MA in Music, Sound, Culture and Media

• 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)

• Year 1, Semester 1: One core module; select one optional modules (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)

The MA in Music, Sound, Media and Culture is designed for students who are curious about, and are eager to engage with and learn about interdisciplinary fields in sonic, media and creative studies and practices. They will encounter a range of interdisciplinary studies, while also integrating applied, creative and collaborative components. This includes options for practicum and creative-practice modules, alongside critical, interpretive, analytical and reflective components. 

• Uniquely, this postgraduate degree programme is open to a broad spectrum of applicants, including, but not limited to;
  • Graduates of a wide range of music, arts, social sciences, humanities and media programmes (particularly those programmes that have strong elements in one or more components across music, sound studies, cultural studies and media studies, while applications from other graduates with alternative pathways and/or prior exposure to these areas will also be considered.
  • Current or aspiring professionals and leaders in fields of music production, sonic arts, audio and audio-visual production, broadcasting, and screen industries.
  • Current or aspiring professionals and leaders in arts/media development and infrastructure, cultural policy, and community development.
  • Cultural critics (current and aspiring) across print, digital and social media platforms
  • Practitioners and potential leaders in arts education and media education.

The programme will additionally provide clear pathways for those students with long-term objectives to pursue studies to doctoral level and beyond, in such areas as musicology, film music, sound design, ethnomusicology and a range of media studies and communications areas.

Accordingly, this programme accommodates a potential diversity of learners and provides a holistic environment in which students can learn from each other’s diverse backgrounds and disciplines.

The DCU schools delivering this programme make up a dynamic learning environment that encompasses both academic and practice-oriented studies.  

The School of Communications is a national and international leader in media studies at graduate level, and uniquely includes staff members whose expertise intersects with studies of sound and music. 

The School of Theology, Philosophy and Music includes national and international experts in cultural and applied musicology, creative practice, sociology of music and anthropology. Research seminars and cultural events are regularly held by both schools, and across the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.