Tertiary Scholarships, Bursaries and Financial Supports

What’s a music scholarship, grant, or bursary?

Music scholarships, grants, and bursaries are awarded to undergraduate and postgraduate students on the basis of their musical talent, whether as a vocalist or playing an instrument. 

Additional benefits

Music scholarships can offer other benefits to students, on top of the financial incentive, such as:

• access to world-class experts, equipment, and resources
• complimentary tickets to shows and performances
• assistance with related fees or expenses

If you’re interested in a music scholarship or bursary, you’ll be expected to demonstrate your raw ability as part of your RIAM application, including how you’ve applied this at an advanced level. For example, have you performed at school, in your local community, or competitions. 

Students may be eligible for scholarships, bursaries or other funding with RIAM

Apply early for consideration!

To apply for scholarship/funding, complete the Application for Admissions online at

 https://www.riam.ie/degrees-programmes/third-level-applications/how-to-apply

1848 Scholars

The RIAM has set aside a generous budget to offer financial assistance to incoming students each year. We offer 1848 scholars to those students who score highly at audition, in return for administrative or teaching/accompaniment work. 

There are two types of 1848 Scholars 

1.Administrative Assistance Scholars 

Examples of assistance include stewarding, music specialist administration (e.g. bowing/marking parts, scanning music), meeting prospective students, concert administration & presentation, and outreach projects.  For further information on the role, please refer to 1848 Admin Role overview linked below.

€1,000 bursary is awarded for 70 Faculty Assistance Hours 

€2,000 bursary is awarded for 140 Faculty Assistance Hours 

1848 Admin Bursary: In exchange for specific hours of work, the 1848 bursary will be paid separately from tuition. The bursary will be paid* directly to scholars, once registration is complete and students have begun their studies with RAIM. 1848 scholars will be paid in two instalments in November and March *subject to visa NEU students, provision of PPS number and bank account details. 

2.Teaching/Accompaniment Assistance Scholars 

For teaching assistance, an interview post-audition will assess your previous teaching experience. Teaching assistants are allocated group classes, early years, or adult students. Accompaniment assistants are allocated rehearsals with students and class concerts. The Head of Faculty monitors all 1848 Scholars engaged in teaching. 

€1,650 bursary is awarded for 60 Teaching Assistance Hours 

€2,500 bursary is awarded for 90 Teaching Assistance Hours 

€5,000 bursary is awarded for 180 Teaching Assistance Hours 

We offer bursaries based on the ranking of applicants at audition. We also assess your willingness to take on administrative or teaching assistance work, and your aptitude for the work. 

1848 Teaching/Accompaniment Assistance: In exchange for specific hours of work, the 1848 bursary will be paid separately from tuition. The bursary will be paid* directly to scholars, once registration is complete and students have begun their studies with RAIM. 1848 scholars will be paid in two instalments in November and March *subject to visa NEU students, provision of PPS number and bank account details. 

Tuition fee Scholarships 

The RIAM has also set aside financial assistance for incoming students each year under tuition fee scholarships. Tuition fee scholarships are based on the ranking of applicants at the audition.

Tuition fee scholarships will be deducted from the balance of the fees, which will be noted on your RIAM/Classter account in September upon completion of RIAM registration. 

Scholarship Type                                                 Value
Distinguished  Student under Audition                   €1,000 per year
Distinguished  Student under Audition                   €2,000 per year
Distinguished  Student under Audition                   €4,000 per year
International First-Time  Entrance Scholarships    €1,000  Year 1 only
International First-Time  Entrance Scholarships    €2,000  Year 1 only
International First-Time  Entrance Scholarships    €3,000  Year 1 only 
 

Please be advised that by Irish tax regulations, prizes, bursaries, scholarships and grants of this nature may be considered taxable income. It is the student’s responsibility to declare their award to Irish Revenue and to ensure that applicable taxes are assessed and paid.

