Creative Music Production
Creative Music Production is a course designed for the contemporary music industry and creative and cultural sectors. The course offers two creative pathways in production and practice of music and audio. An ethos of creativity linked with technical prowess is core to all modules.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Institute of Art Design and Technology |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | Institute of Art Design and Technology | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 years full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Min Entry Requirements
2 H5 + 4 O6/H7
English: O6/H7
Maths: O6/H7
Portfolio required. Combination of CAO and Portfolio Assessment Points.
For information on portfolio submission see https://iadt.ie/study/portfolio-guidelines/
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Applicants with QQI/FETAC awards require distinctions in 3 (of 8) modules.
Applicants require at least a pass (O6/H7) in Maths in the Leaving Certificate or a pass in a mathematical methods module as part of the QQI/FETAC Award.
Portfolio: Yes
For information on portfolio submission see https://iadt.ie/study/portfolio-guidelines/
Careers / Further progression
What will I be able to do when I graduate?
Graduates can work towards a range of specialist roles in this area, including Sound Designer, Sound Engineer and Producer, Musician, Audio post-production, Audio Visual Technician, Audio Innovation Specialist, Audio Coding Specialist, Project Management and many more.
Graduates work worldwide in international recording studios, post-production companies, AV specialists, and major organisations. Graduates have gone on to work with major international acts including R.E.M, Lady Gaga, The Killers, Noel Gallagher and Band of Horses. Postgraduate opportunities exist in Ireland and abroad, including the MA in Broadcast Production, IADT.
Further information
September 2026
Mature Students
We welcome applications from mature students, who must apply to the CAO.
More info for Mature https://iadt.ie/services/institute-student-services/access-social-inclusion/mature-students/
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Entry 2026 - Restricted Course
Early online application (discounted): Fee €35 Closing Date: 20 January 2026 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €50 Closing Date: 1 February 2026 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. 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 1 February 2026 at 5pm 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 facility to amend course choices (for a fee of €10) before 1 March at 5pm.
Restricted courses normally require additional assessment procedures, for example, 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 2026 CAO Handbook)" 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 24 of the 2026 CAO Handbook 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 1 February 2026, you may be permitted to introduce it on a Change of Mind. You should consult with the relevant HEI before introducing such a course.
Mature 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 2026 at 5pm, and include course choices by that date or add them using the facility to amend course choices (for a fee of €10) before 1 March at 5pm. (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
Supplementary Admission Routes
Applying for DARE and/or HEAR – to be considered for DARE and/or HEAR, applicants must have registered on the CAO system by 1 February 2026 at 5pm. To apply to DARE, you must answer YES to Question 1 ('Do you wish to be considered for DARE?) on Section A of the fully completed Supplementary Information Form (SIF) by 5pm on 1 March 2026.
To apply to HEAR, you must indicate on your CAO application that you wish to apply for HEAR and fully and correctly complete all elements of the online HEAR form by 5pm on 1 March 2026.
Supporting documents for DARE and/or HEAR applicants must be sent to CAO offices before 10 March 2026 at 5pm
Creative Music Production is delivered collaboratively by IADT and the Sound Training College (STC). This shared delivery offers universal, unique benefits; practical modules are taught in STC’s commercial studio and music production/practice facilities, with IADT providing expertise in technical subject’s areas, higher education, teaching and research. You will learn how to use industry-standard recording equipment and software from some of the finest music industry practitioners in Ireland.
The course focuses on industry-standard tools, processes, and client/artist relationships. Diverse, student-driven major works in the final years provide a platform for the working world.
What will I do?
— Explore your musical creativity and gain skills and knowledge to work in the music and media sectors within the Creative Industries.
— Study industry-standard recording equipment and software with leading practitioners.
— Creative Music Production pathway: gain in-depth knowledge of studios and music production software. Learn sound engineering and audio creation skills, audio programming and production for games. Cultural context is offered via research-based modules.
— Creative Music Practice pathway: develop as an instrumental performer while focusing on the creation of music and audio. Develop performance and technology skills. Explore and collaborate.
— Complete an ambitious project for the Graduate Exhibition in Year Four.
You will learn how to use industry-standard recording equipment and software from some of the finest music industry practitioners in Ireland.
Following a shared first year, study one of two pathways:
Creative Music Production
Gain in-depth knowledge of studios and music production software. Focus on the integration of sound engineering and audio creation skills. Topics include audio programming and production for games. Cultural context is offered via research-based modules.
Creative Music Practice
Develop musicianship as an instrumental performer while focusing on the creation of music and audio. Develop performance skills and learn to use technology creatively. Genre and ensemble provide opportunities for collaboration across instruments.
What modules will I study?
Year 1
Semester 1
Acoustics of Music
Music Production Fundamentals
Music Production + Practice
IADT Connect
Semester 2
Psychoacoustics of Music
Live Sound + Audio Fundamentals
Music Theory Fundamentals
IADT Year 1 Workshop
Year 2
Semester 1
Client Based Composition
Creative Audio Programming – Music Production
Creative Studio Engineering – Music Production
Genre + Ensemble – Music Practice
Creative Performance 1 – Music Practice
Semester 2
Performance Technologies
Musicology
Postproduction Sound
Audio Mixing – Music Production
Client Based Production – Music Production
Creative Performance 2 – Music Practice
Artist Development – Music Practice
IADT Year 2 Elective
Year 3
Semester 1
Interactive Performance Systems
Music Industry Studies
Research Methods
Audio Production for Games – Music Production
Creative Genre + Ensemble 1 – Music Practice
Semester 2
Creative Practice Project
Collaborative Creative Engagement
Music Production for Games – Music Production
Creative Genre + Ensemble 2 – Music Practice
Year 4
Semester 1
Portfolio Development
Professional Project Preparation
Music Industry 3
Semester 2
Professional Project
Creative Entrepreneurship
Conor Brennan
Programme Chair
Email: Conor.brennan@iadt.ie