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Creative Arts & Design
Duration
4 years
Level
Bachelor
Outlook
Growing
This degree places you at the intersection of music, technology and creative production. You develop hands-on skills in audio recording, mixing, mastering, live sound reinforcement, and post-production for film and television. Practical studio sessions are central to your week — you spend considerable time in professional-grade recording studios, using industry-standard software such as Pro Tools, Logic Pro and Ableton Live. Alongside technical modules, you study acoustics, signal processing and music theory. Many programmes include work placements with recording studios, broadcast companies or live events firms, and some offer Erasmus exchange opportunities in European partner institutions. Graduates leave with a strong portfolio of recorded and produced work.
Entry is typically through the CAO, requiring a minimum of six subjects in the Leaving Certificate including English and Mathematics at Ordinary level or above. Points requirements are generally moderate, though competition for places at IADT can push demand higher in some years. Subjects such as Music, Physics, and Applied Mathematics are advantageous, as is any prior experience with music production software. QQI Level 5 or Level 6 FET awards in Music, Sound Engineering or Creative Media can provide a recognised progression route into Year 1 or Year 2, depending on the institution. Mature applicants aged 23 or over may apply through the mature student entry route, and HEAR and DARE schemes support applicants from socioeconomic or disability backgrounds.
Demand for skilled audio professionals in Ireland is steady, driven by growth in podcast production, streaming platforms, games development, and the expanding Irish film and television sector. Graduates with strong technical skills and a professional portfolio are competitive in the Irish and European job markets. Freelancing is common in this field, so building industry contacts and a diverse portfolio during your studies is important. Many graduates combine employment with project-based freelance work across multiple sectors.
AI is increasingly influencing audio production through tools that automate mixing, mastering, noise reduction and music generation, and platforms such as iZotope's AI-assisted plugins are already in widespread professional use. As a student in this field, you will need to understand and critically engage with these tools rather than simply rely on them, as creative judgement and technical expertise remain central to professional practice. AI is unlikely to replace the human skills required in live sound, bespoke sound design or collaborative studio production. Staying current with emerging AI audio technologies will be an ongoing part of your professional development throughout your career.
Providers and indicative points are curated with AI support. Always double-check with the institution itself.
CAO points (indicative): 250-380 (2024)
* Indicative only: CAO points change every year. Always check the current points on cao.ie and with the institution.
How to apply
Most undergraduate Music Technology and Sound degrees are accessed through the CAO (Central Applications Office) at cao.ie, with applications typically submitted by 1 February each year. Some private or non-CAO providers accept direct applications through their own admissions portals.
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