Programme Overview
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Qualification
NFQ Level
Duration |
CAO Codes Application Deadline Entrance Test Audition Video Submission Deadline |
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.
Those applying to the CAO should use the instrument-specific codes:
- MT931 Electric Guitar
- MT932 Electric Bass Guitar
- MT933 Keyboard
- MT934 Drums
- MT935 Voice (restricted - no late applications accepted)
Please note that applications for first-year entry close at 5.00pm on 1 February 2027. Late applications cannot be accepted. This deadline applies to all applicants both domestic and international. Information on Advanced Entry pathways is available below.
Admission Requirements
For admission to the programme, standard applicants must:
- meet the minimum entry requirements;
- sit the Entrance Test; and
- complete Garda Vetting (to be completed as part of registration process if offered a place)
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;
- those holding relevant FETAC Level 5 & 6 qualifications;
- mature applicants 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, details of this can be found on the MTU International Office webpage.
Where qualifications other than the Irish Leaving Certificate are being presented, applicants must comply with all CAO and/or MTU International Office documentation requirements and deadlines. Failure to submit the required supporting documentation by the relevant deadline will result in the application being deemed ineligible for consideration.
Entrance Test
This is a Restricted Access Course, and all applicants will be assessed through a combination of video submissions, a live audition, and a written paper. Overseas applicants are strongly encouraged to attend in-person.
Each applicant is awarded up to a maximum of 600 points. Applicants must achieve a minimum overall score of 300 points to be eligible for consideration. Additionally, candidates must also achieve at least 40% in the written paper in order to be considered eligible.
Applicants who meet these minimum requirements are then ranked according to their overall Entrance Test score, and places are offered on the basis of this ranking. Leaving Certificate points are not used for ranking purposes.
Applicants are not permitted to defer the results of the Entrance Test.
Audition Application Form
Applicants who have applied through the CAO by the closing date will receive an email by Friday, 5 February 2027 containing a link to the BAPM Audition Application Form & inviting them to audition.
The Audition Application Form, together with all required supporting materials and video submission links, must be submitted by 5.00pm on Wednesday, 24 February 2027. Late submissions cannot be accepted. The completed and submitted form is required for your audition to be scheduled.
All audition materials must be submitted through the BAPM Audition Application Form. Videos or supporting documents sent directly by email cannot be accepted. Please see video submission details below for more information.
Video Submission
Please upload your videos as a single video or playlist to YouTube. Choose the setting "unlisted" under the visibility menu. If you are having issues with YouTube, you may use Vimeo. However, please be aware that the privacy setting on Vimeo must be "public" for us to be able to watch the submission, which means your video is searchable by anyone on the site.
Email csm.fulltimecoursescork@mtu.ie if you have any queries or problems with the video upload.
Video Recording Guidelines
- Please give yourself plenty of time to prepare, record, and upload your video files. You can do this in advance, before submitting your links via your audition application form.
- Record in a quiet environment where your instrument and/or voice can be heard clearly.
- Ensure the performance area is well lit and that you are clearly visible throughout the recording.
- Position the camera so that your face, hands and instrument (where applicable) can be seen clearly.
- Use a stable camera position or tripod where possible.
- Smartphone recordings are acceptable, provided both video and audio quality are sufficient for assessment purposes.
- Applicants must remain clearly visible on camera at all times during recorded performances.
- Where possible, edit your videos to include only what is necessary.
Submission Requirements
- Begin your recording by introducing yourself to the camera and stating your full name and CAO number (where applicable).
- Before each performance, briefly introduce the piece, including the title and composer/songwriter where known.
- Performances may be unaccompanied, accompanied by live musicians, or supported by backing tracks. Where backing tracks are used, they should be clearly audible in the recording.
Applicants should submit approximately 8-10 minutes of recorded material. Quality is valued more highly than quantity.
