Music (BMus) (MCS2)

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The School aims to equip its students with essential skills necessary to understand music in terms of both its historical developments and its formal and structural components, as well as its function in society. Close links between academic and practical studies lie at the heart of the school's educational ethos. It aims to instil integrity, further excellence, help to develop a critical and creative attitude and improve the musical and textual expressivity of its students.



BMus graduates pursue music-related careers in a broad range of areas including teaching, journalism, arts administration, the music industry, academia, composition and performance. The programme is aimed at a diverse mix of leaving certificate students, mature learners and an increasing international cohort.



The music programme benefits from its international outlook; its lecturers stem from Ireland, Europe and the US, holding degrees from six different countries. Its vibrant student community also includes many international students. A number of general elective modules and a high number of elective students from other disciplines ensure an interdisciplinary atmosphere within the School. Elements of academic and practical music education mutually reinforce each other; students can participate in choirs, an orchestra and an Indonesian gamelan ensemble for credit (and have the opportunity to get involved in organising concerts and other musical activities). Through its ensembles the School is involved in many cultural on- and off-campus activities that broaden students' horizons. The School's comparatively small size means that students quickly develop a strong esprit the corps and get to know all lecturers very quickly.



The School pursues a wide variety of teaching and learning approaches, from the traditional lecture and seminar formats to tutorials, group work, problem-based learning, practical musicianship through membership in the School's ensembles, and field work, all facilitated by online support. The lecturers as well as guest speakers in our seminar series ensure that much of the teaching is informed by the latest research. The School applies formative and summative assessment strategies which are peer-reviewed where appropriate and include essays, exams, reviews, group presentations, poster presentations and reflective journals.


The School aims to equip its students with essential skills necessary to understand music in terms of both its historical developments and its formal and structural components, as well as its function in society. Close links between academic and practical studies lie at the heart of the school's educational ethos. It aims to instil integrity, further excellence, help to develop a critical and creative attitude and improve the musical and textual expressivity of its students.



BMus graduates pursue music-related careers in a broad range of areas including teaching, journalism, arts administration, the music industry, academia, composition and performance. The programme is aimed at a diverse mix of leaving certificate students, mature learners and an increasing international cohort.



The music programme benefits from its international outlook; its lecturers stem from Ireland, Europe and the US, holding degrees from six different countries. Its vibrant student community also includes many international students. A number of general elective modules and a high number of elective students from other disciplines ensure an interdisciplinary atmosphere within the School. Elements of academic and practical music education mutually reinforce each other; students can participate in choirs, an orchestra and an Indonesian gamelan ensemble for credit (and have the opportunity to get involved in organising concerts and other musical activities). Through its ensembles the School is involved in many cultural on- and off-campus activities that broaden students' horizons. The School's comparatively small size means that students quickly develop a strong esprit the corps and get to know all lecturers very quickly.



The School pursues a wide variety of teaching and learning approaches, from the traditional lecture and seminar formats to tutorials, group work, problem-based learning, practical musicianship through membership in the School's ensembles, and field work, all facilitated by online support. The lecturers as well as guest speakers in our seminar series ensure that much of the teaching is informed by the latest research. The School applies formative and summative assessment strategies which are peer-reviewed where appropriate and include essays, exams, reviews, group presentations, poster presentations and reflective journals.


The School aims to equip its students with essential skills necessary to understand music in terms of both its historical developments and its formal and structural components, as well as its function in society. Close links between academic and practical studies lie at the heart of the school's educational ethos. It aims to instil integrity, further excellence, help to develop a critical and creative attitude and improve the musical and textual expressivity of its students.



BMus graduates pursue music-related careers in a broad range of areas including teaching, journalism, arts administration, the music industry, academia, composition and performance. The programme is aimed at a diverse mix of leaving certificate students, mature learners and an increasing international cohort.



The music programme benefits from its international outlook; its lecturers stem from Ireland, Europe and the US, holding degrees from six different countries. Its vibrant student community also includes many international students. A number of general elective modules and a high number of elective students from other disciplines ensure an interdisciplinary atmosphere within the School. Elements of academic and practical music education mutually reinforce each other; students can participate in choirs, an orchestra and an Indonesian gamelan ensemble for credit (and have the opportunity to get involved in organising concerts and other musical activities). Through its ensembles the School is involved in many cultural on- and off-campus activities that broaden students' horizons. The School's comparatively small size means that students quickly develop a strong esprit the corps and get to know all lecturers very quickly.



