Music - Commercial Modern Music - Francis Street
This four-year course has been designed for guitarists, bass players, drummers, vocalists, songwriters, music producers and those running commercial music projects who want to gain a Level 8 qualification in modern music, while at the same time fulfilling their creative and commercial potential.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Technological University Dublin |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | Technological University Dublin | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 Years
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Irish Leaving Certificate
Minimum No of Subjects: 6
Higher: 2 H5's
Applicants will be advised of and must attend an audition/interview in March/April.
For further information go to:
https://www.tudublin.ie/study/undergraduate/courses/commercial-modern-music-tu961/?keywords=tu961
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
Entry/Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for consideration for a course an applicant must possess the minimum entry requirements for that course. Entry requirements are outlined above.
CAO offers are determined on the basis of examination score except in the case of courses which involve suitability tests, interviews and other assessment procedures. All suitability tests/interviews/auditions/portfolio reviews etc will generally be carried out during the period March - May each year.
Where a specific grade is required in a subject (H4, O3 etc) an applicant must achieve that grade or better in order to be eligible for consideration (H = Higher Level; O = Ordinary Level). Where a requirement is 2 or 3 honours, grade H5 or better on Higher Level
Leaving Certificate papers is needed to meet such a requirement.
In the case of both Higher and Ordinary Level Leaving Certificate results, grades lower than H7 (Higher) or 06 (Ordinary) are not acceptable for eligibility purposes or for points calculation.
For the purpose of meeting minimum entry requirements, results from any number of sittings of the Irish Leaving Certificate Examination may be combined.
An applicant’s examination score will be calculated by adding together the points scored in the best six subjects in a single sitting of the Irish Leaving Certificate Examination.
Matriculation Examinations will not be accepted either for the purpose of meeting minimum entry requirements or for calculating examination scores.
Demand usually exceeds the number of places available and therefore examination results better than the minimum entry requirement are likely to be required.
When a number of applicants have the same points score, a random number is attached to the score for each course preference. This will then determine the position of each applicant on the waiting lists for offers.
Bonus Points Maths (Irish Leaving Certificate)
25 bonus points will continue to be awarded for Higher Level Mathematics for H6 grades and above. Bonus points are only counted where that subject is scored as one of the applicant’s best six subjects for points purposes.
Foundation Level Mathematics
We accept Foundation Level Mathematics for the purposes of entry requirements the case of any course where Higher or Ordinary Level Mathematics is not a requirement. Please check above to ensure you are aware of the individual math requirement.
Points are awarded as follows:
F1 = 20 points
F2 = 12 points
Foundation Level Irish
For the most part the University will not consider Foundation Level Irish for the purposes of entry requirements or for points, however a grade F3 in Foundation level Irish is acceptable for meeting the minimum entry requirements for some Higher Certificate courses. Students with an F3 in Foundation level Irish must have passed five other subjects with a minimum grade of O6 including Math, students should check on individual course pages to determine if their foundation Irish grade is sufficient.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Distinction 66 points
Merit 46 points
Pass 28 points
The Link Modules can be used as one of the six subjects for overall points calculation and may also be considered as a subject for the purposes of minimum entry requirements, dependent on the programme for which you are applying.
Leaving Certificate Applied Programme LCAP
QQI FET Applicants General Information
How to Apply
You must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO).
In order to apply, you must have obtained a full major award. A Component Certificate (minor award) is not sufficient.
The best 8 modules of your award are used for ranking purposes.
In addition to the QQI minimum entry requirements, QQI quotas and QQI points apply. The max QQI points awarded is 390.
If you’ve accumulated your major award over more than one academic year, you’ll need to apply to the QQI for a major award.
If you present full QQI Level 5/6 awards, you won’t be required to meet minimum entry requirements based on Leaving Certificate results. The QQI Level 5/6 award is accepted in its own right.
Careers / Further progression
What are my career opportunities?
As with all courses at BIMM, the BA (Hons) in Commercial Modern Music is designed to help students establish a sustainable career within the music industry.
At BIMM Institute Dublin 85% of our 2017 group of graduates were employed within six months of graduation, working in the music industry as artists and performers, session musicians, in artist management, record labels, music publishing, social media entrepreneurship and live music production. Many graduates have also gone on to pursue postgraduate studies in fields such as performance, music research, composition and teaching.
