Courses / Subject

	Required	Ordinary level grade	Higher level grade
Irish		O6	H7
English		O6	H7
Language		O6	H7
Math		-	-
Science		-	-

This course requires 3 additional subjects

Mature Applicants 

Mature applicants are assessed separately to school-leavers. Mature applicants are 23 years or older by 1st January in the year of entry to the University. For part-time/flexible degrees the mature age is 21.

Click here to be taken to our mature applicant information page - tab 3 on that page outlines application steps for this degree.

Mature applicants who have a disability 

If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia), and require support for any required written exercise/interview/ online video audition which may form part of your application assessment, you must complete an online request form and submit supporting documentation by 15 March 2026. Applications for alternative examination accommodation cannot be considered after this deadline.

For further information on the supporting documentation required, as well as examination and other supports visit the Access Office website.

Leaving Certificate Applicants 

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. 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.

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.

The Maynooth Education

Click here for details about optional Critical Skills courses, Electives and degree pathways. 

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

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. 

1st year

• 15 credits (group 5) or 30 credits (group 5 & group 2) of Music. Music in group 2 is only available when choosing Music in group 5 (double Music).
• Plus choose 2 or 3 other subjects, which may include Critical Skills, from the 5 groups available (max 1 per group). 

2nd year

• After 1st 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 1st year subjects
• Optional 10 credit Elective in 2nd year

3rd year

• 20, 30 or 40 credits of Music plus 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 Subject Overview - H5 Music or equivalent required to choose Music as a subject in the MH101 BA degree. Our programmes are designed to ensure an exciting, broad and firm grounding in practical, compositional and academic work. Studying Music at Maynooth offers unparalleled choice and expertise, from traditional music to contemporary creative practices, from plainchant performance to musical theatre, and from high art to heavy metal.  Students have the opportunity to focus on areas that really interest them in their final year, with the option to specialise in performance, composition or music research (musicology including pop/rock and other genres). Some of the modules available include ‘Music and Film’, ‘Opera in Context’, and ‘Popular Music Studies’.  Students participate in ensembles such as the Choral Society, Chamber Choir, Musical Society and Traditional Music Group.  For those considering teaching Music at second level, Music in the MH101 degree satisfies the Teaching Council subject requirements. Notes:  1st year minimum entry requirement: Leaving Certificate (or equivalent) H5 Music. ARTS/MH101 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 Compulsory INTRODUCTION TO MUSIC STUDIES 1 MU102A 5 1 MUSIC FOUNDATION AND FABRIC 1 MU101A 2.5 1 MUSIC FOUNDATION AND FABRIC 2 MU101B 2.5 2 MUSIC TRADITIONS AND REPERTOIRES I MU153 7.5 1 MUSIC TRADITIONS AND REPERTOIRES II MU154 7.5 2 PERFORMANCE 1 MU102B 5 2 MUSIC Subject Overview - H5 Music or equivalent required to choose Music as a subject in the MH101 BA degree. Our programmes are designed to ensure an exciting, broad and firm grounding in practical, compositional and academic work. Studying Music at Maynooth offers unparalleled choice and expertise, from traditional music to contemporary creative practices, from plainchant performance to musical theatre, and from high art to heavy metal.  Students have the opportunity to focus on areas that really interest them in their final year, with the option to specialise in performance, composition or music research (musicology including pop/rock and other genres). Some of the modules available include ‘Music and Film’, ‘Opera in Context’, and ‘Popular Music Studies’.  Students participate in ensembles such as the Choral Society, Chamber Choir, Musical Society and Traditional Music Group.  For those considering teaching Music at second level, Music in the MH101 degree satisfies the Teaching Council subject requirements. Notes:  1st year minimum entry requirement: Leaving Certificate (or equivalent) H5 Music. ARTS/MH101 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 Compulsory INTRODUCTION TO MUSIC STUDIES 1 MU102A 5 1 MUSIC FOUNDATION AND FABRIC 1 MU101A 2.5 1 MUSIC FOUNDATION AND FABRIC 2 MU101B 2.5 2 MUSIC TRADITIONS AND REPERTOIRES I MU153 7.5 1 MUSIC TRADITIONS AND REPERTOIRES II MU154 7.5 2 PERFORMANCE 1 MU102B 5 2

