MPhil / PhD

UCC offers the MPhil and PhD by research (composition, ethnomusicology and musicology). In all cases candidates work independently to produce original work, meeting with their supervisor for tutorials regularly and as required. There are no formal classes as such except for the requirement to attend the Department’s induction classes for postgraduates and the regular series of research seminars and composition workshops. In all cases the candidate’s progress is monitored with mid-term evaluations as well as through the final examination requirements.

The subject area of the research or stylistic leanings of the composition must normally fall within the expertise of current staff of the Department of Music, but in general terms any topic/style, as determined with the agreement of the supervisor, is possible. An MPhil candidate whose work shows notable promise may apply, after at least one year of MPhil registration, to transfer to the PhD degree.

MPhil and PhD by research

These degrees lead to the submission of a dissertation (MPhil: approximately 40,000 words; PhD: approximately 80,000 words) that demonstrates original research and a very high standard of scholarship.

MPhil and PhD in composition

These degrees lead to the submission of a portfolio of original music accompanied by short commentaries. The size of the portfolio depends on the style of the composer and the degree for which (s)he is registered. The Department is open to a very large range of styles and ideas, including ‘conventional’ notated music, computer music, improvisation, performance art, installation work and sound art.

Duration

The minimum registration periods for full-time study are two years for an MPhil and three years for a PhD. Both degrees may be taken part-time. Part-time degrees allow greater flexibility to those who are very busy with other work, and it is not so important to be living in Cork itself. However, typically they take up to twice as long to complete as the full-time version.

Research interests

The Music Department fosters a remarkably broad range of research in musicology, ethnomusicology, original composition, performance and other examples of creativity. Thematic strands include:

• composition, improvisation, jazz and experimental and creative practice: John Godfrey, Mel Mercier, Paul O Donnell, Dr Jesse Ronneau, Dr Marcus Zagorski;
• critical theory, cultural studies, philosophy and aesthetics: Dr Juniper Hill, Dr Melanie Marshall, Mel Mercier, Dr Christopher Morris, Dr Marcus Zagorski;
• early modern European music (especially Italian) of the 16th-18th centuries: Dr Paul Everett, Dr Melanie Marshall;
• ethnomusicology and musicology: Kelly Boyle, Dr Paul Everett, Dr Juniper Hill, Dr Melanie Marshall, Mel Mercier, Mary Mitchell-Ingoldsby, Dr Christopher Morris, Dr Marcus Zagorski;
• gender and sexuality studies: Dr Juniper Hill, Dr Melanie Marshall, Dr Christopher Morris;
• music of Ireland: Kelly Boyle, Mary Mitchell-Ingoldsby, Mel Mercier;
• New Music and European music of the 19th and 20th centuries: John Godfrey, Dr Christopher Morris, Dr Jesse Ronneau, Dr Marcus Zagorski;
• opera, film and theatre studies: Dr Christopher Morris;
• performance studies and performance as research: John Godfrey, Dr Juniper Hill, Mel Mercier, Dr Christopher Morris, Paul O Donnell;
• traditional musics: Kelly Boyle, Dr Juniper Hill, Mary Mitchell-Ingoldsby, Mel Mercier.

Application Procedure

Please discuss your project proposal informally with the Chair of the Music Graduate Studies Committee and/or your proposed supervisor prior to applying. The application procedure requires a 1,500 word proposal; composers should also submit a portfolio. Irish and EU applicants may apply online (http://www.pac.ie/ucc). Non-EU applicants should apply through the International Education Office, University College Cork (http://www.ucc.ie/en/study/international/noneu-pg/research/).

Further Information

The Postgraduate Prospectus has more information about MPhil and PhD degrees.