Subsidised On-Campus Accommodation Scheme

RIAM will offer a small number of en suite study bedrooms free of charge* or at a discount in the on-campus student residences to students. 

*Subject to availability of rooms 

BVOF | RIAM John Pollard Bursary

Blackwater Valley Opera Festival and the Royal Irish Academy of Music have announced a transformative new music prize to support the studies of two master's students every year at Ireland's National Music Conservatoire

The largest bursary of its kind in Ireland, each year the BVOF | RIAM John Pollard Bursary will select one vocal studies student and one instrumental student to each receive €24,000 over two years. This new award will assist each winner to complete their two-year Master in Music Performance programme at the RIAM. 

The award is open to vocal and instrumental students worldwide who apply to study on the Masters in Music Performance programme at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, with a particular focus on applications from tenor/countertenors for the vocal award.  Recipients will be chosen through their RIAM audition to receive the award, which will be provided as €12,000 in Year 1 and €12,000 in Year 2.

Soprano Abigail LaDuke and pianist Ella Nagy were the first recipients of the Bursary. Tenors Seán Testor and Rory Lynch are the 2023/24 recipients of the Bursary and are currently in the second year of their Masters Programme.

“We are thrilled to partner with BVOF and the John Pollard Foundation to offer this astonishingly generous bursary to some truly talented and remarkable musicians. The award opens the doors of the RIAM to students across the globe, who may not otherwise have the means to study at Ireland’s oldest conservatoire, right in the heart of Dublin.” – Deborah Kelleher, RIAM Director

More information on how to apply and audition requirements can be found on riam.ie/apply. Applications for MMus will be automatically considered for this award.  There is no separate application process.

To find out more about the Bursary recipients click here.

Class of 2027 Masters Scholarships

RIAM is proud to announce new Class of 2027 Scholarships available to outstanding students joining our 2-year Master in Music programme in September 2025 and completing in June 2027. These scholarships are designed to support exceptionally talented musicians from Ireland and around the world, removing financial barriers to help you fully focus on your studies and artistic growth.

Successful applicants will receive financial assistance covering tuition fees for the two-year programme, along with opportunities to represent RIAM in performances as a scholar. In return, scholarship recipients will engage in meaningful outreach work, sharing their music with the wider community through performances and educational initiatives. This is a chance to excel in your studies and make a positive impact through your artistry.

Apply Now

To be considered for a Class of 2027 Scholarship, you must submit your Master in Music programme application by December 18, 2024. All applicants will be considered for a Class of 2027 Scholarship. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to live auditions and interviews in January and February 2025, where our expert panel will assess artistic potential and suitability for scholarship support.

Don't let financial challenges stand in the way of your ambition. Take the next step toward an extraordinary future in music by applying for the Master in Music program and scholarship opportunities today. For more information contact thirdlevel@riam.ie.

Higher Education Scholarships for Adult Learners

Uversity is a Registered Charity that has been awarding Higher Education Scholarships to Adult Learners since 2018. As of September 2023 more than 220 Scholarships have been awarded of which 51 Scholars have already graduated their courses, many having received 1st Class Honours.

Uversity’s Scholarships are for adult learners who wish to complete a Bachelor’s (Ordinary or Higher) Degree, for the first time, that will help transform their lives and the lives of those around them.

Scholarships enable successful candidates to pursue a degree, in any discipline, in selected institutions on the island of Ireland. Preference is given to candidates enrolling on full-time programmes. Part time or blended programmes will also be considered.

RIAM is one of the 36 selected institutions on the island of Ireland to offer Uversity’s Scholarships. To find out more and to apply, please visit www.uversity.org/. Please note that interested parties apply directly to Uversity and not through the RIAM application & audition process. 

Financial Support Hardship Fund

A Student Hardship Fund is available to Irish/EU passport holders and Non-EU students that find themselves in an unexpected financial difficulty.  Should you need to discuss your financial situation, please email padraigrynn@riam.ie