BA Humanities - Music

Single Subject Degree

In this single-subject, four-year degree, the first two years offer a range of core and option modules that provide a thorough grounding in music, while broadening your horizons. In the third and fourth years, you choose modules that align with your developing interests and specialisms. You can also choose to incorporate an internship or to study abroad. In the final year, you will complete a major dissertation or applied project in creative practice, working one-on-one with an expert in your field.

First Year

Modules include: • Listening to Music • Writing about Music • Music, Culture & Society • Musicianship • Classical Music • Popular Music • A choice of performance ensembles

Second Year

Modules include: • Understanding Music • Music Theory • Music History since 1750 • Irish Music • Global Soundscapes • Music Industries • Film Music • Techniques of Songwriting • Performing Process • A choice of performance ensembles

Third and Fourth

Years Modules include: • Techniques of Composition • Blues & Jazz • Post-Truth, Politics & Music • Music & Philosophy • The Piano Concerto • Music, Sound & the Moving Image • Music & Theatre • Beyoncé and Tay: Race, Gender, and Celebrity • Introduction to Conducting • A choice of performance ensembles.

There are seven professionally-directed ensembles in UCD: UCD Choral Scholars, UCD Composition Ensemble, UCD Gamelan Orchestra, UCD Philharmonic Choir, UCD Symphony Orchestra, Traditional Music Practices group, and the Ad Astra Chamber Orchestra,. These ensembles regularly perform in leading venues in Ireland and internationally, and often on radio and TV. Over forty performance scholarships are available each year for students joining the UCD Choral Scholars or the UCD Symphony Orchestra. UCD School of Music also has use of a professionally equipped black box theatre and media lab (the Trapdoor).