The Bachelor of Performing Arts degree at the University of Otago requires three years of full-time study or its equivalent in part-time study and offers specializations in the combined study of music, theatre, and dance.

The degree totals 360 points and is made up of music, theatre, and dance papers but may include up to 90 points (usually five papers) in further specializations in music, theatre, dance, or other subjects.

Graduates of the degree will be able to pursue careers in a wide range of musical/theatrical forms and styles, as well as in musical and theatrical education, media, and other related fields.

Information for new applicants

The Bachelor of Performing Arts is a blended specialist degree that contains practice-based training in some key areas for which students must pass an audition to be accepted.

Audition applications for singing and/or playing an instrument due by early September

In music, you must choose one or more areas of specialization, including singing, playing a musical instrument, and/or composing/songwriting. 

If you choose the singing and/or playing an instrument option/s, then you must audition for entry. 

Auditions for these papers normally take place in Dunedin during the last weekend of September for entry the following year. 

It is also possible to audition by submitting a DVD or YouTube link, with these being due on 1 September for entry the following year.

The song-writing paper, MUSI 135, does not require an audition and is open to all students regardless of whether they can read or write music notation. 

However, the first-year composition paper, MUSI 131, requires that beginning students are comfortable in both the reading and writing of music. 

There are no auditions required for entry into the theatre and dance papers.

• Academic Transcripts
• Educational Credential Evaluators report (ECE) (If required)
• Proof of your identity (Full name, date of birth, and nationality)
• Certified/notarised copy (passport or birth certificate)
• English Language Proficiency (If Available)
• Audition by submitting a DVD or YouTube link (If Applicable)

Undergraduate entrance requirements

The university recognizes many other qualifications as equivalent to the New Zealand qualification for entrance. 

To check if the university recognizes your previous studies, determine the country where you gained the qualification. Countries entrance requirements example:

China entrance requirements:

Senior High School graduation and one year of successful study at a recognized institution of university standing; 
Or Senior High School graduation and completion of a diploma with high passing grades at a recognized institute or university.

Students with the requisite scores in Gaokao may be given direct entry to bachelor degree programme.

India entrance requirements:

Minimum overall average of 75% in the All India Senior School Examination (CBSE) or Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) with a minimum of 70% in English.

The scores are calculated on the best four academic subjects excluding local languages and non-academic subjects.

Iran entrance requirements:

One year of successful study at a recognized institution of university standing, or successful completion of a University of Otago Foundation Year programme or equivalent.

The university also accepts the following international qualifications:

• International Baccalaureate: IB Diploma with a minimum of 24 points.
• Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) GCE Advanced Levels: minimum Numerical Score of 8.
• Northern Consortium United Kingdom (NCUK) International Foundation Year (IFY)
• Satisfactory completion of one year's study at a recognized tertiary institution.
•  

Information for new applicants:

Audition applications for singing and/or playing an instrument due by early September

Pathway programme

Study in your chosen subject area and gain a university entrance qualification

The University of Otago Pathway programme offers a university entrance qualification within two 13-week semesters for domestic and international students. It is called the Foundation Studies Certificate (FSC).