Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM)

Key facts

Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 5 November 2026.

About RIAM

RIAM was founded in 1848 and calls itself Ireland’s oldest conservatoire. It teaches from beginner level (ages 4 and up) through undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral study.^[1] The college is at 36-38 Westland Row in Dublin 2 and describes itself as an Associate College of Trinity College, the University of Dublin.^[2] Trinity’s own 2013 announcement said RIAM would become an Associated College with its undergraduate and postgraduate programmes validated by Trinity.^[9]

RIAM gives a student body of 220.^[2] Wikipedia lists 200 full-time students, 1,500 part-time students assessed annually, and 42,000 students in its RIAM Exams system, so it counts a much wider group than the degree students.^[6]

How is RIAM ranked?

We found no overall QS World University Rankings 2027 position for RIAM in the sources we read. RIAM’s fact sheet says it is “ranked among the top 50 performing-arts institutions globally” but does not name the ranking or the year, so we do not use that claim as a position.^[1] How we compile rankings.

What can you study at RIAM?

• Bachelor in Music (BMus), 4 years: specialisms in composition, keyboard, strings, wind/brass/percussion and vocal; a Bachelor in Music Education (BMusEd) is also listed.^[2][1] The BMus is taught with one-to-one tuition, ensemble work, musicianship and music history.^[1]
• Diploma in Music Teaching and Performance, 1 year: a teaching qualification that also serves as a pathway into year 2 of the BMus.^[1]
• Access course, 1 year: preparation for a third-level music degree.^[1]
• Master in Music Performance (MMusPerf), 2 years, NFQ level 9: keyboard, strings, vocal studies and wind/brass/percussion, with two hours of one-to-one lessons per week.^[7][2]
• Doctor in Music Performance (DMusPerf), 4 years; Recital Artist Diploma; Professional Mentorship (1 year).^[1]

How much does RIAM cost?

Non-EU students

RIAM’s fact sheet for international students lists approximate non-EU tuition for the academic year 2026-27, “subject to change”:^[1]

The same table lists a €3,000 deposit and a €250 once-off fee payable to RIAM for every course. For the Diploma, BMus, MMusPerf and DMusPerf the deposit and the remaining balance are payable to Trinity College Dublin; for the Access course, Recital Artist Diploma and Professional Mentorship they are payable to RIAM.^[1]

Sources differ. The BMus programme page lists €23,870 per annum for non-EU/EEA students and the MMusPerf page lists €26,500, both without an academic year.^[3][7] Both are higher than the fact sheet. Confirm the current figure with RIAM before you budget.

EU students

RIAM states that full-time undergraduate Irish and EU students do not have to pay tuition fees, in line with the Higher Education Authority’s rules. The full-time Access course and Diploma in Music are not government funded. SUSI funding applies to eligible students on Trinity-accredited courses; applicants must name Trinity, not RIAM, as the approved institution, and for postgraduate courses the funding typically covers part of the tuition fees.^[4] The BMus page shows a student contribution of €2,500 per annum for Irish and EU students without naming a year; check the current year’s amount with RIAM.^[3] The MMusPerf page lists a course fee of €10,000 per annum, also without a year.^[7]

Scholarships

RIAM sets aside tuition fee scholarships each year; they are based on the ranking of applicants at the audition, and you must apply for the course and complete the audition first.^[10] The BVOF | RIAM John Pollard Bursary gives two master’s students a year €24,000 over two years (€12,000 in each year).^[10]

How do you apply to RIAM?

RIAM takes applications directly through its online application portal; the application pages we read do not mention the CAO.^[8][4] A non-refundable €100 fee is payable when you submit.^[8] Most applicants then complete an in-person or approved video audition.^[8]

Undergraduate. You need a school-leaving qualification equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate.^[1] RIAM’s entry page asks for a principal-study standard equivalent to Grade 7 with Distinction (RIAM Exams or ABRSM), while its application page speaks of Grade 8 distinction standard or equivalent, so check the level for your instrument.^[5][8] For the BMus you perform two contrasting pieces followed by a short interview, and sit a written theory test and an aural test.^[3] BMus, Diploma and Access candidates take a live online invigilated entrance exam of a one-hour aural paper and a two-hour written paper.^[5]

Postgraduate. RIAM expects a 2:1 or higher in an undergraduate degree that need not be in music performance, and applicants without a degree can be assessed through its recognition of prior learning process.^[11] Applicants audition at advanced level.^[8]

We do not repeat deadlines because they change each year; the application pages list the rounds for EU and non-EU applicants.^[8]

Which English level do you need?

All classes are taught in English. If your first language is not English and you were not educated through English, RIAM asks for one of these for Access, Diploma, bachelor’s and master’s candidates:^[5][11]

For the doctorate, the fact sheet asks for IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component, or equivalent.^[1]

More about studying in Ireland

• Ireland: best universities
• Cost of Studying Abroad
• International Student Scholarships
• University Ranking Methodology

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