Program Overview

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Introduction to the BA Arts-Music Degree

The BA Arts-Music degree at University College Cork is a unique and diverse program that allows students to combine the study of music with another arts subject. This degree is designed to reflect the true diversity and vitality of the contemporary musical world, offering students a broad range of modules and subjects to choose from.

Course Outline

The BA Arts-Music program combines two kinds of learning: practice-based teaching, learning, and research, and critical and scholarly skills. Students create music through solo and ensemble performance, improvisation, composition, aural training, applied work in education, or in the computer music studio. They also investigate music in historical and contemporary cultures worldwide.

Year 1 Core Modules

• MU1020 Western Music, Culture and Media (5 credits)
• MU1021 ITM Studies and Introduction to World Music (5 credits)
• MU1022 Gamelan & Ensemble (5 credits)
• MU1023 Solo Performance & Ensemble Studies (5 credits)
• MU1024 Composition & Music Technology (5 credits)
• MU1025 Music Theory & Aural Skills (5 credits) 30 credits from two other First Arts subjects from Groups 1, 2, 3, 5, 6(a).

Year 2 Modules

In Year 2 Arts-Music, students take Music as a Single Subject (50 credits) or as a Major Subject (40 credits) or a Joint Subject (30 credits). Students may also apply to transfer to the BMus to take 60 credits of Music.

Core

• MU2017 Music in Culture and Society
• MU2001 Music Theory 2

Electives

A choice from across a broad range of subjects and approaches, including film music, Javanese music, the history of Jazz, music cognition and perception, Asian musics, middle eastern musics, electronic music, and more.

Why Choose This Course

This BA degree is the most musically diverse on offer in Ireland, designed to reflect international trends and needs in music. It is rich in transferable skills, making graduates versatile and broadly competent. The Department of Music is large enough to be exciting and surprising but small enough to offer a friendly and supportive environment.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

• The Arts work-placement module (PX3001) offers students a unique opportunity to take an optional work-placement module in Year 2.
• BA Arts-Music International allows students to study Music and/or an Arts subject with an approved university in Asia, Canada, Europe, South America, and the US.

Skills and Careers Information

Arts-Music graduates have a great record for finding employment. They work in various settings, including as performing musicians, music teachers, in the music business, arts and cultural heritage management, and in film/TV/radio. This BA degree also qualifies students to explore postgraduate options, including HDip in Arts, MA Arts Management & Creative Producing, MA Experimental Sound Practice, MA Music - Ethnomusicology, and more.

Requirements

Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements

At least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H5 in two subjects and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish.

Additional Requirements

This is a restricted programme; all applicants must apply to the CAO on or before 1 February in the year of entry. Late applications cannot be considered. Applicants must pass a music entrance exam and will be called for this automatically once the application is made through the CAO.

EU/EFTA/UK Qualifications

EU/EFTA/UK applicants presenting an equivalent school-leaving qualification should review the EU/EFTA/UK Applicants page for information on equivalent grades and how to prove their level of English.

Mature Students

To compete through the mature entry route, applicants must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January of the application year and apply online via the CAO by 1 February.

QQI FET Entry

Applicants who meet the required level of distinctions in required subjects can apply for entry to this course using specific QQI FET qualifications.

Non-EU Applicants

Non-EU applicants are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate. In addition, where such applicants are non-native speakers of the English language, they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language.

Fees and Costs

Whether you are an EU or Non-EU student will affect the course fees applicable to you. The State will pay the tuition fees for EU students who are eligible under the Free Fees Scheme. The annual student contribution and capitation fees are payable by the student.

How To Apply

Irish and European (EU/EFTA/UK) applicants apply via the CAO. Mature applicants apply via the CAO by 1 February. QQI/FET applicants apply via the CAO. Non-EU applicants apply online via the UCC Apply portal.