, record labels, distribution, streaming platforms, social media, live-event production and emerging music-business models. Students work collaboratively on gigs, tours, music videos and online promotion and graduate with a portfolio of practical projects.

Key benefits include:

• Hands-on experience with commercial music projects and live events.
• Understanding of music marketing, promotion, distribution and artist development.
• Exposure to contemporary platforms such as Spotify and social media.
• Practical experience in project management for concerts, tours and festivals.
• Study of copyright, publishing, metadata, finance, music rights and monetisation.
• Opportunities to work with students across the wider Commercial Music degree.
• Teaching from lecturers who are active in the music industry.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The Music Industry major combines major-specific study with Commercial Music core, critical studies, professional-culture and elective components.

Current Music Industry courses include:

• 133167 Introduction to the Music Business – 15 credits: introduction to the music industries from an Aotearoa New Zealand perspective and entrepreneurial music-industry projects.
• 133168 Music Promotion and Marketing – 15 credits: promotion and marketing of music events and releases.
• 133260 Live Event Promotion – 15 credits: promoting and staging live music events.
• 133267 Music Content Creation and Branding – 15 credits: creating and building a music or artist brand.
• 133360 Music Business Development – 15 credits: copyright, publishing, metadata, business structures, cash flow, finance, music rights, ownership, exploitation and monetisation.
• 133365 Major Event – 15 credits: production of a complex and significant public music event.
• 133368 Music Industry Major Project – 30 credits: a self-directed major project completed with academic supervision and professional mentorship.

The wider Commercial Music curriculum also includes courses such as:

• Live Music Showcases
• Music Revenue Streams
• Major Project Pre-Production
• Major Project
• Music, People, Places
• Music and Ethics
• Music, Politics, Economies
• Professional Cultures in Commercial Music 1, 2 and 3.

Disciplines / Specialisations

Music Industry is one of the specialisations/majors available within the Bachelor of Commercial Music.

The current BCommMus page also lists:

• Music Practice
• Music Technology
• Matauranga Toi Maori
• Without Specialisation

Programme Highlights

• 3-year full-time Bachelor of Commercial Music.
• NZQF Level 7.
• 360 credits.
• Wellington campus.
• Music Industry major with 120 credits of major-specific study.
• Strong emphasis on practical commercial music experience.
• Opportunities to work on live music events, tours, music videos and online promotion.
• Study of modern distribution platforms including streaming and social media.
• Industry-standard production facilities at Toi Rauwharangi.
• Commercial Music lecturers are active industry practitioners.
• Portfolio development through music distribution, live events and music media.
• Opportunities to progress to the Bachelor of Commercial Music (Honours) or Master of Commercial Music.

Career Outcomes

Massey states that Bachelor of Commercial Music graduates find employment in recording and publishing industries, including roles such as:

• Artist and repertoire (A&R)
• Music marketing
• Music management
• Radio
• Music promotion
• Venue management
• Live-event support
• Promotion-company entrepreneurship.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The current programme is listed at Wellington campus and is open to international students studying on campus in New Zealand.
• Massey currently states that there are no specific admission requirements for the Bachelor of Commercial Music beyond university admission regulations.
• An optional consultation is recommended for applicants considering the Music Industry major.
• Students must observe prerequisites when progressing to higher-level courses. For example, Music Content Creation and Branding requires Introduction to the Music Business, while Major Event and Music Business Development have specified prerequisite options.
• Course availability and major/course requirements can change, particularly for returning students; Massey advises students to check the current qualification regulations.
• Portfolio requirement: Not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.
• Audition as a compulsory admission requirement: Not publicly specified; the current page describes the consultation as optional.
• Professional registration requirement: Not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.

International Student Visa Requirements

Because the Music Industry major is an on-campus programme in Wellington, an international student travelling to New Zealand to study it will generally need a New Zealand student visa.

The relevant route 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, sufficient funds for tuition and living expenses or an acceptable sponsor, acceptable insurance, and must meet health, character and genuine-intention requirements.

Current Fee Paying Student Visa information includes:

• Cost: from NZD 850
• Maximum stay: up to 4 years
• Processing: 80% within 8 weeks
• Application: online
• Recommended timing: apply at least 3 months before planned travel.