MA in Music, Sound, Culture and Media
Dublin, Ireland
MA
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
EUR 16,900
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
The MA in Music, Sound, Culture and Media is delivered jointly by the School of Theology, Philosophy, and Music and the School of Communications, both of whom are recognised leaders in their respective disciplinary fields, both nationally and internationally.
Taught by staff with internationally distinguished records in research and teaching, this is the first Master’s degree programme in Ireland with a major music/sound component that is open to prospective students coming from a broad range of undergraduate degree routes as well as professionals with established expertise in audio/sound/music production. While not addressing any single profession, it presents a coherent programme that will deepen knowledge of, and engagement with, an increasingly evolving field.A particular strength of this DCU programme is that it brings together wide expertise and experience from two schools within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences that are themselves interdisciplinary in composition.
The School of Theology, Philosophy, and Music is a dynamic and creative learning and research environment with a strong commitment to social and cultural engagement, world-class research, and teaching that promotes critical thinking in students through a wide range of interesting courses.
The School of Communications, ranked among the top 200 globally in the QS Subject Rankings 2024, is the leading communications and media studies department in Ireland.
Explore scholarship opportunities for International Students.
The MA in Music, Sound, Media and Culture is offered on a full-time (one year) or part-time (two year) basis. As such, the MA in Music, Sound, Culture and Media is accessible to those currently in employment, and to those based outside Dublin and Ireland.
Full-time over one year
- Semester 1: Two core modules; select one optional module (30 credits)
- Semester 2: One core module; select one optional module (20 credits)
- Summer School (May): Select one optional module (10 credits) Year-long: Dissertation OR Practice-based portfolio (30 credits)
SEMESTER 1 (TWO core modules and ONE optional module)
- Interdisciplinary Studies in Music, Sound, Culture and Media (core module, 10 credits) Research Methods (core module, 10 credits)
- The Global Music Industries (optional module, 10 credits) Music, Sound and Screen Media (optional module, 10 credits)
SEMESTER 2 (ONE core module and ONE optional module)
- Audio-visual Media and Cultural Identities (core module, 10 credits)
- Policies and Infrastructures for the Arts (optional module, 10 credits)
- Practicum (optional module, 10 credits)
SUMMER SCHOOL (choose ONE optional module)
- Audio Production (optional module, 10 credits)
- Leadership in Music, Sound, Culture and Media (optional module, 10 credits)
YEAR-LONG (ONE core module)
Dissertation OR Practice-based Portfolio with Extended Essay (core module, 30 credits)
Part-time over two years
- Year 1, Semester 1: One core module; select one optional module (20 credits)
- Year 1, Semester 2: One core module; select one optional module (20 credits)
- Year 1, Summer School (May): select one optional module (10 credits)
Year 2, Semester 1: One core module (10 credits)
- Year 2, Year-long: Dissertation OR Practice-based portfolio (30 credits)
YEAR 1, SEMESTER 1 (ONE core module and ONE optional module)
- Interdisciplinary Studies in Music, Sound, Culture and Media (core module, 10 credits)
- The Global Music Industries (optional module, 10 credits)
- Music, Sound and Screen Media (optional module, 10 credits)
YEAR 1, SEMESTER 2 (ONE core module and ONE optional module)
- Audio-visual Media and Cultural Identities (core module, 10 credits)
- Policies and Infrastructures for the Arts (optional module, 10 credits)
- Practicum (optional module, 10 credits)
SUMMER SCHOOL (choose ONE optional module)
- Audio Production (optional module, 10 credits)
- Leadership in Music, Sound, Culture and Media (optional module, 10 credits)
YEAR 2, SEMESTER 1 (ONE core module)
- Research Methods (core module, 10 credits)
YEAR 2, YEAR-LONG (ONE core module)
- Dissertation OR Practice-based Portfolio with Extended Essay (core module, 30 credits)
- Ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide (QS World University Rankings)
- Ranked among the world's top 350 universities (Times Higher Education World University Rankings). Business and Economics (201-250), Arts and Humanities (201-250), Research Environment (301)
- Ireland’s highest-ranked young university, placed 59th globally (Times Higher Education Young University Rankings).
- Ranked 1st in Ireland for Graduate Employment Rate (and 23rd Globally) by QS World University Rankings
- 96% of DCU graduates are in employment or further studies within 6 months of graduation
- Voted no. 1 worldwide for Career Development by Global Student Satisfaction Awards
Whether you’re interested in pursuing a career grounded in interdisciplinary studies, enhancing your ability to take on leadership roles in sonic and media arts or progressing to doctoral research, the MA in Music, Sound, Culture and Media can accommodate your goals.
Career Prospects
- Music production, sonic arts, audio and audiovisual production, broadcasting, and screen industries
- Arts/media development and infrastructure, cultural policy, and community development
- Cultural commentators/critics across print, digital and social media platforms
- Arts education and media education
- Research