Minors in the Bachelor of Popular Music

A minor is an optional additional area of focus for a degree. You can take a BPM minor as part of most Bachelor degrees at Victoria University of Wellington.

A minor is made up of a collection of courses in a particular subject. The workload for a minor is lighter than for a major—fewer courses to do, fewer points required. This makes a minor a good way to build a second or third area of focus or concentration into your degree. Find out more about how minors work.

Minors are made up of at least 60 points from the relevant subject area at 200 level or above. At least 15 of these points must be at 300 level and not counted towards a major or another minor.


Audio Production and Recording

Learn to produce, mix, and master popular music in a range of styles and genres.

Requirements for this minor

Complete the following courses:

And a further 35 points from:

At least 15 points need to be at 300 level.


Electronic Music

Gain a solid understanding of the techniques, tools, and creative and compositional approaches applicable to a wide range of electronic music styles.

Requirements for this minor

Complete the following courses:

And one further course from:


Popular Music Studies

Explore and critically engage with local and international popular music and gain a 'big picture' understanding of the social, cultural, theoretical, historical, and political contexts of popular music.

Requirements for this minor

Complete 60 points from the following courses, with at least 15 points at 300 level:

If you are not taking a Bachelor of Popular Music, you need to take MDIA 205 as part of the Popular Music Studies minor.


Songwriting

Engage with all facets of creating songs, from writing and producing to performance. This minor will develop your skills in writing lyrics and deepen your ability to create captivating melodies and harmonies.

The Songwriting minor will be offered starting from 2026.

Requirements for this minor

Complete the following courses: