Key Info
Bachelor of Arts in Voice
About you
Are you a vocalist who would like to advance your vocal training and performance practice? In addition to developing your solo performing interests, would you like to progress your musicianship, ensemble and creative skills? Would you like to broaden your knowledge and your creative potential through a varied and professionally focused degree?
Applicants will be proficient vocalists but do not necessarily have to have a formal background in music (i.e. Leaving Certificate Music or vocal grade examinations such as those from the Associated Board, Royal Irish Academy etc.). Vocalists will practically engage a variety of genre interests and may have prior performance experience in popular music, song writing, musical theatre, choral etc.
Applicants will be required to demonstrate vocal proficiency at audition.
Why study Voice?
This programme will allow you to develop a range of skills for professional vocal performance in a variety of contexts. You will also develop your scholarly knowledge and inquiry through engaging academic studies focused on singing and artistic practice in educational, social, community and health settings.
You will have the opportunity to broaden your knowledge of performance practices and scholarly traditions in order to gain new insights into the worlds of music and dance, enhancing your creative potential. You will study a number of vocationally focused modules aimed at allowing you to translate your singing, artistic and scholarly creativity into a fulfilling career.
As a student, you will be based at the world-class facilities of the Irish World Academy building, equipped to the highest standards with cutting edge performance and rehearsal spaces and technological infrastructure. The cooperative education period allows you to construct your own work-experience, giving you invaluable experience of the opportunities open to you when you graduate.
The programme prepares you for many different career paths including professional performance; performing arts facilitation; postgraduate studies; work in cultural institutions; media related posts; archival work; performance production; portfolio careers combining the preceding and others in entrepreneurial ways.
This course also has an alternative entry route via the Certificate in Music and Dance. Students apply directly to University of Limerick. Students who successfully complete the one-year certificate have the opportunity to join year two of the degree programme.
Learn more about our courses and upcoming events
What you will study
You will focus and advance your vocal performance practice through individual voice lessons combined with group performance, ensemble and musicianship classes. Vocalists engaged in this course at the Irish World Academy will explore a range of vocal styles and traditions. Students enter the programme from popular (CCM), music theatre/stage school, singer/songwriter, folk, sacred or choral backgrounds (among others). You will find that the core aspects of the programme will support your development across multiple styles, broadening your singing and developing functional awareness of your instrument.
Throughout the programme you will develop key academic skills through contextual modules in areas related to your practice. First year students critically engage with classical, popular, traditional and world music and dance in academic modules shared with students on other undergraduate programmes (BA Irish Music, BA Contemporary Dance, BA Irish Dance, BA World Music). From second year, you will undertake specialist modules in vocal pedagogy and voice studies. Core modules will be taken by all students in areas such as music education and community music; arts and health; ethnomusicology and research skills; performing arts technology and professional skills for performing artists. The Academy has an unparalleled team of faculty and tutors who guide and facilitate the growth of students as vocal performers and academics.
Year 1
MD4101 - Performance 1A
Here students will develop core skills with one-to-one vocal classes, sight singing, conducting, theory and keyboard classes.
MD4091 - Irish World Academy Practicum C1
Here students will engage in ensemble work with in-house and visiting tutors well as have the opportunity to select other collaborative performance practices in other folk, world and popular music and dance traditions.
MU4001 - Critical Encounters with Irish Music and Dance
Issues addressed in this module will be taken from current research engagements with the native Irish music and dance traditions. These will critically engage historical narratives, conceptual structuring and evolving identities of the traditions in question. Students will be introduced to concepts of research as a creative, scholarly practice.
MU4011 - Critical Encounters with World Music and Dance
In this class students are introduced to diverse music traditions from around the world, including, popular musics of West Africa, the court music of Indonesia, classical musics of India, folk and Celtic musics of Europe, classical music of the Arab Middle East, and traditional musics of Canada and America. Students deepen their knowledge of diverse repertoires and performance practices, develop their scholarly engagement with music and dance, gain a more global view of music and dance, and contextualise their own music and dance practices within the wider world of music and dance.
Electives
In addition to their core modules, each year students choose from a large number of elective modules in dance and music, and other subjects outside of the performing arts. These elective modules offer students the opportunity to enhance their educational experience, and broaden their artistic and academic horizons. Elective options vary from year to year but typically students can choose from range of vocal and instrumental ensembles (from Academy choir to Irish traditional music ensemble), songwriting classes, lectures in country music, courses in choreography, North American percussive dance, Irish folklore and history, and various languages, including Irish.
MD4102 - Performance 2A
Here students will develop core skills with one-to-one vocal classes, sight singing, conducting, theory and keyboard classes.
MD4111 - Irish World Academy Practicum C2
Here students will engage in ensemble work with in-house and visiting tutors well as have the opportunity to select other collaborative performance practices in other folk, world and popular music and dance traditions.
MU4012 - Critical Encounters with Western Art Music and Dance
This module explores Western Art music and dance practices in an academic and performative context, providing them with an insight into some of the diversity of music and dance practices within these traditions.
MU4002 - Critical Encounters with Popular Music and Dance
In this class students study various genres of popular music and dance. Students deepen their knowledge of diverse popular repertoires and performance practices, and deepen their knowledge of the role of popular culture in social, political, economic, cultural and artistic life. Students develop a critical view of popular music and dance, and contextualize their own music and dance practices within the wider, commercially mediated world of music and dance.
Electives
In addition to their core modules, each year students choose from a large number of elective modules in dance and music, and other subjects outside of the performing arts. These elective modules offer students the opportunity to enhance their educational experience, and broaden their artistic and academic horizons. Elective options vary from year to year but typically students can choose from range of vocal and instrumental ensembles (from Academy choir to Irish traditional music ensemble), songwriting classes, lectures in country music, courses in choreography, North American percussive dance, Irish folklore and history, and various languages, including Irish.
Year 2
MD4103 - Performance 3A
Here students will develop core skills with one-to-one vocal classes, sight singing, conducting, theory and keyboard classes.
MD4092 - Irish World Academy Practicum C3
Here students will engage in ensemble work with in-house and visiting tutors well as have the opportunity to select other collaborative performance practices in other folk, world and popular music and dance traditions.
MU4023 - Voice Studies: Historical and Cross Cultural Perspectives
This module introduces students to the interdisciplinary academic field of voice studies and its relevance to performance practice and performance studies. It explores historical and cross-cultural perspectives on vocality, voice, vocal training and performance; and also examines the role that singing plays in community, ritual, social and political contexts. Students will engage with research methods relevant to the field of voice studies and will develop the skills necessary to critically engage with vocal performance in a creative, reflexive and contextualized way.
MD4113 - Performing Arts Technology
This module will introduce students to professional audio and visual technologies relevant to performers in their field. The professional world around performance practice, performance education, media and other career paths open to students on this programme will be explored. Students will use such technologies in professional contexts generating project work out of the day-to-day life of the Academy, recording concerts, providing technical support to a wide range of performances and generating media appropriate to the world of performing arts. Students in this module will learn practical technological applications relevant to their performance practice. Students will learn to use and manipulate PAs and lighting rigs, led by professionals in the field and applied in real-world situations. Students will also be introduced to media generating software such as Final-Cut Pro and Logic to produce high level audio and video outputs.
Electives
In addition to their core modules, each year students choose from a large number of elective modules in dance and music, and other subjects outside of the performing arts. These elective modules offer students the opportunity to enhance their educational experience, and broaden their artistic and academic horizons. Elective options vary from year to year but typically students can choose from range of vocal and instrumental ensembles (from Academy choir to Irish traditional music ensemble), songwriting classes, lectures in country music, courses in choreography, North American percussive dance, Irish folklore and history, and various languages, including Irish.
MD4104 - Performance 4A
Here students will develop core skills with one-to-one vocal classes, sight singing, conducting, theory and keyboard classes.
MD4112 - Irish World Academy Practicum C4
Here students will engage in ensemble work with in-house and visiting tutors well as have the opportunity to select other collaborative performance practices in other folk, world and popular music and dance traditions.
MU4043 - Vocal Pedagogy
This module introduces students to core knowledge on the vocal mechanism and its function in singing. In addition to this, students will critically engage with recent research on a variety of topics related to singing and the teaching of singing.
MD4034 - Contextualising and Vocational Studies - Music and Dance Education/ Community Music and Dance
This module is designed to help competent musicians and dancers to come to an understanding of what it means to be involved in music and dance education contexts. There are three main components to this module :Music and Dance Curriculum studies, Professional Studies and School Based Work. The first priority is to help the development of expertise in a variety of educative situations. These range from classroom activities for various age groups and abilities to instrumental teaching, classroom teaching, ensemble, choral, band and orchestral rehearsals, and the passing on of music and dance. There is also an introduction to Community Music and Dance which involves the development of acquired skills in a community music and dance context and as community musicians and dancers
Electives
In addition to their core modules, each year students choose from a large number of elective modules in dance and music, and other subjects outside of the performing arts. These elective modules offer students the opportunity to enhance their educational experience, and broaden their artistic and academic horizons. Elective options vary from year to year but typically students can choose from range of vocal and instrumental ensembles (from Academy choir to Irish traditional music ensemble), songwriting classes, lectures in country music, courses in choreography, North American percussive dance, Irish folklore and history, and various languages, including Irish.
