Program Overview

Introduction to the MA in Ethnomusicology

The Master of Arts (MA) in Ethnomusicology is a one-year, full-time programme that explores music in its cultural, social, political, and ecological contexts. This programme asks how and why people make music and why that matters, now more than ever.

Brief Description

The MA in Ethnomusicology is designed for graduates in music and related fields who want to continue their education and build careers in teaching, research, curation/performance, and across various cultural sectors. The programme focuses on developing skills in fieldwork, including interviewing and observing musical communities, and producing written and creative outputs informed by disciplinary theory and ethical codes of practice.

Programme Content

The programme is delivered on campus and can be completed full-time in one year. Modules are taught during the autumn and spring semesters, with a dissertation submitted at the end of the summer semester. Students take a combination of core and elective modules, including:

• History of Ethnomusicology: Provides an overview of the history and theory of ethnomusicology since the 19th century.
• Introduction to Fieldwork Techniques: Introduces basic elements of fieldwork, including its ethical principles, participant observation, and interview techniques.
• Introduction to Ritual Studies: Equips students with knowledge of the emergence and development of ritual studies as an interdisciplinary discourse.
• Media Technologies for Performing Arts and Arts Research: Explores current media technologies used in the fields of performing arts, creative arts therapies, and arts research.
• Music Ethnography: Trains students in the epistemology, methodology, methods, and techniques for sustained ethnographic inquiry.
• Anthropology of Music: Explores current issues in ethnomusicology.
• World Music Survey: Examines specific music and movement cultures to gain awareness of diverse systems of embodiment and practice within their socio-cultural contexts.
• Critical Engagements with Irish Traditional Music: Examines manuscript, printed, audio, and visual sources of Irish traditional music.

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. The university will shortlist and invite applicants to an interview with the course director. Applications from graduates with music and/or dance experience are especially welcome.

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 can lead to careers in:

• University and college lecturing in ethnomusicology
• Music archiving
• Music administration
• Music education
• Inter/transcultural consulting

Graduates of the programme are prepared for careers in university teaching, research, music education, music curation and archiving, ensemble facilitation, and inter/transcultural applied work with institutions and cultural organisations.