Graduates have toured the world with high-profile artists such as James Vincent McMorrow and Dua Lipa. A number of Dublin graduates have embarked on successful careers such as The Fontaines DC, Maria Somerville, Thumper and AE Mak and Peter Walsh who has a successful career in music publishing and Gemma Bradley who is now a DJ on BBC Radio 1 in the UK.
Shortly after graduating from BIMM Institute Dublin, Fontaines D.C. signed with the highly revered independent label Partisan Records. The band's debut LP Dogrel was released to critical acclaim in April of 2019, reaching no.4 in the Irish album chart and no.9 in the UK and was nominated for both the Mercury Music Prize in the UK and the Choice Music Prize in Ireland. Later that year it was selected as Album Of The Year by Rough Trade and BBC6 Music. Their second studio album, A Hero's Death, entered the UK and Irish album charts at no.2 in April 2022, which brought the band a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Act 2021. The bands third and most recent album, Skinty Fia, soared to no.1 in the Official Album Charts in the UK and Ireland in early 2022.
BIMM group students have scored an unprecedented 30 UK Top 40 singles and Top 20 albums, including George Ezra and James Bay. Other graduates have gone on to have successful careers in the wider music industry such as booking agent Natashia Bent who works with Foals and First Aid Kit.
Graduate Job Titles:
This course enhances student employability prospects in a variety of areas in the music and creative industries including the following: commercial band performance, live session playing, playing on recording sessions, band management, music journalism, live TV and radio broadcasting, tour management, stage management, film, game and multimedia licensing and music composition, performing in both wedding and cover function bands, musical theatre, working in a variety of roles in music venues, event promotion, Artiste and Repertoire and record labels, working in live music agencies and teaching music.
Graduate Employers:
Aiken Promotions
Ali Coffee Casting
Atlantic Records
BBC (The Voice)
Disney Land USA
Faction Records
Festival Republic.
First Music Contact
IMRO,
ITV (X factor)
Liebbman Promotions,
Lindsey Holmes Publicity
MCD Productions
Music Maker
Music Network,
Philip McGee (Producer)
PIAS, Downtown Music Publishing,
Premier Entertainment International (Cruise Ships)
Sky
Patrick's Festival
The Abbey Theatre
The Button Factory
Ultra Music Publishing & Records,
Warner Music,
Whelans
Progression
Graduates have pursued Level 9 postgraduate courses such as ; MA in Music Therapy University of Limerick, MA in Popular Music Research Goldsmith's University, MA in Music, Mind & Brain at Goldsmith University and Level 9 studies in the areas of Public Relations and Marketing.
Graduates may wish to pursue the MA Popular Music Practice at BIMM Institute Dublin.
Further information
Whatever your reason for coming back to education – to update your skills, gain a new qualification, achieve a personal goal or ambition, etc. TU Dublin welcomes applications from all mature students aged 23+.
It may be daunting but you’re not alone. TU Dublin has a range of supports in place to help you decide what course to take, get through the application process and get settled into college life.
For further information go to https://www.tudublin.ie/study/undergraduate/cao/entry-routes/mature-applicants/
EU Applicants
We welcome EU Applicants with high-school qualifications from a European Union or European Free Trade Association country.
A Level GCSE Applicants
We welcome students who have completed their GCSE or A Level exams.
TU Dublin Access Routes
We aim to ensure that students of all backgrounds and nationalities can find a pathway to higher education that suits their circumstances at different stages of their lives and careers. Please take some time to look at the various Access entry routes outlined below and feel free to contact us for further information. We are more than happy to give you advice on which entry route might be suitable for your individual needs and to support you in making your application.
For more information on these entry routes go to https://www.tudublin.ie/study/undergraduate/cao/entry-routes/
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Entry 2024
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2024 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2024 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2024 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2024 at 5pm
Exceptional online late application (see page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2024 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2024. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2024, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2024 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.
Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22 July at 5pm applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1 May 2024 in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system. This is an exceptional late closing date and all steps must be completed by 5pm on 22 July. No changes may be made after this date.
If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.
Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.
Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Marino Institute of Education, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick and Maynooth University have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these five HEIs, you should apply through CAO.
Refer to page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
Is Music & Drama for you?
The performing arts, including music and drama, provide the content for so much of what we all enjoy and the experiences we love to share - whether that’s live performance in concerts, festivals or theatres, or in film, television, video games, advertising, and podcasts. Whether you love classical, traditional or jazz; whether you play an instrument or your voice is your instrument; and whether you love Shakespeare or Game of Thrones, you will not only learn your craft but also about the industry that needs it.
