Qualification : MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE
Award Type and NFQ level : TAUGHT MASTERS (9)
CAO/MU Apply code : MHT69
CAO Points :
Our innovative MA in Music, Culture, and Practice is grounded in cutting-edge academic and creative research, positioning students at the forefront of scholarly exploration.
Collaborating with esteemed international scholars in the Department's key disciplines of musicology and/or performance, students explore a core curriculum that focuses on honing research and creative skills in these areas.
This is complemented by a diverse range of electives that cater to individual specialisation in musicology or performance, or while also allowing students to maintain a more diverse programme of study. This comprehensive degree equips students with the tools required to pursue musicological and/or practice-based research, to foster specialisation and to nurture independent scholarship.
Immersed in a vibrant and collaborative research culture, students will enrich their academic experience by regularly interacting with visiting seminar speakers, performers, and composers. A distinctive feature of our programme is the inclusion of an elective placement component, providing students with practical experiences that enhance their academic and professional growth.
Click here for brochure MA in Music, Culture and Practice
Honours degree with a minimum of Grade 2.2 or international equivalent. Applicants may be required to attend an interview (in person or online) and to submit an example of their written work. Students wishing to specialise in performance may also be required to audition (in person or via submitted video).
Experienced music professionals who do not hold a primary or higher degree are also eligible to apply via the University's Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning Initiative. Evidence of creative activity and/or graduate-level writing ability may be requested as part of the application process for such applicants.
Minimum English language requirements:
Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study. For information about English language tests accepted and required scores, please see here. The requirements specified are applicable for both EU and International applicants.
Maynooth University's TOEFL code is 8850
Academic
Academic
The programme consists of a mandatory core totalling 60 ECTS, incorporating a specialised individual component in the form of a Capstone Project (thesis, performance, or other agreed research artefact).
Additionally, three 10-ECTS modulesResearch Methods, Writing About Music, and Creative Collaboration and Disseminationare designed to be pathway flexible, accommodating a diverse range of entrants under the music umbrella, including musicologists, performers, and composers.
These unique modules foster interaction among different learners, cultivating core academic skills while simulating real-world professional scenarios that integrate academic discourse with creative work.
Notably, the Writing About Music module employs a distinctive delivery method, primarily through online evening classes complemented by two on-campus workshops. This module is accessible to external applicants as a microcredential, enhancing the potential for building professional networks among students. Industry specialists play a crucial role in delivering this module, engaging students in activities such as music journalism, broadcasting, publicity, arts administration, and funding.
Augmenting these core modules are 30 ECTS of elective modules, providing students the flexibility to specialise (e.g., in musicology or performance) or mix and match modules to maintain breadth.
A unique feature is the Placement Module, organised in collaboration with external industry partners like Irish National Opera, Irish Traditional Music Archive, and the Contemporary Music Centre, which offers students invaluable professional experiences and connections to potential employers. Contact time for each module is detailed in the module descriptors.
Online application only. To make an application please click here.
To apply for your chosen postgraduate study at Maynooth University, please ensure you have the following documents to make an application:
- Evidence of your primary degree
- Academic transcripts
- A copy of your passport
- A personal statement
- An academic letter of recommendation
- A professional letter of recommendation
- Your CV
Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study. For information about English language tests accepted and required scores, please see here. The requirements specified are applicable for both EU and International applicants.