About the university
The Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) has trained musicians in Dublin since 1848. It is Ireland's national conservatoire and an Associate College of Trinity College Dublin, offering degrees from bachelor's to doctorate in performance, composition and music education.
Teaching is built around one-to-one lessons on your instrument or voice, chamber music, orchestras and public performance. Entry depends mainly on your playing: applicants audition, and bachelor's and diploma applicants also sit an online aural and written theory exam at about Grade 7 level.
For Indian students RIAM suits serious Western classical performers who already play at a high grade (Grade 7 with Distinction or equivalent for bachelor's entry). Non-EU fees for 2027/28 are €23,870 a year for the Bachelor in Music and €26,500 for the two-year master's. RIAM's English requirements are lower than most Irish universities, starting at IELTS 5.5.
RIAM is in central Dublin, close to St Stephen's Green and Trinity College. Students have access to the city's concert halls, orchestras and music scene, but should plan early for Dublin's high rents.
- Founded
- 1848; describes itself as Ireland's music conservatoire
- Type
- Conservatoire and an Associate College of Trinity College Dublin
- Degrees
- Bachelor in Music, Bachelor in Music Education, Master in Music Performance, Doctor in Music Performance and diplomas
- Entry
- By audition, plus an online aural and written music exam for bachelor's and diploma applicants
- Intakes
- September
Rankings
Popular courses with Indian students
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- €23,870
- Duration
- 4 years
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 5.5; Duolingo 95; TOEFL iBT 55–60
- Postgraduate
Master in Music Performance (MMusPerf)
- Fee / year
- €26,500
- Duration
- 2 years
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 5.5; Duolingo 95; TOEFL iBT 55–60
- Undergraduate
Diploma in Music Teaching and Performance (DipMus)
- Fee / year
- €18,570
- Duration
- 1 year
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 5.5; Duolingo 95; TOEFL iBT 55–60
- Postgraduate
Doctor in Music Performance (DMusPerf)
- Fee / year
- €26,500
- Duration
- 4 years
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0); Duolingo 110; TOEFL iBT 79
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor in Music (BMus) | 4 years | €23,870 | ≈ ₹25.3 lakh |
| Master in Music Performance (MMusPerf) | 2 years | €26,500 | ≈ ₹28.1 lakh |
| Diploma in Music Teaching and Performance (DipMus) | 1 year | €18,570 | ≈ ₹19.7 lakh |
| Doctor in Music Performance (DMusPerf) | 4 years | €26,500 | ≈ ₹28.1 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at Royal Irish Academy of Music with similar universities in Ireland.
Scholarships
- Master in Music Performance
BVOF | RIAM John Pollard Bursary
Value: €24,000 in total (€12,000 in each of the two years)
Eligibility: Vocal and instrumental MMusPerf applicants from anywhere in the world; the vocal award focuses on tenors and countertenors. Applicants are considered automatically.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Undergraduate and postgraduate
RIAM tuition fee scholarships
Value: Deducted from tuition fees; amount varies
Eligibility: Awarded on audition ranking, talent, potential and financial need. You must apply and audition first, and reapply each year.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - All students
Subsidised on-campus accommodation scheme
Value: A small number of en suite rooms free of charge or at a discount
Eligibility: Subject to availability.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Your main instrument or voice should be at about Grade 7 with Distinction (RIAM or ABRSM) or equivalent.
- Bachelor in Music and Diploma applicants sit a live online entrance exam: a one-hour aural paper and a two-hour written theory paper at about Grade 7 level.
- All applicants audition. Check RIAM's How to Apply and Auditions pages for 2027 dates.
- Ask RIAM how your Class 12 results are assessed; its academic requirements for non-EU school qualifications are not set out on the entry page.
Postgraduate
- Master's applicants should normally hold a 2:1 or higher bachelor's degree, which need not be in music performance. Applicants without a degree can be assessed through Recognition of Prior Learning.
