New Zealand Diploma in Audio Engineering and Production (Level 5)

New Zealand Diploma in Audio Engineering and Production (Level 5)

New Zealand Diploma in Audio Engineering and Production (Level 5)

Develop your career as a professional audio engineer in the music industry with the Diploma in Sound Engineering and Audio Production (Level 5). Learn a range of audio engineering skills to produce a variety of music and recordings at a professional level. 

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Key Details
Invercargill
Qualification:
Diploma
Level:
5
Credits:
120
Duration:

One year full-time

or two years part-time

Study Modes:
On Campus
Dates:

2025: 17 February to 21 November
Fees:

This programme is NOT eligible for the Zero Fees Scheme.

Develop your career as a professional audio engineer in the music industry with the Diploma in Sound Engineering and Audio Production (Level 5). Learn a range of audio engineering skills to produce a variety of music and recordings at a professional level.

In this course you will work with a range of music software and equipment to create and produce complex music, recordings and other sound-related works.

You will learn:

  • Acoustics
  • Audio Software and Technology
  • Audio Engineering and Production Theory and Techniques
  • Music Theory
  • Industry Studies

Students must complete all of the following:

AUD501 Acoustics 1

Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of the science of sound. The nature of sound is explored, both theoretically and practically, providing an understanding of the audio process. The sonic theories of binaural localisation and psychoacoustics of sound gives a necessary platform from which all further sound mixes, and decisions, will benefit.

AUD502 Applied Audio Engineering 1

This paper is intended to address the principles of audio engineering equipment through the practical knowledge and application of audio engineering tools at an operational level. The development should bring operational competence on each audio device.

AUD503 Applied Audio Production 1

The paper prepares students in the use of recording and production techniques use to operate a recording studio correctly and safely, recording modest sized groups in a professional manner.

AUD504 Information Technology and Audio Software 1

This paper prepares students in the use of a personal computer as a tool for audio engineering and music production. Through an in depth knowledge of the computer architecture required for this production task, students will develop skills in fundamental computing for digital audio workstation design, installation and operation. The required desktop publishing skills necessary for academic publications, presentations and multimedia file integration required for successful study are integrated through audio industry relevant topics and projects.

AUD505 Music Theory and Technology 1

Music technology involves any device used in the creation of music. Audio technicians and producers work for a significant part of their time with music tracks. This paper develops both rudimentary music theory and musical instrument performance skills for audio producers and musicians ensuring an acceptable understanding when dealing with the music industry conventions. As important as it is for sound engineers to follow a musical score, especially when recording instrumentalists as in the case of classical music, subsequently the pursuit of music contextual history and style analysis from classical to popular music periods are necessary elements to enform recording engineering and production processes.

AUD506 Audio Electronics 1

As well as electrical and electromagnetic theory, audio electronics includes the ability to maintain audio cables and equipment, implement reasonable repairs, and rudimentary circuit construction.

CON501 Contextual Studies

The student will develop knowledge and skills in academic writing and presenting in the context of music and audio creative arts. The students will develop this knowledge and these skills by examining historical, technological influences and developments in popular music in socio-cultural contexts. This paper leads onto Contextual Studies 2.

MAI501 Music and Audio Industry Studies

Students will be introduced to the music, audio and related industries internationally and in New Zealand. This paper will examine different roles and how they function within the industries (locally, nationally, and internationally). Students will gain an awareness of the supporting societies and organisations within these industries in New Zealand. Students will learn the basic principles of small business management and self-employment skills pertinent to practitioners in the music and audio industry, along with relevant marketing and promotional skills.

This qualification may lead to employment or self-employment as an audio engineer or/and provide a base for further education.

School Leavers

University Entrance - NCEA Level 3. Three subjects – at Level 3, made up of:

  • 14 credits each, in three NZQA University Entrance approved subjects, and
  • Literacy - 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of five credits in reading, five credits in writing, and
  • Numeracy - 10 credits at Level 1 or above, made up of specified achievement standards through a range of subjects, or package of three numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627 - all three required)

Mature Applicants

Be at least 20 years of age when the programme begins and provide evidence of aptitude or appropriate work or other experience.

All applicants may have to submit a portfolio of work including transcripts, examples of written work and studio practice in an applicable discipline as directed by the PM, prior to attending an interview.

Special Admission

Notwithstanding the above admissions categories, in exceptional circumstances, a mature aged applicant who can show evidence of ability to succeed in the programme may be considered for admission provided the applicant has successfully completed an approved course or programme, which is deemed to prepare graduates for the required academic standard for entry.

English Language Requirements

Applicants, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having achieved one of the following:

NCEA Level 3 with University Entrance, or

an International Baccalaureate Diploma or Cambridge A- level qualification for which the teaching and assessment was conducted in English; or

Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA), or Trinity College London Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL); or

Successful completion of all primary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand primary school years 1 to 8) and at least three years of secondary education (being the equivalent of three years from New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in  either New Zealand, Australia­, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States one of the countries listed in Rule 18.5 where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or

Successful completion of at least five years of secondary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or

Successful completion of a Bachelor ‘s Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor Honours degree, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters’ Degree or Doctoral Degree, the language of instruction of which must be in English and which must be  from a tertiary education provider from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States or

Successful completion of one of the following internationally recognised proficiency tests listed below to the level required of the programme of study and with all scores achieved in a single test during the two years preceding the proposed date of enrolment.

Diploma at Level 5

  • IELTS test - Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5
  • TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - Score of 550 (with an essay score of 5 TWE)
  • TOEFL Internet based test (iBT) - Score of 46 (with a writing score of 14)
  • Cambridge English Examination – B2 First or B2 First for schools with a score of 162.  No less than 154 in each skill
  • OET - Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests
  • NZCEL - a) Expiring Level   b) Current:
  • Level 4 (General) or (Workplace) b) Level 4 (General) or (Employment)
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE (Academic) score of 42 with no band score lower than 36
  • Language Cert - B2 Communicator International ESOL Written (LRW) HIGH PASS with no less than 25/50 in each skill and Spoken (S) PASS
  • Trinity ISE - ISE II with no less than merit in any band

To satisfactorily complete the Diploma in Audio Engineering (Level 5) leading to the New Zealand Diploma in Audio Engineering and Production (Level 5), and be awarded this qualification the student must successfully achieve:

  • A minimum of 120 credits in accordance with the Programme schedule for the Diploma in Audio Engineering (Level 5) leading to the New Zealand Diploma in Audio Engineering and Production (Level 5)
  • The student will normally be expected to complete the Diploma in Audio Engineering (Level 5) leading to the New Zealand Diploma in Audio Engineering and Production (Level 5) full-time over one year or part-time over two years

Please Note: Students failing to attend for 80% of the timetabled programme hours may forfeit Zero Fees entitlement.

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