��ɫ��Ƶ

During this programme, you will:  

• Critically engage with research into areas of traditional music practice, contemporary and historical. 

• Explore ideas and sounds of what constitutes Irish music, from historical and contemporary perspectives. 

• Develop your own research questions and outcomes, supported by expert supervision. 

• Have the opportunity to create and design your own performance programme under the supervision of the course director. 

• Participate in seminars, workshops, and fieldwork that connect academic study with lived musical experience. 

• Join a vibrant community of musicians, researchers, and performers at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance. 

Key Information: 

• Complete full-time in one year  

• Delivered primarily on campus, with the first semester offered online, face-to-face or blended 

• Modules taught during autumn and spring semesters  

• Submit final presentation at the end of the summer semester to achieve the MA 

• Full-time students take 5 core modules and 2 elective modules in the autumn semester and 3 core modules and 2 elective modules in the spring semester.  

You will learn through a blend of:  

• Lectures, workshops, and hands-on activities  

• Reflective practice and guided research  

• Regular feedback from faculty and peers  

Year 1  

Autumn Semester 

Core modules:  

• explores the printed, manuscript, and audio-visual sources of Irish Music, and the main discourses around this music over the past three centuries. 

• trains students in the epistemology, methodology, methods and techniques for sustained ethnographic inquiry. 

• introduces students to basic elements of fieldwork including its ethical principles, participant observation and interview techniques. 

• introduces students to current research in traditional music studies. 

• equips students with a knowledge of the emergence and development of ritual studies as an interdisciplinary discourse. 

Electives – choose 2:  

There is an option to exit after the autumn semester and earn a certificate qualification.  

Spring Semester 

Core modules:  

• engages students in a systematic examination and analysis of printed, manuscript, and audio-visual sources of Irish Music. 

• examines writings on and sources of Irish traditional music to enhance understanding of this tradition. 

• explores current issues in ethnomusicology. 

or  

• enables students to create and design their own performance programme under the supervision of the course director. 

Electives – choose 2:  

There is an option to exit after this semester with a diploma qualification  

Summer Semester 

• enables the student to undertake a substantial research project, which can include a performance element.  

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 or an approved professional qualification. 

• The university may shortlist you and invite you to an interview and audition. 

• You may be required to submit additional audio visual and/or written material. 

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 

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.

Scholarships 

A number of scholarships are available to students applying to programmes at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance. 

This course caters to the occupational and vocational needs of:  

• University and college lecturers
• Secondary teachers of music
• Professional music performers
• Music archivists
• Music administrators
• Music educators
• Media specialists 

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 

Image

Rhiannon Ramsey Brimberg, Graduate, MA Irish Music Studies. 

“From an academic point of view, it has helped broaden the way I see things. The students in my classes came from all over the world. The number of viewpoints that I was exposed to and being made aware of was so beneficial. The classes were really interesting, and I liked how they were structured. The lecturers on the programme are extremely knowledgeable and supportive. They really are experts in their field.”