Arts - Music, BA (Hons)

About Arts - Music, BA (Hons) - at University College Cork (UCC)

Overview

The BA (Arts-Music) now offers three pathways after first year. You can study for the BA Arts-Music (3yrs), BMus (4 yrs) or the BA Arts-Music International (4yrs). Regardless of which pathway you wish to pursue, in First Year you will take courses providing key foundational skills in Music and two further Arts subjects offered through the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences.

As part of your degree you will gain experience and understanding of music in contemporary society. You will experience classical, popular, jazz, film, Irish traditional and world music. We integrate practical study alongside academic and theoretical courses. You will have a considerable choice of music-related options, allowing you to build up a distinctive profile as a composer, songwriter, performer, producer, educator or worker within the cultural and music industries.

Course Details

The BA (Hons) Arts-Music combines two kinds of learning. First, students create music through solo and ensemble performance, improvisation, composition, aural training, applied work in education or in the recording studio. Second, you investigate music in historical and contemporary cultures worldwide. Much of the degree is selected by you from a very wide set of choices.

Year 1 Modules:

Core (all 5 credits)

MU1001Music Literacy;

MU1002 Performance Studies 1;

MU1003Studying Music at University;

MU1004 Ensemble and Solo Performance;

MU1005 Music Theory 1

Electives(all 5 credits)

MU1006Making Music in the Studio;

MU1007Exploring Popular Music;

MU1008Exploring Irish Traditional Music;

MU1009Music in Modern Ireland;

MU1010Exploring World Music;

MU1011Music Through Time;

plustwo other First Arts subjects from Groups 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 (seeCK101)

Year 2 Modules:

In Second Arts-Music, students take Music as a Single Subject (50 credits) or a Major Subject (40 credits) or a Joint Subject (30 credits). Students may also apply to transfer to the BMus to take 60 credits of Music.

Core

Music in Culture and Society; Performance Studies

Electives

A choice of 18 theoretical options, from film music to the music of Java and from the history of jazz to music education; a choice of 33 performance-based options, from sound art and improvisation to solo and ensemble performance in numerous genres; plus 10, 20 or 30 credits from another Arts subject continued from First Year.

Year 3 Modules:

Core

Music credits in performance, composition folio, dissertation, project etc., a choice of seminar course or final performance, a choice of lecture course

Electives

A choice of 18 theoretical options, from film music to the music of Java and from the history of jazz to music education; a choice of 33 performance-based options, from sound art and improvisation to solo and ensemble performance in numerous genres; plus10, 20 or 30 credits from another Arts subject continued from First Year.

Year 4* Modules (BMus):

Core

Senior Research Forum; Major in performance, composing, dissertation, project etc.

Electives

A choice of 18 theoretical options, from film music to the music of Java and from the history of jazz to music education; a choice of 33 performance-based options, from sound art and improvisation to solo and ensemble performance in numerous genres; plus10, 20 or 30 credits from another Arts subject continued from First Year.

See the College Calendar for more detailed information on the Programme and the Book of Modules for a more detailed description of Programme Modules.

Fact File

Course Code: CK104

Course Title: Arts - Music

College: Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences

Duration: 3 years, or 4 years if following the BMus or BA Arts-Music (International) pathways

Teaching Mode: Full-time

Qualifications: BA (Hons)

NFQ Level: Level 8

Costs: Full-time EU/EEA/Swiss State undergraduate students may be exempt from paying tuition fees. The State will pay the tuition fees for students who satisfy the Free Fees Criteria. In 2016/17 the Student Contribution Charge will be EUR 3,000 and the Capitation Fee will be EUR 165.

2017 Entry Requirements: H5 in two subjects, and O6/H7 in four other subjects in the Leaving Certificate from Irish, English, another language, and three other subjects recognised for entry purposes. Applicants are also required to pass a music entrance exam.

Entry Points: 2016: 390. Points may vary from year to year.

Course Practicalities

• Lecture hours are typically two per module per week.
• You also attend tutorials, seminars, practicals, rehearsals and performances.
• You will have the opportunity to take part in performances in UCC and outside.
• Students normally spend time in the Department to practice their instrument or voice, and there are widespread opportunities for extra-curricular music making.
• Theoretical courses typically require up to four hours a week of reading, researching or other investigative work.
• All students receive a grant toward instrumental or vocal tuition.
• If you wish to take lessons on a further instrument, you will need personal funds for that.

Assessment

Assessment takes place before Christmas and in May. Modules use varied kinds of assessment such as:

• Practical courses are assessed through solo and group performance, or by written and recorded compositions, arrangements or orchestrations.
• Theoretical courses are normally assessed by essays and project work built up as the course progresses.
• Work diaries are used to encourage reflection upon personal development as a performer or composer.
• Some marks are awarded through continuous assessment, particularly in seminar and rehearsal-based ensemble courses.

Application Procedure

EU Applicants: Application to Year 1 of the degree programme is made directly through the Central Applications Office (CAO). Applicants should apply online at www.cao.ie. The normal closing date for receipt of completed applications is 1st February of the year of entry.

Non-EU Applicants.

Mature Application: Application is made through the CAO (www.cao.ie) and the closing date for receipt of completed applications is 1st February of the year of proposed entry. Applicants must also apply for the Mature Student Admissions Pathway (MSAP) exam. Mature applicants must also sit the music entrance exam.

Further Contact Information

Programme Co-ordinator Name: Prof. Jonathan Stock

Email Address: j.stock@ucc.ie

Telephone: +353 (0)21 490 4535

Address: Department of Music, UCC, Sunday's Well Road, Cork

Admissions-related queries:

The School Manager

E: music@ucc.ie

T: +353 (0)21 490 4530

Address: Department of Music, UCC, Sunday's Well Road, Cork

Departmental Website: http://www.music.ucc.ie/

Notes about fees for this course

Costs: Full-time EU/EEA/Swiss State undergraduate students may be exempt from paying tuition fees. The State will pay the tuition fees for students who satisfy the Free Fees Criteria. In 2016/17 the Student Contribution Charge will be EUR 3,000 and the Capitation Fee will be EUR 165.

2017 Entry Requirements: H5 in two subjects, and O6/H7 in four other subjects in the Leaving Certificate from Irish, English, another language, and three other subjects recognised for entry purposes. Applicants are also required to pass a music entrance exam.

Entry Points: 2016: 390. Points may vary from year to year.

Entry requirements for this course

Contact University College Cork (UCC) to find course entry requirements.

Courses you may be interested in at other institutions

Below are some suggested courses at other providers that you may also be interested in:

Foundation and Pathway Courses at other institutions

If you do not meet the entry requirements for this course then consider one of these courses from another institution:

See all Foundation and Pathway courses

Other courses at University College Cork (UCC)

There are 338 other courses listed from University College Cork (UCC). A selection of these are displayed below:

View all 338 courses at University College Cork (UCC)

Related Information

Find out more about studying in Ireland