- Vocalists should perform two contrasting songs and present, using any vowel, a major scale, and its arpeggio. You may perform one original song and one contrasting cover, or two cover versions. Vocal performances must be recorded without amplification, pitch correction, tuning, or vocal processing. Recordings should accurately reflect the natural quality and characteristics of the applicant's voice.
- Keyboardists should perform two contrasting pieces, present two own-choice major scales (two octaves, hands together) and, choosing two notes as roots, present major seventh, dominant seventh, and minor seventh chords. Please speak the names of the scales and chords before you play each one.
- Electric guitarists should perform two contrasting songs or instrumentals demonstrating 'rhythm' and 'lead' techniques. Applicants must also present a two-octave scale of G major and a GMaj7 arpeggio. Please note that nylon string/classical/steel string acoustic videos are not acceptable for the electric guitar pathway.
- Bass guitarists should perform two or three contrasting pieces.
- Drummers should perform two or three contrasting pieces, demonstrating their musical strengths and interests.
Authenticity of Performance
- Audition submissions must be an authentic representation of the applicant's own musicianship and performance ability.
- The use of artificial intelligence (AI), audio manipulation software, pitch-correction technology, autotuning, performance-enhancement applications, or any technology that materially alters or misrepresents an applicant's performance is not permitted.
- Cork School of Music reserves the right to request additional evidence of performance ability where necessary.
Live Audition
Applicants will have a short in-person audition on 19/20 March 2027 with aural tests (sing back a melody and clap back a rhythm) and a sight-reading exercise on their instrument/voice.
Applicants auditioning for electric guitar & bass must bring their own instruments & applicants auditioning for drums must bring their own sticks. Applicants travelling internationally may request the use of School instruments and equipment in advance.
Written Paper
Applicants must sit a one-hour written paper on 19/20 March 2027 at MTU Cork School of Music. The paper includes questions on aural skills (chord recognition and dictation), music notation (key signatures and time signatures), and harmony. Applicants should bring a pencil and eraser for the exam. A sample paper is available online HERE.
There are online and in-person preparatory sessions for students applying to the Bachelor of Music (CAO Code MT 936) and BA in Popular Music (CAO Codes MT931–MT935) at MTU Cork School of Music. These sessions will help you prepare for the written entrance exam. More information HERE.
Advanced Entry
Applicants with relevant prior learning, including Higher Education qualifications, Further Education awards, recognised prior learning or significant professional experience, may apply for Advanced Entry to Year 2, 3 or 4 of the programme, subject to the availability of places in the relevant year of entry.
All Advanced Entry applicants must apply through the CAO Advanced Entry process. Prospective Advanced Entry applicants are strongly advised to contact the programme team first at csm.fulltimecoursescork@mtu.ie before applying via the CAO. This allows us to discuss your previous study and advise on the most appropriate entry point.
Applicants are also strongly encouraged to apply for Year 1 entry via the CAO (deadline: 1 February 2027). Applicants who do not meet the requirements for their requested Advanced Entry year may still be suitable for Year 1 entry; however, consideration for a Year 1 place is only possible where a separate Year 1 CAO application has been submitted.
As the number of Advanced Entry places is limited and subject to availability within each year of the programme, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by the Round 1 deadline. Applications received in Round 1 will be considered first, and availability for later rounds may be significantly reduced. Early application is strongly recommended.
Round 1 Deadline: 1 February 2027
Applicants who apply by the Round 1 deadline will be assessed on 19/20 March 2027. Please note that there may be additional assessment requirements depending on the year of application.
Round 2 Deadline: Friday, 28 May 2027
Applications received by the Round 2 deadline will be assessed during week ending 13 June 2027.
Applicants seeking to apply after the Round 2 deadline should contact the MTU Cork School of Music at csm.fulltimecourseCork@mtu.ie.
To apply via advanced entry please click HERE.
When will I receive a decision?
Following completion of the Entrance Test process, results are reviewed and ranked by the admissions panel. Entrance test results will be communicated to candidates by Friday 20 May 2027.
