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BACHELOR OF ARTS - MUSIC

Qualification: BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE
Award Type and NFQ Level:
Course code: ARTS
CAO/PAC code: MH101
Points: 338
QQI: click here for details
Closing date: 01 July 2023

	Details
	Studying Music at Maynooth, Ireland�s largest university music department, offers unparalleled choice and expertise, from performance to computer programming, from ancient traditions to contemporary experience, from high art to heavy metal. Our programmes are designed to ensure a broad and firm grounding in practical, compositional and academic work, with expanded opportunities to specialise in areas that really interest you the most in your final year. Performance, composition, music history (musicology including pop/rock) and the music of other cultures (ethnomusicology) are just a selection of different aspects of music you will study in the Music programme. Exciting and varied programme of practical, compositional and academic work. Students participate in ensembles such as the Chamber Choir, Maynooth University Orchestra and Traditional Music Ensemble. In your third year, you have the option to specialise in performance, composition or musicology. Some of the modules available include �Jazz Styles in the USA�, �Music and Entrepreneurship�, �Opera in Context� and 'Music and Identity'. For those considering teaching Music at second level, the Teaching Council requirements are met by studying Music in the MH101 degree.

Details

Studying Music at Maynooth, Ireland�s largest university music department, offers unparalleled choice and expertise, from performance to computer programming, from ancient traditions to contemporary experience, from high art to heavy metal.

Our programmes are designed to ensure a broad and firm grounding in practical, compositional and academic work, with expanded opportunities to specialise in areas that really interest you the most in your final year.
Performance, composition, music history (musicology including pop/rock) and the music of other cultures (ethnomusicology) are just a selection of different aspects of music you will study in the Music programme.
Exciting and varied programme of practical, compositional and academic work.
Students participate in ensembles such as the Chamber Choir, Maynooth University Orchestra and Traditional Music Ensemble.
In your third year, you have the option to specialise in performance, composition or musicology. Some of the modules available include �Jazz Styles in the USA�, �Music and Entrepreneurship�, �Opera in Context� and 'Music and Identity'.
For those considering teaching Music at second level, the Teaching Council requirements are met by studying Music in the MH101 degree.

Entry requirements

	Additional information
	Leaving Certificate applicants are required to present (as a minimum): 2H5 & 4O6/H7 and O6/H7 in Irish, English, 3rd language. H5 Music or equivalent required. You have the option of studying either solo performance (subject to audition or certificate) or group piano tuition. BA students who have attained Grade 6+ (ABRSM, RIAM, Trinity College London) on a standard orchestral instrument (excluding percussion), piano, organ, classical guitar, voice or saxophone; Grade 6+ (Rockschool, Trinity College London) on bass, drums, vocals, keyboard or guitar (electric or acoustic); or who are traditional Irish musicians or musical theatre vocalists of comparable fluency, will also have an opportunity to take individual tuition in their instrument or voice. Students who have not taken formal performance examinations are invited to audition, demonstrating Grade 6+ attainment, in September. Please see further details on the Department of Music website (link opposite). Alternatively, group piano tuition is an option open to all levels from absolute beginner to advanced. Where possible, the Department of Music arranges instrumental/vocal tuition on campus. Students can also choose to have instrumental/vocal tuition (funded to a maximum amount by the Department) at either TU Dublin or RIAM. The Maynooth Education Click here for details about optional Critical Skills courses, Electives and degree pathways. HEAR and DARE DARE: The Disability Access Route to Education is a third level alternative admissions scheme for school-leavers whose disabilities have had a negative impact on their second level education. HEAR: The Higher Education Access Route is a third level admissions scheme for school leavers from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. Contact the Access Office for more information about these access routes.

