Programme Overview
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Qualification
NFQ Level
Duration |
CAO Code
Application Deadline
Entrance Test |
Course Fees (EU)
Course Fees (non-EU)
Places |
Applications
Applications should be made to:
- the Central Applications Office (CAO) if an Irish, EU or UK applicant;
- the MTU International Office if a non-EU applicant.
Admission Requirements
For admission to the programme, standard applicants must:
- meet the minimum entry requirements;
- sit the Entrance Test; and
- complete Garda Vetting.
Minimum Entry Requirements
Leaving Certificate in at least six subjects (i.e. H5 in two subjects, and O6/H7 in four other subjects); one of the subjects must be English or Irish. There is no specific requirement for Maths (a grade F2 or higher in foundation level Maths is recognised as one of the subjects for entry).
In addition to the Leaving Certificate, academic qualification can also be considered from:
- UK A-Levels and similar European / international examinations (see CAO advisory document for further information);
- those holding relevant FETAC Level 5 & 6 qualifications;
- mature candidates with relevant subject experience.
Non-EU minimum entry requirements are available through the MTU International Office.
If your first language is not English, you must provide evidence of English language proficiency.
Entrance Test
This is a Restricted Access Course and all applicants must audition in the three disciplines of dance, acting and singing. Assessments will be conducted through a combination of video submissions and in-person auditions (overseas applicants are encouraged to attend in-person).
Each candidate who sits an Entrance Test is awarded up to a maximum of 600 points and must achieve the minimum threshold of 276 points to be considered eligible.
Places on the course are allocated according to the rank achieved as a result of this assessment procedure; i.e. Leaving Certificate exam points are not used to rank candidates.
Candidates are not allowed to defer the results of the Entrance Test.
Video Submissions
All self-tape video submissions must be uploaded to YouTube as a single unlisted video by 17:00 on Friday March 7th, 2025 (further guidance will be issued to CAO candidates after 1 February). Please do not submit audition videos until instructed to do so by a member of the CSM Administration team.
Self-Tape Guidelines
Before recording:
- Set up a place with a blank wall space or as close to a plain background as you can get.
- Be sure it’s well-lit.
- Identify your space – you should be seen at least from the top of your thighs up to the top of your head without too much blank space above your head.
- Set up a recording device on a tripod or find another way to make it stationary.
- Set the camera in landscape orientation (horizontally).
- Do a sound check if using backing tracks and make sure you know how it will all run when you record your audition.
All candidates should begin their videos by speaking - to the camera - their full names and CAO numbers (if applicable). Before performing each piece, candidates should introduce the work with song title, show title and composer/lyricist or play title and playwright.
Smartphone video is acceptable provided both the video and audio are of a reasonable quality.
Acting: Candidates must submit a self-tape video of a three-to-four-minute classical or contemporary monologue from a published play or musical. The performance must be from memory, in one take and following the self-tape guidelines (see above).
Singing: Candidates must submit a self-tape video of two contrasting songs, one of which must be musical theatre with accompaniment (live accompaniment or piano backing track). Chosen repertoire must show contrasting vocal qualities, with one demonstrating the more legit classical style associated with musical theatre. Pieces should be no longer than two minutes covering the full journey of the song, with priority given to the singing voice over the volume of the music and following self-tape guidelines (see above).
The volumes of The Singer’s Musical Theatre Anthology, Musical Theatre Practice Tracks and The Audition Cut provide excellent selections that can be used for free, but you may choose work from any musical.
Auditions
In-person auditions will take place on 21 & 22 March, 2025 at MTU Cork School of Music.
Dance: Candidates will be taught a routine and asked to perform it in small groups at the end of the session. Appropriate fitted dance or gym wear should be worn with jazz shoes or bare feet.
Acting: Candidates will take part in a group drama workshop with other applicants and will be assessed on participation and engagement as part of an ensemble.
Interview: Candidates will be assessed individually on their singing voice and will need to perform one of their two prepared contrasting songs and some brief technical exercises/scales. Candidates will be asked about their experience of performance and their interest in musical theatre and the BAMT course. They will also get the opportunity to ask questions about the BAMT degree programme.
Garda Vetting
Vetting is conducted by the National Vetting Bureau (formerly known as the Garda Central Vetting Unit). The National Vetting Bureau (NVB) helps to assess the suitability of all applicants on this programme. It is important to note that participation in or completion of this programme may be affected by subsequent disclosure/discovery.
Course Information
This is a specialist degree course aimed at 'triple-threat' performers: in other words centred on the three disciplines of singing, dancing and acting.
You will receive an intensive training in all three disciplines throughout your studies. Individual singing training, in both legitimate and contemporary styles, is supplemented by a chorus class. You will attend music theory classes, and musical theatre history and context lectures. Dance is a vital component and your core studies in tap, ballet and jazz are supplemented with weekly workshops by superb visiting professionals. Acting, drama and the spoken voice is the third core skill. These disciplines are brought together in a weekly ensemble rehearsal class where you will integrate staged scenes and musical numbers. An 'intro to theatre' class in semester one is followed in semester two by the first of our extensive theatre technology modules - sound, lighting and various computer-based production tools add to your general theatrical skilset. All of our students take the Stagepass training course which allows them to intern and get casual work in professional theatres and graduates can avail of a Graduate Profile with Spotlight. This full-time and demanding schedule of study and practice comes to a focus in a public performance each year.
Based in the heart of Cork City, MTU Cork School of Music occupies a purpose-built conservatory building, regarded as one of the best facilities in the world for creative and performing arts education with an amazing technological infrastructure. For more info, visit our facilities page.
Staff
Our superb full-time course team are highly qualified academics and professional performers with international careers.
- David Hayes – course coordinator, musical director and ensemble lecturer
- Irene O'Mara – course coordinator, lecturer in acting and professional portfolio
- Christine Scarry – director and lecturer in acting, acting through song, ensemble, musical theatre history and professional portfolio
- Cathal Synnott – lecturer in singing, ensemble and musical theatre history, musical director and chorus director
- Majella Cullagh, Mary Hegarty, Clodagh Long, Dearbhaile Maclean, Ryan Morgan and Kelley Petcu – singing lecturers
- Aisling Byrne-Gaughan, Alex Glennon and Roman Postolatij – lecturers in dance and ensemble
- Ciaran Bermingham – ensemble lecturer
- Kieran Prendergast – theatre technology lecturer
- Maria Mulcahy – music theory lecturer
- Deirdre Collins – Head of Department
Elective Studies
In addition to your core studies, from second year onward, you have access to a wide menu of elective subjects. These include topics like costume and set design, directing, scriptwriting, lighting and sound design, stage management, or specialist study in a performance discipline. Students can also elect to undertake an external theatrical work placement, or internship on a university production. Complete documentation and detailed module content is available here.
Professional Visits
Central to our course philosophy is to have regular contact and workshop experience with as wide a variety of professional practitioners as possible. Visiting professionals have included Killian Donnelly, David Shannon, Molly Lynch, Alex Blake and Brian Murray - all first-class superstars of the West End and Broadway and wonderfully inspiring teachers. Students and staff also regularly workshop with musical theatre writers who have new work in the development phase.
Public Performances
Students participate in public performances every year, both in the university and in external venues. The showcase Steppin’ Out was performed to great acclaim at Cork Opera House in June 2022, with a full scale production of The Addams Family being produced at the Everyman Theatre in February 2023.
Further Information
Email csm.fulltimecoursescork@mtu.ie or phone +353 (0)21 4807309 / +353 (0)21 4807310.