Offers are then issued through the CAO in accordance with the national offers schedule. International and Advanced Entry applicants will be notified directly by MTU once the assessment process is complete.
Garda Vetting
Vetting is conducted by the National Vetting Bureau (formerly known as the Garda Central Vetting Unit). The National Vetting Bureau (NVB) helps 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 four-year programme leading to the award of a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Popular Music. This modern, four-year, Level 8 music degree provides comprehensive training in popular music performance with ancillary and supporting courses in a huge variety of disciplines. Each student is assigned a matched group of peers to form a small popular band ensemble. Lectures, classes, and music technology labs provide supporting skills to the core training in performance.
Singers and instrumentalists who play guitar, bass, keyboards or drums in a pop style will study together: performance skills, ensemble, theory and harmony, songwriting, music technology and music business, law and entrepreneurship. Those wishing to specialise in music and technology have access to some of the most sophisticated electronic and computer equipment available in the country.
Graduates will be able to compete in the busy world of commercial music in Ireland, for recording contracts, gigs in clubs and concert halls, TV and stage shows & corporate entertainment. Synergies with the classical, jazz and traditional musicians on the BMus course will open creative doors and career opportunities such as those fostered in the famous performing arts schools and colleges of the UK and US.
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.
Individual Tuition
This is at the core of your degree throughout your four years, and you will receive a one-hour or thirty-minute one-to-one lesson weekly in your chosen area.
Aural Training and Harmony
Also a core subject throughout - you will graduate as a fully equipped and rounded musician.
Ensemble Training
A signature training on this degree, you will receive intensive training in complete stage band ensembles, also specific rhythm section or vocal section sessions, every week for four years.
Music and Technology
Music and technology is a core subject for the first three years, with advanced Music and Technology module options and specialist electives available in later years. Students have access to industry-standard studios, recording facilities and laboratories to learn sound design, computer music, music production, beat making, computer notation, programming, live sound and studio technologies.
Electives
From Year Two onward you'll build a personalised pathway through a wide range of elective modules, many shared with our sister courses - the BMus, BA in Theatre & Drama Studies, and BA in Musical Theatre. Options include songwriting, arranging and musical direction; digital music production and performance; community music and music therapy; dance, sound design and lighting design; vocal pedagogy; performance skills development and specialist performance electives such as Latin, Afro-American and Brazilian rhythms and Hammond organ.
Industry Connections
Regular additional workshops are hosted by visiting performers and music industry professionals. A&R sessions are provided each year, as well as industry talks from promoters and bookers. Students of arranging and musical direction enjoy a close collaboration with performing ensembles such as the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.
Performance Opportunities
All students perform a public gig with their band each semester, at both in-house and external venues in the city. Students who specialise in performance in Years Three and Four get the opportunity to present their own gigs. Other modules such as songwriting also feature regular performance opportunities.
Programme Team:
The BA (Honours) in Popular Music is led by Deirdre Collins, Head of Department, and Course Coordinators Áine Whelan and Lorna Moore. The programme is delivered by a specialist team of performers, composers, producers, music technologists and educators with extensive professional and industry experience.
Teaching Staff include Chris Ahern, Noel Barrett, Keith Clancy, Dr. Derek Cremin, Dearbhaile Maclean, Hugh Dillon, Paul Dunlea, David Hayes, Michael Joyce, Laoise Leahy, Rory McCarthy, Cormac McCarthy, Hugh McCarthy, Lorna Moore, Dr. Ryan Morgan, Fionn O'Neill, Ciara O'Toole, Fionn Ó Ceallacháin, Ciara O'Leary Fitzpatrick, Kieran Prendergast, Davie Ryan, Karl Rooney, Dr. Trish Rooney, Jonathan Scott, Cian Sweeney, Andrew Walsh, Áine Whelan, Oisín Walsh-Peelo and Ursula O'Sullivan.
Further course information on modules offered HERE.
Further Information
Email csm.fulltimecoursescork@mtu.ie or phone +353 (0)21 4807309 / +353 (0)21 4807310.