Year 3
Cooperative Education
In their 3rd year, Irish World Academy performing arts students go on ‘co-op’, a university-wide module specifically designed for undergraduates to engage in real-world, professional environments. The Cooperative Education division, in consultation with the Academy, helps students to identify working opportunities in a variety of contexts, including arts management, education, performance, media and related fields. Students are encouraged to set up their own six-month placements or to engage in split placements (ideally no more than two placements) in order to explore if their expectations for future careers match the experiences they have during the co-op period. Faculty visits, pre- and post- co-op assessment skills, and final report help students to reflect upon the process, enabling them to critically evaluate their time off campusMD4105 - Performance 5A
Here students will develop core skills with one-to-one vocal classes, sight singing, conducting, theory and keyboard classes.
MD4116 - Irish World Academy Practicum C5
Here students will engage in ensemble work with in-house and visiting tutors well as have the opportunity to select other collaborative performance practices in other folk, world and popular music and dance traditions.
MU4106 - Arts and Health
This module is designed to enable music and dance students to develop awareness and understanding of the impact of the arts on health and well-being. The module aims to develop well-rounded music and dance graduates who are aware of the role of the arts in various contexts (such as hospital, community healthcare and mental health) and the impact of their own health and well-being on their own arts performance.
MU4013 - Research Skills: Ethnomusicology/ Ethnochoreology/ Arts Practice
This module will introduce students to the important contextualising disciplines of ethnomusicology and ethnochoreology and their main principles and orientations as well as the practical application of fieldwork and the production of ethnographic representations.
Electives
In addition to their core modules, each year students choose from a large number of elective modules in dance and music, and other subjects outside of the performing arts. These elective modules offer students the opportunity to enhance their educational experience, and broaden their artistic and academic horizons. Elective options vary from year to year but typically students can choose from range of vocal and instrumental ensembles (from Academy choir to Irish traditional music ensemble), songwriting classes, lectures in country music, courses in choreography, North American percussive dance, Irish folklore and history, and various languages, including Irish.
Year 4
MD4106 - Performance 6A
Here students will develop core skills with one-to-one vocal classes, sight singing, conducting, theory and keyboard classes.
MD4147 - Irish World Academy Practicum C6
Here students will engage in ensemble work with in-house and visiting tutors well as have the opportunity to select other collaborative performance practices in other folk, world and popular music and dance traditions.
MD4157 - Irish World Academy Final Year Project 1
This module is intended students in the first semester of their fourth year, preparing to embark on an extended research project which will be presented in a 10,000 word thesis or equivalent. The student will agree on the subject of the project with the course director and will be introduced to a number of sample research projects and methodologies.
MU4007 - Professional Skills for the Performing Arts
This module will examine issues pertinent to the lives of professional musicians and dancers. Issues such as promotion, effective communication, industry structures, touring, dealing with statutory arts bodies and funding structures will be practically engaged. Classes may feature professionals working in these fields and regularly faculty with relevant experience. This aspect of the module is supported by a lecture series and assessed through attendance and written assignments in the form of professional portfolios and resources.
Electives
In addition to their core modules, each year students choose from a large number of elective modules in dance and music, and other subjects outside of the performing arts. These elective modules offer students the opportunity to enhance their educational experience, and broaden their artistic and academic horizons. Elective options vary from year to year but typically students can choose from range of vocal and instrumental ensembles (from Academy choir to Irish traditional music ensemble), songwriting classes, lectures in country music, courses in choreography, North American percussive dance, Irish folklore and history, and various languages, including Irish.
MD4107 - Performance 7A
Here students will develop core skills with one-to-one vocal classes, sight singing, conducting, theory and keyboard classes.
MD4128 - Irish World Academy Practicum C7
Here students will engage in ensemble work with in-house and visiting tutors well as have the opportunity to select other collaborative performance practices in other folk, world and popular music and dance traditions.
MD4138 - Irish World Academy Final Year Project 2
This is the second of the two Irish World Academy modules for the FYP. The student works in a one on one context with supervisor in this module while receiving certain skills training to enable them to fill out the structure of the FYP started in the previous semester. Students will produce their own unique piece of research in an genre and disciplinary approach to the performing arts of their own choosing.
