Key information for BA (Hons) in Music

Code: SE206 | Level: 8 | Duration: 4 years | Delivery: Fulltime | Credits: 240

Location for BA (Hons) in Music

Location: Waterford | Campus: College Street

Application Information for BA (Hons) in Music

Next Intake: Rolling Intake | Application Status: Open | Fee Information Link: /current-students/fees-and-grants/fees/lll-fees

Study Options for BA (Hons) in Music

Study abroad options: Available (View details at https://www.setu.ie/global/global-mobility)

International Applicants information for BA (Hons) in Music

International Application Status: Open | Application Information Link: https://www.setu.ie/global/study-at-setu/applying-to-setu | International Fees Link: https://www.setu.ie/current-students/fees-and-grants/fees/global-fees

What modules are taught in BA (Hons) in Music?

Year 2, 3 & 4Music History There is a wide range of history options; some examples include ethnomusicology, baroque, popular music since 1950, Irish contemporary music, traditional Irish music and the Beebop era.Technical SubjectsIn addition students also study technical subjects such as:Music TechnologyDigital, Audio & AcousticsAdvanced Recording TechniquesEnsembles Students take part in a weekly large performance group (Jazz, Chamber Choir, Guitar, Irish Traditional and Orchestra). Major & MinorIn Year 4, students can choose a major and a minor in the following subjects:CompositionDissertationPerformanceAdvanced Music TechnologyThe delivery of electives will depend on the demand and resources available. | Year 1: Sem 1: Aural Skills 1 | Sem 2: Music History 2: Popular Music, Sem 1: Critical Thinking & Writing Skills | Sem 2: Music Research Methodologies, Sem 1: Music History 1 - The History of Early Music to the Baroque | Sem 2: Music Technology 2, Sem 1: Music Technology 1 | Sem 2: Musicianship 1: Vocal & Irish Traditional Music Skills, Sem 1: Performance 1 | Sem 2: Performance 2, Sem 1: Rudiments of Music 1 | Sem 2: Rudiments of Music 2 | Year 2: Sem 3: Professional Development for Musicians | Sem 4: Composition and Analysis 1, Sem 3: Aural Skills 2 | Sem 4: Music History 4 - Irish Traditional Music and Ethnomusicology, Sem 3: Composition and Orchestration 1 | Sem 4: Music Technology 4, Sem 3: Music History 3-Classical and Romantic | Sem 4: Musicianship 2: Keyboard Skills & Fretboard Skills, Sem 3: Music Technology 3 | Sem 4: Performance 4, Sem 3: Performance 3 | Sem 4: Elective options | Year 3: Sem 5: Aural Skills 3 | Sem 6: Composition and Analysis 2, Sem 5: Composition and Orchestration 2 | Sem 6: Community Connect, Sem 5: Music History 5 - The History of 20th Century & Contemporary Music | Sem 6: Music History 6 – The History of Jazz, Sem 5: Music Pedagogy | Sem 6: Musicianship 3: Improvisation and Conducting, Sem 5: Performance 5 | Sem 6: Performance 6, Sem 5: Recording Techniques | Sem 6: Sound Synthesis and Sampling | Year 4: Sem 7: Choose two of the following electives: | Sem 8: Choose two of the following electives:, Sem 7: Music History | Sem 8: Music History, Sem 7: *Composition | Sem 8: *Composition, Sem 7: *Research | Sem 8: *Research, Sem 7: *Performance | Sem 8: *Performance, Sem 7: *Music Technology | Sem 8: *Music Technology, Sem 7: * = Elective | Sem 8: * = Elective

What are the entry requirements for BA (Hons) in Music?

Leaving Cert: Minimum entry requirements for BA (Hons) in Music2 subjects: H54 subjects: O6/H7English or Irish: O6/H7Mathematics: O6/H7Audition/InterviewAdditional Requirements for BA (Hons) in Music:All applicants must submit an audition video to show a performance standard achievement with a musical instrument/voice equivalent to grade 5 of a recognised music examining bodyAdvanced and Equivalent Entry for BA (Hons) in Music:QQI FET/FETAC EntryAdvanced Entry - Years 2,3,4 or 5Non-EU ApplicantsMature Entry Route

What further study options exist for graduates of BA (Hons) in Music?

BA (Hons) in Music career opportunitiesA degree in music is a valuable asset for access to many other careers. In particular, music graduates are sought after in professions which demand a high level of personal confidence, communication skills and expressive ability. Graduates of the course have found employment in:Higher EducationMusic TherapyMusic Technology and Sound EngineeringPerformingMulti Media Composing and ArrangingArts ManagementFollow on Study for BA (Hons) in Music graduates Many graduates continue with one of our postgraduate MA & PhD programmes, or there Professional Master of Education or Masters programmes in relevant areas. Graduates can also apply for a place on our taught MA in Arts and Heritage Management. Postgraduate opportunities in music at SETU Waterford include:MA in Music PerformanceMA in MusicologyMA in CompositionPhD in MusicologyPhD in Composition

SE206 Waterford

Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

Music

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What is the BA (Hons) in Music course?

The BA (Hons) in Music is a four-year full-time degree designed to provide students with a comprehensive and well-rounded music education. The programme combines practical performance training with academic study, giving students the opportunity to develop their musicianship, technical skills, creativity and critical understanding of music.

