MA in Music, Sound, Culture and Media
The MA in Music, Sound, Culture and Media is primarily designed for students wishing to engage in a programme that reflects increasingly interdisciplinary spheres of music, sound and cultural and media production and engagement in contemporary societies.
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 is the leading communications and media studies department in Ireland and ranks among the top 150 out of nearly 4,500 universities globally in the field of communications (according to QS Subject Rankings).
Why do this programme?
The MA in Music, Sound, Media and Culture is designed for students who are curious about, and are eager to engage 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:
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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.
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Current or aspiring professionals and leaders in fields of music production, sonic arts, audio and audio-visual production, broadcasting, and screen industries
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Current or aspiring professionals and leaders in arts/media development and infrastructure, cultural policy, and community development
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Cultural critics (current and aspiring) across print, digital and social media platforms
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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 a provides holistic environment in which students can learn from each other’s diverse backgrounds and disciplines.
Programme Structure and Content
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.
This programme will be delivered primarily online, with on-campus elements by way of study days (one Saturday per semester) and a summer school (held during May of each year).
While delivery over the two study days will provide options for on-campus or online attendance (the latter option primarily designed to facilitate international students), attendance at the MA summer school will be mandatory. (Non-EU students may require a short stay (C) visit (tourist) visa to facilitate attendance at the summer school.)
Course Life
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.
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.
Potential Careers
- 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
Requirements
For admission to the MA in Music, Sound, Culture and Media, successful applicants will have:
A degree at the level of an Irish or UK Honours undergraduate degree (H2.2 or above) or international equivalent
Recognition of prior professional experience in the production and curation of music/sound/media/arts and culture will be considered at entry stage, in accordance with standard DCU policies
International candidates who are non-native speakers of English must satisfy the University of their competency in the English language.