This 4-year pathway allows students to immerse themselves in the close study of music, film and drama, to understand them from cultural and historical perspectives, and to explore the ways in which they influence and transform each other. By providing students with a firm grounding in analytical techniques and aesthetic theory, we encourage the close reading of cultural artefacts to help students develop a nuanced understanding of form, genre, and process. By relying upon a shared body of scholarly work drawn from literary theory, cultural studies, anthropology, and media studies, we give students the opportunity to approach and apply complex theoretical perspectives to a variety of art forms, and appreciate both the similarities and differences between the two. Finally, by incorporating modules that explore the social and historical contexts of music, film, and drama, we emphasize the interconnectedness of art and culture, and help students articulate and appreciate the value of the arts in human life. The first year of the programme builds students’ vocabulary and fluency in key analytical techniques and introduces students to cultural and historical contexts of music, film and drama. Second year modules broaden the scope of inquiry, moving from central texts and practices to the representation of lesser-known voices and issues. In the third and fourth year of the programme, students will begin to forge their own path, taking modules that focus on specific genres and/or issues in these art forms. Students can also choose to incorporate a one-semester humanities internship or semester abroad. In the final year, students will work on a major BA dissertation which will allow them to produce a sustained research project on a topic of their choice, working one-on-one with an expert in the field. The pathway is designed to be progressive; analytical skills developed honed in first and second year are used as the basis for independent research and writing in the final two years of the programme.

1 - Use skills of inquiry, research, critical thinking, and problem solving to pursue and evaluate knowledge.
2 - Evaluate ideas, challenge assumptions and develop creative solutions to problems including through the independent pursuit of knowledge and making connections between different disciplinary approaches and methods.
3 - Demonstrate effective communication, digital expertise, collaboration and leadership skills to convert decisions and commitments into action.
4 - Understand the ethical implications of ideas, communications, and actions including demonstrated awareness of the historical and cultural construction of knowledge systems and traditions.
5 - Understand the relevance and contribution of the Humanities to contemporary society and cultural practice including an ability to articulate the links between past and present as well as the influence of the past on shaping community and societal structures and beliefs.
6 - Articulate advocacy of human, social and cultural values with a propensity towards and awareness of the value of life-long learning, an understanding of how to learn, including an appreciation of the complexity of ideas, of societies, cultures and language.

The 4-year pathway prepares graduates to pursue careers in Theatre, Music Industry, Journalism,

Media, Arts Administration, Education, Academia, Performance.

In addition to MLitt and PhD programmes in Music, Drama and Film, UCD offers the following taught graduate degrees:

• MMus (Musicology or Ethnomusicology)


• MA in Film Studies


• MA in Drama and Performance Studies

UCD Arts & Humanities Programme Office,
Newman Building,
Belfield,
Dublin 4
Tel: +353 1 716 8321/8102
Web: www.ucd.ie/ahss

Students are pre-registered to 8 core modules (40 credits). Students should then choose a minimum of 3 option modules (15 credits). They will also register for 5 elective credits in the Spring Trimester. It is recommended that students spread their credit workload evenly between the Autumn and the Spring (30 credits per trimester).

Students take two 5-credit Core modules. They then take an additional 40 credits in Option modules, with a minimum of 10 credits and a maximum 20 credits per subject Option group.
They then take an additional 10 credits in Electives, which could include Career Readiness or modules from the subject or performance options.

Students who remain on campus must take 50 credits from the Music, Film and Drama Option modules. They can take up to 60 credits from these Music, Drama & Film modules, or, they may take 10 of these credits as Electives.


Students who are away for one trimester (on study abroad or internship) must complete 30 credits from the subject Options at Stage 3.


Students who are away for the entire year (on year abroad or trimester abroad+internship) do not need to register for additional modules.

Students take between 30 and 40 credits in Level 3 Option modules - no subject limitations. Students take the Dissertation Research Methods module in the Autumn and the Dissertation module in the Spring.

Students can also take up to 10 credits as Electives.

