Experimental Sound Practice

Course Outline
This course is for those undertaking creative work involving sound, including notated or recorded compositions; improvisations; sound art; visual art with a sound component; music theatre; performance art; installations etc. It includes studies in technique; repertoire; artistic ideas; working with instruments and performers; audio/video technology and practical issues in bringing your creative work to performance.

The course welcomes students from a remarkably broad range of backgrounds, and creative work produced for it can be extremely diverse. You are encouraged to experiment with a huge range of possibilities. Staff have specialisms in concert music; dance music; experimental music and art; video art with sound; improvisation; sound Art; field recording. Basic working knowledge of music technology is expected.

Part-time Option

The part-time option is taught during weekday working hours over two years.

Why Choose This Course
The MA in Experimental Sound Practice offers training in a number of highly contemporary and sought-after techniques across a broad range of disciplines. They encompass in-demand music and video technologies, cutting edge creative techniques across several disciplines, and an unparalleled breadth of experience across diverse modern artistic practices. The eclectic mix allows you to build an unusual and distinctive profile that sets you apart from others in your field(s). In contrast to many MAs that follow more traditional paths, the MA in ESP is about the future.

The MA in Experimental Sound Practice is a one-year full-time course, involving both taught components and a portfolio of independent, supervised creative work, totalling 90 credits.

The programme can also be taken part-time over 24 months (by day). The course structure for part-time students would be subject to agreement with the Department of Music.

Modules

Part I

MU6100 Expanded Instrument Systems (10 credits)
MU6101 Digital Music and Media Composition (10 credits)
MU6102 Composing in Real Time (10 credits)
MU6103 Sound Art (5 credits)
MU6104 Composing with Field Recordings (5 credits)
MU6105 Experimental Music (5 credits)
MU6047 Music Cognition and Perception in Culture (5 credits)
Plus

10 credits (1 x 10-credit or 2 x 5-credit modules) selected from all modules available to final year undergraduates, or postgraduates, studying Music.

In special circumstances, students may be able to select courses offered by other departments which they have not previously completed. The selection of courses is undertaken in consultation with the student's mentor; those selected should be complimentary to those already being studied elsewhere in the programme and offer the student a significant addition to their skill set that is pertinent to the overall aims of the degree. Module choice may be constrained by timetabling and capacity factors.

Part II

MU6024 Portfolio (30 credits)
See the University Calendar (MA Experimental Sound Practice) for more information.

Modules

Further details on the modules listed above can be found in our Book of Modules. Any modules listed above are indicative of the current set of modules for this course but are subject to change from year to year.

University Calendar

You can find the full academic content for the current year of any given course in our University Calendar.

In order to be permitted to proceed to the MA in Experimental Sound Practice, a candidate must hold a Second Class Honours Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) or higher, and demonstrate experience in the creation of music or other sonic art.

Applicants with an appropriate professional equivalent (e.g. professional musician or another artist of high standing, etc.) will also be considered under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Final acceptance is subject to approval by the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, UCC.

All applicants will be required to submit a portfolio of sound-based creative work in whatever form is suitable (musical scores, recordings, videos, computer programmes, documentation of Sound Art installations etc.) and may also be required to attend an interview with members of the programme team.

Final acceptance is subject to approval by the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, UCC.

English Language Requirements
Applicants that are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Please visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.

For applicants with qualifications completed outside of Ireland
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.

International/Non-EU Applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.

In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.

Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.

The closing date for non-EU applications is 30 June 2023

How Do I Apply
1. Check Dates: Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the fact file boxes at the top of the page.

For Irish and EU applicants we operate a rounds system and you can check the rounds closing dates here.
Note that not all our programmes are subject to the rounds system so check the opening and closing dates for your specific programme in the fact file boxes above.

2. Gather Documents: Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include:

Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC.
Any supplementary items requested for your course if required.

3. Apply Online: Apply online via the UCC online application portal. Note the majority of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.

Any questions? Use our web enquiry form to contact us.
Additional Requirements (All Applicants)
Please note you will be required to answer specific additional supplementary questions and provide a portfolio of 3 creative works as part of the online applications process for this programme.

Portfolio

The portfolio contents may be presented in any form appropriate to the type of work, such as recordings, videos, scores, documentary recording of installations (including pictures etc.), computer programmes for live interactive electronics etc. Select samples that show what you consider to be your strongest work, whatever it is (there's no need to try to cover all the bases or submit work that you think might be best suited to a Music Department).

The portfolio should be uploaded to the web (using services such as DropBox or similar) and the access URL provided in the online supplementary portfolio question. Ensure that the link will not expire before the application process is complete. In addition to providing a URL to the online portfolio, applicants will be required to outline a very short commentary about each work, explaining a little about its aesthetic, artistic context, and technical approach.

Submissions that cannot be uploaded to the web can be posted directly to the Programme Director: MA in Experimental Sound Practice, Music Department, School of Music and Theatre, UCC, Cork, Republic of Ireland. Mark the envelope with your PAC application number and indicate in your supplementary answer that you will be posting hardcopy materials. Please note that the materials cannot be returned to you.

Additional Questions

You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.

In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to this programme.

Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.

Please describe your portfolio of relevant work or achievements.

Please detail your computing/technical/IT skills.

Please add the name and email address of 2 referees.

1 year full-time, 2 Years part-time.

Skills and Careers Information
The MA in Experimental Sound Practice offers training in a number of highly contemporary and sought-after techniques across a broad range of disciplines. They encompass in-demand music and video technologies, cutting-edge creative techniques across several disciplines, and an unparalleled breadth of experience across diverse modern artistic practices. This eclectic mix allows you to build an unusual and distinctive profile that sets you apart from others in your field(s). In contrast to many programmes that follow a more traditional path, our MA is about the future!