The AFA major in musical theatre offers a conservatory and holistic approach to musical theatre training, one that not only concentrates on a participatory performance perspective, but also prepares the student for a wide and exciting range of careers available in the performing arts industry.

While performance remains an integral component of the programme, students are also prepared for the vast array of work that supports and produces performance, such as directing and staging, creating written material for performance, production, management, marketing and funding of the performing arts. The programme is based around live theatrical performance, whilst also preparing the graduate for further study in all cognate specialisms in musical theatre, as well as the required preparation skills for the professional industry.

The BFA major in musical theatre offers a conservatory and holistic approach to musical theatre training, one that not only concentrates on a participatory performance perspective, but also prepares the student for a wide and exciting range of careers available in the performing arts industry.

While performance remains an integral component of the programme, students are also prepared for the vast array of work that supports and produces performance, such as directing and staging, creating written material for performance, production, management, marketing and funding of the performing arts.

The degree produces a wide spectrum of transferable skills such as effective presentational technique, expertise in using the voice and the body as communicative instruments, interpretational and compositional competency with written texts, management, marketing and organisational skills.

This BFA degree offers a broad and holistic approach to the performing arts, one that not only concentrates on performance from a participatory perspective (that is to say, on being a performer), but also prepares the student for the wide and exciting range of careers available in the performing arts industry. While performance remains a central aspect of the programme, students are also prepared for the vast array of work that supports and produces performance, such as directing and staging, creating written material for performance, production, management, marketing and funding of the performing arts.

The programme is based around live theatrical performance (with elements of recording used for diagnostic and development purposes), but at the same time a graduate is prepared for further study in all cognate specialisms in the performing arts, as well as entry into a professional career.

The BFA program examines all of the main areas of creative writing, with introductory courses on the discipline as a whole, courses on the technical requirements and the analysis of creative writing, and specific courses exploring the practical aspects of composing novels, short stories, poems, scripts and screenplays. As the student progresses, the program makes increasing use of the workshop method of teaching, and in the final stages there are opportunities for approved students to undertake extended independent writing projects. The student may combine the major in creative writing with other majors offered by the institution, depending on his or her interests; these include performing arts, liberal arts and international business, either as a double major or as minors.

The four year programme is awarded under the institution’s American accreditation with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

The degree consists of general education modules in year one. In years two, three and four the degree focuses on international business. Like all of the institution’s degrees, there is a strong emphasis on a mix of theory, practice and work experience. Lectures are interactive environments where students are encouraged to exchange ideas and opinions. There is a strong emphasis on developing the student’s personal skills such as public speaking and debating. This is supported by the culturally diverse learning environment at the institution with a student body drawn from over thirty countries. On completion of the fourth year students gain invaluable work experience by undertake an eight-week internship in a multinational firm.

Students have a wide range of opportunities open to them when they complete their degree. Graduates can enter the college’s Master of Business in International Business or the MBA in International Business or alternatively enter master’s, doctoral or professional studies in other institutions.

The BA in Hospitality Management is awarded under the institution’s accreditation with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The degree may be taken on an accelerated track, which allows the student to complete the programme in three years by taking the internship components (normally taken in the second and third years0 during summer semesters. The blend of theory and the two semester-long internships give students the best of both the practical and academic worlds.

The programme provides a firm foundation of business courses in the first year, and subsequently offers two hospitality industry internships, a selection of interesting general education classes, and a range of courses examining aspects of hospitality management and its related fields in the international business, event management and tourism disciplines. In the course of the final year the student also completes a hospitality management research project.

This programme aims to assist people with intellectual disability to take control of their lives by developing their knowledge and understanding of advocacy and leadership. It aims to develop participants’ ability to make choices based on their understanding of rights. The overarching aim of the programme is to enhance people’s independent living skills.

This course runs for 14 days including orientation and evaluation. There are 6 modules of 2 days each and the overall focus of the course is to identify an important issue central to the experience of the participants and to develop a campaign to progress change in this area.

Module Title: CRPD

This module is a detailed review of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the meaning of ratification and an extensive exploration of the meaning of the Optional Protocol. It looks at the Disability Act and the implementations necessary to ensure compliance with the CRPD. It will look at the obligations of the Irish Government and how its progress with implementation is monitored.

Module Title: Decision Making and Capacity

This module looks at how decisions are made, how they are supported and how participation in decision making is supported. It looks at the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act and what the meaning of capacity is in terms of students’ lives.

Module Title: Law and Policy

This module will look at the laws and policies that affect aspects of students’ lives. This will be driven by the issues students feel are the most important in their lives and how current laws discriminate against them. It will look at how laws and policy are changed and how to participate and influence change.

Module Title: Equality

This module explores the meaning of equality and discrimination. It looks at ways people with disabilities are discriminated against and what would need to change to ensure full inclusion. It specifically looks at the Equal Status Act 2000 and Equality Act 2004. Current research in this area will be reviewed.

Module Title: Government and National Organisation

This module looks at how local and national government works. It explores how individuals can become more effective and responsible citizens. It also looks at the important national organisations involved in influencing change in the areas of inclusion and equality. This module will assist learners to develop their knowledge of how democracy works and to encourage more effective participation as citizens. It looks at the Public Sector Duty and what organisations need to do to make sure that they are accessible and inclusive.

Module Title: Campaigning

This module explores what campaigns are and how an effective campaign works. It develops a process people can follow to establish, plan, lead and run a campaign through active participation. It will explore the use of various media and the involvement of influencers to affect a positive outcome.

The Access Course is a 1 year course that aims to provide mature students (aged 23 or over on year of entry to a degree programme) with the opportunity to prepare, personally and academically, for an undergraduate course of full-time study of at least three years duration at NUI, Galway.

This course is designed to assist students in identifying their career skills and interests. It is ideal for anyone who needs support in their preparation for the job market. It will also suit those who wish to improve their career-readiness but may also be considering further study in the future.

This ten-week intermediate course advances the skills established in Screen Acting - Level 1, focusing on refined performance techniques for film and television. Students will deepen their technical proficiency by working closely with camera equipment and gaining a professional understanding of various crew roles and set dynamics.

This course is perfect for those who are both inquisitive about a future career in acting and those who simply want to challenge themselves by stretching their creative muscles.

The course is designed for young actors aged 13-15 who have a passionate interest in performing and would like to have an early start in acting training. Participants will get a taste of the environment of a theatre academy and hone their skills under the supervision of core Lir Academy tutors. The programme introduces young performers to the key components of actor training such as: Acting & Improvisation, Voice & Speech and Movement & Physical Theatre in a supportive, fun and educational environment.

This course is an excellent first step for young actors who are passionate about being on stage and want to work towards a career in theatre and drama.