Course Summary
Course Category: PLC (Further Education - FET) - Apply directly to College
This comprehensive program is designed to bridge traditional artistry with cutting-edge technology, preparing learners for a professional career in the global animation industry. The curriculum covers the entire production pipeline—from scriptwriting and character design to compositing and special effects—equipping animators for diverse roles in TV, film, and games development. By blending hand-drawn techniques like life drawing with modern 3D digital animation, the course fosters a deep understanding of film language and creative storytelling.
Certification
QQI Award Level 5, BTEC Higher National Diploma, BA Hons
Course Details
This course prepares you for working in the following Career Sectors:
What will you study?
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Year 1:
Drawing for Animation
Painting
Image Processing
Life Drawing
Sculpture
Work Experience
Communications
Layout for Animation
Appreciation of Art and Design
Year 2&3
Learners focus on applying their skills to practical design and animation projects of increasing complexity. The content also addresses complex and technical subjects, with an emphasis on traditional, 2D and 3D digital animation and drawing skills.
Subjects studied at HND level includes the following:
Individual Project
Visual Narratives
Media Practices
Material Practices
Screen Based Practices
Techniques and Practices
Contextual Studies
Professional Development
Professional Practice
Applied Practice
Collaborative Project
Advanced Art Practice Studies
Moving Image
Digital Animation
Advanced Life Drawing
Important
- Colleges may add/remove modules to keep the course updated and to meet demands.
- Almost all PLC courses have a Work Experience module, which requires students to find their own placement in an area directly related to their course.
Progression to CAO Courses
Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS)
This course results in a QQI Major Award, and provides progression opportunities to a number of Higher Education courses, including those in the CAO.
To view CAO courses to which this award provides a direct progression route, click below:
QQI Code
To calculate Points based on your QQI award results, use the PLC Points Calculator.
The Student - Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Creative
Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, the performing arts or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.
Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.
Further Research
National Statistics for this Award (All Ireland)
The following data provides general information about this Award from colleges across Ireland.
Disclaimer: These links are to web sites outside of CareersPortal and we accept no responsibility for the information on them.