Additional information

	How to apply
	APPLY TO THE CAO WWW.CAO.IE The application process depends on the type of applicant you are. Click here for all information about how to apply. Categories of applicant: School-leavers (Leaving Certificate students) Mature students (23 years or older by 1st January in the year of entry to the University/part-time degrees the mature age is 21) EU/EFTA/UK students International students (outside the EU) QQI (Further Education) students Transferring students Deferring students

How to apply

Course structure

BA Bachelor of Arts � Music � Double Major, Major/Minor or as a Minor. Music and another subject to degree level. All students are required to present H5 in Leaving Certificate Music to study Music.

First year

15 or 30 credits of Music
Plus choose 2 or 3 other subjects (or Critical Skills) from the 5 groups available (max 1 per group)

Second year

After first year you take Music as part of a Double Major, as a Major/Minor or as a Minor
Continue with 20, 30 or 40 credits of Music plus 1 of your first year subjects
Optional 10 credit Electives in second year

Third year

20, 30 or 40 credits of Music plus other subject
If you want to qualify to teach music and another subject at second level, you will need to take 30 credits of Music in third year & 30 credits of your other subject

Students may apply to study overseas after second year (on Erasmus or Study Abroad) and graduate with a BA (International) after 4 years. See the International Studies website for details.

Duration: 3 years (BA) or 4 years (BA International)

Disclaimer
The modules below are indicative of the content associated with this course of study.
The modules are subject to change as the curriculum is revised and reviewed annually. Please check periodically for updates.

Year 1

MUSIC

Our programmes are designed to ensure a broad and firm grounding in practical, compositional and academic work, with expanded opportunities to specialise in areas that really interest you the most in your final year.
Performance, composition, music history (musicology including pop/rock) and the music of other cultures (ethnomusicology) are just a selection of different aspects of music you will study in the Music programme.
Exciting and varied programme of practical, compositional and academic work.
Students participate in ensembles such as the Chamber Choir and Traditional Music Ensemble.
In your third year, you have the option to specialise in performance, composition or musicology. Some of the modules available include �Music and Entrepreneurship�, �Opera in Context� and 'Popular Music Studies'.
For those considering teaching Music at second level, the Teaching Council requirements are met by studying Music in the MH101 degree.

Note: Students can take 15 credits in Timetable Group 5 OR 30 credits in Timetable Groups 5 and 2.

MU1V30 - MUSIC

Credits: 30 Not compulsory:

Module	Code	Credits	Semester
MUSIC STUDIES I	MU151	7.5	1
MUSIC STUDIES II	MU152	7.5	2
MUSIC TRADITIONS AND REPERTOIRES I	MU153	7.5	1
MUSIC TRADITIONS AND REPERTOIRES II	MU154	7.5	2

MUSIC

Our programmes are designed to ensure a broad and firm grounding in practical, compositional and academic work, with expanded opportunities to specialise in areas that really interest you the most in your final year.
Performance, composition, music history (musicology including pop/rock) and the music of other cultures (ethnomusicology) are just a selection of different aspects of music you will study in the Music programme.
Exciting and varied programme of practical, compositional and academic work.
Students participate in ensembles such as the Chamber Choir and Traditional Music Ensemble.
In your third year, you have the option to specialise in performance, composition or musicology. Some of the modules available include �Music and Entrepreneurship�, �Opera in Context� and 'Popular Music Studies'.
For those considering teaching Music at second level, the Teaching Council requirements are met by studying Music in the MH101 degree.

Note: Students can take 15 credits in Timetable Group 5 OR 30 credits in Timetable Groups 5 and 2.