MU4004 - Materials and Context for Vocal Performance
This module will prepare students for the programming of their final performances, providing a critical and practical engagement with key resources, texts and contexts for curating and programming successful performance events Students will also study approaches to vocal arrangement.
Electives
In addition to their core modules, each year students choose from a large number of elective modules in dance and music, and other subjects outside of the performing arts. These elective modules offer students the opportunity to enhance their educational experience, and broaden their artistic and academic horizons. Elective options vary from year to year but typically students can choose from range of vocal and instrumental ensembles (from Academy choir to Irish traditional music ensemble), songwriting classes, lectures in country music, courses in choreography, North American percussive dance, Irish folklore and history, and various languages, including Irish.
Frequently Asked Questions
You need to have some vocal performance experience before embarking on this course.
No. In the case of Irish Music, Irish Dance, Contemporary Dance and Voice, you need to show proficiency in one area. In the case of World Music, you will be required to show proficiency in any genre of music. An open mind and a willingness to engage with other genres and disciplines is also a requirement.
No, there are five undergraduate programmes
- Irish Traditional Music
- Irish Traditional Dance
- Contemporary Dance
- Voice
- World Music.
BA Voice students will interact with students from other undergraduate programmes in some shared academic modules and practical class spaces. Some optional classes and electives allow BA Voice students to take classes from other programmes e.g. dance classes or worldmusic ensembles.
Students are taught by highly accomplished vocalists and musicians with extensive teaching and performance experience. Tutors on the BA Voice have varied professional backgrounds in musical theatre, contemporary commercial music, choral facilitation, community music, music education etc.
Yes, each student has the opportunity to gain work experience in their area of interest in semester 5 during their Co-operative Education placement, i.e. semester 1 of 3rd year.
Yes. Each student is given the option of studying at a number of institutions around the world for semester 6, i.e.semester 2 of 3rd year.
No, you will also engage in academic classes. Performance and academic studies are equally important. This gives you more career opportunities upon completing the course.
Auditions normally take place at the beginning of April or in mid-July for late applicants and ‘change-of-mind’ applications, although the Academy is flexible if applicants have difficulty with these dates. In auditions students should show a good standard of vocal performance. The audition itself takes the form of a solo performance of two contrasting songs (any style/genre).
The interview is an opportunity for you to tell us about yourself and your career interests, and outline any relevant performance experience/skills.
No. Any relevant examinations, theory knowledge or instrumental skill will support your application but the audition and interview process provides an opportunity for you to demonstrate your proficiency and skill set.
Entry requirements
CAO points history |
481 (Audition required)
|
---|---|
Minimum grades |
Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with a minimum of six subjects which must include: Two H5 (Higher level) grades and Four O6 (Ordinary level) grades or four H7 (Higher Level) grades. Subjects must include Mathematics, Irish or another language, and English Note: Grade F6 in Foundation Mathematics also satisfies the minimum entry requirements. Foundation Maths is not reckonable for scoring purposes. |
Additional considerations |
Applicants must pass an interview/audition. More information on the auditions can be found here. Up to 200 additional audition points may be awarded via the CAO application process for this programme. All students must undergo a Garda Vetting process. Mature StudentsWe welcome applications from mature students. Mature applicants must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1 February. Application information for mature student applicants (PDF) QQI EntryCertain QQI Awards are acceptable in fulfilling admission requirements for this programme. Go to the UL Admissions QQI page for a full list of modules. |
Non-EU Entry Requirements |
|
How to apply
Where are you applying from? | How to Apply |
---|---|
Ireland | Irish students must apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found here. |
The UK | Students who have completed their A-Levels can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. |
The EU | EU Students can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. |
Non-EU country | If you are outside of the EU, you can apply for this degree here. |
Fees and funding
Student course fees are broken into three components - Student contribution, Student Levy and Tuition Fees.
A number of illustrative examples of fees for this course based on the current fee levels have been set out in the tables below.
An explanation of the components, how to determine status and the criteria involved is provided below the examples as is a list of possible scholarships and funding available.
EU Students with Free fees status in receipt of a SUSI grant
HEA pays | Tuition Fees | €4,262 |
SUSI pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
Student pays | Student Levy | €100 |
€7,362 |
EU Students with Free fees status not in receipt of a grant
HEA pays | Tuition Fees | €4,262 |
Student pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
Student pays | Student Levy | €100 |
€7,362 |
Students with EU fee status not in receipt of a grant
Student pays | Tuition Fees | €4,262 |
Student pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
Student pays | Student Levy | €100 |
€7,362 |
Non-EU Students
Student pays | Tuition Fees | €20,900 |
Student pays | Student Levy | €100 |
€21,000 |
Student course fees are comprised of the following components:
Student Contribution
Annual charge set by the government for all full-time third level students. All students are liable unless they have been approved for a grant by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). Please refer to https://www.studentfinance.ie to determine your eligibility for a grant and for instructions on how to apply. The current student contribution is set at €3000.
