Third-level Applications

We want to hear about your experience in music – performances, competitions, masterclasses or any activities that show us that music is really important to you. 

These will usually be from teachers or ensemble directors who have known you for at least a year. 

All classes are taught through English. Students whose first language is not English and who have not been educated through the medium of English must have one of the following qualifications in the English language: 

Access, Diploma, Bachelor and Master Programmes

• TOEFL: Internet-based 55 (with a written score of 19).
• IELTS 5.5 for Diploma, Bachelor and Master students. 
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) – PTE Academic: a minimum of 51
• Duolingo English Test: minimum overall score of 90/160

Doctoral Studies

• TOEFL: Internet based 90 (with a written score of 21).
• Cambridge Proficiency or Advanced Certificate, Grade C or better  
• IELTS 6.5 for  (no individual band below 6)
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) – PTE Academic: a minimum of 63 (with no section score below 59)
• Duolingo English Test: minimum overall score of 110/160

Why do you want to pursue music as a profession? What is it that appeals about the RIAM as a place to study? 

Please send a list of works that you have covered to date, so that we can see where your musical interests lie. 

Undergraduate applicants should meet the minimum academic entry requirements for RIAM’s accrediting university, Trinity College Dublin. The standard matriculation requirements are pass grades in English, Mathematics, a language other than English, and a full set of valid subjects for your examination system. More information on those requirements can be found on the admissions page of Trinity's website. 

Please note, that if you do not meet those academic requirements, but attain a high level at audition, the RIAM may apply to Trinity for an academic exemption on the basis of your musical standard. 

Postgraduate students should have attained a 2:1 or higher in their undergraduate degree, which need not be in music performance. Students who do not have an undergraduate degree are eligible to apply at postgraduate level, and can be assessed though the recognition of prior learning process. For more information on this, please check the RIAM Recognition of Prior Learning Policy. 

We are looking for a range of instrumentation in your portfolio, so please give us a variety of original solo and ensemble music. We also wish to have recordings of the compositions with the application where at all possible. 

We require a minimum of a one-page proposal from all doctorate applicants on your chosen dissertation topic. Please include information on existing secondary sources in your area of research. Is there much research in your chosen area to date? What will you bring that is new? We will discuss this with you at interview. 

Masters applicants can choose composition, music technology or dissertation as a chosen academic elective. You must upload examples of work in your preferred elective subject area so that we can assess your skills to date.