Architectural education at SETU Waterford is primarily about developing within each student a ‘design mind’ so that they can bring together in a creative way the complex challenges facing the future world of construction. 

Architecture is the art and science of designing space. This course will suit you if you’ve got a creative aptitude for architectural design, the ability to implement your designs in practice, are interested in artistic and cultural aspects of society, and have an aptitude for technical and managerial challenges.

The BA Hons in Architecture is a studio-based, full-time course delivered over three academic years. There is an exit qualification of an Associated Bachelors (AB) after successful completion of two academic years, with a further one academic year for BA Hons completion.

The BA (Hons) in Architecture at Ulster engages in the complex and changing context of architecture, urbanism and landscape and the transformations taking place in society. Important aspects of this engagement are with the wider issues facing the profession and the provision of a creative context to investigate, challenge preconceptions, explore and fully engage the role of the architect in society.

In order to qualify and practice as an architect it is necessary to acquire a core group of skills that are necessary for a professional working life. In addition it is necessary for you to demonstrate the intellectual skills and the knowledge, judgement and understanding expected at bachelor degree level.

Architecture explores new ways of living, investigates new technologies and materials, and strives to ensure that new buildings, towns and landscapes are environmentally sustainable. It combines art, science and technology in the design and construction of buildings and their surroundings within a sociocultural context. Architects are engaged in all aspects and creating the built environment from feasibility studies, outline and detailed design, through planning, to construction and management.

Architecture is the art of planning and designing the built environment based on an understanding of humankind and our connection to the earth. It is a collaborative practice. The ethos of Architecture at ATU Sligo is the belief in the potential of architecture to transform places. We aim for a strong student-centred culture with dialogues between students and lecturers at its core. This programme provides education and training for the practice of architecture, taught in a way that makes explicit an understanding of and sensitivity to historical, contextual and cultural influences on the practice of design in a global, national, and local context.

This course has Royal Institute of Architects (RIAI) accreditation.

During this course, explore your creativity and self-expression through workshops in drawing, colour, painting, printmaking, sculpture, video, digital media, time-based art, environmental and site-responsive work, performative arts and curation practices. Develop specialist skills which allows you to best express your interests, abilities and ambitions. These skills also have a wide range of applications

This is a course for anyone interested in art. No experience is needed, just lots of enthusiasm.

Ideally suited for those returning to education, who would like to explore and develop their creative skills. Students will be introduced to a range of skills in Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Printmaking and Ceramics, and will learn the foundations of art – line, shape, form, texture etc, and how to successfully express these in their work.  Progression to the Advanced Certificate in Art and Design Level 6 is encouraged on successful completion of Level 5 and this offers learners the chance to develop in more depth a personal visual language through exploration and experimentation with new processes, materials and ideas.

This art course prepares students for portfolio entry to third level courses in fine art, visual communication and many different design and creative courses.

Within each module teachers will lead students to discover new techniques and experiment in order to create personal art works.

The course culminates in an exhibition at the end of the year.

This course is fundamentally designed to provide students with a portfolio of the highest quality that will attain entry to Art and Design courses at third level both nationally and internationally. The course gives you the opportunity to consider if a future in Art and Design is for you and to choose the college and course that suits you best. It enables students to develop their artistic and observational skills and to explore creativity and personal expression. This course enables direct entry into year 2 in some colleges.

This is a one-year full-time Art course which offers an opportunity for mature students interested in developing their own art practices further. A practical and enjoyable course with a broad and engaging combination of modules: painting, drawing, creative ceramics, printmaking, image processing and Art appreciation Studies.

Regular outings to Galleries, Art Exhibitions and Field trips, working on location in various places are an integral part of the course.

At the end of this course, you will have begun to establish a personal direction in your art practice. You can then decide to continue to work as an independent artist or to progress to higher education to pursue a fine arts degree.

This one-year, QQI Level 5 course equips the learner with the vocational skills and knowledge for preparing a portfolio for higher education art. By covering a broad mix of disciplines, you will have the opportunity to find your own strengths. On completion of the course, your portfolio will reflect a wide range of skills and experience.

An emphasis is given to design skills, with Graphics, Illustration and Animation, among the modules covered.

This course can lead to Advanced Art (Level 6) and can also lead to further studies at third level colleges in Ireland and abroad.

This one-year QQI Level6 Advanced Art course offers students an excellent opportunity to further develop their artistic skillsand creativity in a caring and professional environment. This course enables participants to prepare an Advanced Portfolio in the field of Art and Design. The aim of the course is to provide students with the opportunity to acquire the skill and knowledge to competently work independently in a fine art & design context or to progress to higher education and training.

If you aspire to a career in the Art and Design field, our course will support you to produce an exciting, competitive and creative art portfolio to help you progress to Art college. Our students have a great track record for progressing to Higher Education at all the major Art colleges and Universities.

You will explore core practical skills including drawing, painting, sculpture and mixed media which are essential skills to prepare you for art colleges. You will use your creative thinking, ideas, style and visual communication throughout the creation of your portfolio.

Our practical projects and exhibitions include opportunities to work with professional artists, and to experience the professional world of art and design.

This programme aims to equip students with sufficient skills to allow them gain access to workshop training programmes/third level programmes.

It will also allow students the opportunity to prepare a portfolio of work. Students on this course may also have completed an Art and Sculpture (Foundation) course.

This programme offers a broad range of skills and development opportunities. Special attention is given to facilitate personal creativity. The overall aim of the programme is to provide the learner with the opportunity to acquire the knowledge skills and competence to work autonomously and independently in a fine art context or to progress to higher education and training.

The BA (Hons) in Art is a dynamic, visually-driven programme. Students are challenged to address traditional, contemporary, conceptual, conventional, and experimental approaches to thinking, making, performing, and writing about art in today’s world.

Skills are delivered in Ceramics, Sculpture, Digital Media, Drawing, Film making, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Professional Practice and Curation in tandem with academic research and writing skills in Art History and Critical Theory.