Module ID	Module Title	Trimester	Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
DRAM10010	Theatre Context and Conventions	Autumn	5
FS10010	Introduction to Film and Media	Autumn	5
MFD10010	Music, Film and Drama: Making, Doing, Interpreting	Autumn	5
MUS10150	Writing about Music	Autumn	5
DRAM10030	Theatre Matters	Spring	5
FS10020	Introduction to Film and Media Theory	Spring	5
MFD10020	Adaptation, Transmediality & Intertextuality	Spring	5
MUS10120	Music, Culture and Society	Spring	5
Stage 1 Core Modules
Stage 1 Options - A)MIN3OF: (Choose 3 of) Choose three option modules (15 credits). Note: Musicianship is recommended to any student who plans to take Music Theory 1 in the Spring. This module will help strengthen your skills in reading music notation and the basic elements of music theory. All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in Autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in Spring (Trimester 2). Students may take additional option modules from this list in place of electives if they wish.
FS10060	Cinema Creatives	Autumn	5
MUS10210	Musicianship	Autumn	5
MUS10230	Classical Music: The Farewell Tour	Autumn	5
MUS20320	UCD Philharmonic Choir Autumn 2024-25	Autumn	5
MUS20510	UCD Choral Scholars Autumn 2024-25	Autumn	5
MUS20530	UCD Symphony Orchestra Autumn 2024-25	Autumn	5
MUS20590	UCD Gamelan Ensemble Autumn 2024-25	Autumn	5
MUS20670	UCD Composition Ensemble Autumn 2024-25	Autumn	5
MUS20980	Irish Traditional Music Practices Autumn 2024-25	Autumn	5
DRAM10060	Collaborative Practice: Introduction to Physical Theatre	Autumn and Spring (separate)	5
MUS10220	Popular Music	Autumn and Spring (separate)	5
MUS10240	Music in Ireland	Autumn and Spring (separate)	5
MUS20880	Techniques of Songwriting	Autumn and Spring (separate)	5
DRAM10080	Theatre & Activism	Spring	5
FS10050	Media and Globalisation: Places, Cultures and Identities in a Connected World	Spring	5
FS10070	Doing Film History	Spring	5
MUS10190	Music Theory 1	Spring	5
MUS20330	UCD Philharmonic Choir Spring 2024-25	Spring	5
MUS20520	UCD Choral Scholars Spring 2024-25	Spring	5
MUS20540	UCD Symphony Orchestra Spring 2024-25	Spring	5
MUS20600	UCD Gamelan Ensemble Spring 2024-25	Spring	5
MUS20680	UCD Composition Ensemble Spring 2024-25	Spring	5
MUS20990	Irish Traditional Music Practices Spring 2024-25	Spring	5
Stage 1 Options - A)MIN3OF: (Choose 3 of) Choose three option modules (15 credits). Note: Musicianship is recommended to any student who plans to take Music Theory 1 in the Spring. This module will help strengthen your skills in reading music notation and the basic elements of music theory. All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters. This means you should pick 30 credits in Autumn (Trimester 1) and 30 credits in Spring (Trimester 2). Students may take additional option modules from this list in place of electives if they wish.
Stage 2 Core Modules
HUM20040	Primary Source Research in the Humanities A: Exploring UCD Cultural Heritage Collections	Autumn	5
MFD20010	Producing Music, Film & Drama	Spring	5
Stage 2 Core Modules
Stage 2 Options - A)MIN10CR: Choose a minimum of 2 modules, with a maximum of 4 modules allowed.
MUS20080	Global Soundscapes	Autumn	5
MUS20400	Early European Music	Autumn	5
MUS20650	Music Theory 2	Autumn	5
MUS21000	Performing Process	Autumn	5
MUS20030	Studies in Irish Music	Spring	5
MUS20410	Music History Since 1750	Spring	5
MUS20640	Music Theory 3	Spring	5
MUS21010	Music Industries	Spring	5
Stage 2 Options - A)MIN10CR: Choose a minimum of 2 modules, with a maximum of 4 modules allowed.
Stage 2 Options - B)MIN10CR: Choose a minimum of 2 modules, with a maximum of 4 modules allowed.
DRAM20110	Contemporary Ireland On Stage	Autumn	5
DRAM20180	20thCentury AvantGarde Theatre	Autumn	5
DRAM20200	Contemporary American Drama	Autumn	5
