Music, Film & Drama

Music, Film and Drama are art forms that speak to the very core of human experience; they impact our lives every day. This four-year course allows students to immerse themselves in the close study of these forms, to understand them from cultural and historical perspectives, and to explore the ways in which they influence and transform each other. Learn how to understand the inner workings of these art forms. Deepen your knowledge of their historical development. Research the place of these arts in society. Build your skills in creative practice.

The first year of the course builds students’ vocabulary and fluency in key analytical techniques and introduces students to the 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 years of the course, you will forge your own path, taking modules that focus on specific genres or particular approaches to these art forms. You can also choose to incorporate an internship or to study abroad. In the final year, students will work on a major dissertation or applied project in creative practice that will allow them to complete a research project on a topic of their choice, working one-on-one with an expert in their field.

Click here to Download Course Pathways document.

First Year

Making, Doing, Interpreting • Adaptation, Transmediality & Intertextuality • Introduction to Physical Theatre • Musicianship • Theatre Matters • Introduction to Film & Media (including case studies in digital innovation, film, television and other media forms) • Music, Culture & Society • Theatre Context & Conventions • A choice of performance ensembles • Theatre & Activism

Second Year

Producing Music, Film & Drama • Music Industries • Introduction to Devising • Documentary & Ethnography • History of TV • Action Adventure Cinema • Techniques of Songwriting • Global Soundscapes • Performance & Everyday Life • Ghosts & Monsters Onstage • Documentary Theatre • Contemporary British Theatre • Introduction to Acting • Playwriting • Exploring UCD Cultural Heritage Collections • Options in performance, composition, and creative practice.

Third Year

You will choose from a range of options that will enable you to broaden your horizons and enrich your academic experience. You may apply for a competitive internship in an area that interests you and relates to your area of study. You may study abroad for a year or trimester to immerse yourself in a new culture. Deepen your knowledge by studying a dedicated range of Music, Film and Drama modules, including: The Symphony • Contemporary Alternative Cinema • Digital Theatre • Directing for the Stage • Popular Music • Ethnography • Contemporary Theatre & Performance • Options in performance, composition, and creative practice

Fourth Year

Dissertation or applied project • The Oedipus Myth • Modernism & Avant-Garde • Screen Comedy • Music, Sound & the Moving Image • Performance Across the Globe • Animation • Blues & Jazz • Queer & Trans Theatre • Theatre of Martin McDonagh • Options in performance, composition, and creative practice.

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. 

• Level 5/6 QQI-FET


• Open Learning Entry Route


• Mature Entry Route


• DARE Entry Route


• HEAR Entry Route


• University Access

By joining the UCD College of Arts and Humanities you will be part of a vibrant community of students and faculty who are committed to creating a more sustainable, just and equitable future. Our courses are designed to equip students with the best education in their chosen arts and humanities subjects. Our research and teaching and learning connect with many of the SDGs, most notably:

• SDG 4: Quality Education -Promotes inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality - Advances gender equality by addressing social norms, histories, and cultural practices that contribute to gender disparities.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities - Encourages understanding and action against social, economic, and political inequalities.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities - Enhances cultural understanding and heritage preservation, fostering sustainable communities.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions - Promotes peace, justice, and strong institutions through critical inquiry into human rights, ethics, and governance.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals - Encourages global partnerships and collaboration by fostering international understanding and dialogue.

Our programmes equip students with critical thinking, empathy, and cultural awareness, essential for addressing complex global challenges.

A perfect way to develop and find skills in modern arts studying three subjects in an equal capacity. I have taken some incredible classes and worked with a wide variety of people. The flexibility of the course allows you to study topics you are genuinely passionate about. The team of lecturers and tutors are incredibly experienced and dedicated to their work, making studying under them a pleasure. The people you meet in classes are like-minded students who, like me, are trying to grow their knowledge and skill set in their personal and professional lives. I have made lifelong friends and acquired skills that I will take with me throughout my career.

Eli Young, Student

Non-EU Undergraduate Fee information can be found here.

UCD offers a number of competitive undergraduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD undergraduate degree programme. For information on Undergraduate Scholarships, please see the UCD International Scholarships webpage.