Graphic design is a vehicle for communication as well as self-expression. It is about communicating visually in order to inform, educate, entertain or persuade. Graphic designers provide creative, visual solutions for anything from magazine layout to packaging design.

Students will produce a portfolio of design work, including posters, magazine layouts, logo design, book illustration, drawing and more.

You will be encouraged to explore and express your ideas through a variety of media while developing your own unique and individual approach to visual problem solving.

This course is ideal for learners with an interest in art and design, a love of drawing and sketching (although this is not necessary) and an interest in learning how to use digital design software.You will have a mixture of classroom-based subjects, practical projects, and independent study. You will be expected to complete assignments throughout the year.

The BA in Graphic Design course will provide you with a unique and exciting educational experience while learning to become a designer. Your creative talents will be nurtured by a team of lecturers who are passionate about their field. You’ll be encouraged to follow your passion and to develop your style. At the same time, you will be exposed to a host of new exciting disciplines and skills that will enhance and inform your work.

This course prepares learners for a rewarding career in the creative industries. All learners have access to computer design facilities using industry standard software from Adobe Creative Cloud- Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects and Dreamweaver. Learners study a range of project-based modules, learn design principles and develop creative problem solving skills. Final year learners will exhibit their work at our end-of-year exhibition in the Institute.

You will explore the Graphic Designer’s role in the context of branding, marketing, advertising and communication and develop practical skills in visual language, drawing, mixed media, illustration, design and image making. Using professional standard iMac suite, you will create projects to develop your skills within logo design, concept development, image creation, photography, product placement and much more. You will build on these practical creative skills and generate and evolve ideas to finished projects. In addition, you will produce a portfolio of work for progression to Higher Education and your future career, becoming proficient in the Adobe suite of software (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and more), building on these skills for real live projects and your art portfolio.

The Higher National Diploma (HND) in Graphic Design at BCFE is an award-winning, two-year intensive program designed to launch successful careers in the creative industries. By working on a mix of tailored in-house projects and live competition briefs, students develop a sophisticated visual language and the technical versatility required to solve complex design challenges. The curriculum encourages a holistic exploration of the field, merging traditional non-digital methods with cutting-edge digital practices. From mastering typography and branding to exploring motion graphics and art direction, learners cultivate a distinct personal style backed by a solid foundation in design history and theory.

Studying graphic design unleashes your creativity and equips you with the power to visually captivate audiences and shape unforgettable brand experiences in today’s dynamic digital world. This Graphic Design programme includes four key strands:

• Graphic Design covers typography, layout, visual identity, and publication design, establishing classic design principles.
• Illustration & Motion Design fosters creativity in illustration, editorial illustration, photography, and motion design for visual storytelling.
• UX Design focuses on UX/UI and interaction design for user-centric digital experiences.
• Design Theory provides a theoretical foundation in design principles, practices, and critical thinking for effective design.

The BA (Hons) in Graphic Design & Illustration is a 4-year course. It has a common first semester, after which students also have the opportunity to switch to another design programme if they wish (subject to available places).

Topics on the programme include Photography, Digital Media, Design History & Theory, Creative Problem Solving, Business & Entrepreneurial skills and an Ethical and Sustainable Design ethos. Graphic Design & Illustration students will learn about visual communications, illustration, typography, visual communications - major project, advanced digital design, and book arts for design.

This course is founded on strong design principles of research, content-generation and development, problem-identification and problem-solving. We value experimentation and thinking over ready-made and easily identifiable solutions, and we encourage processes that will develop our students' individual style and voice.

Students have the opportunity to explore a range of media and approaches, including various methods of animation, motion graphics, special FX, interaction, live action, dramatic and short-form documentary filmmaking.

This foundation course in graphic design is one year program and our students will learn a wide range of visual communication skills with an emphasis on creative problem solving for graphic design. The course has been designed to offer students an opportunity to develop core skills required for continued study in the areas of graphic design, visual communications, digital media, photography, and illustration. We use the latest graphic design software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects.

The Graphic Design Level 6 course is an advanced program designed for students with prior experience in art and design who wish to elevate their technical and conceptual expertise. The curriculum focuses on refining design thinking, illustration, and typography while introducing modern digital competencies like motion graphics and web development. A standout feature of the course is its professional orientation, where students engage with real-world clients, deliver design pitches, and participate in industry workshops and conferences. 

This one-year course will aim to offer participants an introduction to the world of graphic design which is one of the fastest growing areas in the industry. Graphic design is a way for communication as well as self-expression. This course will provide the introduction to careers in the graphic design industry but will also provide an important stepping stone to third level courses leading to exciting careers in the computer design area.

This is a teacher education programme which aims to provide you with the opportunity to become a successful teacher of technology subjects at second level. These subjects include; Junior Certificate (Wood Technology, Graphics) and Leaving Certificate (Construction Studies, Design & Communication Graphics).

The programme is four years in duration and includes a number of school based teaching practice placements. These include a six week placement in the spring semester of year two and a further ten week placement in autumn semester of year four. These placements are designed to provide you, the student teacher, with a genuine opportunity for professional development under the supervision of faculty members of the University.

This degree with specialism in the teaching of Metalwork and Technology, is designed to produce graduates with technological and engineering skills to satisfy the needs of the Irish second level school system in relation to teaching Metalwork, Technical Graphics and Technology at Junior Cycle, and the subjects Technology, Engineering and Design & Communication Graphics at Leaving Certificate

If you are seeking to build a career as a Gym-based exercise Fitness Instructor, then this course if for you. You will achieve an internationally recognised award that qualifies you as a Fitness Instructor, and this can lead you directly to work. You will study the principles and practice of Gym-based Exercise, learning with qualified Fitness Instructors in a professional standard Fitness Studio and sports Hall.

This programme is also underpinned by a QQI Level 5 Certificate in Sport, Recreation and Exercise, that offers you options to progress to Further and Higher Education.

The principal aim of the ITEC Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instructing (Gym based exercise) is to provide the learner with the knowledge and practical skills as an introduction into the Fitness sector. The ITEC Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training enables the learner to gain the practical and theoretical skills necessary to provide personal training, advice and assistance for active leisure and recreation.

This course offers a broad introduction to Sport, Exercise and Recreation studies, providing learners with the necessary skills to take up employment at entry level in the leisure industry.

Learners will improve their knowledge, competence and understanding of physical fitness and sport both practically and theoretically

This one year course will prepare students for work in the Sports & Leisure Areas. It consists of theoretical and practical training which will enable the students to work in Gyms & Fitness Centres. The course leads to internationally recognised qualifications and students supplement their studies with work experience in a relevant area.

This programme enables learners to obtain a range of practical and theoretical skills en route to attaining the QQI Level 5 Major Award in Hairdressing.

This is a one-year, full-time NFQ Level 5 course designed to equip learners with the essential vocational skills, academic knowledge, and technical competencies required to succeed in a professional salon environment. This program acts as a direct preparatory bridge for entering the National Hairdressing Apprenticeship or transitioning smoothly into the commercial workplace. 

This is year one of a two-year course. The course is aimed at those who would like to pursue a career in hairdressing. Subjects within the course are tailored to suit the hairdressing industry and include cutting, styling, colouring, perming, shampoo and condition and barbering techniques. Students will learn and practice their skills in the onsite hairdressing salons and will have the opportunity to work on models. Work experience is an integral part of the course enhancing employability skills.