Music

Integrated Masters with deeper specialization and research focus
Taught in English
Duration 4 Years
Mode On Campus
Level Undergraduate
Degree Bachelors Degree
Next Intake TBA

Course Overview

The Music Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Galway is designed for students passionate about exploring the diverse landscape of music and its profound impact on society. You will engage deeply with performance, composition, musicology, and sound engineering, while also developing essential skills in creative arts management and business. This undergraduate programme provides a comprehensive understanding of music's historical evolution and its contemporary relevance, preparing you for a dynamic career within the thriving Irish and international creative arts sectors. This full-time, four-year on-campus degree allows you to tailor your studies, combining core music subjects with complementary disciplines such as Psychology, Languages, or Information Technology.

Throughout your studies, you will benefit from a vibrant learning environment at the University of Galway, with opportunities for practical experience. In your third year, you will undertake a semester abroad or a professional placement with a leading arts, media, or educational organisation, gaining invaluable real-world insights. You will graduate with highly transferable skills in research, public presentation, teamwork, and written and verbal communication, positioning you for diverse career paths in performance, teaching, arts administration, journalism, and beyond.

Course Curriculum & Details

Detailed information for serious evaluators

Program Overview

This music program explores various facets of musical study, including performance, theory, and history. Students will engage with traditional Irish music, delve into music theory and critical listening, and gain an introduction to music history. The curriculum also offers opportunities for advanced study in areas such as counterpoint, scoring, arranging, and musicology, alongside practical experience through performance and project work.

1 Year 1

Prehistoric Ireland & Europe Required
Material Culture and Museums Required
Recording Monuments in the Landscape Required
Medieval Ireland and Europe Required
Medieval Celtic Literature A Required
Medieval Celtic Literature B Required
Early & Medieval History of the Celts Required
Celtic Mythology, Religion & Folklore Required
Skills for Economics I Required
Principles of Microeconomics Required
Skills for Economics II Required
Principles of Macroeconomics Required
Literature and the Social World Required
Exploring English Required
Introduction to English 1 Required
Exploring English - 1BA and Denominated Programmes Optional
Introduction to English 2 Required
Introduction to French Language and Culture Required
Introduction to French Literature in Context Required
An Teanga Bheo Required
Litríocht agus Cultúr na Linne Required
Scéal agus Pobal na Gaeilge Required
Skills for Historians (1) Required
Europe and Ireland 1789 - 1918 Required
Skills for Historians (2) Required
Europe: From Medieval to Modern Required
Programming I Required
Algorithms Required
Computer Systems Required
Programming II Required
Introduction to International Development Required
Introduction to Human Rights I Required
Introduction to Sustainable Development I Required
Introduction to Human Rights II Required
Italian Language and Culture Required
Italy at the movies Required
Tort Law Required
Irish Legal Systems Required
Legal Skills Required
Gnéithe den Aistriúchán Required
Bunscileanna Aistriúcháin Required
Bunscileanna Gramadaí Required
Scéalaíocht Dhigiteach Required
Bunús na hIriseoireachta Required
Cleachtas Léirithe na Meán 1 Required
Na Meáin agus an tSochaí Required
Analysis and Algebra 1 Optional
Mathematical Skills Optional
Analysis and Algebra 1 Optional
Analysis and Algebra 2 Optional
Analysis and Algebra 2 Optional
Mathematical Skills Optional
Quantitative Techniques for Business Required
Music Practice 1 Required
Traditional Music in Ireland: 1792 to the New Millennium Required
Music Theory and Critical Listening Required
Introduction to Music History Required
Introduction to Performance Studies Required
Introduction to Film Studies I: Form Required
Performing and Screening Ireland Required
Introduction to Visual Culture Required
Critical Thinking and Logic Required
Philosophical Questions & Issues Required
Introduction to Research Methods and Practical Skills in Psychology Required
Introductory Psychology 1 Required
Critical and Collaborative Thinking Optional
Design Your Life: Planning & developing Skills for your University Journey Optional
Introductory Psychology 2 Required
Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology Optional
Practicing Politics Required
Introduction to Politics Required
Practicing Sociology Required
Introduction to Sociology Required
Intensive Beginners Spanish Language and Culture Required
Mundo hispano: An Introduction to the Hispanic World Required
Intermediate Spanish Language and Culture Required
Mundo hispano: An Introduction to the Hispanic World Required

2 Year 2

Space, Place and the Irish Landscape Required
Castles, Colonists & Crannogs 1100-1350 Required
People, Ritual and Death: Life in Early Prehistoric Europe Required
Archaeology and Irish Identity – Celts, Christians, Vikings Required
Archaeology in Practice Required
Interpretation in Archaeology Required
Making Ireland English: 1580-1665 Optional
Medieval Irish Literature c.700-1100 Optional
Beginning Latin Part 1 Optional
Medieval Irish Language I Optional
Society & Social Institutions in the Celtic-speaking West Optional
The Stories of Medieval Wales Optional
Heroic Epic Optional
A Field of Gods & Men: Celtic Myths Optional
King Arthur & the Holy Grail Optional
Medieval Irish Language II Optional
Beginning Latin Part 2 Optional
The Celtic Languages in the Modern World Optional
Classical Mythology and Drama Optional
Making Sense of Art: Style, Symbol and Story Optional
Irish Economic History Required
Mathematics for Economics Required
Intermediate Microeconomics Required
Comparative Economic Thought Optional
Introduction to Financial Economics Optional
Economics of Public Policy Optional
Statistics for Economics Required
Intermediate Macroeconomics Required
French Language 5 Required
Lecture du français: Textes, Contextes, Idées Required
Langue poétique/ langue vivante Required
Expressing French and Francophone Identities Required
La France mise en scène Required
An Gearrscéal sa Ghaeilge Required
Teanga Na Nua-Ghaeilge I Required
An tSochtheangeolaíocht Required
Teanga na Sean-Ghaeilge I Optional
Na Meáin Chumarsáide agus an Ghaeilge Optional
Canúint agus Caighdeán Optional
Scannánaíocht na Gaeilge Optional
Ainmneacha, Sloinnte agus Logainmneacha na hÉireann Optional
An Fhiannaíocht Optional
Amhránaíocht na Gaeilge Optional
Téamaí i Nuafhilíocht na Gaeilge Required
Teanga Na Nua-Ghaeilge II Required
Drámaíocht na Gaeilge Optional
Politics and Society: Themes and Topics Required
Society and Politics: Ideas and Research Required
Methods For Social And Political Science Required

