��ɫ��Ƶ

During this programme, you will:  

• Grow your unique talents as a dance artist through hands-on studio work, learning contemporary dance, choreography, Somatics, Screendance, and creative practices. 

• Perform and collaborate with festivals, dance companies, and organisations, setting you up for careers in dance performance, choreography, or further research. 

• Explore both traditional and contemporary dance, gaining the artistic and academic skills that professionals in dance and research look for. 

• Build real-world experience and valuable connections to boost your dance career through workshops, masterclasses, and performances. 

Key Information: 

• Complete full-time in one year  

• Delivered on campus at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance 

• Modules taught during autumn and spring semesters  

• Submit final presentation at the end of the summer semester  

• Choose Irish Traditional Dance Performance or Contemporary Dance Performance. 

You will learn through a blend of:  

• Lectures, workshops, and hands-on activities  

• Reflective practice and guided research  

• Regular feedback from faculty and peers  

Irish Traditional Dance Performance Stream 

Autumn Semester 

Core modules: 

• introduces students to the repertoires of diverse Irish traditional dance performance practices. 

• equips students with the knowledge and skills to create new work from an Irish traditional dance perspective. 

• explores current media technologies used in the fields of performing arts, creative arts therapies, and arts research. 

• educates students in somatics practices that promote a healthy and mindful approach to movement. 

• explores a variety of approaches to the documentation of artistic practices, with a focus on documentation through writing. 

Electives – choose 1:  

Spring Semester 

Core modules: 

• develops student engagement with the repertoires of diverse Irish traditional dance performance practices. 

• engages students in intensive master classes with dance tutors and choreographers selected by the course director. 

• introduces students to the range of aesthetic and technical approaches to choreography-for-camera. 

• identifies a research topic that will be explored using practice-based research techniques. 

• introduces students to key concepts, practices and discourses related to contemporary arts management, production and policy making. 

Electives – choose 1:  

Summer Semester 

• equips students to perform specialist repertoire at the standard of a public recital or conduct a research project to the level of a master's standard dissertation or a combination of both. 

Contemporary Dance Performance Stream 

Autumn Semester 

Core modules:  

• introduces theoretical practices and principles current with contemporary and post-modern dance performance research. 

• introduces conceptual frames and theoretical perspectives that support the creation and performance of contemporary dance choreographies. 

• explores current media technologies used in the fields of performing arts, creative arts therapies, and arts research. 

• educates students in somatics practices that promote a healthy and mindful approach to movement. 

• explores a variety of approaches to the documentation of artistic practices, with a focus on documentation through writing. 

Electives – choose 1:  

Spring Semester 

Core modules:  

• enables students to develop strong technical and theoretical foundations towards the creative application of the body and bodies in choreography and performance. 

• supports students to develop their research into performance-making, with a focus on creating work that is thought provoking and imaginative. 

• introduces students to the range of aesthetic and technical approaches to choreography-for-camera. 

• ) identifies a research topic that will be explored using practice-based research techniques. 

• introduces students to key concepts, practices and discourses related to contemporary arts management, production and policy making. 

Electives – choose 1:  

Summer Semester 

• equips students to perform specialist repertoire at the standard of a public recital or conduct a research project to the level of a master's standard dissertation or a combination of both. 

Books and journal articles needed for the course will be available online through the UL Glucksman Library.  

For more information on each module, you can search the faculty, school and module code on UL’s  

• Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree ( Level 8) with at least a second-class honour, grade 2 (2:2) in a relevant or appropriate subject. 

• An interview and audition (online) will be required in all cases. Candidates will be required to submit additional audio-visual material via online links that demonstrate previous experience in contemporary dance. 

Other Entry Considerations: 

We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet the standard entry requirements, as long as you can show that you have the knowledge, skills, and experience needed for the programme. 

At UL, we value all kinds of learning and support different ways to qualify through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy. 

International students:   

• For details on country-specific qualifications visit postgraduate entry requirements for international students. 

Checklist of documents: 

• *Academic transcripts and certificates
  • UL graduates only need to provide their student ID.
• Copy of your birth certificate or passport
• English translation of your qualifications and transcripts
• Copy of your CV
• Additional audio-visual material via online links that demonstrate previous experience in contemporary dance. 

English Language: 

• English Language Competency certificate
• For details on accepted language qualifications visit English Language Requirements 

Guidelines on Completing your Application   

• To make sure we can review your application quickly, please:
  • Upload all documents. Your application can’t be reviewed until we have all the documents on the checklist. 
  • Title the documents you are uploading. For example, "Personal Statement", "Undergraduate Transcript", "Postgraduate Transcript", "English Language Certificate" etc. 
• *If you are waiting to graduate, submit your application with the documents you have to date, you don’t need to have finished final exams before applying. 