ENG20450	Writing and Performance in the Age of Shakespeare: Renaissance Literature	Autumn	5
DRAM20030	Collaborative Practice: Introduction to Devising	Autumn and Spring (separate)	5
DRAM20010	Performance in Everyday Life	Spring	5
DRAM20090	Contemporary British Theatre	Spring	5
DRAM20230	Ghosts and Monsters On Stage	Spring	5
Stage 2 Options - B)MIN10CR: Choose a minimum of 2 modules, with a maximum of 4 modules allowed.
Stage 2 Options - C)MIN10CR: Choose a minimum of 2 modules, with a maximum of 4 modules allowed.
FS20130	History of Television	Autumn	5
FS20180	Global Bollywood	Autumn	5
FS20200	Horror	Autumn	5
FS20210	Women's Authorship in American Cinema	Autumn	5
FS20140	Irish Cinema & TV	Spring	5
FS20150	Documentary and Society	Spring	5
FS20160	Action Adventure Cinema - Genre:Action/Adventure	Spring	5
MUS21020	Film Music	Spring	5
Stage 2 Options - C)MIN10CR: Choose a minimum of 2 modules, with a maximum of 4 modules allowed.
Stage 2 Options - E)MIN0CR: You can choose up to two modules in this category as electives IF YOU WISH.
MUS20320	UCD Philharmonic Choir Autumn 2024-25	Autumn	5
MUS20510	UCD Choral Scholars Autumn 2024-25	Autumn	5
MUS20530	UCD Symphony Orchestra Autumn 2024-25	Autumn	5
MUS20590	UCD Gamelan Ensemble Autumn 2024-25	Autumn	5
MUS20670	UCD Composition Ensemble Autumn 2024-25	Autumn	5
MUS20980	Irish Traditional Music Practices Autumn 2024-25	Autumn	5
MUS20880	Techniques of Songwriting	Autumn and Spring (separate)	5
MUS20330	UCD Philharmonic Choir Spring 2024-25	Spring	5
MUS20520	UCD Choral Scholars Spring 2024-25	Spring	5
MUS20540	UCD Symphony Orchestra Spring 2024-25	Spring	5
MUS20600	UCD Gamelan Ensemble Spring 2024-25	Spring	5
MUS20680	UCD Composition Ensemble Spring 2024-25	Spring	5
MUS20990	Irish Traditional Music Practices Spring 2024-25	Spring	5
Stage 2 Options - E)MIN0CR: You can choose up to two modules in this category as electives IF YOU WISH.
Stage 2 Options - F)MIN0OF: This is a College of Arts and Humanities module. It is the equivalent of an elective. You can take it instead of taking one of your Stage 2 electives. Please make sure that you have selected the correct number of programme options from the list above. This is not one of your required options. It is particularly recommended if you are considering applying for an internship option next year.
HUM20030	Career Readiness (Humanities)	Spring	5
Stage 2 Options - F)MIN0OF: This is a College of Arts and Humanities module. It is the equivalent of an elective. You can take it instead of taking one of your Stage 2 electives. Please make sure that you have selected the correct number of programme options from the list above. This is not one of your required options. It is particularly recommended if you are considering applying for an internship option next year.
Stage 3 Options - A)MIN0CR: Students who remain in UCD for the full year in Stage 3 take between 50 and 60 credits, no subject limitations. Any students away for a single trimester on study abroad or internship in Stage 3 must also complete 30 additional credits at Stage 3 to make up 60 credits. Students who are away for the whole year do not need to register for any of these modules.
DRAM30320	Performance Across the Globe	Autumn	5
EDF30030	Exploring Creative Futures	Autumn	5
FS30220	Wellness & Happiness Media	Autumn	10
FS30230	Cinema and the City: New York	Autumn	10
FS30250	Feminist Media Studies	Autumn	10
FS30270	Irish Horror & Spec Film	Autumn	10
FS30320	Punk, Cult and Video Art	Autumn	10
MUS31170	African-American Religious Mus	Autumn	10
MUS31460	New Ideas in Musicology	Autumn	5
MUS31470	Techniques of Composition	Autumn	10
MUS31480	Music and Western Empires	Autumn	10
MUS31180	Issues in Music, Sound and the Moving Image	Autumn and Spring (separate)	10
DRAM30100	Contemporary Theatre & Performance	Spring	5
