Program Overview

The undergraduate Music degree programme is based around four core elements: Performance, Composition, Musicology and Music Technology. Classes take place for 12 weeks over two semesters each year. Students choose modules to the value of 60 credits in each semester. The last three weeks of each semester are devoted to performance projects and assessments.

Year 1 is designed to provide students with a comprehensive overview of musical styles, genres and disciplines enabling them to develop existing skills and interests as well as acquire a range of new ones. As someone following the Major strand, you take modules Musicology and Performance Studies.

Year 2 allows students the opportunity to begin specialising by introducing a number of optional modules as well as level 2 modules in the four core disciplines. Musicology 3 and 4 – the only compulsory modules - both include strands in advanced harmony. As someone following the Major strand, you take modules Musicology and Performance Studies.

Year 3 enables students to focus their degree programme in one or more related areas of specialist interest with a broad range of advanced level modules. Placement presents students the opportunity to take part in an internship with a local music or arts organisation while the Project options allow students to pursue an independent course of research or practical work in a chosen field of musical study.

BA students taking music as a major have a choice of all available modules with the exception of modules requiring prerequisites (Composition and Music Technology).

Taking Irish as a minor will allow you to develop core language skills in our Irish Language and Culture modules while affording you the opportunity to sample a range of genres from the Irish literary tradition in our Irish literature offerings. You will not only acquire communicative skills but you will learn important analytical techniques and the capacity to form coherent arguments in both spoken and written form. A minor in Irish comprises of two from the total of six modules you complete per year (students take three modules in total each semester). These draw on extensive staff expertise and internationally-recognised research.