Visual Communication is often referred to as graphic design and it embraces symbols, type and images that appear in the commercial public domain.

Graphic designers work across a wide variety of print and screen disciplines and the end result is normally a creative output in 2D format. With the arrival of digital and mobile technology, visual communication now includes visual media, information design and screen-based design. 

Bachelor of Arts in Design is a common entry programme with degree award options: Animation, Graphic Design and Illustration, Film and Media Promotion, or Fashion Design with Promotion. It is designed to provide students interested in Art & Design with an opportunity to study various subject areas before choosing a specialised field to pursue the career of their dreams.

The BA in Design (Common Entry) course is the first year of a three year (Level 7) course. Following exploration of design disciplines in the first semester, you will begin to focus on your preferred specialist area in the second semester. In Year 2 you will then transfer on to one of the following level 7/8 degree courses; BA in Product Design, BA in Interior Design, BA in Graphic Design and Illustration, BA in Textile and Fashion Design

Other topics on the programme include Photography, Digital Media, Design History & Theory, Creative Problem Solving, Business & Entrepreneurial skills and an Ethical and Sustainable Design ethos.

The work of the Design – Visual Communication graduate is all about breathing life into images, text and concepts, turning them on their head and communicating them in a fresh way to a wide audience.

This four-year course will suit you if you wish to become a graphic designer, illustrator, typographer or digital media designer.

The Bachelor of Technology in Design Engineering combines the creativity embedded in the process and practice of design with the innovative engineering capabilities to utilise advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies. The course will equip learners with skills and aptitudes that will elevate their potential to conceive innovative solutions to real world problem statements. They will also be equipped with the technical abilities to fully develop and deploy these meaningful design solutions across a wide range of technological outputs. This integrated approach of creativity coupled with analytical and technological techniques makes for an adaptable future facing graduate.

Design for Climate Action imagines real, positive, and impactful change, generating dynamic and creative concepts to address complex environmental and social challenges resulting from climate change.

This course looks to equip emerging learners with an awareness and understanding of climate change issues and the urgency for meaningful action, while also providing tools, methods, and platforms to influence behavioural, personal, professional, and sectoral change.

Based in the National Film School, this is the only course in Ireland to bring together set designers, costume designers, character designers, model makers and digital artists, all learning highly specialised skills in a fully professional, collaborative context. Explore the worlds of character, costume, set, model making, games/VFX design for careers in film, theatre, television, entertainment and the digital narrative arts.

This is a one-year, hands-on course tailored for aspiring production designers, art directors, and concept artists. This course is specifically engineered to help students build a competitive, professional portfolio required for entry into prestigious third-level art and design degrees. Learning within a collaborative studio environment, students transition from initial concept sketches to physical creations. The curriculum emphasizes the full pipeline of visual storytelling, including set and prop design, architectural model making, character creation, and storyboarding. By focusing heavily on process development and idea generation, the program ensures graduates can confidently present a diverse portfolio that clearly communicates their unique creative vision to university admissions boards and industry professionals.

This programme enables learners to explore the capacity of design as a critical and collaborative agent of social, cultural and economic change.

It asks the learner to consider the potential impact of design on a range of contemporary commercial, social and cultural issues.

Equal emphasis is placed on critical thinking. Learners explore speculative, fictional, discursive, and impact-led design methodologies, equipping them with the skills required to provoke meaningful change.

Learn valuable design methodologies and strategies that will transform your approach to problem solving and innovation.

Design thinking can transform the way organisations develop products, services, processes and strategy. Many companies now use design thinking methodologies to help them overcome key business challenges ever present in today’s fast-paced technology and data driven environment.

The BSc Hons Diagnostic Radiography & Imaging programme is designed to provide vocational education at undergraduate level for careers in diagnostic radiography.The BSc Hons Diagnostic Radiography & Imaging course is a full-time programme of study of three-years duration.

On completion, successful graduates are eligible to apply for registration under the protected title of "Radiographer" or "Diagnostic Radiographer" with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), the statutory regulatory body responsible for ensuring continuing standards of education, training and professional proficiency in order to protect the public.

The course is also recognised and endorsed by the Society and College of Radiographers, both students and graduates of the programme are eligible to apply for membership of the Society of Radiographers.

