Cutting-edge research with an Irish grounding and a world-wide reach lies at the heart of our taught Master's programme, which gives students the opportunity to work with scholars of international standing in the School’s core disciplines of ethnomusicology, historical musicology and composition. Foundation modules in these areas are followed by case studies based on the research specialisms of our staff. Irish musical culture features prominently in the programme, including case study modules on “Sounding Ireland Onscreen” and “Popular Music in Ireland,” yet the profile of the degree is by no means restricted to Irish topics.

 

Overall, the degree furnishes students with the core intellectual tools for pursuing musicological or practice-based (composition) research while also facilitating specialisation and encouraging independent scholarship. Students are part of a lively, collaborative research culture and engage regularly with visiting seminar speakers. Students often go on to doctoral study, when they are supported by faculty during the Masters to develop research ideas and funding proposals, yet also go on to a range of related careers in the arts and cultural heritage sector, media, teaching, and many other professions.

 

The UCD School of Music is one of the leading centres for graduate musical study in Ireland and a QS World Top 100 Performing Arts department.