The aim of this one year full time course course is to provide the learner with the opportunity to develop skills in a variety of traditional and modern art and craft disciplines including drawing, painting and ceramics as well as working with a variety of materials.

Students will have the opportunity to:

• Develop creative thinking and design skills, learning how to plan, research, and bring ideas to life through hands-on projects.
• Improve drawing abilities, using different materials and methods to express ideas and develop a personal artistic style.
• Explore painting techniques, learning how to use colour, texture, and composition to create original artwork.
• Work with clay, gaining hands-on experience in shaping, glazing, and firing to produce finished ceramic pieces.
• Create original prints, using a range of traditional and modern printmaking techniques.
• Use digital photography creatively, learning how to take, edit, and present photographs using digital tools and software.

This is a one-year course with a requirement to achieve 120 credits. It particularly suits participants that are eager to develop their artistic skills in a wide range of different modules.

Location: Athlone

The overall aim of the programme is to provide the learner with the opportunity to develop the required knowledge, skills and competence in art, craft and design in order to meet the standards set by the awarding body in the award specification for Art, Craft and Design level 5.

Please refer to Programme Descriptor for Programme Objectives. Employment opportunities in this area range from setting up their own small art and craft business to working in areas such as community art, festival events, interior decorating and so on.

The overall aim of the programme is to enable the learner to acquire the knowledge, skill and competence to engage in a range of art, craft and design practices and to progress to further and or higher education and training.

If you can say YES to any one of the following then this may well be the course for you:

• Have you always had an interest in art and would like to learn more?
• Do you enjoy making and designing?
• Do you like to draw and paint?
• Do you want to prepare a portfolio for application to Art & Design Colleges?
• Are you creative & want to try different subjects to find out what you enjoy most?
• Would you like to get hands on experience exploring different materials and crafts like jewellery, woodcraft, weaving and ceramics?
• Like to start a career as an Artist, Craftsperson or Designer?

Should you have the interest and enthusiasm, we have the teachers, coursework and facilities to nurture and grow your talent. We will guide you on your way to a creative career.

Increased use of Artificial Intelligence (Al) can bring major social and economic benefits by automating tasks currently done by humans. AI computers can analyse and learn from information at higher accuracy and speed than humans can. It offers massive gains in efficiency and performance to most or all industry sectors, for example in Health, Financial Technology, Advanced Manufacturing, Social Media.

Al is software that can be integrated into existing processes, improving them, scaling them, and reducing their costs, by making or suggesting more accurate decisions through better use of information. Artificial Intelligence has also been a main focus of Computer Science research at Ulster University for over 25 years, and we are uniquely positioned to deliver this degree course.

The Bachelor of Science programme is of four years duration.  In the first year the student will undertake an intensive learning programme of computer science fundamentals, programming including an immediate introduction to an AI-appropriate language, and mathematics.  In subsequent years the focus on artificial intelligence will intensify while also including core computer science aspects such as operating systems, data structures and algorithms, database systems, computer graphics.

Data analytics / mining and more specialist topics such as language engineering / translation and cultural aspects of AI are covered in later years.  Students who opt to exit after four years with a bachelors degree will complete, in their final year, a year-long Final year Project that is the culmination of their studies drawing on their skills in research, algorithm or system design, and implementation. 

This two-year duration and deep focus of the Higher National Diploma at DCFE often leads to stronger connections with industry professionals and organisations. This first-year program focuses on building instrumental technique, songwriting skills, and stage confidence through regular live performances and creative workshops. In second year, Students master musical direction and studio technology, culminating in a professional portfolio that demonstrates their readiness for a career as an authentic, self-directed artist.