Key Info

Bachelor of Science in Music, Media and Performance Technology

NFQ Level 8 major Award Honours Bachelor Degree
Course code
LM114
Duration
4 Years
Subject area
Engineering
Course Director
Robin Parmar
Email
robin.parmar@ul.ie
Admissions:
Tel
+353 (0)61 233755

This programme might suit you if;

  • you are interested in the digital audio, video art and industry
  • you enjoy learning about the latest advances that inform the digital arts domain
  • you would like to combine highly technological skills with artistic and creative endeavour
  • you want to develop creative ideas with the support of the latest software and hardware tools.

Why Study Music, Media and Performance Technology at UL?

The BSc in Music, Media and Performance Technology is a programme that enables students to enter into the contemporary world of digital media, film, sound and interactive technology and performance. Students develop a wide range of skills and are given many opportunities to become proficient in areas of special interest. The programme provides a strong contextual understanding of culture and media and enables technical proficiency in the technologies of culture-making, including coding, cinematography and sound engineering. 

The aim of the programme is to equip you with degree-level competence in music, media and performance technologies. On graduation, you will be capable of making a significant contribution to the continuing development and growth of the Digital Arts, the Music Technology and Media industries and more broadly across other sectors that use digital media technologies.

Facilities include professional-grade digital recording studios, with a composition suite and post-production facility based around industry standard hard-disk recording systems (Pro Tools and Logic Pro) and includes dedicated facilities for surround sound mixing and mastering. In addition to professional-grade video recorders and editing equipment, a new dedicated digital media laboratory provides state of the art software and hardware for both audio and video applications.

This programme will;
(i) Give you expertise in music and video digital media technologies
(ii) Teach you the skills required for the creative use of music and video digital media
(iii) Help you to acquire the expertise needed for you to take an active role in the diverse field of digital media
(iv) Support you in your development of a critical and independent approach to problem solving that will help you to reach your full potential throughout your career
(v) Enhance your capacity to learn independently, by your own resources

The course is one of a pair of sister courses - the other being the BSc in Digital Media Design. These two courses offer different yet related perspectives and training in digital media, while sharing modules and approaches. The BSc in Music, Media & Performance Technology is focussed on the technical principles and theory of digital media and their creative use in video, music and performance.

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What you will study

The unique feature of this course is that it focuses on training a new type of interdisciplinary graduate who combines technological competence with artistic and creative endeavour. This four year honours degree programme is offered on a full time basis.

During that time, you will learn;

  • The creative implementations of digital media.
  • The development of both audio-visual software tools (programming) and of real-time audio-visual performances (artistic skills)
  • Individual and small group practice is based around active practitioners; e.g. musicians, composers, video artists, video producers and directors
  • Mathematical and technical aspects of electronic media, how people perceive multimedia sound and image/li>
  • The theory, principles and application of digital audio and video and the issues arising from these principles in practice
  • Student-driven development of projects in directed study through electives agreed with the course board, e.g. ethnomusicology and musicology

For further details, log on to www.csis.ul.ie

 

Semester 1

 

Semester 2

SO4033

Sociology of Media

CS4005

Perceptual Systems And Multimedia

CS4231

Graphic Design

CS4072

Media Programming 2

CS4031

Introduction To Digital Media

CS4082

Introduction to Web Development

CS4061

Media Programming 1

CS4232

Music and Computers

MA4701

Technological Mathematics 1

MA4702

Technological Mathematics 2

 

Semester 3

 

Semester 4

CS4019

Digital Arts 1

CS4009

Directed Studies

CS4025

Digital Audio Fundamentals

CS4029

Advanced Audio Production

CS4053

Digital Video Fundamentals

CS4056

Mobile Application Design

CS4083

Sound Synthesis

CS4174

Performance Technology 1

CS4151

Digital Modelling and Animation

CS4826

Human-Computer Interaction

 

Semester 5

 

Semester 6

CO4310

Cooperative Education 

CS4066

Algorithmic and Generative Composition

   

CS4030

Digital Arts 2

   

CS4040

Advanced Video Production

   

CS4126

3D Modelling and Fabrication

   

 

Electives (Choose 1)

   

CS4457

Project Management and Practice

   

CS4358

Interactive Multimedia

    CU4026 How to Read a Film: Introduction to Film

 

Semester 7

 

Semester 8

CS4059

Creative Coding

CS4047

Multimedia Industry Perspectives

CS4107

Performance Technology 2

CS4049

Visual Coding

CS4237

Music And Media Project 1

CS4268

Music and Media Project 2

CS4071 Virtual and Augmented Reality Design    

 

Entry requirements

Minimum grades

Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with a minimum of six subjects which must include: Two H5 (Higher Level) grades and Four O6 (Ordinary Level) grades or four H7 (Higher Level) grades. Subjects must include Mathematics, Irish or another language, and English.