The School pursues a wide variety of teaching and learning approaches, from the traditional lecture and seminar formats to tutorials, group work, problem-based learning, practical musicianship through membership in the School's ensembles, and field work, all facilitated by online support. The lecturers as well as guest speakers in our seminar series ensure that much of the teaching is informed by the latest research. The School applies formative and summative assessment strategies which are peer-reviewed where appropriate and include essays, exams, reviews, group presentations, poster presentations and reflective journals.


The School aims to equip its students with essential skills necessary to understand music in terms of both its historical developments and its formal and structural components, as well as its function in society. Close links between academic and practical studies lie at the heart of the school's educational ethos. It aims to instil integrity, further excellence, help to develop a critical and creative attitude and improve the musical and textual expressivity of its students.



BMus graduates pursue music-related careers in a broad range of areas including teaching, journalism, arts administration, the music industry, academia, composition and performance. The programme is aimed at a diverse mix of leaving certificate students, mature learners and an increasing international cohort.



The music programme benefits from its international outlook; its lecturers stem from Ireland, Europe and the US, holding degrees from six different countries. Its vibrant student community also includes many international students. A number of general elective modules and a high number of elective students from other disciplines ensure an interdisciplinary atmosphere within the School. Elements of academic and practical music education mutually reinforce each other; students can participate in choirs, an orchestra and an Indonesian gamelan ensemble for credit (and have the opportunity to get involved in organising concerts and other musical activities). Through its ensembles the School is involved in many cultural on- and off-campus activities that broaden students' horizons. The School's comparatively small size means that students quickly develop a strong esprit the corps and get to know all lecturers very quickly.



The School pursues a wide variety of teaching and learning approaches, from the traditional lecture and seminar formats to tutorials, group work, problem-based learning, practical musicianship through membership in the School's ensembles, and field work, all facilitated by online support. The lecturers as well as guest speakers in our seminar series ensure that much of the teaching is informed by the latest research. The School applies formative and summative assessment strategies which are peer-reviewed where appropriate and include essays, exams, reviews, group presentations, poster presentations and reflective journals.


1 - Students will be able to recognise and analyse musical forms, techniques and styles across a broad range of periods and regions of Western and non-Western musical cultures.
2 - Students will have an increased understanding of how all music reflects the societies it stems from, as well as in turn contributing to their individual, social and cultural development.
3 - Students will have gained a good insight into the mutual dependency of practical musicianship and musical scholarship, enabling them to utilise one area to progress in the other one after the end of their studies
4 - Students will be aware of the central role of critical and original thinking when engaging with different types of tasks and problems, and be able to apply it to music-related topics and issues.
5 - Students will have acquired the skills to search for and find reliable sources of information on music-related matters, to approach them critically and distinguish them from unreliable ones.
6 - Students will have been familiarised with the skills to formulate and structure a problem/task given to them, to plan and execute research.
7 - Students will have had opportunities to practice formulating and presenting the results of their research individually (often including a minor dissertation) or as members of a group.
8 - Students will have learned to be open to the unknown, to engage with musical cultures distant in time and/or space on their own respective terms, and in turn to question and understand their own respective musical cultures more deeply.
Music graduates often pursue careers in:

  • Journalism
  • Teaching music
  • The recording industry
  • Arts administration
  • Performance or composition
  • Academia, postgraduate study
  • Music therapy

    BMus graduates often take their study of music further, through graduate studies either at UCD or elsewhere. The UCD School of Music offers a Master in Musicology (pathways in Musicology, Analysis or Ethnomusicology), MLitt and PhD.
  • Stage 2

    Students should register to all core modules. Two performance modules must be selected as options. To complete 50 credits in Music, students must choose ONE additional Stage 2 music module of their choice - this additional 5 credit module can be chosen from either of the two option module lists.

    Stage 3

    Students are required to take the Music Studies module, the Dissertation or Recital module plus a further 35 credits of music options in their final stage. At least 2 options should be 10-credit level 3 music modules, and at least 2 options must be chosen from the list of performance modules. To fill out remaining credits, students may take other music modules including performance modules and they can also take modules outside of Music.

    Stage 4

    Students are required to take the Music Studies module, the Dissertation or Recital module plus a further 35 credits of music options in their final stage. At least 2 options should be 10-credit level 3 music modules, and at least 2 options must be chosen from the list of performance modules. To fill out remaining credits, students may take other music modules including performance modules and they can also take modules outside of Music.

