For those who are creatively inspired and inclined towards producing original works in any field of art, pursuing a degree at a renowned art school can be the pathway to an enriching career. Today, with the application of arts as a broad subject in many different fields, such as graphic design, art direction, interior design, music, dance, performing arts, and fashion design, students have various options to express their creativity and earn a living while truly expressing themselves through the art forms.
Book a free consultation today if you want to study an arts course at Ireland's best universities and colleges.
Top Five Arts Courses in Ireland
1. University College Dublin (National College of Art and Design)
The National College of Art and Design (NCAD) is Ireland's oldest art institution recognised by University College Dublin. It was established in 1746 and offers the largest range of programs in art and design, leading to degrees at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels in the country. NCAD is also a member of the European League of Institutes of the Arts. Some of the most prominent Irish artists, designers, and art teachers have studied or taught at NCAD. The college comprises four schools: Fine Art, Design, Visual Culture and Education. These schools impart high-quality education at all levels and offer research-based study with PhD options. NCAD has the widest range of interdisciplinary and specialist Master's programmes in Ireland. The college also has a Department for Continuing Education in Art and Design, which offers part-time accredited courses over a range of more than fifty programs.
- Suggested course: BA Graphic Design
- International fees: €16,500 per year
- Entry requirements: Students must have passed their country's senior secondary level, equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate. Apart from English language proficiency, a portfolio is also required for admission.
- Faculties: School of Design
- Campus: Dublin
2. Trinity College Dublin
TCD is a prominent Irish institution with a stellar reputation for providing high-quality educational programmes in several disciplines, including the creative arts. The School of Creative Arts at the university is the primary centre for teaching and research in three disciplines: film, music, and drama. All the programmes in these fields focus on research-led teaching to students at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The school aims to establish the Samuel Beckett Creative Arts Centre, which will have a cinema, theatre, and a venue for contemporary music performances. Through this development, the school intends to foster an interdisciplinary approach to the activities that benefit students. The school is also known to be a research hub for the arts in Ireland and has consistently developed research output in line with international standards.
- Suggested course: M. Phil in Theatre and Performance
- International fees: €20,930
- Entry requirements: Applicants must have an honours degree and showcase English language proficiency.
- Faculties: School of Creative Arts
- Campus: Dublin
3. Dublin City University
Dublin City University is a prominent Irish educational institution offering high-quality education in various disciplines. The university offers creative art programmes through different schools and faculties and has some specialised courses. The major programmes in the creative fields at DCU are BA in Jazz and Contemporary Music Performance, offered by the School of Theology, Philosophy and Music. The course covers various musical techniques, including instrumental, performances, improvisation, computer music, composition, aural training, and arranging music in contemporary and jazz music. At the graduate level, DCU offers a Master's in Creative Writing through its School of English. The program aims to unlock the writer in students through immersion in fiction, poetry, and drama.
- Suggested course: BA in Jazz and Contemporary Music Performance
- International fees: €16,000 per year
- Entry requirements: Applicants must have educational qualifications equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate and showcase English language proficiency. Candidates are required to give an in-person performance audition and interview.
- Faculties: Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Campus: Dublin
4. TU Dublin
The Technological University Dublin provides arts programmes through its Creative Arts, Design & Media faculty. The courses are offered in different universities, such as Tallaght, Grangegorman, and Blanchardstown. Students can choose from many disciplines within the field, the major ones being creative digital media, journalism, media production and digital arts, photography, game design, interior design and film & broadcasting. The university enables students to learn different technologies and work with several materials and techniques to hone their skills. The curriculum also involves lessons on the history of that art form, knowledge of how the industry works and guidance on how to build a career in the field.
- Suggested course: BA (Hons) in Media Production and Digital Arts
- International fees: €13,500 per year
- Entry requirements: Applicants must hold educational qualifications equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate with Maths. English language proficiency is also needed for international students.
- Faculties: Creative Arts, Design & Media
- Campus: Tallaght
5. University College Cork
UCC is a prestigious university that offers various courses to deliver arts education. Most of these are provided by the College of Arts, Celtic Studies, and Social Studies and include courses in music, theatre and performance practices, creative writing, and digital arts and humanities, among others. The curriculum at the university for all its courses includes a deep understanding of the subject's theoretical aspects and practical training in the topics that especially require students to perform the art forms. The facilities at the university have the latest technologies to impart quality education in the field of arts with experienced faculty members. Some of the programmes also include internships that enhance the skills and knowledge of the students, furthering their career prospects.
- Suggested course: MA in Digital Arts and Humanities
- International fees: €13,000
- Entry requirements: Candidates must have completed a second-class honours primary degree or equivalent in any discipline. English Language competency is required for non-native speakers of the language.
- Faculties: College of Arts, Celtic Studies, and Social Studies
- Campus: Cork
Study Arts in Ireland
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