Experimental Sound Practice

This course is designed to be accessible to students of any background (not just music) who have an interest in making adventurous sonic art. Its intent is a free and broad exploration of numerous exciting approaches to creativity with sound in an exceptionally open and welcoming educational environment.



The course embraces sonic art of many kinds, including notated or recorded compositions; improvisations; sound art; visual art with a sound component; music theatre; performance art; installations; live interactive electronics and much more.



We welcome students from a remarkably broad range of backgrounds, and creative work produced for it can be extremely diverse. Students are encouraged to experiment with a huge range of possibilities. The course includes studies in contemporary sonic arts, real-time creation including improvisation, sound art, creative work with field recordings, experimental music and other arts, interactive electronics and programming.



All the teaching staff are active professionals in the arts and have specialisms in the composition and performance of many genres of music, experimental music and other arts, video art with sound, improvisation, Sound Art, field recording and music cognition.  



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.



Please note, applicants do not need a formal background in music. However, experience of working with DAWs (e.g. Reaper, Ableton Live) is expected, and a working knowledge of the fundamentals of music technology and acoustics is highly desirable. 

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)

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.



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.



English Language Requirements

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

Closing Date: Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.



Non-EU Closing Date: Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.

1 Year Full-time.

Start Date: 8th September 2025.

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 cutting edge creative techniques of many kinds, an unparalleled breadth of experience across diverse modern artistic practices, and training in and exploration of a selection of in-demand music and video technologies and methods. The eclectic mix allows you to build an unusual and distinctive profile that sets you apart from others in your field(s). The MA Experimental Sound Practice is about your development as a unique and imaginative artist.