Bachelor in Music (BMus) NFQ Level 8

Application deadline

TBC
Course duration

4 years
Course accreditation

Trinity Accredited Course. The degree is validated, quality-assured, conferred by Trinity College Dublin
Course fee

Student Contribution fee €2,500 per annum (Irish & EU)
Course fee (non-EU/EEA)

€23,170 per annum

Course Introduction

Photo: Colm Hogan

NFQ Level: 8
Award Title: Honours Bachelor Degree (Bachelor in Music – BMus)
Awarding Body: Trinity College Dublin (University of Dublin)

Unlock your potential with our dynamic four-year Bachelor in Music (BMus) programme. Designed for modern performers and composers, our flexible undergraduate degree puts you in control of your artistic journey.

Are you ready to shape your musical future? Here's what our BMus offers:

Unmatched One-to-One Tuition: Receive two hours of principal study each week, the highest in any European undergraduate programme.
Exceptional Performance Opportunities: Enjoy guaranteed solo, chamber, opera, and large ensemble projects.
Personalized Education: Benefit from small class sizes tailored to help you excel in your music studies.
Invaluable Masterclasses: Engage with internationally acclaimed musicians and composers, building essential industry contacts.
Supportive Community: Join a friendly student cohort at an internationally recognized conservatoire in the heart of Dublin, connected to Trinity College Dublin.
Holistic Career Preparation: Our programme prepares you for the diverse careers of modern musicians.

Choose your path by focusing on one discipline or combining two within performance and composition. Studying at Ireland's premier music conservatoire allows you to tailor your education to your unique interests and goals.

Apply for the 2027 Entry to secure your place and take the first step towards your musical career.

For more information on the pathway relevant to your specialism, please follow the links below:

KEYBOARD Piano | Organ | Accordion

STRINGS Violin | Viola | Cello | Double Bass | Harp | Classical Guitar | Historical Performance

WIND, BRASS & PERCUSSION Flute | Oboe | Clarinet | Saxophone | Bassoon | Recorder |Trumpet | French Horn | Trombone | Tuba | Percussion

VOCAL STUDIES

COMPOSITION

Course Outline

The BMus programme is four years long.

Each study year runs for 30 weeks from September to June: 24 academic teaching weeks and 6 performance spotlight weeks. There are no academic classes during the performance spotlight weeks, but your practical lessons continue across all weeks.

The performance spotlight weeks provide you with the time and space to focus solely on solo or ensemble projects with international and national tutors and conductors.

The BMus degree at the RIAM takes in small numbers of students each year, ensuring you will have a lot of contact time with your tutors.

This course includes:

Two hours each week in your one-to-one lesson
An hour a week with an accompanist
Weekly chamber music coaching
Access to a range of orchestral opportunities
Frequent masterclasses
Small academic classes to help you excel in theoretical studies

For the 2026/27 academic year in Ireland, the student contribution fee for eligible undergraduate students is permanently reduced by €500, bringing the maximum fee to €2,500, down from €3,000.

Entry Requirements

The closing date for applications is December.

Auditions are held in January.

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

You will also take a written theory test and an aural test. You don’t need to have studied grades to apply, but we do recommend Grade 6 RIAM Local Centre/ABRSM theory level as a minimum standard.

Normally, applicants receive their results within one month of the audition/interview.

Entry requirements: Find out more at the following link: Entry Requirements (Undergraduate) | RIAM

How to apply, find out more at the following link: How to apply (Degrees & Programmes)

Course handbook

To view the current course handbook, please follow the relevant link below.

BMus (Keyboard) Handbook
BMus (Vocal) Handbook
BMus (Strings) Handbook
BMus (Wind, Brass & Percussion) Handbook
BMus (Composition) Handbook