EU - €TBC

Non- EU - €18,000

Annual fees are billed by semester. Once registered, students may be eligible to apply for a monthly payment plan.  

Further information on fees and payment of fees is available from the Student Fees Office website. All fee related queries should be directed to the Student Fees Office (Phone: +353 61 213 007 or email student.fees.office@ul.ie).   

 
Funding 

Find further information on funding and scholarships.. 

This course can lead to the following sectors and careers:  

• Dance performance
• Artistic directorship
• Arts development 

Kathleen Spanos, Former MA student 

“The MA programme in Irish Traditional Dance Performance completely changed the course of my career path: Irish dance for me became something that was not only done at feiseanna, but could also be studied critically in academia. The combination of master classes and workshops along with coursework in dance history and ethnochoreology, opened my mind to new ways of thinking about dance. I was encouraged to step out of my comfort zone of competitive Irish step dance to explore unfamiliar styles of dance, such as Brazilian capoeira and West African dance. I learned that I could combine my love of dance and movement with my academic research goals and desire to teach in a university setting. 

I am currently a PhD candidate at the University of Maryland, College Park in Performance Studies, and my doctoral research addresses the development of Irish dance as a percussive dance in the United States. My plan after completing my doctorate is to find a position as a professor of dance or performance studies. I credit the MA programme and my wonderful mentors at the ��ɫ��Ƶ’s Irish World Academy of Music & Dance with giving me the means and the courage to allow my passion for Irish dance to guide my academic career goals.”  

Andrew Vickers.  

“The MA in Traditional Dance Performance is a must for Irish dancers who like to think outside the box. The Irish World Academy at the ��ɫ��Ƶ is a safe, nurturing, creative space for emerging dance makers from an Irish traditional dance background. During my time on the course, I was encouraged to find my own identity as a dancer whilst applying the fundamental techniques of ethnographic research and dance making to my choreographic process. This program also provided beneficial resources to collaborate and network with people from different areas of the performing arts. Dr Catherine Foley has developed a great way to bring traditional dance forward into an academic setting using her vast experience and expertise in the field of dance and ethnochoreology. I would strongly recommend this course to any person looking to further their career in dance.  

Since completing the MA I have gone on to work with Dance Theatre of Ireland and Soul Steps NYC on the creation and performances of Every Little Step, The Rhythm of Hope. This production premiered in New York City at the Joyce SOHO in 2011 as part of Imagine Ireland, a year of Irish Arts and Culture abroad. I have also collaborated on a new production Pulses of Tradition with fellow alumni Brian Morrissey, who completed his MA in Traditional Music Performance at the Irish World Academy. This stage show showcases Irish music, song and dance in both traditional and contemporary capacities and is now a part of the summer concert series at Triskel Arts Centre, Cork City.” 

Amir Sabra, Choreographer and dancer.  

"My experience pursuing an MA in Dance at the ��ɫ��Ƶ was profoundly enriching and has had a lasting impact on my professional journey. The program is deeply integrated with the wider arts and culture community in Ireland, offering invaluable exposure to renowned choreographers and key figures within the industry. I had the privilege of working closely with Liz Roche and Siobhán Ní Dhúinnín, both of whom mentored me throughout the course.  

The strong connections between the MA program and local venues have also created numerous opportunities for me. For example, partnerships with organizations like Dance Limerick, which collaborates with the University on various initiatives, have played a pivotal role in shaping my career. More recently, as an alumnus, I was commissioned to choreograph one of the opening shows for the launch of the National Irish Dance Company in Limerick, further underscoring the significant role my education at the University has played in advancing my professional path." 

Grace Cuny: Dance artist, Graduated in 2022.  

"I attended the MA in Contemporary Dance ��ɫ��Ƶ from 2021-2022. The program felt like a great fit for me because of its blend of structured classes and self-guided research. The rotation of workshops gave us opportunities to try out different styles and approaches — to see what resonated, what didn’t, what we’d like to incorporate into our own practice, etc. There were also many opportunities to attend shows at Dance Limerick, like the annual Light Moves and What Next festivals.  

During my second semester I was invited to teach evening classes at Dance Limerick and have since hosted a community improvisation event in the church space. Choreographer Liz Roche also set a piece on our cohort and I’ve since had the opportunity to work with her company in two productions. I recently revisited UL and Dance Limerick to complete Step Up 2024 where I worked with Catherine Young. Overall, I can say that the connections I made during my studies have had a significant impact on my dance life." 

Still Curious?  

The team regularly host and take part in webinars to support future students. If you would like to learn more or ask questions at an online information session, click below.     

Online Information Sessions