DRAM30200	Queer and Trans* Theatre and Performance	Spring	10
DRAM30300	Directing for the Stage	Spring	5
ENG32130	Irish Gothic	Spring	10
ENG32300	Making Shakespeare	Spring	5
FS30170	Whiteness, Ethnicity & American Film	Spring	10
FS30180	Alternative&Independent Cinema	Spring	10
FS30190	Animation	Spring	10
FS30280	Gender Activism and the Global South	Spring	10
FS30300	Chick Flicks: Women and Hollywood Storytelling	Spring	10
FS30310	Beyoncé and Tay: The Intersections of Race, Gender, and Celebrity	Spring	10
MUS31280	The Symphony in Europe	Spring	10
MUS31330	Post-Truth, Politics & Music	Spring	5
MUS31490	Music and Sexuality in Early European Musical Cultures	Spring	10
Stage 3 Options - A)MIN0CR: Students who remain in UCD for the full year in Stage 3 take between 50 and 60 credits, no subject limitations. Any students away for a single trimester on study abroad or internship in Stage 3 must also complete 30 additional credits at Stage 3 to make up 60 credits. Students who are away for the whole year do not need to register for any of these modules.
Stage 3 Options - B)MIN0CR: You may choose two of these as electives if you wish. Please note some performance modules are by AUDITION ONLY. Do not register to these modules until AFTER you have passed your audition.
MUS20320	UCD Philharmonic Choir Autumn 2024-25	Autumn	5
MUS20510	UCD Choral Scholars Autumn 2024-25	Autumn	5
MUS20530	UCD Symphony Orchestra Autumn 2024-25	Autumn	5
MUS20590	UCD Gamelan Ensemble Autumn 2024-25	Autumn	5
MUS20670	UCD Composition Ensemble Autumn 2024-25	Autumn	5
MUS20980	Irish Traditional Music Practices Autumn 2024-25	Autumn	5
MUS20880	Techniques of Songwriting	Autumn and Spring (separate)	5
MUS20330	UCD Philharmonic Choir Spring 2024-25	Spring	5
MUS20520	UCD Choral Scholars Spring 2024-25	Spring	5
MUS20540	UCD Symphony Orchestra Spring 2024-25	Spring	5
MUS20600	UCD Gamelan Ensemble Spring 2024-25	Spring	5
MUS20680	UCD Composition Ensemble Spring 2024-25	Spring	5
MUS20990	Irish Traditional Music Practices Spring 2024-25	Spring	5
Stage 3 Options - B)MIN0CR: You may choose two of these as electives if you wish. Please note some performance modules are by AUDITION ONLY. Do not register to these modules until AFTER you have passed your audition.
Stage 3 Options - C)MIN0OF: Students who have been offered a College sourced internship, or self-sourced their own internship with approval from the Programme Board should register to the internship module in the appropriate trimester.
HUM30020	Internship-Autumn (Humanities)	Autumn	30
HUM30030	Internship- Spring (Humanities)	Spring	30
Stage 3 Options - C)MIN0OF: Students who have been offered a College sourced internship, or self-sourced their own internship with approval from the Programme Board should register to the internship module in the appropriate trimester.
Stage 3 Options - D)MIN0OF: This is an elective substitution module. You may select this module instead of one of your elective modules.
HUM30050	Writing for Life: employability skills for arts and humanities students	Spring	5
Stage 3 Options - D)MIN0OF: This is an elective substitution module. You may select this module instead of one of your elective modules.
Stage 4 Core Modules
ENG30970	Dissertation Research Methods	Autumn	5
Stage 4 Core Modules
Stage 4 Options - *A)MIN0OF: Students should take the dissertation module. However, in certain cases where its not feasible for them to take it, 15 credits should be selected from the Subject Options list below.
MFD30010	Dissertation	Spring	15
Stage 4 Options - *A)MIN0OF: Students should take the dissertation module. However, in certain cases where its not feasible for them to take it, 15 credits should be selected from the Subject Options list below.
