Program Overview

Overview of the Music Education Program

The Bachelor in Music Education provides for the academic, artistic, and professional requirements of those wishing to become music teachers at post-primary level. The degree is taught in partnership with the Technical University of Dublin Conservatoire of Music and Drama (TU Dublin Conservatoire) and, on alternate years, with the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM). The program is designed to equip students with a high standard of performance in their principal instrument and a competence in related musical skills.

Program Details

• Duration: 4 Years Full-Time
• Number of Places: 12 Places
• CAO Points: 490 (2024)
• CAO Code: TR009
• Awards: B.Mus.Ed. Honours Bachelor Degree (NFQ Level 8)

Admission Requirements

This is a restricted entry course. All applicants are invited to take a Trinity Bachelor in Music Education Entrance Test. Those who are shortlisted are invited to attend the next stage of the selection process where applicants are asked to perform two contrasting pieces on their main instrument to be played at the interview/audition. Successful candidates at interview/audition stage will be awarded points (max 200), which will be combined with Leaving Certificate/equivalent CAO results.

English Language Requirements

All applicants to Trinity are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants to this course are required to meet Band B (Standard Entry) English language requirements.

Course Structure

The program includes individual instrumental/vocal tuition, ensemble work, and structured school placement in all aspects of classroom practice both at primary and post-primary levels. Students are encouraged to engage in ensemble work at a level appropriate to their ability. Opportunities to perform are provided, offering realistic individual goals for all, including the exceptionally gifted.

First Year

• Music Performance (solo and ensemble)
• Aural Skills
• Compositional Techniques
• Music History (Western Art Music, Irish Music, Ethnomusicology)
• Practice of Music Education
• Music Technology for the Classroom
• Fundamental Music Pedagogy (conducting, keyboard skills, classroom instrumental skills)
• School Placement

Second Year

• Music Performance (solo and ensemble)
• Aural Skills
• Compositional Techniques
• Music History (Western Art Music, Irish Music, Popular Music)
• Practice of Music Education
• Critical and Sociological Perspectives in Music Education
• Irish Educational History and Policy
• School Placement

Third Year

• Music Performance (solo and ensemble)
• Aural Skills
• Advanced Composition Techniques
• Contemporary Music Studies
• Sociology of Education
• Practice of Music Education
• School Placement

Fourth Year

• Capstone Project (recital + dissertation / composition)
• Advanced Musicianship (aural skills, analysis, conducting)
• Inclusive Education
• Digital Learning
• Psychology of Education
• Introduction to Assessments and Examination in Post-Primary School Education
• School Placement

Career Opportunities

Music Education is a professional degree accredited by the Teaching Council of Ireland. Graduates have excellent employment records. Most graduates choose post-primary teaching, many garnering reputations as inspirational music teachers; others choose instrumental teaching both privately and in conservatoires. Graduates also go on to work in areas such as professional development, instrumental and vocal performance, academia, agencies associated with the arts, and in fields such as music therapy and music technology. Many students take postgraduate courses majoring in areas such as music education, musicology, performance, and composition.

Study Abroad and Internship Opportunities

The program has strong links abroad, including active participation in the Erasmus exchange system with Kodály Institute. It allows second-year students the option of spending one semester studying abroad.

Fees

For a full list of undergraduate fees, please refer to the relevant section of the university's website.

Conclusion

The Bachelor in Music Education at Trinity College Dublin is a comprehensive program designed to equip students with the academic, artistic, and professional skills necessary to become music teachers at post-primary level. With its strong focus on performance, education, and personal development, this program offers students a unique opportunity to pursue their passion for music while gaining a professional qualification in teaching. The program's emphasis on ensemble work, school placement, and individual instrumental/vocal tuition ensures that graduates are well-prepared for a career in music education. With its excellent employment records and opportunities for further study, the Bachelor in Music Education at Trinity College Dublin is an attractive option for those looking to pursue a career in music education.