Irish Music Studies – Postgraduate Certificate / Postgraduate Diploma / Master of Arts
Key information
Explore Irish music across three centuries through a flexible, stackable postgraduate pathway in Irish Music Studies.
Whether your interest lies in Irish traditional music, classical Irish compositions, folk traditions, or a specific instrument such as fiddle, harp or voice, you’ll have the opportunity to tailor your studies to your musical passions.
The programme encourages students to explore what constitutes Irish music in the broadest sense - analytically through research and discourse, or performatively through practice and presentation.
Delivered by the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, the programme supports students in developing their own research and performance practice. You’ll engage with key writings, historical sources, and contemporary perspectives on Irish music.
The programme can be taken flexibly and over time. You may choose to study the Master of Arts (MA) in Irish Music full-time over one year, or break it into smaller accumulative awards over time to suit your schedule.
Accumulative award options
Postgraduate Certificate (30 ECTS)
Available on campus, online, or in hybrid format. The online option is particularly valuable for students who wish to begin their studies remotely. Starts in the Autumn semester (September)
Postgraduate Diploma (60 ECTS)
Students can continue to complete a further award. The Spring semester is delivered on campus.
Master of Arts (90 ECTS)
Complete both Autumn and Spring semesters and complete the MA by delivering a Final presentation over the Summer semester.
During this programme, you will
- Critically engage with research into areas of traditional music practice, contemporary and historical.
- Explore ideas and sounds of what constitutes Irish music, from historical and contemporary perspectives.
- Develop your own research questions and outcomes, supported by expert supervision.
- Have the opportunity to create and design your own performance programme under the supervision of the course director.
- Participate in seminars, workshops, and fieldwork that connect academic study with lived musical experience.
- Join a vibrant community of musicians, researchers, and performers at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance.
