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.

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 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 take up to 60 credits with no limitation in each of the Music, Film and Drama option groups. They may take 10 of these credits as electives or select all of these from the subject groups.

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 also take the Research Methods module in the Autumn and normally the Dissertation/Creative Project module in the Spring. Students can also take up to 10 credits in electives.