Research Degrees in Music at NUI Maynooth

The Music Department at NUI Maynooth has an international reputation as one of Ireland's leading centres for research in music. The staff includes acknowledged experts in their specialist fields. Both staff and postgraduate students regularly present papers at conferences at home and abroad and have their compositions performed.
The research interests of the Department include:
• contemporary composition (acoustic and electroacoustic)
• analysis (including Schenker)
• music signal processing and computer music languages
• performance practice
• music in Ireland
• nineteenth- and twentieth-century music
• the socio-economic history of music
• music publishing
• organology
• Irish traditional music.
Full details of staff expertise are available on the Department's website: http://music.nuim.ie/staff

Research can be undertaken at Ph.D and at M.Litt levels, both full-time and part-time. Students work under the individual supervision of a member of staff and contribute to the research activities of the Department through postgraduate seminars, conferences, performance, composition, and through the department's postgraduate journal. The subject of research for the PhD or MLitt thesis must be approved by the Head of Department and must be based on original research conducted under the direction of a designated member of the Department. Applicants will be interviewed.

Ph.D

The student undertakes research, normally over a four-year period, under one of the following categories:

• a research thesis in musicology of c.80,000 words
• a substantial research project in music technology combined with a complementary thesis of c.40,000 words
• a substantial folio of original compositions (which may consist entirely of instrumental/vocal works, entirely of electro-acoustic works, or a combination of both) accompanied by a commentary on the pieces submitted. Professional public performances (monitored by the Department) of at least half the works submitted must take place during the period of the candidate's registration.

Students are also expected to attend the Music Department's Research Seminars and associated Graduate Discussion Forums, and three Generic Skills modules in research and presentation techniques organised by the Faculty of Arts, Philosophy and Celtic Studies http://graduatestudies.nuim.ie/prospectivepostgrads/researchdegrees/stru.... They may also attend taught postgraduate courses from the MA programmes.

Candidates for a Ph.D would normally have completed a Masters degree in a related field, be able to demonstrate an advanced level of critical enquiry and writing skills, or have an established reputation as a composer. Applicants may initially be registered for an M.Litt., with application for transfer to the Ph.D programme being made at the end of the first year of study.

M.Litt

The student undertakes research, normally over a two-year period, leading to a research thesis of c.40,000 words, an equivalent folio of original compositions accompanied by a commentary, or an equivalent computer music research project. The supervisor may also recommend an appropriate course of preliminary study which may involve attending taught postgraduate courses from the MA programmes.

The normal requirement for entry to the M.Litt. programme is a primary degree with an award of at least Second Class Honours grade I in music with demonstrable strengths in the specific area relevant to the planned course of research. It is considered an advantage to have completed a taught Masters in a related field.

The acceptance of a student onto an M.Litt. programme does not carry with it any assumption of differentiation (i.e. of subsequent transfer to a PhD).

How do I apply?

Potential Ph.D/M.Litt students should make contact with one of the Coordinators of Research and Postgraduate Studies or their potential supervisor prior to submitting their application. Applications must be made online to the Postgraduate Applications Centre at www.pac.ie

Application may be made at any time, but 31 August is the deadline for commencing your research programme at the beginning of the academic year (late September/October). Research programmes may also be commenced in January

Contact

Coordinators of Research and Postgraduate Studies:

Professor Barra Boydell (Musicology, Performance): tel. (+353-1) - 7083730, e-mail barra.boydell@nuim.ie

Dr Victor Lazzarini (Computer Music, Composition): tel. (+353-1) - 7083545, e-mail victor.lazzarini@nuim.ie

Department Website: http://music.nuim.ie/