Year 2

DOUBLE MAJOR MAJOR WITH MINOR MINOR MUSIC Subject Overview - H5 Music or equivalent required to choose Music as a subject in the MH101 BA degree. Our programmes are designed to ensure an exciting, broad and firm grounding in practical, compositional and academic work. Studying Music at Maynooth offers unparalleled choice and expertise, from traditional music to contemporary creative practices, from plainchant performance to musical theatre, and from high art to heavy metal.  Students have the opportunity to focus on areas that really interest them in their final year, with the option to specialise in performance, composition or music research (musicology including pop/rock and other genres). Some of the modules available include ‘Music and Film’, ‘Opera in Context’, and ‘Popular Music Studies’.  Students participate in ensembles such as the Choral Society, Chamber Choir, Musical Society and Traditional Music Group.  For those considering teaching Music at second level, Music in the MH101 degree satisfies the Teaching Council subject requirements. 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 Compulsory APPLIED MUSIC TECHNIQUES MU207 5 1 ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE 2 MU254 5 Year-Long INTRODUCTION TO COMPOSITION MU218 5 2 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 OPERA IN CONTEXT MU219 5 2 PERFORMANCE II MU255 10 Year-Long PLAINCHANT PERFORMANCE MU348 5 1 MUSIC Subject Overview - H5 Music or equivalent required to choose Music as a subject in the MH101 BA degree. Our programmes are designed to ensure an exciting, broad and firm grounding in practical, compositional and academic work. Studying Music at Maynooth offers unparalleled choice and expertise, from traditional music to contemporary creative practices, from plainchant performance to musical theatre, and from high art to heavy metal.  Students have the opportunity to focus on areas that really interest them in their final year, with the option to specialise in performance, composition or music research (musicology including pop/rock and other genres). Some of the modules available include ‘Music and Film’, ‘Opera in Context’, and ‘Popular Music Studies’.  Students participate in ensembles such as the Choral Society, Chamber Choir, Musical Society and Traditional Music Group.  For those considering teaching Music at second level, Music in the MH101 degree satisfies the Teaching Council subject requirements. 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 Compulsory APPLIED MUSIC TECHNIQUES MU207 5 1 ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE 2 MU254 5 Year-Long INTRODUCTION TO COMPOSITION MU218 5 2 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 OPERA IN CONTEXT MU219 5 2 PERFORMANCE II MU255 10 Year-Long PLAINCHANT PERFORMANCE MU348 5 1 MUSIC Subject Overview - H5 Music or equivalent required to choose Music as a subject in the MH101 BA degree. Our programmes are designed to ensure an exciting, broad and firm grounding in practical, compositional and academic work. Studying Music at Maynooth offers unparalleled choice and expertise, from traditional music to contemporary creative practices, from plainchant performance to musical theatre, and from high art to heavy metal.  Students have the opportunity to focus on areas that really interest them in their final year, with the option to specialise in performance, composition or music research (musicology including pop/rock and other genres). Some of the modules available include ‘Music and Film’, ‘Opera in Context’, and ‘Popular Music Studies’.  Students participate in ensembles such as the Choral Society, Chamber Choir, Musical Society and Traditional Music Group.  For those considering teaching Music at second level, Music in the MH101 degree satisfies the Teaching Council subject requirements. 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. MU2MI - MUSIC Credits: 20 Not compulsory: Module Code Credits Semester Compulsory APPLIED MUSIC TECHNIQUES MU207 5 1 ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE 2 MU254 5 Year-Long INTRODUCTION TO COMPOSITION MU218 5 2 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 OPERA IN CONTEXT MU219 5 2 PLAINCHANT PERFORMANCE MU348 5 1

