Bachelor in Music (BMus)

Application deadline

24 March 2023
Course duration

4 years
Course accreditation

Trinity Accredited Course
Course fee

€3,000 per annum
Course fee (non-EU/EEA)

€21,000 per annum

Course Introduction

Photo: Colm Hogan

Our four-year Bachelor in Music (Bmus) programme is a flexible undergraduate degree designed for modern performers and composers who want to take control of their own artistic identities. BMus blends principal study with performance opportunities, masterclasses, academic studies and career skills to equip you with all the necessary experience to reach your full potential in the areas of music performance and/or composition.

Working with the finest musicians and teachers, BMus students enjoy the following benefits:

The highest number of principal study one-to-one tuition hours of any undergraduate programme in Europe – 2 hours per week
Unparalleled performance opportunities with guaranteed solo, chamber, opera and large ensemble projects
Small classes that provide an individually tailored music education to help you excel in your studies
Frequent masterclasses with internationally acclaimed musicians and composers, with opportunities to make vital contacts in your chosen industry
A small and friendly student cohort in an internationally recognised conservatoire based in the heart of Dublin city, connected to Ireland's top University, Trinity College Dublin
A holistic focus that helps you prepare for the varied careers of modern musicians

Our BMus puts you in charge of your degree by allowing a choice to study in any of the following disciplines, or with a combination of two (subject to equal assessment of both disciplines). Students studying at Ireland's premier music conservatoire can focus on a single specialism, or combine and study more than one specialism in the areas of performance and composition.

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

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

Entry Requirements

The closing date for applications is 21 December 2022.

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 result within one month of the audition/interview.

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