MA MUSIC, CULTURE AND PRACTICE

The programme consists of a mandatory core totalling 60 ECTS, incorporating a specialised individual component in the form of a Capstone Project (thesis, performance, or other agreed research artefact).

Additionally, three 10-ECTS modules—Research Methods, Writing About Music, Creative Collaboration and Dissemination—are designed to be ‘pathway flexible’, accommodating a diverse range of entrants under the music umbrella, including musicologists, performers, and composers.

These unique modules foster interaction among different learners, cultivating core academic skills while simulating real-world professional scenarios that integrate academic discourse with creative work.

Notably, the Writing About Music module employs a distinctive delivery method, primarily through online evening classes complemented by two on-campus workshops. This module is accessible to external applicants as a microcredential, enhancing the potential for building professional networks among students. Industry specialists play a crucial role in delivering this module, engaging students in activities such as music journalism, broadcasting, publicity, arts administration, and funding.

Augmenting these core modules are 30 ECTS of elective modules, providing students the flexibility to specialise (e.g., in musicology or performance) or mix and match modules to maintain breadth.

A unique feature is the Placement Module, organised in collaboration with external industry partners like Irish National Opera, Irish Traditional Music Archive, and the Contemporary Music Centre, which offers students invaluable professional experiences and connections to potential employers. Contact time for each module is detailed in the module descriptors.