The Arts – Studies in Music (Hons) at University College Cork explores music through historical, cultural, social and educational perspectives. You’ll study music from Ireland and around the world and build skills for analysing sound, media and musical traditions.
Careers information
Graduates often move into roles where communication, research and cultural understanding are valued, including:
- Arts administration and project support
- Public relations and communications
- Arts and cultural management
- Heritage, museums and tourism
- Media and content-related work
- Further study and research
Duration: Typically 3–4 years (depending on entry route and progression)
Award type: Honours bachelor’s degree
Credits: Programme credit structure aligns with Irish higher education requirements (check the programme page for the exact ECTS/credit breakdown)
Delivery: On-campus (UCC)
Language of instruction: English
Start dates: Usually September (confirm the next intake on the programme page)
Application: Apply through the UCC admissions process (international applicants should follow the international admissions route)
Tuition fees: Fees vary by applicant category and year—confirm current tuition on the UCC fees page
Assessment: Combination of coursework, essays/projects and examinations (varies by module)
Note: Specific module availability and credit totals can change by academic year. Always verify details on the official programme page.
The programme is structured around a set of core modules and electives that build your knowledge of music in cultural and historical contexts.
Indicative module themes include:
- Exploring Irish Traditional Music
- Music in Modern Ireland
- Western Music, Culture and Media
- Sound and the Moving Image
- Musical Cultures of East Asia
- Global Sounds: World Music in the 21st Century
- Latin American Music
How you progress
- Core learning develops your ability to analyse music and understand its social and cultural contexts.
- Electives allow you to focus on particular regions, genres or themes (e.g., media, heritage, education).
- Assessment typically includes essays, research-based projects and examinations, depending on the module.
Capstone / final-year work
Honours degrees commonly include a substantial final-year component (such as a research project or dissertation). Please confirm the exact capstone requirement for this programme on the UCC curriculum page.
Academic requirements
Entry is based on meeting the standard academic requirements for undergraduate admission to University College Cork. Specific qualification requirements depend on your country and educational background.
We are not aware of any GRE or GMAT requirement for this programme.
English requirements
Duolingo English Test
The Duolingo English Test is a convenient, fast, and affordable English proficiency test trusted by top universities around the world. Take it online in just one hour—anywhere, any time. Scores are reported out of 160 in 5 point increments.
Take A Free Practice Test!
TOEFL®
IBT
TOEFL iBT® is accepted by more than 13,000 universities and other institutions in over 160 countries. The test can be taken at a test center or at home. The test measures your English-language abilities in an academic setting. The score refers to the total score of 4 subjects (writing, listening, speaking, and reading), each subject has a range of 0 - 30.
Schedule TOEFL®
PTE Academic
PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English) is a language test that enables students to demonstrate their writing, listening, speaking, and reading skills when applying to study in English. The score refers to a total score which ranges between 10 and 90.
Schedule a PTE test!
OTE
The Oxford Test of English is a suite of 100% online, adaptive tests that assess your English language proficiency in Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. Endorsed by the University of Oxford and developed by Oxford University Press, the tests are available to book at Approved Test Centres worldwide throughout the year. You are given a score and CEFR level for each of the four modules, and for the overall test. Trust in the only suite of English proficiency tests certified by the University of Oxford. Scores range between 0-170.
IELTS
The International English Language Test System (IELTS) tests your English-language proficiency on a scale of 1 – 9. The score refers to the combined average score of 4 subjects (writing, listening, speaking, and reading).
Prepare for Your English Test
Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation
Learn your IELTS Score
AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.
- Trusted by 300k learners
- 98 accuracy using real exam data
- 4.9/5 student rating
Other requirements
General requirements
- Non-EU candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate.
- Where applicants are non-native speakers of English, they must demonstrate English-language competency in line with the university’s requirements.
Student Insurance via Studyportals Partner
Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items like Additional medical costs, Repatriation, Liability etc. Make sure your student insurance covers your needs.
Studyportals partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.
Get your student insurance now
Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.
Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at University College Cork and/or in Ireland, please visit Student Insurance Portal.
Make sure you meet all requirements
Visit the programme website for the latest entry details and deadlines.
Check for any work restrictions
After completing your degree in Ireland, you may be eligible to apply for a work permit/permission to work, subject to the Irish immigration rules in force at the time of application.
- Eligibility: Typically, you must have successfully completed your programme and hold the appropriate Irish residence permission status for graduates.
- Duration: The permitted period to work after graduation depends on the specific scheme and your circumstances. You should check the current rules on the official Irish immigration website or with your university’s international office.
- Job requirements: Some routes require you to secure employment that meets minimum conditions (e.g., salary thresholds or role eligibility). Other routes may allow job searching for a limited period.
- Application timing: Apply within the allowed timeframe after graduation and ensure your documents (degree completion proof, passport, and residence documents) are up to date.
Important: Requirements can change. Always confirm the latest graduate work permission guidance for Ireland with UCC International Student Support and the relevant government authority.
