What Will I Learn?
On completion of the programme the students should:
have developed a specialised understanding of the principal developments and trends within at least two of the core disciplines of historical musicology, ethnomusicology and composition, and be conversant with a wide range of methodological and interdisciplinary approaches;
have acquired an understanding of how Ireland's musical history and present state of musical and musicological discourses relate to those of other countries;
have developed, if taking composition options, a good command of a range of compositional techniques in different styles and genres;
be able to undertake independent research and deal confidently with the various forms of primary evidence available for research in musicology;
demonstrate critical understanding of diverse academic viewpoints;
be able to deliver oral presentations clearly and confidently, and engage constructively in group discussions;
be able to analyse primary and secondary evidence, place it in context, and assess its reliability;
demonstrate the ability to participate appropriately in an academic community;
have developed solid writing skills including the ability to engage in rigorous and original research-based work;
have developed a range of transferable skills and experience, including disciplined work methods, rigorous, and analytical and imaginative thinking, which would facilitate scholarly progression in music and musicology, but also within a wide range of professional contexts.
Career & Graduate Study Opportunities
Many alumni of the MMus Degree have gone on to successful careers in arts administration, journalism, and teaching.
Recent graduates have also gone on to pursue doctoral work in musicology and ethnomusicology at internationally-renowned institutions such as Cambridge University, King’s College London, and the Royal Irish Academy of Music. Our graduates occupy academic posts throughout Ireland and the UK (including Royal Holloway, Goldsmiths, Leeds, Birmingham and Manchester) and further afield (including Queensland and Sydney); they also hold positions with the BBC and RTÉ (radio and television) and the Royal Opera House Covent Garden.
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please
September 2025
UCD College of Arts and Humanities
BELFIELD,
Dublin,
Republic of Ireland
A Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor in a cognate area with a minimum 2.1 or an equivalent of a UCD GPA of 3.08 (NFQ Level 8) or equivalent. Cognate areas include Music, Musicology, Ethnomusicology, Music Education and Performance Studies. In some cases the School of Music will accept applicants from English, History, Sociology and Anthropology. However, the School will first assess the applicant's ability to read musical notation and engage with Music Theory. Written sample work (1000-4000 words) and two positive academic references will be required. Applicants whose first language is not English are also required to submit evidence of their English language proficiency. It is expected that applicants will normally have reached an overall 7.0 in IELTS, with no individual band lower than 6.5, or equivalent.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by Princeton University:
A minimum score of 600 in the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL PBT), with Test of Written English at 475 +.
A minimum score of 90 is required in the Internet based TOEFL (iBT) with a score of at least 20 in each section
Cambridge Examinations
English language examinations administered by the University of Cambridge: 176+ on Cambridge English scale (with no less than 169 in each skill and use of English)
Acceptable Examinations:
Proficiency Certificate, Grade C (i.e. CEFR Level C1 or C2).
Advanced Certificate, Grade C (i.e. CEFR Level C1 or C2)
First Certificate, Grade A (i.e. CEFR Level C1)
Pearson English Language Text: Minimum of 63 and at least 59 for each item in the Communicative Skills section.
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
UCD is the most international and diverse university in Ireland, and is the destination of choice for over 10,400 international students.
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