    Module ID Module Title Trimester Credits
    Stage 2 Core Modules
         
    MUS20080 Musics of the World Autumn 5
    MUS20390 Bach & the Art of Counterpoint Autumn 5
    MUS20400 Early European Music Autumn 5
    MUS20650 Music Theory 2 Autumn 5
    MUS20030 Studies in Irish Music Spring 5
    MUS20410 Music History Since 1750 Spring 5
    MUS20640 Music Theory 3 Spring 5
    Stage 2 Core Modules
         
    Stage 2 Options - A)MIN2OF:
    A minimum of two Performance Option Modules must be selected. Please note some performance modules are by AUDITION ONLY. Do not register to these modules until AFTER you have passed your audition. The remaining 5 credits can be chosen from this list or the Additional Option Modules list.
         
    MUS20730 Traditional Music Practices 1 Autumn 5
    MUS20770 UCD Philharmonic Choir 1 Autumn 5
    MUS20800 UCD Composition Ensemble 1 Autumn 5
    MUS20820 UCD Gamelan Ensemble 1 Autumn 5
    MUS20840 UCD Choral Scholars 1 Autumn 5
    MUS20860 UCD Symphony Orchestra 1 Autumn 5
    MUS20740 Traditional Music Practices 2 Spring 5
    MUS20750 Ad Astra Chamber Orchestra 3 Spring 5
    MUS20780 UCD Philharmonic Choir 2 Spring 5
    MUS20810 UCD Composition Ensemble 2 Spring 5
    MUS20830 UCD Gamelan Ensemble 2 Spring 5
    MUS20850 UCD Choral Scholars 2 Spring 5
    MUS20870 UCD Symphony Orchestra 2 Spring 5
    Stage 2 Options - A)MIN2OF:
    A minimum of two Performance Option Modules must be selected. Please note some performance modules are by AUDITION ONLY. Do not register to these modules until AFTER you have passed your audition. The remaining 5 credits can be chosen from this list or the Additional Option Modules list.
         
    Stage 2 Options - B)MIN0OF:
    The remaining 5 credits can be chosen from this list or the Performance Option Module List list. You may also select further option modules as electives from the list provided.
         
    MUS31330 Post-Truth, Politics & Music Autumn 5
    MUS20610 Music in Ireland Autumn and Spring (separate) 5
    MUS20310 Popular Music and Culture Spring 5
    Stage 2 Options - B)MIN0OF:
    The remaining 5 credits can be chosen from this list or the Performance Option Module List list. You may also select further option modules as electives from the list provided.
         
    Stage 3 Options - 1)1OF:
    Students should select one of the following modules.
         
    MUS31430 3rd Year Recital 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) 10
    MUS31450 Dissertation 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) 10
    Stage 3 Options - 1)1OF:
    Students should select one of the following modules.
         
    Stage 3 Options - A)MIN1OF:
    Students must select New Ideas in Music Studies
         
    MUS31460 New Ideas in Music Studies Autumn 5
    Stage 3 Options - A)MIN1OF:
    Students must select New Ideas in Music Studies
         
    Stage 3 Options - B*)MIN2OF:
    A minimum of two Performance Option Modules must be selected. Please note some performance modules are by AUDITION ONLY. Do not register to these modules until AFTER you have passed your audition.
         
    MUS20730 Traditional Music Practices 1 Autumn 5
    MUS20770 UCD Philharmonic Choir 1 Autumn 5
    MUS20800 UCD Composition Ensemble 1 Autumn 5
    MUS20820 UCD Gamelan Ensemble 1 Autumn 5
    MUS20840 UCD Choral Scholars 1 Autumn 5
    MUS20860 UCD Symphony Orchestra 1 Autumn 5
    MUS20740 Traditional Music Practices 2 Spring 5
    MUS20750 Ad Astra Chamber Orchestra 3 Spring 5
    MUS20780 UCD Philharmonic Choir 2 Spring 5
    MUS20810 UCD Composition Ensemble 2 Spring 5
    MUS20830 UCD Gamelan Ensemble 2 Spring 5
    MUS20850 UCD Choral Scholars 2 Spring 5
    MUS20870 UCD Symphony Orchestra 2 Spring 5
    Stage 3 Options - B*)MIN2OF:
    A minimum of two Performance Option Modules must be selected. 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:
    Modules can be taken from this list to make up the remaining credits. Modules can also be chosen from this list in place of Electives.
         
