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University College Cork

Experimental Sound Practice

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. A basic working knowledge of music technology is expected; a basic ability to read music and notation is desirable.

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, totaling 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.

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.

Entry requirements

In order to be permitted to proceed to the MA in Experimental Sound Practice, a candidate must hold an Honours Bachelor's degree, with a grade of Second Class Honours, Grade II 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 other artist of high standing, etc.) will also be considered. 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.

If you are applying with Qualifications obtained outside Ireland and you wish to verify if you meet the minimum academic and English language requirements for this programme please view the grades comparison site.

Non-EU Candidates

Non-EU candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to Irish university primary degree level. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language. To verify if you meet the minimum academic requirements for this programme please visit our qualification comparison pages.

For more detailed entry requirement information please refer to the International website.

Duration

1 year full-time
2 Years Part Time
CKE78 Full-time; CKD50 Part-time

The part-time option will be taught during weekday working hours over 2 years.

Careers or further progression

Skills and Careers Information

Further enquiries

Dr. John Godfrey
Email: j.godfrey@ucc.ie
Tel: + 353 21 490 4534 / 4904530

Ms. Christine Dennehy
Email: c.dennehy@ucc..ie
Tel: 00 353 21 4904338

Subjects taught

Students take 90 credits as follows:

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)
MU6031 Sound Studies and Musicology (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 skillset that is pertinent to the overall aims of the degree. Module selection should take place in consultation with the student's mentor and the host department of the module. Module choice may be constrained by timetabling and capacity factors.

Assessment method

The taught courses are assessed through several assignments undertaken during and after the courses. The portfolio consists of several compositions/artworks submitted in September.

Application date

Closing dates

Closing Dates for Application

Applications for 2018 start dates will open on November 1st 2017.

EU Applicants: UCC operates a rounds closing date system for the majority of postgraduate taught programmes (detailed below).

Some programmes have a specific closing date. Applicants are advised to consult with the postgraduate prospectus for programmes with a specific closing date.

The UCC rounds EU application system closing dates for Postgraduate Taught courses are detailed below. However, we would advise applicants to apply as soon as possible.

Deadline for receipt of Applications: Offers will be made:
For all completed applications received by January 15th 2018 Offers will be made by January 29th 2018

For all completed applications received by March 1st 2018 Offers will be made by March 15th 2018

For all completed applications received by May 1st 2018
Offers will be made by May 15th 2018

For all completed applications received by July 2nd 2018
Offers will be made by July 16th 2018

Late applications may be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis for any courses that have remaining capacity for places.

While there is no official closing date for Research courses applicants are advised to submit their application at least two months ahead of their proposed start date. There are four official Research start dates September/October, January, April and July.

Non-EU Applicants:

Please visit the following page for further information for Non EU applicants http://www.ucc.ie/en/international/studyatucc/postgraduateprogrammes/tau...