MU1V30 - MUSIC

Credits: 30 Not compulsory:

Module	Code	Credits	Semester
MUSIC STUDIES I	MU151	7.5	1
MUSIC STUDIES II	MU152	7.5	2
MUSIC TRADITIONS AND REPERTOIRES I	MU153	7.5	1
MUSIC TRADITIONS AND REPERTOIRES II	MU154	7.5	2

Year 2

MUSIC

Our programmes are designed to ensure a broad and firm grounding in practical, compositional and academic work, with expanded opportunities to specialise in areas that really interest you the most in your final year.
Performance, composition, music history (musicology including pop/rock) and the music of other cultures (ethnomusicology) are just a selection of different aspects of music you will study in the Music programme.
Exciting and varied programme of practical, compositional and academic work.
Students participate in ensembles such as the Chamber Choir and Traditional Music Ensemble.
In your third year, you have the option to specialise in performance, composition or musicology. Some of the modules available include �Music and Entrepreneurship�, �Opera in Context� and 'Popular Music Studies'.
For those considering teaching Music at second level, the Teaching Council requirements are met by studying Music in the MH101 degree.

Registration Notes:

1. MU348 will not be available for online registration in September. Interested students should contact John.OKeeffe@spcm.ie to arrange a time for audition. If successful, students will be able to amend their initial module selection to include MU348.

2. BMUS students transferring into ARTS/MH101: you must take MU218 instead of MU217.

MU2DM - MUSIC

Credits: 30 Not compulsory:

Module	Code	Credits	Semester
ANALYTICAL METHODS 2	MU223	5	2
APPLIED MUSIC TECHNIQUES	MU207	5	1
ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE II	MU254	5	Year-Long
INTRODUCTION TO COMPOSITION	MU218	5	1
INTRODUCTION TO IRISH TRADITIONAL MUSIC	MU265	5	1
INTRODUCTION TO ORCHESTRATION & ARRANGEMENT	MU217	5	1
MUSIC AND CULTURAL PRACTICE	MU266	5	2
MUSIC AND FILM	MU226	5	2
MUSIC AND HISTORY	MU261	5	1
MUSIC AND ITS SOURCES	MU263	5	2
PERFORMANCE II	MU253	5	Year-Long
PLAINCHANT PERFORMANCE	MU348	5	1

MUSIC

Our programmes are designed to ensure a broad and firm grounding in practical, compositional and academic work, with expanded opportunities to specialise in areas that really interest you the most in your final year.
Performance, composition, music history (musicology including pop/rock) and the music of other cultures (ethnomusicology) are just a selection of different aspects of music you will study in the Music programme.
Exciting and varied programme of practical, compositional and academic work.
Students participate in ensembles such as the Chamber Choir and Traditional Music Ensemble.
In your third year, you have the option to specialise in performance, composition or musicology. Some of the modules available include �Music and Entrepreneurship�, �Opera in Context� and 'Popular Music Studies'.
For those considering teaching Music at second level, the Teaching Council requirements are met by studying Music in the MH101 degree.

Registration Note:

MU348 will not be available for online registration in September. Interested students should contact John.OKeeffe@spcm.ie to arrange a time for audition. If successful, students will be able to amend their initial module selection to include MU348.

MU2MJ - MUSIC

Credits: 40 Not compulsory:

Module	Code	Credits	Semester
ANALYTICAL METHODS 2	MU223	5	2
APPLIED MUSIC TECHNIQUES	MU207	5	1
ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE II	MU254	5	Year-Long
INTRODUCTION TO COMPOSITION	MU218	5	1
INTRODUCTION TO IRISH TRADITIONAL MUSIC	MU265	5	1
INTRODUCTION TO ORCHESTRATION & ARRANGEMENT	MU217	5	1
MUSIC AND CULTURAL PRACTICE	MU266	5	2
MUSIC AND FILM	MU226	5	2
MUSIC AND HISTORY	MU261	5	1
MUSIC AND ITS SOURCES	MU263	5	2
PERFORMANCE II	MU253	5	Year-Long
PLAINCHANT PERFORMANCE	MU348	5	1

MUSIC

Our programmes are designed to ensure a broad and firm grounding in practical, compositional and academic work, with expanded opportunities to specialise in areas that really interest you the most in your final year.
Performance, composition, music history (musicology including pop/rock) and the music of other cultures (ethnomusicology) are just a selection of different aspects of music you will study in the Music programme.
Exciting and varied programme of practical, compositional and academic work.
Students participate in ensembles such as the Chamber Choir and Traditional Music Ensemble.
In your third year, you have the option to specialise in performance, composition or musicology. Some of the modules available include �Music and Entrepreneurship�, �Opera in Context� and 'Popular Music Studies'.
For those considering teaching Music at second level, the Teaching Council requirements are met by studying Music in the MH101 degree.

