Cutting-edge research with an Irish grounding and a world-wide reach lies at the heart of UCD's taught Master's programme, which gives students the opportunity to work with scholars of international standing in the School’s core disciplines of ethnomusicology, historical musicology and cultural history. Foundation modules in these areas as well as research methods are followed by case studies based on the research interests of staff. The programme furnishes students with the core intellectual tools for pursuing musicological research, while also facilitating specialization. Irish musical culture features prominently in the programme (including case study modules entitled "Sounding Ireland Onscreen" and "Popular Music in Ireland"), yet the profile of the degree is by no means restricted to Irish topics, given that UCD's research interests embrace music from many different regions. Guest seminars by international scholars also form an important part of the syllabus.

The UCD School of Music is one of the leading centres for graduate musical study in Ireland. The graduate programme gives students the opportunity to work with scholars of international standing in the School’s core disciplines of historical musicology and ethnomusicology. The programme encourages interdisciplinary study by enabling students to take modules in both these areas, while also facilitating specialization. The MMus degree furnishes students with the core intellectual tools for pursuing musical research, whilst also encouraging independent scholarship.