Program Overview

Introduction to the Dance Studies MA Program

The University of Limerick offers a one-year, full-time Master of Arts (MA) in Dance Studies designed for experienced dancers in various forms, including Irish, Ballet, Contemporary, and others. This program aims to deepen students' academic and reflective practice, supporting them in contextualizing their performance experience through critical engagement with theory, ethnography, and cultural analysis.

Program Overview

During this program, students will develop theoretical and practical knowledge of diverse dance repertoires, critically engage with ethnographic research methods and fieldwork techniques, explore dance forms in cultural and ritual contexts, and learn to document and reflect on dance practice through writing, media technologies, and interdisciplinary approaches. The program culminates in a final presentation or dissertation, allowing students to showcase their research or performance at a professional level.

Program Content

The MA in Dance Studies is delivered over one year, with modules taught during the autumn and spring semesters. Students submit their dissertation at the end of the summer semester. The program includes a blend of lectures, workshops, hands-on activities, reflective practice, and guided research, with regular feedback from faculty and peers.

Autumn Semester

• Repertoire and Style in Dance Performance 1: Introduces students to the repertoires of diverse dance performance practices.
• Dance Ethnography: Critically engages students in discourses surrounding ethnographic research methodologies.
• Introduction to Fieldwork Techniques: Introduces basic elements of fieldwork, including 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.
• Electives: Students choose two from a list of options, including Academic Literacies for International Postgraduate Students, Media Technologies for Performing Arts and Arts Research, Independent Study, Introduction to Somatics, Writing and the Documentation of Arts Practice, Critical Engagements with Irish Traditional Music, and Colloquium.

Spring Semester

• Repertoire and Style in Dance Performance 2: Extends theoretical and practical knowledge of repertoires and styles in diverse dance performance practices.
• Contextualising Dance Performance: Introduces students to a range of dance forms through an exploration of performance examples in current cultural contexts and links them to their genealogical roots.
• Electives: Students choose two from the list provided in the autumn semester.

Summer Semester

• Final Presentation Dissertation: 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.

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 may shortlist and invite applicants to an interview and audition if necessary. International students are encouraged to apply, with details on country-specific qualifications available.

Fees

• Distance (EU): €7,800
• Distance (Non-EU): €17,900
• Full-Time (EU): €7,995
• Full-Time (Non-EU): €18,000

Annual fees are billed by semester, with options for a monthly payment plan. Further information on fees and payment is available from the Student Fees Office.

Graduate Profile

This course can lead to careers in dance performance, dance pedagogy, dance research, and related fields, equipping graduates with the skills and knowledge necessary for professional practice or further academic research.