Registration Note:

MU2MI - MUSIC

Credits: 20 Not compulsory:

Module	Code	Credits	Semester
ANALYTICAL METHODS 2	MU223	5	2
APPLIED MUSIC TECHNIQUES	MU207	5	1
ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE II	MU254	5	Year-Long
INTRODUCTION TO COMPOSITION	MU218	5	1
INTRODUCTION TO IRISH TRADITIONAL MUSIC	MU265	5	1
INTRODUCTION TO ORCHESTRATION & ARRANGEMENT	MU217	5	1
MUSIC AND CULTURAL PRACTICE	MU266	5	2
MUSIC AND FILM	MU226	5	2
MUSIC AND HISTORY	MU261	5	1
MUSIC AND ITS SOURCES	MU263	5	2
PLAINCHANT PERFORMANCE	MU348	5	1

Year 3

MUSIC

Our programmes are designed to ensure a broad and firm grounding in practical, compositional and academic work, with expanded opportunities to specialise in areas that really interest you the most in your final year.
Performance, composition, music history (musicology including pop/rock) and the music of other cultures (ethnomusicology) are just a selection of different aspects of music you will study in the Music programme.
Exciting and varied programme of practical, compositional and academic work.
Students participate in ensembles such as the Chamber Choir and Traditional Music Ensemble.
In your third year, you have the option to specialise in performance, composition or musicology. Some of the modules available include �Music and Entrepreneurship�, �Opera in Context� and 'Popular Music Studies'.
For those considering teaching Music at second level, the Teaching Council requirements are met by studying Music in the MH101 degree.

Notes

2. Students may only take one of MU359 and MU360; it is not permitted to take both modules.

MU3ATDM - MUSIC

Credits: 30 Not compulsory:

Module	Code	Credits	Semester
BASIC KEYBOARD SKILLS	MU359	5	Year-Long
CRITICAL STUDIES IN IRISH TRADITIONAL MUSIC	MU383	5	2
ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE III	MU360	5	Year-Long
INTRODUCTION TO IRISH TRADITIONAL MUSIC	MU265	5	1
MUSIC AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP	MU338	5	1
MUSIC AND HUMAN CULTURE	MU385	5	2
MUSIC AND ITS SOURCES	MU263	5	2
MUSIC AS CREATIVE PRACTICE	MU327	5	Year-Long
MUSIC IN THE BRITISH MARKETPLACE C. 1815-1914	MU309	5	2
MUSIC THERAPY	MU343	5	Year-Long
OPERA IN CONTEXT	MU307	5	1
PLAINCHANT PERFORMANCE	MU348	5	1
POPULAR MUSIC STUDIES	MU382	5	1
THE ART OF SONG	MU386	5	2
WOMEN AND MUSIC IN IRELAND	MU320	5	2

MUSIC

Our programmes are designed to ensure a broad and firm grounding in practical, compositional and academic work, with expanded opportunities to specialise in areas that really interest you the most in your final year.
Performance, composition, music history (musicology including pop/rock) and the music of other cultures (ethnomusicology) are just a selection of different aspects of music you will study in the Music programme.
Exciting and varied programme of practical, compositional and academic work.
Students participate in ensembles such as the Chamber Choir and Traditional Music Ensemble.
In your third year, you have the option to specialise in performance, composition or musicology. Some of the modules available include �Music and Entrepreneurship�, �Opera in Context� and 'Popular Music Studies'.
For those considering teaching Music at second level, the Teaching Council requirements are met by studying Music in the MH101 degree.

