The MA in Ethnomusicology at the University of Limerick offers you a comprehensive exploration of music within its rich cultural and social contexts. This taught Master of Arts degree is ideal for students passionate about understanding Irish Traditional Music, Popular Music, and World Music through both practical and academic lenses. You will develop a strong theoretical grounding complemented by essential fieldwork techniques, preparing you for advanced research, tertiary education, or diverse institutional settings where a deep understanding of music's societal role is paramount. This programme is designed to foster critical engagement with global musical practices.
Over one year of full-time study on campus, you will engage with core modules in fieldwork techniques, media technologies, and ethnographic research, alongside specialized studies in areas like ritual and music anthropology. The curriculum includes opportunities for independent study and practical documentation of arts practice, culminating in final presentations. You will graduate with the analytical skills and practical experience necessary for careers in music research, cultural heritage, education, and the broader creative industries, equipped to contribute meaningfully to the field of ethnomusicology.