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Royal Irish Academy of Music

Dublin, Ireland Founded 1848

Overview

English Name: Royal Irish Academy of Music
Local Name: Acadamh Ceoil Ríoga na hÉireann
Acronyms: RIAM
Founded: 1848
Control Type: Private
Royal Irish Academy of Music principal campus
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Founded in 1848, the Royal Irish Academy of Music is a private higher education institution located in the large city of Dublin (population range of 500,000-1,000,000 inhabitants), County Dublin.

Officially recognized by the Department of Education and Skills of Ireland, Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) is a coeducational Irish higher education institution. Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees in several areas of study.

This 176-year-old Irish higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic records and grades. RIAM also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, as well as administrative services.

Location & Contact

Need to get in touch with Royal Irish Academy of Music or find your way to campus? Address, phone, email, and online links are below. These reflect what the institution publishes on its official channels.

Address: 36-38 Westland Row
Postal Code: D02 WY89
Phone: +353 (1) 676 4412
Fax: +353 (1) 662 2798
Social Media:

Academic Details

A snapshot of Royal Irish Academy of Music's academic profile — enrolment, staffing, and the bodies recognising its work. Useful as a benchmark when comparing against peer institutions or national leaders.

Accrediting Agency: Quality and Qualifications Ireland - QQI (Dearbhú Cáilíochta agus Cáilíochtaí Éireann)
Admission Requirements: Irish Leaving Certificate or recognized international equivalent; Two letters of recommendation; Personal statement; Five original compositions; Proof of competence in English

Degrees

Also one-year Diploma courses

Doctoral 1 program

Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.

  • Music

Faculties & Divisions

All faculties operate under Department of Education and Skills of Ireland.

Speech and Drama (Course/Programme) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Theatre
Keyboard (Faculty) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Musical Instruments
Musicianship (Faculty) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Music Education
Strings (Faculty) 3 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Music
  • Music Education
  • Musical Instruments
Vocal Studies (Faculty) 4 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Opera
  • Singing
  • Speech Studies
  • Theatre
Woodwind, Brass and Percussion (Faculty) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Musical Instruments

Programs Offered

The full set of programmes Royal Irish Academy of Music offers is searchable and grouped by level below. Some programmes accept rolling applications; others run on annual cycles — check before applying.

Master's Degree

5 programmes

Explore 5 programmes of postgraduate study at Royal Irish Academy of Music. A master's degree sharpens specialist knowledge and often carries a dissertation or major project.

Master in Music Performance (MMusPerf)
Master in Music Performance - Keyboard (MMusPerf)
Master in Music Performance - Strings (MMusPerf)
Master in Music Performance - Vocal Studies (MMusPerf)
Master in Music Performance - Wind, Brass and Percussion (MMusPerf)

Doctorate

1 programme

Royal Irish Academy of Music lists 1 programme awarding a doctorate — the apex qualification for those pursuing research leadership or an academic career.

Doctor in Music Performance (DMusPerf)

Associate, Certificate & Other Qualifications

9 programmes

Royal Irish Academy of Music also offers 9 programmes across associate, certificate, diploma, and foundation routes — shorter or vocational qualifications that build practical skills or bridge into a full degree.

Bachelor in Music (BMus)
BMus (Composition)
BMus (Keyboard)
BMus (Strings)
BMus (Vocal)
BMus (Wind, Brass and Percussion)
Bachelor in Music Education (BMusEd)
Diploma in Music Teaching and Performance (DipMus)
Recital Artist Diploma

How to apply to Royal Irish Academy of Music

The standard application path for Royal Irish Academy of Music, broken into five practical steps with the documents and channels you will need at each stage.

  1. 1
    Research programmes at Royal Irish Academy of Music

    Start by exploring the programmes section on this page. Royal Irish Academy of Music runs 15 active programmes across multiple degree levels. Narrow by qualification tier and read each programme description before shortlisting.

  2. 2
    Review admissions criteria

    Before applying to Royal Irish Academy of Music, confirm you meet the academic, language, and document requirements for your chosen programme. International applicants should also check visa eligibility for Ireland.

  3. 3
    Gather supporting documents

    Standard documents: official transcripts, identity proof, language test results, personal statement, and references. Confirm exact requirements with Royal Irish Academy of Music's admissions office before assembling, as expectations vary by programme.

  4. 4
    Lodge your application

    Lodge your application through the official website (www.riam.ie). Online forms are the standard route. Save your draft frequently and submit before the programme deadline.

  5. 5
    Confirm receipt and track progress

    Verify your application has been received by the admissions team. Reach the institution by phone at +353 (1) 676 4412. Monitor the portal for status updates, interview invitations, or document requests, and respond within the stated deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions about Royal Irish Academy of Music

Quick answers to the most common questions about Royal Irish Academy of Music — covering location, founding, ranking, programmes, and admissions context.

In what year was Royal Irish Academy of Music established?

Royal Irish Academy of Music was founded in 1848 (approximately 178 years ago).

Where can I find Royal Irish Academy of Music?

The institution is located in Dublin, Ireland.

Is Royal Irish Academy of Music public or private?

Royal Irish Academy of Music operates as a private institution.

What programmes are available at Royal Irish Academy of Music?

Royal Irish Academy of Music offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.

Who recognises Royal Irish Academy of Music?

Yes, Royal Irish Academy of Music is recognised by Quality and Qualifications Ireland - QQI (Dearbhú Cáilíochta agus Cáilíochtaí Éireann).

What is Royal Irish Academy of Music's official website?

The institution's website is www.riam.ie.

Top-Ranked Universities in Ireland

National rankings in Ireland often weight different signals than international rankings. The leaders below typically top both, but the order can differ meaningfully.

Faculties at Nearby Universities

Within easy reach of Royal Irish Academy of Music, these institutions host comparable faculties and admissions structures — useful for regional shortlisting. Regional universities often coordinate on credit transfer and joint programme delivery.

Universities Often Compared with Royal Irish Academy of Music

Cross-institutional admissions sharing exists in some networks — peers of Royal Irish Academy of Music sometimes accept shared application materials or recognise admissions decisions. Worth checking when batching applications.

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