If you are a performer at heart, you will likely pursue that goal when you graduate. Your training in music or drama can also lead you to use your strengths and transferable skills in a wide range of roles in other sectors, from teaching to marketing to media.
What is Commercial Modern Music?
This four-year course has been designed for guitarists, bass players, drummers, vocalists, songwriters, music producers and those running commercial music projects who want to gain a Level 8 qualification in modern music, while at the same time fulfilling their creative and commercial potential.
It will encourage you to hone your live performance skills and recording studio technical knowledge while also developing your career goals, which may include being a professional performer, professional songwriter or producer, music manager or publisher, academic researcher or teacher.
There are six streams: Drums, Bass, Guitar, Vocals, Song writing and Music Production* (the Music Production stream is a new addition for the academic year 2023/24 and subject to validation)
You’ll have access to BIMM Connect, an exclusive social networking platform and home to Europe’s largest private community of music students and graduates.
Aside from linking users to thousands of potential creative opportunities across each of our campuses, this free service delivers a range of valuable tools to help you achieve your creative potential and career goals. Resources include a jobs board, events page, group forums and opportunities to showcase and promote your work – plus lots of other resources aimed at getting you the right information when you need it.
Subjects for the performance and song writing streams (including optional subjects) include music business & study skills, artist development & entrepreneurship, live performance, music theory and keyboard skills, song writing, performativity & live music, arrangement analysis, cultural perspectives, Research Methods, professional musicianship options, digital marketing in the music business, studio musicianship, The Songwriter/Producer studio recording, music publishing, Professional Project, Analytical Perspectives, Solo Performance, Ensemble Performance, Music Teaching Practice, Professional Development, Commercial Song writing and Composition and Analysis.
The Music Production stream will include a range of core and optional modules including (but not limited to) Live Sound Engineering, Creative Mix Techniques, Creating Sample Libraries, Digital Performance Skills, Sound Design & Writing for Media, Practical Learning & Teaching in the Creative Arts, Electroacoustic Composition, Game Sound & Music, Immersive Audio Techniques, Audio Postproduction, Interactive Music Applications, you can tailor the degree to fit your own personal goals.
Year 1
Artist Development & Entrepreneurship
Music Business & Study Skills
Music Theory and Keyboard Skills
Instrumental
Live Performance Workshop
Styles
Techniques
Song writing
Styles Analysis
Live Arrangement Workshop
Song writing Techniques
Year 2
Instrumental
Applied Music Business & Study Skills
Applied Music Theory
Essential Development Skills
Performativity & Live Music
Songwriting
Styles
Techniques
Transcription & Keyboard Skills
Songwriting
Applied Music Business & Study Skills
Applied Music Theory, Transcription & Keyboard Skills
Arrangement Analysis
Essential Development Skills
Live Performance Workshop (SW)
Songwriting Techniques
Year 3
Instrumental - Core Modules:
Advanced Music Theory & Arrangement
Cultural Perspectives
Professional Musicianship Options: Guitar, Bass, Drums, Vocals,
Research Methods
Instrumental – Optional Modules:
Digital Marketing in the Music Business
Music Publishing
Studio Musicianship
Studio Recording
The Songwriter/Producer
Songwriting - Core Modules:
Advanced Music Theory & Arrangement
Cultural Perspectives
Music Publishing
Research Methods
Songwriting - Optional Modules
Performance in Context
Digital Marketing in the Music Business
Studio Musicianship
Studio Recording
Year 4
Instrumental - Core Modules:
Professional Project (Major)
Analytical Perspectives (Minor)
Analytical Perspectives (Major)
Professional Project (Minor)
Instrumental – Optional Modules:
Commercial Songwriting
Solo Performance
Ensemble Performance
Music Business Studies
Music Teaching Practice
Professional Development
Composition and Analysis
Songwriting - Core Modules:
Commercial Songwriting
Professional Project (Major)
Analytical Perspectives (Minor)
Analytical Perspectives (Major)
Professional Project (Minor)
Songwriting - Optional Modules :
Solo Performance
Ensemble Performance
Music Business Studies
Music Teaching Practice
Professional Development
Composition and Analysis
Campus Location: BIMM Institute Dublin
Contact Us
Recruitment & Admissions Manager - Alannah Hewitt
info@bimm.ie
(01) 513 3666
Contact Us
Conservatoire Office
conservatoire@tudublin.ie
+35312205031