Stage 4 Options - A)MIN30CR: Students must take at least 30 credits in these Option modules. They may take an additional 10 credits here in place of Electives. Note: the 30 credits here may be made up by any combination of 5 or 10 credit modules but must total 30 credits. All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters i.e. 30 credits in Autumn and 30 credits in Spring.
DRAM30320	Performance Across the Globe	Autumn	5
FS30220	Wellness & Happiness Media	Autumn	10
FS30230	Cinema and the City: New York	Autumn	10
FS30250	Feminist Media Studies	Autumn	10
FS30270	Irish Horror & Spec Film	Autumn	10
FS30320	Punk, Cult and Video Art	Autumn	10
MUS31170	African-American Religious Mus	Autumn	10
MUS31460	New Ideas in Musicology	Autumn	5
MUS31470	Techniques of Composition	Autumn	10
MUS31480	Music and Western Empires	Autumn	10
MUS31180	Issues in Music, Sound and the Moving Image	Autumn and Spring (separate)	10
DRAM30100	Contemporary Theatre & Performance	Spring	5
DRAM30200	Queer and Trans* Theatre and Performance	Spring	10
DRAM30300	Directing for the Stage	Spring	5
ENG32130	Irish Gothic	Spring	10
ENG32300	Making Shakespeare	Spring	5
FS30170	Whiteness, Ethnicity & American Film	Spring	10
FS30180	Alternative&Independent Cinema	Spring	10
FS30190	Animation	Spring	10
FS30280	Gender Activism and the Global South	Spring	10
FS30300	Chick Flicks: Women and Hollywood Storytelling	Spring	10
FS30310	Beyoncé and Tay: The Intersections of Race, Gender, and Celebrity	Spring	10
MUS31280	The Symphony in Europe	Spring	10
MUS31330	Post-Truth, Politics & Music	Spring	5
MUS31490	Music and Sexuality in Early European Musical Cultures	Spring	10
Stage 4 Options - A)MIN30CR: Students must take at least 30 credits in these Option modules. They may take an additional 10 credits here in place of Electives. Note: the 30 credits here may be made up by any combination of 5 or 10 credit modules but must total 30 credits. All students are strongly advised to balance their workload evenly across both trimesters i.e. 30 credits in Autumn and 30 credits in Spring.
Stage 4 Options - C)MIN0CR: You may choose two of these as electives if you wish. Please note some performance modules are by AUDITION ONLY. Do not register to these modules until AFTER you have passed your audition.
MUS20320	UCD Philharmonic Choir Autumn 2024-25	Autumn	5
MUS20510	UCD Choral Scholars Autumn 2024-25	Autumn	5
MUS20530	UCD Symphony Orchestra Autumn 2024-25	Autumn	5
MUS20590	UCD Gamelan Ensemble Autumn 2024-25	Autumn	5
MUS20670	UCD Composition Ensemble Autumn 2024-25	Autumn	5
MUS20980	Irish Traditional Music Practices Autumn 2024-25	Autumn	5
MUS20880	Techniques of Songwriting	Autumn and Spring (separate)	5
MUS20330	UCD Philharmonic Choir Spring 2024-25	Spring	5
MUS20520	UCD Choral Scholars Spring 2024-25	Spring	5
MUS20540	UCD Symphony Orchestra Spring 2024-25	Spring	5
MUS20600	UCD Gamelan Ensemble Spring 2024-25	Spring	5
MUS20680	UCD Composition Ensemble Spring 2024-25	Spring	5
MUS20990	Irish Traditional Music Practices Spring 2024-25	Spring	5
Stage 4 Options - C)MIN0CR: You may choose two of these as electives if you wish. Please note some performance modules are by AUDITION ONLY. Do not register to these modules until AFTER you have passed your audition.
Stage 4 Options - D)MIN0OF: This is an elective substitution module. You may select this module instead of one of your elective modules.
HUM30050	Writing for Life: employability skills for arts and humanities students	Spring	5
Stage 4 Options - D)MIN0OF: This is an elective substitution module. You may select this module instead of one of your elective modules.

		Award		GPA
Programme	Module Weightings	Rule Description	Description
BHACS024	Stage 4 - 50.00% Stage 3 - 30.00% Stage 2 - 20.00%	Standard Honours Award	First Class Honours	3.68	4.20
			Second Class Honours, Grade 1	3.08	3.67
			Second Class Honours, Grade 2	2.48	3.07
			Pass	2.00	2.47