Note

MU3TMJ - MUSIC

Credits: 40 Not compulsory:

Module	Code	Credits	Semester
BASIC KEYBOARD SKILLS	MU359	5	Year-Long
CRITICAL STUDIES IN IRISH TRADITIONAL MUSIC	MU383	5	2
ELECTROACOUSTIC COMPOSITION	MU370B	5	1
ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE III	MU360	5	Year-Long
INTRODUCTION TO IRISH TRADITIONAL MUSIC	MU265	5	1
MUSIC AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP	MU338	5	1
MUSIC AND HUMAN CULTURE	MU385	5	2
MUSIC AND ITS SOURCES	MU263	5	2
MUSIC IN THE BRITISH MARKETPLACE C. 1815-1914	MU309	5	2
MUSIC THERAPY	MU343	5	Year-Long
OPERA IN CONTEXT	MU307	5	1
PLAINCHANT PERFORMANCE	MU348	5	1
POPULAR MUSIC STUDIES	MU382	5	1
THE ART OF SONG	MU386	5	2
WOMEN AND MUSIC IN IRELAND	MU320	5	2

MUSIC

Our programmes are designed to ensure a broad and firm grounding in practical, compositional and academic work, with expanded opportunities to specialise in areas that really interest you the most in your final year.
Performance, composition, music history (musicology including pop/rock) and the music of other cultures (ethnomusicology) are just a selection of different aspects of music you will study in the Music programme.
Exciting and varied programme of practical, compositional and academic work.
Students participate in ensembles such as the Chamber Choir and Traditional Music Ensemble.
In your third year, you have the option to specialise in performance, composition or musicology. Some of the modules available include �Music and Entrepreneurship�, �Opera in Context� and 'Popular Music Studies'.
For those considering teaching Music at second level, the Teaching Council requirements are met by studying Music in the MH101 degree.

Note

MU3MI - MUSIC

Credits: 20 Not compulsory:

Module	Code	Credits	Semester
BASIC KEYBOARD SKILLS	MU359	5	Year-Long
MUSIC AND HUMAN CULTURE	MU385	5	2
MUSIC AS CREATIVE PRACTICE	MU327	5	Year-Long
MUSIC IN THE BRITISH MARKETPLACE C. 1815-1914	MU309	5	2
OPERA IN CONTEXT	MU307	5	1
PLAINCHANT PERFORMANCE	MU348	5	1
POPULAR MUSIC STUDIES	MU382	5	1
THE ART OF SONG	MU386	5	2
WOMEN AND MUSIC IN IRELAND	MU320	5	2

Contacts

Maynooth University Department of Music, Logic House
+ 353 1 708 3733
music.department@mu.ie
www.maynoothuniversity.ie/music
@MaynoothMusic

General enquiries

Course enquiries

	Career and postgraduate options
	Career options: Choral director, church organist/director of music, music librarian, orchestral/session musician, composer/arranger are just some of the roles our graduates have found employment in. Graduates have also worked in the following fields: arts administration, multimedia, music industry, music journalism, music publicity and recording, radio production and presentation. Music graduates gain skills and experience in communication, presentation and teamwork and have found careers in areas as diverse as management consultancy and information technology, where these skills are highly valued. Both the BMus and BA degrees meet the Teaching Council�s Curricular Subject Requirements for Music (Post-Primary) for those applying for registration as post-primary teachers on/after 1 January 2017. Postgraduate courses currently offered by the Department include: MA in Composition, MA in Creative Music Technologies, MA in Musicology, MA in Performance and Musicology Visit the Graduate Studies website for more information about postgraduate options. Postgraduate options: Postgraduate courses currently offered by the Department include: MA in Composition, MA in Creative Music Technologies, MA in Musicology, MA in Performance and Musicology Visit the Graduate Studies website for more information about postgraduate options. For further information on Postgraduate options please go to the Graduate Studies site

Career and postgraduate options

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BACHELOR OF ARTS - MUSIC