Subject requirements

In addition, applicants must hold a minimum grade O3/H7 in Mathematics.

Additional considerations

A Special Mathematics Examination will be offered at UL following the Leaving Certificate results for those students who did not achieve the Mathematics requirement.

Mature Students

We welcome applications from mature students. Mature applicants must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1 February.

Application information for mature student applicants

Non-EU Entry Requirements

How to apply

Where are you applying from? How to Apply
Ireland Irish students must apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found here. 
The UK  Students who have completed their A-Levels can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. 
The EU EU Students can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website.
Non-EU country If you are outside of the EU, you can apply for this degree here.

 

Fees and funding

Student course fees are broken into three components - Student contribution, Student Levy and Tuition Fees.

A number of illustrative examples of fees for this course based on the current fee levels have been set out in the tables below.

An explanation of the components, how to determine status and the criteria involved is provided below the examples as is a list of possible scholarships and funding available.

EU Students with Free fees status in receipt of a SUSI grant

HEA pays Tuition Fees €4,262
SUSI pays Student contribution €3,000
Student pays Student Levy €100
€7,362

EU Students with Free fees status not in receipt of a grant

HEA pays Tuition Fees €4,262
Student pays Student contribution €3,000
Student pays Student Levy €100
€7,362

Students with EU fee status not in receipt of a grant

Student pays Tuition Fees €4,262
Student pays Student contribution €3,000
Student pays Student Levy €100
€7,362

Non-EU Students

Student pays Tuition Fees €20,900
Student pays Student Levy €100
€21,000

Student course fees are comprised of the following components:

Student Contribution

Annual charge set by the government for all full-time third level students. All students are liable unless they have been approved for a grant by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). Please refer to https://www.studentfinance.ie to determine your eligibility for a grant and for instructions on how to apply. The current student contribution is set at €3000.

Student Levy

All students are liable to pay the Student Levy of €100. Please note the Student Levy is not covered by the SUSI Grant.

Tuition Fees

These are based on Residency, Citizenship, Course requirements.

Review the three groups of criteria to determine your fee status as follows

  1. Residency
    • You must have been living in an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland for at least 3 of the 5 years before starting your course
  2. Citizenship
    • You must be a citizen of an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland or have official refugee status
  3. Course Requirements (all must be met)
    • You must be a first time full-time undergraduate (Exceptions are provided for students who hold a Level 6 or Level 7 qualification and are progressing to a Level 8 course in the same general area of study).
    • You must be undertaking a full-time undergraduate course of at least 2 year’s duration
    • You cannot be undertaking a repeat year of study at the same level unless evidence of exceptional circumstances eg serious illness is provided (in which case this condition may be waived)

Depending on how you meet these criteria your status will be one of the following -

  • Free Fee Status: You satisfy all three categories (1, 2 and 3) and therefore are eligible for the Higher Education Authority’s Free Fees scheme.
  • EU Fee Status: You satisfy the citizenship and/or residency criteria but fail to satisfy the course requirements and are liable to EU fees
  • Non EU Fee Status: You do not meet either the citizenship or residency criteria and are therefore liable to Non EU fees.

More information about fees can be found on the Finance website

These scholarships are available for this course

Title Award Scholarships Available
Johnson and Johnson WiSTEM2D Programme

These scholarships are available for all courses

Your future career

Employability skills from this degree

  • Conducting research
  • Audio visual coding (broad technical and practical skills in audio, video, digital into design and realtime performance)
  • Digital media software (e.g. editing, post-production, mastering)
  • Graphics (e.g. design, motion graphics, titling)
  • Sound engineering (e.g. recording, tracking, mixing, production)
  • Sound design (e.g. synthesis, surround sound)
  • Theatrical production (e.g. digital sets, projection mapping)Video production (e.g. videography, lighting, sound)
  • Critical analysis
  • Commercial and cultural awareness of the media and creative industries
  • Teamwork: a flexible, creative and independent approach to tasks
  • The ability to work to a brief and meet deadlines
  • Mobile application design (e.g. innovation, prototyping)

