Program Overview

Course Overview

The BA in Graphic and Digital Design provides a unique and exciting educational experience while learning to become a designer. Built on a legacy of over 40 years of art and design, your creative talents will be nurtured by a team of lecturers who are passionate about their field.

Additional Information

Graphic Design Portfolio Requirement

Contents and inspiration for your portfolio can come from many sources including for example, Leaving Certificate subjects such as Art, Music, Design & Communication Graphics, Technology, Construction Studies, Engineering, Computer Science and Home Economics. Portfolio work can consist of projects you completed in Secondary School or on a PLC and which you have recorded via photographs or video. Not all the work needs to come from an educational setting. There is no formula for a portfolio it is as individual as the person putting it together. However, we will ask you to be selective and limit it to 20 pieces. So, select the work that you feel best about and that you think represents your creativity/skillset best.

Applicants can choose to be assessed via one of the following options:

1. For assessment, we ask each applicant to be selective and limit their submission to a maximum of 20 of their best pieces. The work can be individual or related pieces and should represent the best skills of the applicant. If the applicant’s strengths are in problem solving, they may submit research/visual development as one of the three. Again, work submitted should reflect the strengths and personality of the applicant; be that in illustration, painting, print, typography, photography, graphic design, film or showcase the visual development/research of your work.
2. Applicants may choose to participate in an applied project, which will be carried out remotely/ electronically in March 2025. Applicants who choose the applied project option will be issued with the project brief, and staff will guide them in the process through workshops and live advice online. The resultant project will subsequently be assessed.

Entry Requirements

Leaving Certificate

• Grade O6 in five subjects. Two of these subjects must be Mathematics and a language (English or Irish). Note: An F2 in Foundation Level Mathematics will be accepted as meeting the minimum Mathematics requirement.
• For all applicants, portfolio presentation is required.

QQI

• Any QQI level 5 qualification is acceptable.

Mature Applicants

• Mature applicants are not required to meet minimum entry requirements.
• For all applicants, portfolio presentation and interview are required.

International Applicants

• International applicants should apply directly to the International Office at TUS, allowing plenty of time for completing the visa process.
• Applications for September start should be made by 1st June at the latest to ensure visas are processed in time.
• You should familiarise yourself with visa processing times for your country of origin to ensure you make a timely application.

Course Modules

Year 1

• DESIGN: Foundation (10 credits)
• IMAGE: Illustration and Photography 1.1 (10 credits)
• STUDIO PRACTICE: Confidence (5 credits)
• VISUAL CULTURE 1.1: Image-Text an Intro (5 credits)
• DESIGN: Exploration (10 credits)
• IMAGE: Illustration and Photography 1.2 (10 credits)
• STUDIO PRACTICE: Voice (5 credits)
• VISUAL CULTURE 1.2: 19th Century Design & Technology (5 credits)

Year 2

• DESIGN: Visual Thinking (10 credits)
• IMAGE: Creation & Animation (10 credits)
• STUDIO PRACTICE: Profile (5 credits)
• VISUAL CULTURE 2.1: Modernism (5 credits)
• DESIGN: Typography & Meaning (10 credits)
• IMAGE: The Moving Image (10 credits)
• STUDIO PRACTICE: Presentation (5 credits)
• VISUAL CULTURE 2.2: Post Modernism (5 credits)

Year 3

• DESIGN: Creative Direction (10 credits)
• IMAGE: Visual Narrative (5 credits)
• STUDIO PRACTICE: Placement (10 credits)
• VISUAL CULTURE 3.1: Themes & Theory (5 credits)
• DESIGN: Final Project (10 credits)
• IMAGE: Type in Motion (5 credits)
• STUDIO PRACTICE: Promotion (10 credits)
• VISUAL CULTURE 3.2: Critical Perspectives (5 credits)

Career Opportunities

Graduates enjoy excellent employment prospects in Ireland and overseas, and are employed in graphic design for both print and screen, advertising agencies, publishing houses, printing, the arts, the film and television industries and in teaching roles in second, PLC and third level courses.

Further Study

As a graduate of this ordinary degree, you are eligible to apply to join the add-on Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Graphic and Digital Design programme, subject to end of year results at TUS or related NFQ Level 8 programmes at TUS or other third-level institutions.