DURATION:

4 Years

START DATE:

September 2026

ACCREDITATION:

BA(Hons) (awarding institution - IADT)

Creative Music Production is a programme designed for the contemporary music industry. Following a shared first year, students study one of two pathways:

• Creative Music Production focuses on the integration of core sound engineering and audio creation skills. Students explore the cutting edge of the field through practical projects in professional facilities.

• Creative Music Practice allows instrumental performers to develop their musicianship, while also focusing on the creation of music and audio.

A number of modules are shared across both pathways. Collaboration across pathways and with other programmes in IADT (with a focus on Film and Animation) create a vibrant learning environment.

The Music Production pathway is designed for those who wish to gain an in-depth knowledge of the recording studio and music production software. It also covers specialist topics in the field such as audio programming and production for games. Cultural context is offered by more research-based modules. In later years of the programme, students choose to focus on their own area of interest through mentor-led projects.

The Music Practice pathway is designed for those who wish to develop their performance skills, while also learning about the production and creation of music and audio. The pathway aims to enable performers to use technology creatively (as opposed to constituting a pure music performance degree). As well as shared modules from the Production pathway, students take a Performance strand of modules, designed to develop primary musical instrument skills. A Genre and Ensemble strand of modules deals with collaboration across instruments and creative solutions.

Creative Music Production is delivered collaboratively by IADT and the Sound Training College. This unique Programme utilises some of Ireland’s leading commercial recording studios and performance spaces as teaching facilities. Lecturers include some of the finest music industry practitioners in the contemporary music scene. This shared delivery offers globally unique benefits; appropriate modules will be taught in commercial studio and music production/practice facilities at STC.

What will I do?

Learn how to creatively use industry-standard equipment and software.
Learn from some of the finest music industry practitioners in the contemporary music scene in Ireland.
Benefit from a mixture of lectures and practical work of the highest commercial standard.
Get unrivalled industry experience, access and contacts.

What will I be able to do when I graduate?

Opportunities exist for graduates to undertake a huge variety of careers in the growing music and new media industries, with new opportunities constantly arising. Previous STC graduates are profiled here and continue to lead the worldwide music and new media industries.

Year 1

Common Modules: Music Production Fundamentals | Music Production and Practice | Acoustics of Music | Psychoacoustics of Music | Music Theory Fundamentals | Live Sound and Audio Fundamentals | Faculty Modules

Year 2

Common Modules: Client-based Composition | Performance Technologies | Musicology | Postproduction Sound | Faculty Elective

Music ProductionModules: Client-based Production | Creative Audio Programming | Creative Studio Engineering | Audio Mixing

Music Practice Modules: Creative Performance 1 | Creative Performance 2 | Genre & Ensemble | Artist Development

Year 3

Common Modules: Industry Studies | Interactive Performance Systems | Collaborative Creative Engagement | Research Methods | Creative Practice (a large project, exploring creative and technical skills, students can alternatively choose to arrange a work experience placement)

Music Production Modules: Audio Production for Games | Music Production for Games

Music Practice Modules: Creative Genre & Ensemble 1 | Creative Genre & Ensemble 2

Year 4

Common Modules: Creative Entrepreneurship | Music Industry | Professional Project Preparation | Professional Project | Professional Portfolio (this is a module where students choose electives based on their Pathway and interests, such as Advanced Studio Engineering and Production, Advanced Music Composition, Advanced Performance and Emerging Technologies)

Student projects from 2025 are profiled here.

Apply to Creative Music Production, DL838 via CAO by February 1.

The next step depends on the pathway you are applying for:

Submit a portfolio for the Production pathway (two short pieces of music, ideally showing contrast, with a written piece describing your role OR a short reflective essay discussing a concert/genre/artist/album demonstrating your interest in the course).

Or

Audition for the Practice pathway (a short, 3 min audition demonstrating core instrument skills and showcasing your creative musicianship). Applicants will be asked to specify their instrument. The programme currently accommodates Strings (guitar, bass, bowed strings), Percussion, Vocal, Keyboards and Electronic Instruments/Performance Solutions.

Advanced Entry:

Students completing the STC Higher Certificate (or equivalent) are eligible to apply for advanced entry into second year. Details on advanced entry can be found here .

This is a Public course.

The course is eligible for 'free fees' and third level grants, see the IADT prospectus and studentfinance.ie for details.

All courses in IADT require a student contribution, the details of this can be found here: https://iadt.ie/for-students/fees-grants/