Diploma in Songwriting & Musicianship
Performing
A course by
SAE Creative Media Institute
Develop your skills as a songwriter and musician with the NZQA Level 5 Diploma in Songwriting & Musicianship at SAE Institute New Zealand. This one-year full-time programme prepares you for creative and technical roles in the music industry.
NZ$12,920
inc GST
Enquire about international pricing
Core skills this course teaches
Develop songwriting and musicianship skills
Gain technical and creative skills in songwriting, musicianship, structure, and arrangement through focussed practical modules.
Analyse and interpret New Zealand songs
Learn to analyse, interpret, and perform songs from celebrated New Zealand writers, both in workshop and public performance settings.
About This Course
The Diploma in Songwriting & Musicianship at SAE New Zealand is an NZQA-accredited, Level 5 qualification designed to help students master the art and craft of songwriting, musicianship, and musical performance. Over three trimesters, you will learn technical, creative, and collaborative skills necessary for working in the music industry. With modules covering songwriting tools, arrangement, professional practice, dramatic composition, analysis of NZ songwriters, and a significant group project, this diploma gives a comprehensive foundation for a career in the creative arts.
Course Content
- Songwriter's Toolkit: Introductory concepts of genre and style and development of writing tools.
- In Miniature: Skills in structure and arrangement by writing in condensed short forms, including cues and jingles.
- Professional Practice: Collaborative projects, employability, and professional development with a focus on Te Ao Māori ideals.
- Nature's Best: Analysis and development of interpretations of New Zealand songs, performance workshops.
- Tragedy to Triumph: Composition and arrangement techniques for dramatic texts.
- Tastemakers: Mixed media presentations, analysis, and connecting with genre-led artist communities.
- Tirohanga: Integration of production techniques, group-based project outputs, and reflective practice.
Build towards these roles
SongwriterComposerMusicianPerformerMusic ProducerMusic TeacherSession Musician
Build skills in these industries
MusicPerforming Arts
SAE New Zealand is an Auckland-based creative media school with a global reputation and over 40 years of history developing working professionals in audio, music production, screen, and songwriting. Their courses are hands-on and studio-based, taught by industry practitioners in purpose-built facilities — and as part of a worldwide network spanning campuses across four continents, the qualification you earn here carries weight far beyond New Zealand.
