Pre-arrival Supports
To help with your arrival and to settle in, RIAM offers various supports
- Visa guidance and what you need to do
- Pre-arrival guide
- English Language Supports
- Organised social activities during the first week of term
- A full week of Orientation meetings with Faculty & administrative staff, where we help you on practical matters such as getting a bank account, student travel pass and much more
- Access to a confidential mentoring and counselling service if you would welcome extra support when settling in
Language Entry Requirements and English Language Supports
We teach all classes through English.
If your first language is not English and you have not been educated through the medium of English, you must have one of the following qualifications in the English language:
Access, Diploma, Bachelor's, and Master's Programmes
- Cambridge English Qualifications - Minimum overall score of 162-169 on the Cambridge English scale, i.e. minimum Grade B2 First or Proficiency Certificate. Recommended Sub-scores: minimum 160 per paper.
- Duo Lingo English Test: Minimum overall score of 95, no individual sub-scores below 90
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) IELTS 5.5. Recommended no individual band below 5.5
- Pearson English International Certification Minimum overall score of 46-50, recommended no section scores below 42-45
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) Minimum overall score of 55-60 with a minimum score in writing of 16 (and no skill below 14–16).
- Trinity College London - Trinity ISE II (B2) with at least a pass in each skill category.
Doctoral Studies
- Cambridge English Qualifications - Minimum overall score of 180 on the Cambridge English scale, i.e. minimum Grade C1 in Advanced or Proficiency Certificate
- Duolingo English Test: Minimum overall score of 110/160, no individual sub-scores below 105 c
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) Minimum overall score of 6.5 (Doctorate), no individual band below 6
- Pearson English International Certification: Minimum overall score of 63, no section scores below 59
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) Minimum overall score of 79, with a minimum score in writing of 21
- Trinity College London - Trinity ISE III Upper B2 (C1) with at least a strong pass or merit in each skill category
RIAM English Language Supports
Pre-Sessional Studies with RIAM/TCD
Where a student’s IELTS score (or equivalent) is at the required entry level of 5.5 overall, with individual components also below 5.5, RIAM offers additional English language support.
For both Bachelor’s and Master’s degree applicants, the minimum required English level is IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent).
Applicants who do not meet this requirement can join RIAM’s online English language support classes prior to arrival in Dublin in September. The RIAM Pre-Sessional English Language Programme aims to develop students’ proficiency in English across the four key academic skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
Date: The RIAM Pre-Sessional course will begin on Tuesday, 5 May.
Length: The course runs online for 12 weeks on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with two-hour sessions at 11:00 am Dublin time (7:00 pm China time).
Fee: €1,000
Assessment: The course includes a full assessment across four components
Further information on pre-sessional English programmes can be found in the following document:
RIAM Pre-Sessional Online English Language Programme
English Language Support Classes at RIAM
International students studying at RIAM are invited to attend free English language support classes, which run from October of each year for the first Semester.
Class Details
- Day & Time: TBC
- Location: TBC
- Cost: Free of charge
- Level: All English levels are welcome
About the Classes
These classes are designed to support students in developing their English skills in a friendly and informal environment. Sessions focus on improving conversation skills while also offering guidance in key areas such as writing, reading, listening, and speaking.
What to Expect
Each class is built around a central topic. Students are grouped according to their level and work together to discuss questions or visual prompts provided by the teacher. Throughout the session, the teacher offers support with vocabulary and grammatical structures as needed.
At the end of each class, students receive feedback, and common mistakes from the discussion are reviewed and corrected together. The relaxed and welcoming atmosphere also provides a great opportunity to meet and connect with other RIAM students.
Your Teacher
Classes are led by Dr Conor Pyle Teaching Fellow in the School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Science, who will guide and support you throughout your learning experience.
Conor Pyle - School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences | Trinity College Dublin
Visas & Immigration
All RIAM students arriving in Ireland have to pass through Immigration control. If you have obtained all the necessary documents in your home country before leaving, you should not have any problems on arrival.
Please check your visa status before travelling to Ireland, and if not sure, contact [email protected] who will advise
Applying for a study visa to enter Ireland
Students from certain countries will need an entry visa before arriving in Ireland. Please check Irish Immigration Service website to see if your country is exempt or requires one. You must complete the online visa application using AVATS - the online facility at www.visas.inis.gov.ie.
Please note that RIAM cannot advise on individual visa applications, but will issue information under clear guidelines to follow when making your visa application.
You should read the visa application details very carefully and understand what documents you are required to submit.
Checking your visa status
You should apply as early as possible for your visa for it to be processed. Each country will have a different processing time, which can range from one week to four months.
You can track your visa on the Irish Immigration Service website. This shows current processing time and visa decisions, and is updated weekly.
If you are refused a visa, you may appeal the decision within 2 months. However, as this would affect your date of arrival in RIAM, you may need to seek advice on the latest possible arrival date from the Tertiary Office or potentially defer to the next available intake.
Our advice on your visa application
- Ensure your passport is valid for 12 months.
- Make sure you have your medical insurance before you submit your application.
- Show that you have enough money to support yourself while in Ireland. All students are required to show evidence that they have access to at least €10,000 per year of their studies.
- Make sure you explain any gaps in your CV.
- Explain why you want to be a student at RIAM and what you plan to do after you graduate.
- Make sure you understand your chosen course and its modules.
Registering with immigration in Dublin
All students, whether you need an entry visa for Ireland or not, are required to register with the immigration authorities in Dublin. Once registered, you will receive an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card, which will permit you to remain in Ireland for the duration stated on the IRP card. Students on an academic course lasting more than one year in duration will be required to re-register with the immigration authorities in each year of study and receive an updated IRP card each time.
This process is fully explained to Students during Orientation Week.
For further information, please review the following guidelines
Information for students who require study visas to travel to Ireland
Information about registering with immigration in Ireland
How do I register with immigration for the first time?
How do I renew my student visa?
How do I contact Immigration?
How do I apply for the 1G (graduate visa)?
How do I appeal my student visa refusal?
International (Non-EU) Fees
Information on Undergraduate & Postgraduate course's annual tuition fees for international (EU & non-EU) students can be viewed at
International (Non-EU) Fees | RIAM
How do I get a fees receipt
Once a payment has been made to RIAM/TCD students can request a fees receipt. Depending on what student type you are there are 2 different ways to obtain this.
In both cases please allow 5 working days for the receipt to be issued.
New International Student
If you are a New International Student (starting for the 1st time at RIAM) please email [email protected] and the team will guide you on the steps via my.tcd.ie and will issue your fees receipt via email.
Progressing International Student
If you are a RIAM-registered International Student progressing to a TCD-registered course NFQ Level 7 to Level 10
Students who are;
- Progressing from Access or Professional Mentorship to BMus or MMus year 1
- Progressing from year 1 to year 2
- Progressing from year 2 to year 3
- Progressing from year 3 to year 4
- Progressing from Undergraduate to a new degree
Students can generate their fees receipt themselves. You can do this by logging in to your my.tcd.ie and clicking the plus tab and then click ‘My Finance’.
For steps to generate a fees receipt, refer to How to get a TCD Fees Receipt Guide
