Program Overview

Irish Music Studies – Postgraduate Certificate / Postgraduate Diploma / Master of Arts

Brief Description

Explore Irish music across three centuries through a flexible, stackable postgraduate pathway in Irish Music Studies. Whether your interest lies in Irish traditional music, classical Irish compositions, folk traditions, or a specific instrument such as fiddle, harp or voice, you'll have the opportunity to tailor your studies to your musical passions.

Course Details

• Course Code(s): MAIMSUTFAD
• Available: Full-Time
• Intake: Autumn/Fall
• Course Start Date: September
• Duration: 1 Semester, Full-Time (Certificate) / 2 Semesters, Full-Time (Diploma) / 1 Year, Full-Time (MA)
• Award: Masters
• Qualification: NFQ Level 9 Major Award
• Faculty: Irish World Academy of Music and Dance
• Course Type: Taught
• Fees: For Information on Fees, see section below.

Programme Content

Year 1

Autumn Semester

• Core modules:
  • Framing Irish Music: Sources & Discourses 1 (MD6171) explores the printed, manuscript, and audio-visual sources of Irish Music, and the main discourses around this music over the past three centuries.
  • Music Ethnography (MU6061) trains students in the epistemology, methodology, methods and techniques for sustained ethnographic inquiry.
  • Introduction to Fieldwork Techniques (MD6021) introduces students to basic elements of fieldwork including its ethical principles, participant observation and interview techniques.
  • Irish Traditional Music Performance Research Seminar (MD6161) introduces students to current research in traditional music studies.
  • Introduction to Ritual Studies (MD6041) equips students with a knowledge of the emergence and development of ritual studies as an interdisciplinary discourse.
• Electives – choose 2:
  • Colloquium 1 (MD6111)
  • Independent Study 1 (MD6051)
  • Media Technologies for Performing Arts & Arts Research (MD6031)
  • Writing & the Documentation of Arts Practice 1 (MD6071)
  • Broadening through Awareness, Activism and the Arts (Postgraduate) (BR5001)

Spring Semester

• Core modules:
  • Framing Irish Music: Sources & Discourses 2 (MD6152) engages students in a systematic examination and analysis of printed, manuscript, and audio-visual sources of Irish Music.
  • Critical Engagements with Irish Traditional Music (MD6081) examines writings on and sources of Irish traditional music to enhance understanding of this tradition.
  • The Anthropology of Music (MU5022) explores current issues in ethnomusicology.
  • Irish Traditional Music Practicum 2 (MU5612) enables students to create and design their own performance programme under the supervision of the course director.
• Electives – choose 2:
  • Colloquium 2 (MD6102)
  • Independent Study 2 (MD6052)
  • Broadening: Introduction to Place-Making (Postgraduate) (BR5002)
  • Critical Contexts for Arts Management & Cultural Policy (MD6062)

Summer Semester

• Final Presentation (MD5522) enables the student to undertake a substantial research project, which can include a performance element.

Entry Requirements

• Applicants should hold a bachelor's degree (NFQ 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.

Fees

• EU: €7,995
• Non-EU: €18,000
• Annual fees are billed by semester. Once registered, students may be eligible to apply for a monthly payment plan.

Graduate Profile

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