Music, Film & Drama  (MCS4)

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.

Exchange partners include universities in France, Italy, Spain, Canada, Japan, USA, Australia.

Graduates have a range of skills, including research, creative thinking, critical reasoning, and writing, that enable them to pursue a diverse range of careers, including in media, creative industries, journalism, arts administration, education, academia, and performance.

In addition to MLitt and PhD programmes in Music, Drama and Film, UCD offers the following taught graduate degrees: • MMus in Music (including musicology, ethnomusicology, composition, and creative practice) • MA in Theatre Practice • MA in Writing for Stage & Screen. 

UCD School of Music
p. +353 1 716 8178
e. music@ucd.ie

Stage 1

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).

Stage 2

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.

Stage 3

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.

Stage 4

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.

See the UCD Assessment website for further details

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Module Weighting Info