Student Levy
All students are liable to pay the Student Levy of €100. Please note the Student Levy is not covered by the SUSI Grant.
Tuition Fees
These are based on Residency, Citizenship, Course requirements.
Review the three groups of criteria to determine your fee status as follows
-
Residency
- You must have been living in an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland for at least 3 of the 5 years before starting your course
-
Citizenship
- You must be a citizen of an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland or have official refugee status
-
Course Requirements
(all must be met)
- You must be a first time full-time undergraduate (Exceptions are provided for students who hold a Level 6 or Level 7 qualification and are progressing to a Level 8 course in the same general area of study).
- You must be undertaking a full-time undergraduate course of at least 2 year’s duration
- You cannot be undertaking a repeat year of study at the same level unless evidence of exceptional circumstances eg serious illness is provided (in which case this condition may be waived)
Depending on how you meet these criteria your status will be one of the following -
- Free Fee Status: You satisfy all three categories (1, 2 and 3) and therefore are eligible for the Higher Education Authority’s Free Fees scheme.
- EU Fee Status: You satisfy both the citizenship and residency criteria but fail to satisfy the course requirements and are liable to EU fees.
- Non EU Fee Status: You do not meet either the citizenship or residency criteria and are therefore liable to Non EU fees.
More information about fees can be found on the Finance website
These scholarships are available for all courses
Title | Award | Scholarships Available |
---|---|---|
All Ireland Scholarships - sponsored by J.P. McManus | €6,750 | 125 |
Cooperative Education Award | 1 medal per faculty | |
Elaine Fagan Scholarship | €5,000 | 5 |
Financial Aid Fund | ||
Higher Education Grants & VEC Grants | ||
Paddy Dooley Rowing Scholarship | €2,500 | |
Plassey Campus Centre Scholarship Programme | ||
Provincial GAA Bursaries Scheme | €750 | |
Stuart Mangan Scholarship | ||
The Michael Hillery and Jacinta O’Brien Athletics Scholarship | Various benefits equating to over €7,000 in value | |
UL Sports Scholarships | Varies depending on level of Scholarship | Multiple |
Your future career
- Professional Performance
- Further Study (MA, PhD)
- Music/Dance Therapy
- Community Music/Dance
- Music/Dance teacher
- Arts administration
- Performance management and promotion
- Backstage work in performance theatre e.g. sound engineer
- Music Technology, e.g. recording studio producer/technician
- Media (TV, Radio etc.)
- Work in cultural institutions and archives
To find out more, go to https://www.IrishWorldAcademy.ie
Follow on study
- Master of Arts Irish Traditional Dance Performance
- Master of Arts Irish Traditional Music Performance
- Master of Arts Contemporary Dance Performance
- Master of Arts Irish Music Studies
- Master of Arts Irish Dance Studies
- Master of Arts Ethnochoreology
- Master of Arts Ethnomusicology
- Master of Arts Ritual Chant and Song
- Master of Arts Community Music
- Master of Arts Music Therapy
- Master of Arts Festive Arts
- Master of Arts Classical String Performance in association with the Irish Chamber Orchestra
- Professional Master of Education in Music
- PhD Arts Practice
- PhD Research
Graduate Profile
![Yordanka (Dani) Tegarkova, BA Voice](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2022-09/IMG_20210205_004126.jpg.webp?itok=jivZ_QjO)
Yordanka (Dani) Tegarkova, BA Voice
I chose the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick, because of the reputation and atmosphere it carried. Graduating with a BA in Performing Arts - Voice, my favourite aspect of the programme was the opportunity for personal development and creativity. Practical lessons, accompanied by academic classes, prepared me for multiple performance possibilities, ranging from Pop and Jazz to Classical and Musical Theatre. And that would not have been possible without the inspiring tutors and lecturers that call the Academy home.
Coming from Bulgaria, for me, UL was a leap of faith. It was my first time living away from home, my first time in an English-speaking country, and most importantly, the first time I believed in myself and my dreams. I am humbled and honoured to have been able to spend four years as a student at UL. This course has changed my life in ways I would have never imagined. The friends I made, the lessons I learned, will stay with me forever.
My advice to all prospective students is to just jump. One leap of faith for the best four years in your life.