Students explore a range of musical traditions and styles, including classical, Irish traditional, jazz and popular music, while studying subjects such as performance, music theory, musicianship, composition, music history and music technology. This balanced approach equips graduates with the skills and confidence needed for careers within the music industry, teaching, arts administration and related fields, as well as providing a strong foundation for postgraduate study.

BA (Hons) in Music Course Special Features

The programme offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a variety of musical genres while developing both practical and academic expertise. Throughout the course, students benefit from a combination of individual tuition, ensemble performance, academic study and collaborative learning experiences.

A key feature of the programme is the opportunity to specialise in your chosen area during the final year, allowing you to build on your strengths and tailor your studies to your interests and career aspirations. Students also participate in a range of performance groups and gain valuable experience through regular recital and ensemble opportunities.

Instruments

If you are offered and accept a place on SE206 BA (Hons) in Music, tuition will be provided in one of the instruments listed in the SE206 Instrument Listing. Students are required to select and specialise in one of these approved instruments or voice disciplines throughout their studies, receiving focused tuition and performance training as part of the programme.

Year 2, 3 & 4

Music History

There is a wide range of history options; some examples include ethnomusicology, baroque, popular music since 1950, Irish contemporary music, traditional Irish music and the Beebop era.

Technical Subjects

In addition students also study technical subjects such as:

Music Technology
Digital, Audio & Acoustics
Advanced Recording Techniques

Ensembles

Students take part in a weekly large performance group (Jazz, Chamber Choir, Guitar, Irish Traditional and Orchestra).

Major & Minor

In Year 4, students can choose a major and a minor in the following subjects:

Composition
Dissertation
Performance
Advanced Music Technology

The delivery of electives will depend on the demand and resources available.

Year 1

Semester 1	Semester 2
Aural Skills 1	Music History 2: Popular Music
Critical Thinking & Writing Skills	Music Research Methodologies
Music History 1 - The History of Early Music to the Baroque	Music Technology 2
Music Technology 1	Musicianship 1: Vocal & Irish Traditional Music Skills
Performance 1	Performance 2
Rudiments of Music 1	Rudiments of Music 2

Year 2

Semester 3	Semester 4
Professional Development for Musicians	Composition and Analysis 1
Aural Skills 2	Music History 4 - Irish Traditional Music and Ethnomusicology
Composition and Orchestration 1	Music Technology 4
Music History 3-Classical and Romantic	Musicianship 2: Keyboard Skills & Fretboard Skills
Music Technology 3	Performance 4
Performance 3	Elective options

Year 3

Semester 5	Semester 6
Aural Skills 3	Composition and Analysis 2
Composition and Orchestration 2	Community Connect
Music History 5 - The History of 20th Century & Contemporary Music	Music History 6 – The History of Jazz
Music Pedagogy	Musicianship 3: Improvisation and Conducting
Performance 5	Performance 6
Recording Techniques	Sound Synthesis and Sampling

Year 4

Semester 7	Semester 8
Choose two of the following electives:	Choose two of the following electives:
Music History	Music History
*Composition	*Composition
*Research	*Research
*Performance	*Performance
*Music Technology	*Music Technology
* = Elective	* = Elective

Leaving Cert: Minimum entry requirements for BA (Hons) in Music

2 subjects: H5
4 subjects: O6/H7
English or Irish: O6/H7
Mathematics: O6/H7
Audition/Interview

Additional Requirements for BA (Hons) in Music:

All applicants must submit an audition video to show a performance standard achievement with a musical instrument/voice equivalent to grade 5 of a recognised music examining body

Advanced and Equivalent Entry for BA (Hons) in Music:

BA (Hons) in Music career opportunities

A degree in music is a valuable asset for access to many other careers. In particular, music graduates are sought after in professions which demand a high level of personal confidence, communication skills and expressive ability. Graduates of the course have found employment in:

Higher Education
Music Therapy
Music Technology and Sound Engineering
Performing
Multi Media Composing and Arranging
Arts Management

Follow on Study for BA (Hons) in Music graduates

Many graduates continue with one of our postgraduate MA & PhD programmes, or there Professional Master of Education or Masters programmes in relevant areas. Graduates can also apply for a place on our taught MA in Arts and Heritage Management. Postgraduate opportunities in music at SETU Waterford include:

MA in Music Performance
MA in Musicology
MA in Composition
PhD in Musicology
PhD in Composition

Music Auditions 2026

All students who have applied for the BA (Hons) in Music at SETU Waterford and hope to gain entrance to the programme must submit an audition video. For more information contact Ms Bridget Knowles (email: [email protected]).

CourseCast Podcast

Listen to our CourseCast Music episode to hear real insights from students and lecturers about this course, what you’ll learn, and where it can lead.

CourseCast

BA (Hons) in Music

This episode explores the BA (Hons) in Music, a four-year full-time degree that combines practical performance with academic study to provide a well-rounded music education. Guests include Bridget Knowles (Programme Leader and mezzo-soprano), Dr Michael O'Toole (lecturer and classical guitarist), current student Eve Whelan, and recent graduate Andrew Ryan. They share their experiences of the course, its content, career opportunities, and personal impact, with musical performances from Eve and Andrew featured throughout the podcast.

Listen on podcasts.setu.ie