Further Study Options

Job titles for graduates with this degree

Graduates progressing directly into employment take up a wide variety of roles. The following provides a sample of initial roles listed on the Graduate Outcomes Survey by graduates approximately one year after graduation:

  • Android Developer
  • Audio Technician
  • Call Centre Operator
  • Client Account Executive
  • Content Manager
  • Film & Television Camera Trainee
  • Freelance Sound Engineer
  • Internal Communications Assistant
  • IOS Advisor (Tech Support)
  • IT Assistant
  • IT Consultant
  • Light Technician
  • Manager, Editor, Producer and Contributor
  • Marketing Account Executive
  • Media Editor
  • Media Producer
  • Mobile UI Developer
  • Customer Service
  • Data Analyst
  • Director, Music Producer, Songwriter
  • E-Gaming Executive
  • English Language Teacher
  • Music Tutor
  • Production Assistant
  • Programmer
  • Radio Presenter
  • Researcher/Assistant Editor
  • Runner
  • Software Developer
  • Sound Editor
  • Sound Engineer
  • Support Staff (Teaching Assistant)
  • Teacher
  • Technical Support

Student Profiles

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Nicola Kiely

I was interested in technology, design and radio so this course seemed a perfect mix of all three, with a few other areas mixed in. With subjects like Performance Technology, Digital Arts and Creative Coding, we can show off our creative abilities. We use coding to create an audio/visual piece for display or performance No two projects are ever the same – you can tailor them to lean more towards the area you are interested in. The more the course goes on, the more you find out what area really suits you, whether it be composing, coding or designing. The course is very broad and covers such a vast amount of music, art, technology and so much more. The University itself provides great learning facilities, particularly all the software and hardware we need for any projects.  For me, the best thing about the course is building up such a vast skill set in so many different areas, which means I have a long list of job prospects after graduation.

For my Co-Op I went to Limerick’s Live 95FM, a local radio station based in Limerick City. My role was Research Assistant for a current affair talk show that airs daily. My daily jobs included booking guests for the next show, researching stories to discuss on air, meeting guests in studio before interview, writing interview scripts and podcasting interviews.

Working in production showed me how much work goes into preparing a radio show and I was grateful to play a part in putting it all together. I learnt so much in my time there and was so confident in my role towards the end. While Research Assistant was my role, I was given opportunities to grow many other skills while I was there.  I’m still in contact with the station and several opportunities have since risen to work there again.


 

Jack Deacon

My job involves creating online video content for young people on a range of topics including mental health, sexual health, work and online safety. Day to day I work on concept development, scripting, storyboarding, recording voiceovers, animating visuals, recording pieces to camera, audio overlays and creating a final output. I also have on-going tasks like getting scripts proofed by young people and health professionals and creating a visual style for the websites video content. I absolutely love my job and there has never been a day where I haven???t wanted to come to work.

Throughout my four years in UL, I learned how to produce high quality multimedia from concept all the way through to delivering a final product. I also learned the theory behind what makes great content, audio and video principles and contemporary design. Copyright laws, computing ethics, programming fundamentals and project management were also covered. These topics all feed into my every day work.

Jack???s tip: My UL degree gave me the keys to countless doors and fascinating areas, some that I never even knew existed. To get to a place where you are employed within the creative industry, you need to continuously learn and work hard to get there. It???s up to you to go further through the doors and excel in some of these areas. There are so many people that want jobs in the creative industry, so put yourself above the rest by using your passion and talent to build on the skills and confident expertise that UL absolutely provides.

Jack is currently employed as a Media Producer with SpunOut.ie


 

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Jack Nagle

What I love about this course is the fact that there are many different aspects, and as a student you can focus in on whatever excites you the most. With modules covering several areas of Music Technology, Video and Digital Arts, there is something for everyone. When it comes to project work, lecturers are very open to the material we students chose to work on, as long as it meets the criteria laid out.

Choosing this course at UL has presented me with a great opportunity to grasp the workings of the modern entertainment industry. The facilities here are fantastic so you'll be well equipped with anything and everything you'll need, from audio and video editing suites, studios, camera equipment and computer labs loaded with all the software you'll need to create your own art!