Bachelor of Arts in Music Careers
Key information
What can I do after this course?
The programme prepares graduates for many different career paths in areas including professional performance, composition, project-based artist work, inter-disciplinary collaboration, academia, arts curation and management, media, archive work, music production, and combinations of these.
- Professional Performance
- Further Study (MA, PhD)
- Music/Dance Therapy
- Community Music/Dance
- Music/Dance teacher
- Arts administration
- Performance management and promotion
- Backstage work in performance theatre e.g. sound engineer
- Music Technology, e.g. recording studio producer/technician
- Media (TV, Radio etc.)
- Work in cultural institutions and archives
To find out more, visit The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance
Follow on study
- Master of Arts Irish Traditional Dance Performance
- Master of Arts Irish Traditional Music Performance
- Master of Arts Contemporary Dance Performance
- Master of Arts Irish Music Studies
- Master of Arts Irish Dance Studies
- Master of Arts Ethnochoreology
- Master of Arts Ethnomusicology
- Master of Arts Ritual Chant and Song
- Master of Arts Community Music
- Master of Arts Music Therapy
- Master of Arts Festive Arts
- Master of Arts Classical String Performance in association with the Irish Chamber Orchestra
- Professional Master of Education in Music
- PhD Arts Practice
- PhD Research
Graduate Profile
Deanna McDonagh - BA World Music Graduate
The BA World Music was the obvious choice for me when choosing a university course in music. Being a percussionist, and having a passion for rhythms of different origins, this course gave me so many opportunities to explore the different music cultures across the world, both practically and theoretically. It was a privilege to study in the Irish World Academy building itself, which provides so many wonderful resources, from practice rooms, theatres and recording studios, to keyboard studios and dance rehearsal spaces and so much more. The World Music course was the perfect pathway for me to pursue my career as both a professional drummer and drum teacher, with all the amazing teaching that was provided at the Academy. Working alongside so many outstanding tutors not only improved my performance skills and music knowledge, it also increased my confidence as a performer in composing my own drum music. Since graduating from the Irish World Academy, I am now the lead one-to-one drum kit teacher in a drumming company in Galway called Drumadore, teaching on a daily basis. I am also a part-time leader with the theatrical company, Macnas, and I drum professionally in two bands, one being formed in the Academy with two other BA World Music graduates. After graduating, this course has given me a chance to advance and progress in my career of being a percussionist.
Valeriia Tkachenko BA World Music
I am a second-year student on the BA in World Music. We focus on many different genres and traditions including western, Indian, Indonesian and African music. In my first year, I took three instruments: the guitar, the Irish tin whistle and voice classes but this year, I have taken the guitar, focusing on improvisational skills and electronic practice.
Every semester, we are exposed to a broad range of subjects and genres and are given space to be creative. This course has opened up so many opportunities for me; I have truly been able to grow as a musician thanks to the flexibility it offers.
It is the perfect course to find yourself as a musician and the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance is so welcoming. Students have a great connection with lecturers, they are always there for advice. We also have amazing guest lecturers and masterclasses.
I have even had a masterclass with the Grammy Award-winning artist Rhiannon Giddens. The Academy building itself is purpose built so we have all of the equipment, theatres and practice space we need. It is an extremely deep course.
We look at world music from many different perspectives including politics, social studies and social conflicts. My advice for incoming students is to never be afraid of improvisation. This course is for you if you want adventure and want to learn more about musical traditions from around the world.
Eilidh Pope
Violinist, composer and singer-songwriter, Eilidh Pope, is a graduate of UL's BA in World Music, which is now the BA in Music. The Tipperary native is one third of cliodhnas.wav, a music project that was born in UL's Irish World Academy with two other UL graduates.
While in her final year of secondary school, Eilidh was unsure if college was for her but her passion for music led her to UL's Irish World Academy where she could further her practice as a violinist and her musicianship as a whole.
She says: "My time spent in UL and the Irish World Academy was a truly invaluable experience due to the fact I had four years in which all I did was think about music all day, every day – being given the time and space to explore my own artistic practice and interests whilst also broadening my entire understanding of what music was."
