The Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) has become the first Irish conservatoire to enter the QS World University Rankings for Music, placing 12th. This marks a transformative milestone for Ireland’s national conservatoire and a significant moment in Ireland’s emergence as a global cultural force.
This recognition aligns with wider national momentum in the arts including RIAM 'High Achiever' Jessie Buckley's recent Oscar success and RIAM graduate Donnacha Dennehy's Grammy win. Ireland’s creative and cultural sectors are expanding in international prominence, and RIAM’s achievement underscores the increasingly influential role Ireland plays in the global arts landscape.
The QS World University Rankings by Subject evaluate institutions globally using indicators such as academic reputation, employer reputation, and research impact. In performing arts fields, including music, these rankings draw on global surveys of academics, employers, and arts-sector professionals.
A New Era for Ireland’s National Conservatoire
Founded in 1848, RIAM has been Ireland’s national conservatoire for music for more than 175 years. Today it teaches pre-college and full‑time degree students annually from its campus on Westland Row. It also operates a national music assessment system examining many thousands of learners each year, making RIAM the benchmark for music education in Ireland.
Internationally, RIAM has forged performance partnerships with leading conservatoires abroad, and with the classical music industry in Ireland, including our national orchestras, opera companies, and festivals.
This new ranking follows the major transformation of RIAM’s campus in 2023, which expanded facilities for performance, teaching, research, and community engagement, enabling the Academy to operate at the forefront of modern conservatoire training.
RIAM Among Global Peers
The world’s top performing arts institutions typically include specialist conservatoires renowned for excellence in performance, pedagogy, and research. In recent years, the Royal College of Music has consistently ranked first globally, with the Royal Academy of Music and the Conservatoire de Paris (CNSMDP) also appearing in the top tier. Notable institutions in or near the top 10 have included the Juilliard School of New York, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (MDW) and the Royal Danish Academy of Music.
Being ranked 12th positions RIAM among this esteemed group of globally consequential conservatoires, an extraordinary achievement for Ireland.
Director of the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Deborah Kelleher, commented: “We are delighted to achieve this prestigious global ranking and be recognised as a leading institution in our field. This comes at a time when Ireland is increasingly asserting itself as a major player on the global cultural stage and we are thrilled to have played a part in Ireland’s recent success at the Oscars and Grammys. We pride ourselves on providing a quality education and setting our students up for success once they graduate, and this achievement recognises that.”
Alumni Shaping the Arts Worldwide
RIAM’s contribution to the international cultural landscape is reflected in its distinguished alumni, including: Celine Byrne (soprano), Donnacha Dennehy (Grammy-winning composer), Brian Byrne (Golden Globe‑nominated film composer), Ava Dodd (Classic FM 2025 Rising Star) Joseph O’Connor (writer), Sinéad and Niamh Cusack (actors), Tara Erraught (soprano), Finghin Collins (pianist).
Past candidates in RIAM’s national examinations have included: Andrew Scott (BAFTA winner), Kian Egan (Westlife), Evanna Lynch (actor), and Jessie Buckley (actor).