First year Bachelor of Music and former Scoil Mhuire Community School Clane student Orla Dunphy performed particularly well in the Leaving Certificate 2023. Now embarking on her second semester in the BMus Bachelor of Music degree, Orla reflects on being one of over seventy 2023 Maynooth University Entrance Scholars, each having achieved 575 points or more in their Leaving Certificate examination. Orla was also awarded the Music Entrance Scholarship 2023.
"I chose Maynooth University as the BMus degree here really appealed to me. The course is so broad and offers many opportunities to learn about different types of music, whilst also giving students the chance to study composition and performance. From attending the open days, I got a feel for the campus and I decided it was where I wanted to go."
Orla applied to the BMus course on the CAO and was called to an online audition a few weeks later. The BMus degree is a CAO restricted-application course meaning they have early assessment procedures and must be applied for before the February 1st deadline.
"The audition consisted of a 4–5-minute video where I had to perform a piece on my chosen instrument. I was more than surprised when I was told I had obtained the highest marks in the audition and therefore received the BMus scholarship."
Orla's achievement in the Leaving Certificate, achieving 575 points or more, meant that she was automatically awarded the Entrance Scholarship too.
The €1,000 Entrance Scholarship is awarded to incoming first year students, via the CAO, who have obtained 575 points or more in their Leaving Certificate.
The BMus Bachelor of Music Entrance Scholarship is for one entrant to the degree each year. The top scoring applicant, based on the MH103 online video audition, receives a scholarship of €1,000.
"My first semester here in Maynooth has been amazing and I’m really enjoying my course. Everyone is so friendly and there’s such a welcoming environment throughout the department and the campus. The BMus course is small, and you really get to know everyone. We also share modules with music students from the BA (MH101) degree, allowing you to meet so many more people. I’m really happy with my choice to come here!"