Art & Design

This part-time undergraduate course offers an opportunity for mature students interested in establishing a personal direction in their art and design practice to attend a flexible programme leading to an NUI Diploma. Typically students will complete an NUI Certificate course with CEAD (such as; DVI, or VAP), have accumulated 20 credits and then apply to the part-time Diploma programme. Students who successfully achieve the learning outcomes in the Diploma course will have accumulated 60 ects credits and are eligible to apply for year two of an undergraduate degree programme in Fine Art or Design at NCAD or another college of art and design. The Part-time Diploma in Art & Design is a Level 7 qualification and is a minor award within NFQ.

The Diploma provides an intensive learning experience for students who are committed to expanding their visual vocabulary, through experimentation and analysis of visual material. Through a series of practical projects, workshops and seminars, students will explore and manipulate a range of materials and acquire technical skills applicable to studio practice. Students will be encouraged to work as part of a group, and develop their ability to manage and direct their learning outside of tutor contact time. During the course students will be encouraged to work across disciplines, though in the latter part of the course, they will establish a direction in relation to the development of an art/ design practice, focusing on a discipline specific pathway.

A lecture and seminar programme in visual culture is integrated with the studio programme to provide a theoretical and contextual framework for students.

The diploma involves studio based learning, lectures, seminars and self directed learning. Students will devote approximately 80% of their learning effort within studio practice and the remaining 20% is concerned with visual culture.