Course Summary
Course Category: PLC (Further Education - FET) - Apply directly to College
The Certificate in Art, Craft and Design is a one-year QQI Level 5 program tailored for students who have a passion for hands-on, creative production. The curriculum introduces learners to the fundamental principles of design while teaching specialized making skills, with a primary focus on pottery and jewelry. It provides a supportive and experimental environment where students of all experience levels can work with a vast array of materials, including metals, clay, paint, and fabrics. Guided by highly skilled tutors who are active makers themselves, students are encouraged to explore innovative techniques and transform diverse materials into unique, professional-grade craft pieces.
Certificate in Art, Craft and Design QQI Level 5 (5M1984)
Course Details
This course prepares you for working in the following Career Sectors:
What will you study?
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Drawing
Design Skills
Communications
Work Experience
Metalcraft (Jewellery)
Ceramics (Pottery)
Sculpture
Appreciation of Art
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.
Realist
Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.
Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.
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.
Career Progression
This course include the mastery of specialized artisanal techniques such as ceramic construction and jewelry fabrication, which are essential for starting a craft-based business. Graduates develop a high-quality creative portfolio that serves as a gateway to advanced studies at Level 6 or degree programs in specialized design fields. The program equips students with the technical and commercial awareness needed to work as independent craftspeople, gallery assistants, or production makers within the creative industries