OnCampus Royal Irish Academy of Music
Famous For
Direct Entry to Royal Irish Academy of Music
- Overview
- Services
- Rankings
- Accommodation
- Location
- Courses
- Scholarships
Overview
OnCampus Royal Irish Academy of Music offers international musicians a specialist pathway into one of Europe's oldest music conservatoires. Students first complete a foundation programme with OnCampus Ireland, before progressing to a music degree at RIAM, subject to meeting the required academic standards and passing a mandatory performance audition.
Founded in 1848, the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) is Ireland's oldest conservatoire, housed in a Georgian building on Westland Row in Dublin's Georgian Quarter since 1871. RIAM is an associate college of Trinity College Dublin, meaning its degrees, from Bachelor's through to Doctorate level, are awarded by Trinity College Dublin itself.
Teaching at RIAM is delivered by an experienced staff that includes many international prize-winners and principals of professional orchestras in Ireland, giving students direct access to working professionals rather than purely academic instructors. RIAM's performing ensembles regularly present concerts both in Ireland and abroad, giving students genuine, real-world performance exposure while they study.
Services
OnCampus Ireland's dedicated Student Support team helps guide students through their foundation programme, including preparation for RIAM's mandatory audition, before easing the transition into full conservatoire study.
Once students progress to RIAM, they join a small, close-knit conservatoire community geared entirely around musical development. Teaching staff, many of whom are international prize-winners or principals of professional Irish orchestras, provide close mentorship and outstanding training designed to build innovative, reflective musicians ready for a career in the creative arts. Regular performance opportunities through RIAM's ensembles, both in Ireland and internationally, give students practical, real-world stage experience as part of their studies.
Rankings
As a specialist conservatoire rather than a broad-based university, RIAM does not feature in general international league tables. Its standing instead rests on its history and pedigree: founded in 1848, it is recognised as Ireland's oldest music conservatoire and an associate college of Trinity College Dublin, whose name appears on RIAM degree certificates.
Accommodation
RIAM does not operate its own dedicated student halls, so students typically arrange private rental accommodation in Dublin. Before progressing to RIAM, students based at OnCampus Ireland's Maynooth centre can access accommodation including The Duke on Maynooth's Main Street, homestay arrangements through OnCampus's accommodation partner, and further options via the dedicated OnCampus booking portal.
Location
RIAM is based on Westland Row, in Dublin's historic Georgian Quarter, an area rich in period architecture and cultural heritage close to Trinity College Dublin. The location places students within easy walking distance of Dublin's cultural and performance venues, from concert halls to theatres, ideal for a conservatoire education built around live performance.
The area is well served by Dublin's public transport network, including nearby Pearse Station, making it simple to reach other parts of the city, while Dublin Airport is easily accessible for international travel. Studying in central Dublin also means easy access to the city's wider music scene, from classical concerts to contemporary venues, alongside its broader student and cultural life.
Courses offered at OnCampus Royal Irish Academy of Music
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