Year 3

DOUBLE MAJOR MAJOR WITH MINOR MINOR MUSIC Subject Overview - H5 Music or equivalent required to choose Music as a subject in the MH101 BA degree. Our programmes are designed to ensure an exciting, broad and firm grounding in practical, compositional and academic work. Studying Music at Maynooth offers unparalleled choice and expertise, from traditional music to contemporary creative practices, from plainchant performance to musical theatre, and from high art to heavy metal.  Students have the opportunity to focus on areas that really interest them in their final year, with the option to specialise in performance, composition or music research (musicology including pop/rock and other genres). Some of the modules available include ‘Music and Film’, ‘Opera in Context’, and ‘Popular Music Studies’.  Students participate in ensembles such as the Choral Society, Chamber Choir, Musical Society and Traditional Music Group.  For those considering teaching Music at second level, Music in the MH101 degree satisfies the Teaching Council subject requirements. 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. MU3ATDM - MUSIC Credits: 30 Not compulsory: Module Code Credits Semester Compulsory BASIC KEYBOARD SKILLS MU359 5 Year-Long CRITICAL STUDIES IN IRISH TRADITIONAL MUSIC MU383 5 2 ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE 3 MU360 5 Year-Long INTRODUCTION TO IRISH TRADITIONAL MUSIC MU265 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 THERAPY MU343 5 Year-Long 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 Subject Overview - H5 Music or equivalent required to choose Music as a subject in the MH101 BA degree. Our programmes are designed to ensure an exciting, broad and firm grounding in practical, compositional and academic work. Studying Music at Maynooth offers unparalleled choice and expertise, from traditional music to contemporary creative practices, from plainchant performance to musical theatre, and from high art to heavy metal.  Students have the opportunity to focus on areas that really interest them in their final year, with the option to specialise in performance, composition or music research (musicology including pop/rock and other genres). Some of the modules available include ‘Music and Film’, ‘Opera in Context’, and ‘Popular Music Studies’.  Students participate in ensembles such as the Choral Society, Chamber Choir, Musical Society and Traditional Music Group.  For those considering teaching Music at second level, Music in the MH101 degree satisfies the Teaching Council subject requirements. 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. MU3TMJ - MUSIC Credits: 40 Not compulsory: Module Code Credits Semester Compulsory BASIC KEYBOARD SKILLS MU359 5 Year-Long CRITICAL STUDIES IN IRISH TRADITIONAL MUSIC MU383 5 2 ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE 3 MU360 5 Year-Long INTRODUCTION TO IRISH TRADITIONAL MUSIC MU265 5 1 MUSIC AND HUMAN CULTURE MU385 5 2 MUSIC AND ITS SOURCES MU263 5 2 MUSIC THERAPY MU343 5 Year-Long 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 Subject Overview - H5 Music or equivalent required to choose Music as a subject in the MH101 BA degree. Our programmes are designed to ensure an exciting, broad and firm grounding in practical, compositional and academic work. Studying Music at Maynooth offers unparalleled choice and expertise, from traditional music to contemporary creative practices, from plainchant performance to musical theatre, and from high art to heavy metal.  Students have the opportunity to focus on areas that really interest them in their final year, with the option to specialise in performance, composition or music research (musicology including pop/rock and other genres). Some of the modules available include ‘Music and Film’, ‘Opera in Context’, and ‘Popular Music Studies’.  Students participate in ensembles such as the Choral Society, Chamber Choir, Musical Society and Traditional Music Group.  For those considering teaching Music at second level, Music in the MH101 degree satisfies the Teaching Council subject requirements. 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. MU3MI - MUSIC Credits: 20 Not compulsory: Module Code Credits Semester Compulsory BASIC KEYBOARD SKILLS MU359 5 Year-Long CRITICAL STUDIES IN IRISH TRADITIONAL MUSIC MU383 5 2 ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE 3 MU360 5 Year-Long MUSIC AND HUMAN CULTURE MU385 5 2 MUSIC AS CREATIVE PRACTICE MU327 5 Year-Long 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

Maynooth University Department of Music
www.maynoothuniversity.ie/music

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After Graduation
Music graduates are equipped with a wide range of transferable skills. Our students have gone on to work as professional musicians in a broad range of roles and genres (performers, composers and conductors) and in adjacent areas such as music education, arts administration, multimedia, music promotion and marketing, journalism, radio production and presentation, music libraries.

Visit the Department website for more information about postgraduate options.

After Graduation
Music graduates are equipped with a wide range of transferable skills. Our students have gone on to work as professional musicians in a broad range of roles and genres (performers, composers and conductors) and in adjacent areas such as music education, arts administration, multimedia, music promotion and marketing, journalism, radio production and presentation, music libraries.

Visit the Department website for more information about postgraduate options.

For further information on Postgraduate options please go to the Graduate Studies site