Diploma in Music Teaching and Performance (NFQ Level 7 Special Purpose Award)

Application deadline

5th of December 2025
Course duration

1 year & Full-time only (part time option over 2 years unavailable for the academic year 2025/26)
Course accreditation

Trinity Accredited Course
Course fee

€7,900
Course fee (non-EU/EEA)

€17,900

Course Introduction

Our Diploma in Music Teaching and Performance (DipMus) is a widely recognised music qualification accredited by Trinity College Dublin that develops two deeply interconnected skills required by every professional musician. This flexible course provides a choice of performance or pedagogy focused pathways, putting students in charge of their own specialism. Please note the Pedagody Pathway is not available for the Academic Year 2025/26.

Regardless of the pathway you choose, our DipMus will train you to a high level in performance and pedagogy, allowing you to teach your instrument/voice while gaining a wide musical knowledge through classes in performance, musicianship and repertoire as well as seminars and masterclasses.

PERFORMANCE PATHWAY

The Performance Pathway is aimed at those interested in taking an intensive year to concentrate on performing, while developing the skills you need to teach students one-to-one, which can be an important way to supplement income for many professional performers across the world. The principal study on this pathway includes one hour of one-to-one tuition per week in your chosen instrument/voice.

This pathway can act as a one-year post-degree qualification for those postgraduate students who didn’t specialise in music performance but wish to becoming an instrumental/vocal teacher or progress to Masters studies.

It can also act as a direct pathway into year 2 the RIAM Mus.B. Performance Degree subject to reaching the required performing standard.

PEDAGOGY PATHWAY - Not available for the Academic Year 2025/26.

The Pedagogy Pathway is geared towards the teaching professional who also wishes to develop agility and confidence as a performer. Graduates will be qualified to teach in a variety of settings from conservatoires to the private teaching environment, and primary and secondary schools. The principal study on this pathway includes individual tuition for intensive study of your instrumental discipline, as well as some performance classes.

Many teachers are already busy practitioners in their field and do not have the time to spend a full year intensively studying. By studying part-time, teachers can continue with their practice while developing their skills and gaining a qualification with a more manageable workload.

PERFORMANCE AND PEDAGOGY PATHWAY

It is possible to combine pathways by selecting specific modules. This selection is done in the orientation week prior to commencing the course.

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Course Outline

The Diploma in Music Teaching and Performance has three curriculum strands:

Practical lessons, ensemble rehearsals and performance class develop confident performers
Pedagogy modules offer teachers a strong foundation in educational issues and teaching philosophies
Supporting academic studies provide solid musical foundations for life

Programme Learning Outcomes

Participate confidently in a wide variety of teaching performing situations from solo instrumental lessons to chamber music and larger ensemble coaching.
Teach as instrumental/vocal specialists in a variety of settings from conservatoires to private teaching environment and primary and secondary schools
Communicate a strong artistic vision, supported by a sound technique and effective rehearsal strategies
Work productively as part of a team within a variety of ensemble formats
Compose and analyse short exercises using a wide range of compositional techniques
Identify and describe in detail the major developments of music through study of the musical score and secondary sources
Perform exercises that demonstrate awareness of the physical experience associated with movement
Control anxiety and stress in performance
Plan, reflect on and progress their careers as an instrumental or vocal teacher
Critically reflect and articulate the main principles of educational psychology, and various musical pedagogies (such as Kodály and Dalcroze)

Modules

There will be no mandatory allocation of modules in Year One or Two as all are stand-alone in nature, but students must pass their chosen combination of 30 ECTS worth of modules in Year One on the part-time course in order to progress to Year Two.

a = Performance pathway only

b = Pedagogy pathway only ( not available for the Academic year 2025/26)

Other modules are mandatory and shared between the two pathways

Keyboard

Tuition 1 hour per week x 30 weeks
Performance Classes approximately 40 hours over year
Self-study 430 hours per year

Instrumental

Individual tuition 1 hour per week x 30 weeks
Accompaniment approximately 10 hours per year
Performance Class approximately 40 hours per Academic Year
Self-study 420 hours per year

Voice

Individual tuition 1 hour per week x 30 weeks
Coaching up to a maximum of 10 hours per year
Self-study 335 hours per year

Individual tuition 20 hours of practical lessons
20 hours of performance class/masterclass

Coaching up to 8 hours per year
Masterclass [attendance and performance] 12 hours over the year
Self-study/group rehearsal approx. 3½ hours per week x 30 weeks

Keyboard/Instrumental

Group rehearsal approximately 2 hours per week x 30 weeks
Self-Study 65 hours over 30 weeks

Vocal

Vocal students must study the following range of performance related electives:

RIAM Chorale
- Preparation of music and text 10 hours
- Attendance at classes 3 hours per week x 2 RIAM Spotlight Performance Weeks in November and February to a total of 30 hours
- 2 hours concert rehearsal x 2 Performances and 2 Performances x 2 hours
Junior Song Class
- Group tuition 1½ hours per weeks x 24 weeks
- Background research, preparation of translations, phonetics and music 10 hours
- Own independent practice and collaboration with a pianist 24 hours
Baroque and Oratorio Class
- Lecture 1½ hours per week x 24 weeks
- Background research, preparation of Text (translations and phonetics) and Music 10 hours
- Independent practice and collaboration with a pianist 12 hours
Phonetics
- Lecture 2 hours x 12 sessions
- Self-study 14 hours

Students are required to attend at least one of the languages over the course of the programme

French diction
German diction
Italian diction

Lecture 1 hour per week x 24 weeks
Self-study 20 hours over 24 weeks

Lectures 1½ hours per week x 24 weeks contact + 2 reading weeks
Self-study 70 hours over 26 weeks

Lecture 1 hour per week x 24 weeks + 2 reading weeks
Self-study 70 hours over 26 weeks

Academic writing & research skills 2 hours x 4 weeks
Lecture 1½ hours per week x 20 weeks + 2 reading weeks
Self-study 87 hours over 26 weeks

15 hours of seminars in small groups with specialist instrumental/vocal teacher
80 hours of self-directed practice and learning

15 hours of seminars in small groups with specialist instrumental/vocal teacher
80 hours of self-directed practice and learning

Group tuition 1 hour per week x 24 weeks + 2 reading weeks
70 hours of self-directed practice and learning

12 hours of group practical workshops and lectures
113 hours of self-directed practice and rehearsal

8 hours of practical lessons
12 hours of observation
105 hours of self-directed practice and learning

Performance Psychology

6 Lectures x 1½ hours
Self study 96½ over Academic Year for RIAM Holistic Modules A-C

Career Strategy

6 Lectures x 2 hours
Self study 96½ over Academic Year for RIAM Holistic Modules A-C

Yoga

18 session over Academic Year
Self-study 72 hours over Academic Year for RIAM Holistic Modules A - D

Where a module is separated into (a) or (b), Performance Pathway students will take (a) modules and Pedagogy Pathway students will take (b) modules.

Entry Requirements

Auditions are held in January.

You will be asked to perform two contrasting pieces after which there will be a short interview.