    MUS31170 African-American Religious Mus Autumn 10
    MUS31180 Issues in Music, Sound and the Moving Image Autumn 10
    MUS31230 Introduction to Conducting Autumn 10
    MUS31330 Post-Truth, Politics & Music Autumn 5
    MUS20610 Music in Ireland Autumn and Spring (separate) 5
    MUS20880 Techniques of Songwriting Autumn and Spring (separate) 5
    MUS20310 Popular Music and Culture Spring 5
    MUS31350 Formal Analysis Spring 10
    MUS31390 The Mass as Musical Genre, 1700-1800 Spring 10
    MUS31400 Music & Philosophy Spring 10
    Stage 3 Options - C)MIN0OF:
    Modules can be taken from this list to make up the remaining credits. Modules can also be chosen from this list in place of Electives.
         
    Stage 3 Options - D)MIN2OF:
    Students must select at least two modules from the following list.
         
    MUS31170 African-American Religious Mus Autumn 10
    MUS31180 Issues in Music, Sound and the Moving Image Autumn 10
    MUS31230 Introduction to Conducting Autumn 10
    MUS31350 Formal Analysis Spring 10
    MUS31390 The Mass as Musical Genre, 1700-1800 Spring 10
    MUS31400 Music & Philosophy Spring 10
    Stage 3 Options - D)MIN2OF:
    Students must select at least two modules from the following list.
         
    Stage 4 Core Modules
         
    MUS31460 New Ideas in Music Studies Autumn 5
    Stage 4 Core Modules
         
    Stage 4 Options - *A)1OF:
    Students should select one of the following modules.
         
    MUS31440 4th Year Recital 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) 10
    MUS31450 Dissertation 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) 10
    Stage 4 Options - *A)1OF:
    Students should select one of the following modules.
         
    Stage 4 Options - A1)MIN2OF:
    Students must select at least three modules from the following list.
         
    MUS31170 African-American Religious Mus Autumn 10
    MUS31180 Issues in Music, Sound and the Moving Image Autumn 10
    MUS31230 Introduction to Conducting Autumn 10
    MUS31350 Formal Analysis Spring 10
    MUS31390 The Mass as Musical Genre, 1700-1800 Spring 10
    MUS31400 Music & Philosophy Spring 10
    Stage 4 Options - A1)MIN2OF:
    Students must select at least three modules from the following list.
         
    Stage 4 Options - B)MIN2OF:
    A minimum of two Performance Option Modules must be selected. Please note some performance modules are by AUDITION ONLY. Do not register to these modules until AFTER you have passed your audition.
         
    MUS20730 Traditional Music Practices 1 Autumn 5
    MUS20770 UCD Philharmonic Choir 1 Autumn 5
    MUS20800 UCD Composition Ensemble 1 Autumn 5
    MUS20820 UCD Gamelan Ensemble 1 Autumn 5
    MUS20840 UCD Choral Scholars 1 Autumn 5
    MUS20860 UCD Symphony Orchestra 1 Autumn 5
    MUS20740 Traditional Music Practices 2 Spring 5
    MUS20750 Ad Astra Chamber Orchestra 3 Spring 5
    MUS20780 UCD Philharmonic Choir 2 Spring 5
    MUS20810 UCD Composition Ensemble 2 Spring 5
    MUS20830 UCD Gamelan Ensemble 2 Spring 5
    MUS20850 UCD Choral Scholars 2 Spring 5
    MUS20870 UCD Symphony Orchestra 2 Spring 5
    Stage 4 Options - B)MIN2OF:
    A minimum of two Performance Option Modules must be selected. 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:
    You may select further option modules as electives from the list provided.
         
    MUS31170 African-American Religious Mus Autumn 10
    MUS31180 Issues in Music, Sound and the Moving Image Autumn 10
    MUS31230 Introduction to Conducting Autumn 10
    MUS31330 Post-Truth, Politics & Music Autumn 5
    MUS20610 Music in Ireland Autumn and Spring (separate) 5
    MUS20880 Techniques of Songwriting Autumn and Spring (separate) 5
    MUS20310 Popular Music and Culture Spring 5
    MUS31350 Formal Analysis Spring 10
    MUS31390 The Mass as Musical Genre, 1700-1800 Spring 10
    MUS31400 Music & Philosophy Spring 10
    Stage 4 Options - D)MIN0OF:
    You may select further option modules as electives from the list provided.
         
    See the UCD Assessment website for further details

    Module Weighting Info  
      Award GPA
    Programme Module Weightings Rule Description Description >= <=
    BHACS009 Stage 3 - 50.00%
    Stage 2 - 50.00%
    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

    BHACS021 Stage 4 - 50.00%
    Stage 2 - 50.00%
    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


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