Bachelor of Songwriting
Performing
A course by
SAE Creative Media Institute
A three-year degree for aspiring songwriters, focusing on songwriting, performance, music production, and industry skills in the context of Aotearoa New Zealand’s music and cultural landscape.
NZ$39,290
inc GST
Enquire about international pricing
Core skills this course teaches
Demonstrate advanced songwriting and composition skills
Produce original compositions and creative works using advanced songwriting, arrangement, and lyrical techniques across various genres and formats.
Apply music production and technical skills
Utilise current tools, methods, and collaborative production technologies to realise creative concepts and support professional standard outputs.
About This Course
If you’re a singer-songwriter who is interested in immersing yourself in rich collaborative work to develop a compelling creative music portfolio, then SAE's Songwriting programmes will hit all the right notes!
The Bachelor of Songwriting at SAE New Zealand is a three-year, NZQA Level 7 accredited programme designed to develop creative, technical, and professional skills for aspiring songwriters. The course covers a diverse range of songwriting techniques, performance practices, music production, and transferable skills informed by industry and cultural contexts. Through collaborative projects, work-integrated learning, and reflective practice, students engage with the music industry, develop songs across multiple genres, and explore the integration of Te Ao Māori values. Graduates are well-prepared for creative, professional, and educational roles in the music and creative industries.
Course Content
- Songwriter's Toolkit: writing tools, genre and style concepts
- Writing in condensed short forms, film cues, and jingles
- Professional practice and employability skills
- Analysis and performance of songs by New Zealand writers
- Mixed media presentations and genre-led community practices
- Integrated production techniques and reflective blogging
- Rewriting and re-performing music assets across styles
- Heritage screen/sonic product replication projects
- Work-integrated learning and industry placement
- Song collaboration with Aotearoa New Zealand themes
- Global music cultures and regional industry practice
- Production profile: technical production roles
- Creative songwriting specialisation with industry briefs
- Engagement with Te Ao Māori and iwi, cultural reflection
- Collaborative capstone project in interdisciplinary teams
Entry Requirements
Build towards these roles
SongwriterComposerMusicianMusic ProducerPerformerMusic DirectorEducatorMusic Tutor
Build skills in these industries
Music
SAE New Zealand is an Auckland-based creative media school with over 40 years of history developing working professionals in audio, music production, screen, songwriting, and creative business. Their courses are hands-on and studio-based, taught by industry practitioners in purpose-built facilities. SAE is part of a worldwide network spanning campuses across four continents; the qualification you earn here carries weight far beyond New Zealand.