This four-year, level 8 programme (including a placement) offers a direct pathway into a full-time career in accounting, decision making, systems accounting, digital auditing, process design, business and data analytics, blockchain, system analysis programme development and application support. Digital Accounting will develop accounting graduates with traditional accounting competencies combined with applied digital technology skills, to ensure graduates have the required skill set to operate in the current and future business environment. 

The Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Digital and Business Skills (DABS) is a future-focused four-year degree programme designed to equip students with a broad range of employability competencies, preparing them for a successful career in the everchanging business and digital world.

The programme combines academic study with real-world workplace learning, fostering adaptability and resilience. The degree programme has been jointly developed by curriculum and academic teams in National College of Ireland and City of Dublin Education and Training Board (City of Dublin ETB).

Provider Locations and Structure
The programme offers a delivery pathway through City of Dublin ETB’s Cathal Brugha FET Campus for Years 1 and 2, enabling students from diverse backgrounds to access new opportunities and transition seamlessly to National College of Ireland to complete their degree for Years 3 and 4.

Digital and Business Skills is a programme designed to equip students with a broad range of employability competencies, preparing them for a successful career in the everchanging business and digital world.

With Ireland’s rich tradition of storytelling, Ireland’s gaming and animation studios have produced internationally acclaimed works, contributing to the nation’s reputation for creativity and innovation. Aspiring animators and game designers will benefit from this course, which emphasises both technical skills and artistic expression, preparing them for a career in an industry that continues to expand and captivate audiences worldwide. Students can use this QQI level 5 programme to gain entry to Year 2 in the DKIT Level 8 BSc in Animation degree.

On this programme, students learn to design, create and animate for both 2D and 3D platforms such as TV, Film and Games. There is a focus on developing students’ core skills in the traditional disciplines of drawing, illustration and animation asset design with a strong emphasis on the principles of animation.

Building on this foundation, students continue to develop their creative voice while training in industry standard software, processes and technologies with the aim of bringing their ideas and concepts to life on screen.

On this programme, students learn to design, create and animate for both 2D and 3D platforms such as TV, Film and Games. There is a focus on developing students’ core skills in the traditional disciplines of drawing, illustration and animation asset design with a strong emphasis on the principles of animation.

Building on this foundation, students continue to develop their creative voice while training in industry standard software, processes and technologies with the aim of bringing their ideas and concepts to life on screen.

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This programme aims to offer students the opportunity to complete year one of a common entry degree in Digital Arts, with Tipperary ETB, before having a guaranteed progression route to years two to four with TUS Midwest (Clonmel Campus).

Year one of this four-year degree programme will provide students with the opportunity to complete modules that will introduce them to the concepts, knowledge and skills associated with digital animation, game art and design and visual effects.

Learn how companies leverage digital technologies to innovate, transform and succeed.

Whether it’s Big Data, the Internet of Things or Virtual Reality, the world of business is being transformed by digital technology. It’s an exciting time of rapid change that is creating wonderful new opportunities. This four-year course is the first of its kind in Ireland and aims to give you the skills to succeed in a future world of work that is driven by technology.

As part of the European Union’s ambition to achieve climate neutrality and digital competitiveness, this course focuses on how creative sectors are evolving toward a low-carbon, resource-efficient, and technologically advanced future.

As a learner, you will develop the ability to critically assess the role of digital innovation in shaping industry practices while addressing key social, economic, and environmental responsibilities. The course introduces you to important concepts such as the circular economy, ethical considerations in a digital world, and the impact of technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Big Data on sustainability within the CCI.

This project-led course provides comprehensive training in the full production lifecycle, from initial pre-production to professional camera operations and post-production. Designed for both online and broadcast media platforms, the curriculum emphasizes technical proficiency and creative execution. By working through real-world projects, learners gain the hands-on experience necessary to deliver high-quality content across a variety of modern digital and television environments.

Your chance to design the future! Join Digital Design to create the next generation of apps, websites and digital experiences.

Our Digital Design course will equip you to shape the world we all live in. If (and this is all of us) you’ve used a website, phone app, social media or other digital interface, you’ve benefited from the work of a Digital Designer.

If you have an interest in digital products or Graphic Design and want to be the next innovator in a fast changing world, this course is for you.