3 Year 3

Counterpoint Optional
Scoring and Arranging Optional
Musical Theatre: History and Performance (S1) Optional
Introduction to Musicology Optional
Music Editing and Transcription Optional
Choral Conducting Optional
Saibhriú agus Scileanna Teanga Optional
Scileanna Cumarsáide agus Cuir i Láthair Optional
Teicneolaíochtaí Aistriúcháin agus Teanga Optional
Pobal na Gaeltachta sa lá atá inniu ann Optional
Gnéithe de Chultúr Dúchais na Gaeltachta Optional
Tionscnamh Gaeltachta Optional
Music Study Abroad Optional
Music Project Optional
Music Work Placement Optional
European Civic Engagement: Theory, Policy and Practice (S2) Optional
Civic Engagement: Theory, Policy and Practice (S2) Optional

4 Year 4

Metal, Warfare, and Chiefdoms - The Bronze Age Roots of European Civilization Required
Explaining Prehistory - Current Research Trends Required
Public Archaeology Required
Minor Dissertation Optional
Introduction to Sustainability 2 Optional
Palaeoecology - Reconstructing Past Environments Required
The Development Of The Castle In Medieval Europe Required
Landscape and Archaeology: Context and Practice Optional
The Cultural Impact of Christianity on Ireland Optional
The Poetry of Medieval Wales c.600-1100 Optional
Medieval Irish Language III Optional
Research Project Optional
Medieval Irish Language I Optional
Beginning Latin Part 1 Optional
Metal, Warfare, and Chiefdoms - The Bronze Age Roots of European Civilization Optional
Barbarians Optional
The Invention of the Celt: Concepts & Perspectives Optional
Ireland & the Ancient World Optional
Beginning Latin Part 2 Optional
The Development Of The Castle In Medieval Europe Optional
Medieval Irish Language II Optional
Medieval Irish Language IV Optional
The Celtic Languages & their Relatives Optional
Medieval Women in the Celtic-speaking West Optional
Poets, Patrons & Propaganda: Irish Literature c.1100-1600 Optional
Landscape and Archaeology: Context and Practice Optional

Cost & Affordability

A clear picture of what this course will cost you

Program Costs

First Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 24,703.00
Second Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 24,703.00
Third Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 24,703.00
Fourth Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 24,703.00
Total Program Cost Estimated total tuition
USD 98,815.00

Currency note: Program costs shown in USD based on the available tuition breakdown.

Living Costs

Accommodation
USD 864.00 - USD 1,085.00
Food & Groceries USD 2,807.00 - USD 4,491.00
Transport USD 702.00 - USD 1,684.00
Utilities & Bills USD 1,404.00 - USD 2,105.00
Estimated Total USD 4,913.00 - USD 8,280.00

Living cost estimates are based on Galway Campus.

Outcomes & Employability

What happens after you graduate

96%
Graduate Employment Rate Within 6 to 12 months of graduation

Common Graduate Roles

Advertising & Media SalesAgribusiness Inputs (Seeds, Fertilizers & Machinery)Agricultural Research & DevelopmentAmusement & Recreation ServicesBroadcasting & TelevisionEvent Promotion & ManagementGaming & Interactive MediaLivestock & Animal HusbandryMedia Production & EditingTalent & Artist Management

Top Employers Hiring for this course

Centre for Talented Youth, Ireland (CTYI) at DCU

Luail

RTE

Royal Academy of Dance

Why Study Music at University of Galway

What makes this program stand out

Top 20 in UK For Computer Science

Exeter's Computer Science department consistently ranks among the top 20 in the UK for both teaching quality and research output.

Fast Offers Quick turnaround

Exeter typically responds to applications within 2-3 weeks, giving you clarity on your options quickly.

Flexible Intakes September start

Primary intake in September with January start available for some pathways through the INTO foundation program.

Accredited Industry recognized

Accredited by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, meeting requirements for Chartered IT Professional (CITP) status.

Life at University of Galway in Ireland

What daily life looks like for international students

Language

English

Primary language everywhere

Climate

Mild & Rainy

10-20°C average, pack layers

Safety (Numbeo Safety Index)

Very Safe

Exeter is one of UK's safest cities

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Music at University of Galway

Can I work while studying?

International students can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and 40 hours during breaks. No separate work permit is required.

What English language score do I need for this course?

To meet the English requirements, you can choose from various tests: TOEFL (overall 88), IELTS (overall 6.5), or PTE (overall 61). Specific score criteria apply for each component.

What jobs can I get after studying this course?

Graduates can pursue careers as music teachers, sound engineers, music therapists, or arts administrators.

What will I actually study in this course?

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Music graduates typically go on to careers in such fields as performance, teaching, composition, academia, sound engineering, music therapy, arts administration, journalism, broadcasting, publishing, librarianship and archivism. In some cases, this may require a further vocational qualification or postgraduate study. 

The BA Arts Music programme has been designed to meet the requirement

When can I start — what are the intake months?

The intake month for the Music course is September. Make sure to apply before the deadline to secure your spot.
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