Expand+Application to the programme will be through the CAO, with the audition/performance assessment, subject to accreditation, taking place on Saturday, 8 April for September 2017 entry.

An aural/theory test is not required. As entry will be by audi...

Hide-Application to the programme will be through the CAO, with the audition/performance assessment, subject to accreditation, taking place on Saturday, 8 April for September 2017 entry.

An aural/theory test is not required. As entry will be by audition, this will be a restricted entry programme, meaning prospective students will need to have selected this as one of their choices when completing their CAO application in February – availing of the CAO Change of mind facility will not be an option.

Leaving Certificate

There are no additional entry requirements for this programme apart from the general entry requirements for admission to the university. Applicants will be expected to take an audition/performance assessment, subject to accreditation. The audition will take place on Saturday 8th April 2017. An aural/theory test is not required.

General Entry Requirements
A minimum of six Leaving Certificate subjects at Grade O6 or H7, with at least two at H5, which must include the subjects Mathematics AND either English or Irish.

Leaving Certificate Mathematics Requirements
DCU does not award points for the subject of Mathematics at Leaving Certificate Ordinary Alternative or Foundation Level.

This subject will be accepted for admission purposes for the following courses:

BA in Applied Language and Translation Studies
BA in Contemporary Culture and Society
BSc in Education and Training
BA in Journalism
BA in International Relations
BA in Communication Studies
BA Gaeilge agus Iriseoireacht (Irish and Journalism)
Bachelor of Civil Law (Law and Society)
BSc in Multimedia
Bachelor of Arts (Joint Honours)
Bachelor of Early Childhood Education

Leaving Certificate Subject Combinations
Certain subjects will not be scored separately if they occur in combination with subjects that are similar in content. In each case, the highest individual grade will be scored.

The following six groups of subjects are affected by this:
1 Music and Musicianship, Music A, Music B

2 Economics, Agricultural Economics

3 Physics with Chemistry – if combined with Physics and Chemistry, only two best scored – if combined with Physics or Chemistry, only best scored

4 History, Economics and Economic History – if all three are taken, only the best two will be scored

5 Latin, Classical Studies

6 Greek, Classical Studies

Bonus Points for Honours Mathematics
25 bonus points will continue to be awarded in 2017 for higher level mathematics, at grades H6 and above in the Irish Leaving Certificate or equivalent.

Expand+Early online application (discounted): Fee €25 Closing Date: 20th January 2017 at 5:15pm

Normal online application: Fee €40 Closing Date: 1st February 2017 at 5:15pm

You should avoid submitting an application close to a closing date. No extens...

Hide-Early online application (discounted): Fee €25 Closing Date: 20th January 2017 at 5:15pm

Normal online application: Fee €40 Closing Date: 1st February 2017 at 5:15pm

You should avoid submitting an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all fees are non-refundable.

Restricted Courses
Applying for a restricted course – you must have applied to CAO by 5:15pm on 1st February 2017 if you wish to apply for a restricted course. The restricted course must be included on your course choices list by that date, or added to your application using the Change of Course Choices facility before 1st March at 5:15pm.

Restricted courses normally require additional assessment procedures, e.g. the submission of a portfolio, an oral assessment or interview, or a written assessment – restricted courses are identified in the handbook by the words “(Restricted - see page 3 of the 2017 CAO Hanbook)” on the same line as the restricted course’s title. Please make sure to acquaint yourself with the additional requirements, if any, of the restricted course(s) that you have applied for and go to page 11 of the 2017 CAO Hanbook for more information about interviews and assessments.

Exception: If a restricted course shares the exact same assessment procedures with a course you had applied for by 1st February 2017, you may be permitted to introduce it on a ‘Change of Mind’. You should consult with the relevant HEI before introducing such a course.

Restricted-category Applicants
Mature applicants – most HEIs will require mature applicants, who wish to be assessed on mature grounds, to have applied to CAO by 1st February 2017 at 5:15pm. (This restriction does not apply if the applicant wishes to be considered on the basis of school leaving qualifications only.) For more information about applying to CAO on the basis of mature years go to www.cao.ie/mature.

Applying for the HEAR and/or DARE schemes – to be considered for the HEAR and/or DARE schemes applicants must have registered on the CAO system by 1st February 2017 at 5:15pm and must have completed the HEAR/DARE application form by 1st March 2017 at 5:15pm – supporting documents must be sent to CAO offices before 1st April 2017 at 5:15pm.

Expand+A key feature of this programme includes the proposed continuation of an opportunity for students on the programme to transfer into Berklee College of Music in Boston (www.berklee.edu), one of the most prestigious music schools in the world in the fi...

Hide-A key feature of this programme includes the proposed continuation of an opportunity for students on the programme to transfer into Berklee College of Music in Boston (www.berklee.edu), one of the most prestigious music schools in the world in the field of contemporary music. Proposed programme modules include Instrumental and Vocal Tuition, Aural Training, Ensemble Performance, Composition and Arranging, Jazz History, and Music Business.

Why do this course?
Acquire the skills to become a high level performing musician

Play and perform extensively as part of the programme

Learn how to compose and arrange for a wide range of ensembles

Make international connections including, with the renowned Berklee College of Music

Prepare yourself for life as a professional musician

Work closely with some of Ireland’s most highly regarded performers

About the course

The course offers intensive jazz and contemporary music education within a focused, supportive learning environment. It is designed to provide a balance of “traditional” jazz techniques alongside contemporary approaches to improvisation, so that students can experience the full breadth of the contemporary music world and develop into creative, versatile and employable musicians.

A diverse and rigorous programme of study is organized throughout all four years of the programme. The course is concerned with five principal areas of study:

•Ensemble Studies
•Instrumental Studies
•Arranging and Composition Studies
•Aural and Theoretical Studies
•Contextual Studies

Ensemble Studies

The aim of these modules is to give students the skills to perform in ensembles at a high professional level in the world of contemporary music. Through working in ensembles, participants will be made aware of the techniques and traditions of jazz and related musics, such as funk, Afro-Cuban, Brazilan music.

Instrumental Studies

The aim of these modules is to provide learners with the instrumental and technical skills necessary in order to perform at a professional level in the contemporary music world. Learners will work on practice methods, identify goals, and acquire essential vocabulary through the study of the master soloists, and stylistic interpretation.

Arranging and Composition Studies

The aim of these modules is to introduce learners to the skills necessary for modern arranging, and to allow them to be conversant with the history, ethos and techniques of jazz and contemporary composition. Learners will become familiar with vital professional skills to enable them work as composers and arrangers in the field of modern music. Learners will also be introduced to the use of music technology as an arranging and composing aid.

Aural and Theoretical Studies

These modules will give learners a thorough grounding in contemporary harmony and theory, and give them the means to understand the theoretical and harmonic underpinning of contemporary jazz practice. In addition, the course will give learners the techniques to hear and identify all the common melodic, rhythmic and harmonic patterns used in jazz and other, related musics.

Contextual Studies

These modules will help learners understand the history of the development of music, of many genres, and their place in contemporary society. They will also give learners an insight into the methodology and philosophy of teaching. In addition they will aim to develop musicological and critical thinking skills which will enable learners to have a sense of music in their own lives and how music is reflected in society.