- Admission depends on an audition of challenging repertoire that is technically secure and musically individual.
- A non-EU deposit is due when you accept an offer and is deducted from your fees.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets
- Music grade certificates (for example ABRSM or Trinity)
- Bachelor's transcripts and degree certificate (postgraduate)
- English test score if you were not educated through English
- Audition repertoire list
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 5.5 overall for bachelor's, diploma and master's (no band below 5.5 recommended); 6.5 with no band below 6.0 for the doctorate |
| Duolingo English Test | 95 overall with no sub-score below 90 (bachelor's and master's); 110 for the doctorate |
| TOEFL iBT | 55–60 overall with at least 16 in writing (bachelor's and master's); 79 with 21 in writing for the doctorate |
| Pearson English International Certificate | 46–50 overall (bachelor's and master's); 63 for the doctorate |
| Educated in English | A test is not needed if you were educated through English; confirm with RIAM that your schooling counts |
Accommodation and living costs
RIAM has no large halls of its own but lists partner student residences in Dublin, plus homestays and private rentals. It also runs a small subsidised en suite room scheme. Allow at least four weeks to find private housing and watch out for rental scams.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Griffith Halls of ResidenceFrom this price; about 20 minutes' walk from St Stephen's Green | €209per week | ≈ ₹22,154 |
| Aparto residences (including Stephen's Quarter)From this price | €291per week | ≈ ₹30,846 |
| Student residences in Dublin (range given by RIAM)Shared or single rooms; some cost more | €209–310per week | ≈ ₹22,154 – ₹32,860 |
| Homestay with full boardFrom €190 a week or €26 a night | €190per week | ≈ ₹20,140 |
| Money you must show for living costs (visa)Minimum set by Irish immigration, on top of tuition | €10,000per year | ≈ ₹10.6 lakh |
Campus and location
RIAM teaches in central Dublin, a short walk from St Stephen's Green and Trinity College Dublin.
- One-to-one lessons with a principal study teacher, plus chamber music and ensembles.
- Associate College of Trinity College Dublin.
- Some partner residences have music practice rooms, such as Yugo's Ardcairn House.
- International student supports for pre-arrival and settling in.
Careers and graduate outcomes
RIAM graduates work as performers, composers and music teachers. The Diploma and Bachelor in Music Education focus on teaching. For post-study work rules in Ireland, see our Ireland guide.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|
Studying in Ireland
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Ireland. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
How much are RIAM's fees for Indian students?
For 2027/28 the non-EU fee is €23,870 a year for the Bachelor in Music, €26,500 a year for the Master in Music Performance and €18,570 for the one-year Diploma. There is also a €240 materials fee in year 1 and yearly student levies of about €210–€245.
Do I need to audition?
Yes. Every applicant auditions, and bachelor's and diploma applicants also sit an online aural and written theory exam at about Grade 7 level.
What IELTS score do I need?
IELTS 5.5 for bachelor's, diploma and master's courses, and 6.5 (no band below 6.0) for the doctorate. RIAM also accepts Duolingo, TOEFL and Cambridge tests.
Are there scholarships?
Yes. RIAM awards tuition fee scholarships based on your audition and financial need, and master's applicants are considered for the €24,000 BVOF | RIAM John Pollard Bursary.
Where will I live?
Most students live in partner student residences (from about €209 a week), homestays (from €190 a week with meals) or private rentals in Dublin.
Sources
- RIAM: international fees 2027/28 (opens in a new tab)
- RIAM: undergraduate entry requirements (opens in a new tab)
- RIAM: postgraduate entry requirements (opens in a new tab)
- RIAM: scholarships and financial supports (opens in a new tab)
- RIAM: accommodation (opens in a new tab)
- RIAM: international student hub (opens in a new tab)
- RIAM: homepage (opens in a new tab)
- Irish Immigration Service Delivery: student finance requirements (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.riam.ie (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details