Qualification : BACHELOR OF MUSIC DEGREE
Award Type and NFQ level : UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE (8)
CAO/PAC code : MH103
CAO Points :
Closing Date : 01 February 2021
Studying Music at Maynooth offers unparalleled choice and expertise. 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.
- Exciting and varied programme of practical, compositional and academic work.
- 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’. Students also join ensembles such as the Chamber Choir, Maynooth University Orchestra and the Traditional Music Ensemble.
- Develop
- performance skills through individual tuition and take an active part in one of the Department’s vocal or instrumental ensembles.
- creative potential through studies of electroacoustic composition, Irish traditional music, ethnomusicology, jazz and popular music, music therapy, the classical repertoire.
- critical and analytical skills through modules in analysis, musicology, and music history.
Entrance Scholarship for MH103 Music Applicant:
We are pleased to continue to offer our Entrance Scholarship for one entrant to MH103 Music for September 2021. The top scoring applicant, based on the MH103 online video audition, will be offered the scholarship of €1,000. The successful applicant will be informed when they receive their offer for MH103 through the CAO.
A year of study is 60 credits.
FIRST YEAR
- 45 credits of Music
- Choose 1 other subject or Critical Skills from the 4 groups available (i.e. excluding groups 2 & 5)
SECOND & THIRD YEAR
- Concentrate on Music only

Academic
Subject | Required | Ordinary Level Grade | Higher Level Grade |
---|---|---|---|
Irish | Yes | O6 | H7 |
English | Yes | O6 | H7 |
Language | Yes | O6 | H7 |
Math | No | N/A | N/A |
Science | No | N/A | N/A |
International & EU/EFTA Entry Requirements
Mature Students
Applicants must be able to demonstrate, by submitting an online video audition, a minimum of Grade 6 standard (ABRSM, RIAM, Trinity College London) on a standard orchestral instrument (excluding percussion), piano, organ, classical guitar, voice or saxophone, or a minimum of Grade 6 standard (Rockschool, Trinity College London) on bass, drums, vocals, keyboard or guitar (electric or acoustic). Traditional Irish and rock/pop instrumentalists and musical theatre vocalists of a comparable fluency are also considered. Prospective students must complete an online video audition. Please see further details on the Department of Music website and applicants to MH103 will be sent full details in March by the Department of Music. Offers will be made to successful applicants in May, subject to students attaining matriculation requirements in the Leaving Certificate or equivalent examination.
All applicants who have a disability
If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia), and require examination support for the written tests, please submit supporting documentation by 15 March 2021 to the Access Office. Unfortunately we are unable to consider applications for alternative examination accommodation after this deadline.
01 February 2021
Additional Information
Entrance Scholarship for MH103 Music Applicant:
We are pleased to continue to offer our Entrance Scholarship for one entrant to MH103 Music. The top scoring applicant, based on the online video audition will be offered the scholarship of €1,000. The successful applicant will be informed when they receive their offer for MH103 through the CAO.
All BMus students take individual tuition in their instrument or voice with an approved performance tutor. In the final year you have the chance to specialise in performance, composition or musicology. 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 DIT or RIAM.
The application process depends on the type of applicant you are.
Leaving Certificate applicants are required to present (as a minimum): 2H5 & 4O6/H7 and O6/H7 in Irish, English, 3rd language. As MH103 is a Restricted Course on the CAO, applications must be made to the CAO by February 1st. Applicants to the BMus are invited to submit and online video audition.
As this is a restricted entry degree on the CAO, applicants must be able to demonstrate, during the audition, a minimum of Grade 6 standard (ABRSM, RIAM, Trinity College London) on a standard orchestral instrument (excluding percussion), piano, organ, classical guitar, voice or saxophone, or a minimum of Grade 6 standard (Rockschool, Trinity College London) on bass, drums, vocals, keyboard or guitar (electric or acoustic). Traditional Irish and rock/pop instrumentalists and musical theatre vocalists of a comparable fluency are also invited to audition. Please see further details on the Department of Music website and applicants to MH103 will be sent further details in March by the Department of Music. Please see further details on the Department of Music website (link below). Offers will be made to successful applicants in May, subject to students attaining matriculation requirements in the Leaving Certificate or equivalent examination.
If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia), and require examination support for the written tests, please submit supporting documentation by 15 March 2021 to the Access Office. Unfortunately we are unable to consider applications for alternative examination accommodation after this deadline.
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