This part-time undergraduate programme offers an opportunity for mature students interested in establishing a personal direction in their art and design practice to attend a flexible programme leading to a Higher Diploma.
General Information
Applications for 2023 are now closed
Applications for 2024 will open spring 2024
Portfolio: See Portfolio Brief below
Award: UCD Higher Diploma in Art
Credits/Level: 90 ECTS, Level 8 NFQ Duration: 2 years, autumn to spring, 2 evenings per week, 6.15 to 9pm and occasional Saturday mornings Fees 2023-2024: €2,700 per annum, payable in two instalments, September and January
Programme Code: AD082
Term starts week of 18th September, 2023 6.15 to 9pm
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Students are required to have access to a computer and WiFi
Term starts the week of 18th September, 2023
About the CEAD Higher Diploma
The Higher Diploma in Art provides mature students with opportunities to deepen their knowledge, skills and experience in visual art practice. This programme provides lifelong learning options for adults who wish to participate in flexible learning and acquire a level 8 qualification in art. Having completed a level 7 certificate students are eligible to apply for this 2 year programme. During the Higher Diploma in Art, students progress from creative exploration, inquiry and discovery, to engagement with context, audience, histories and cultures.
Social, ecological and economic challenges continue to impact on creative processes and increasingly visual arts practitioners require the ability to collaborate, innovate and influence. Through exploration of materials and competent use of a range of techniques students will apply skills and knowledge of processes to practice. This 2 year programme includes skills-based workshops, research methods, discipline orientation, project-based learning, professional practice combined with theories underpinning contemporary visual culture. The Higher Diploma in Art provides for interdisciplinary approaches and includes discipline options in drawing, painting and expanded practice with students’ orientation for practice identified on completion of stage 1 of this 2 year programme.
The aims of the programme are to
Establish a research methodology applicable to practice
Explore concepts, ideas and research processes in contemporary art
Encourage experimentation through engagement with studio-based projects
Develop self-discipline and effective time management applicable to practice
Acquire skills and knowledge applicable to an evolving practice
Foster critical engagement with art practice, contemporary visual culture and society
The objectives of the programme are to
Encourage the development of analytical skills and an understanding of reflective processes within studio practice
Examine and critically analyse key theories in contemporary critical culture
Explore discipline characteristics, boundaries and transdisciplinary approaches to fine art
Support decision-making, interpretation, judgement and evaluative strategies applicable to practice
Develop an applied knowledge of materials, processes and technical skills appropriate to practice
Develop an understanding of contemporary visual art practices
Create a body of work for exhibition or display
Programme outcomes
On successful completion of the programme, students will be able to
Apply research methodologies in the generation of ideas, projects and proposals
Identify a personal direction for their emerging practice
Articulate an identity as an artist
Communicate effectively the ideas and processes underpinning their work
Select appropriate materials and techniques in the realisation of their work
Work independently and collaboratively where appropriate
Establish learning goals and manage their time effectively
Critically evaluate their practice within contemporary art
Analyse and evaluate key concepts and theories in visual culture
Produce resolved work suitable to exhibition standard
Graduates of the programme will communicate ideas informing their practice to peers. They will be able to work independently, collaborate with others on projects, organise small group exhibitions and disseminate ideas and meaning underpinning their visual art practice in a range of formats and settings. Graduates will have established competency in a discipline area, demonstrate an ability to negotiate discipline boundaries and show an understanding of the potential of transdisciplinary approaches of working.
Teaching and Learning Strategies
Group critiques, individual presentations, peer learning and group display of final project work all feature within the programme. Lectures, seminars, projects, group discussion, tutorials, presentations and group dialogue form part of the teaching and learning strategies. In year one students will have the opportunity to work in the environs of IMMA. A series of sequential practical projects will feature throughout the programme. Students are encouraged to actively engage in dialogue with peers, tutors and visiting lecturers. The teaching strategies support student-centred as well as problem-posing and problem-solving approaches with small group as well as individual tuition. The programme includes both studio-based learning and collaborative approaches to learning and practice.
In the early stages of the programme student led presentations, combined with participation in small group studio critiques, will facilitate students to gain confidence and enhance their communication skills. Critical and analytical skills will be enhanced as the programme progresses through research, experimentation and application to practice.
Students on the Higher Diploma in Art study 45 credits in each year. They complete 20 credits in the autumn trimesters of each year and 25 credits in the spring trimester.
Assessment will be continuous and summative. Students will present project work for studio tutors and peers for review and assessment at the end of each module and receive feedback on their progress. Over the duration of the diploma students are required to complete a minimum of two written assignments for visual culture.
Entry Requirements
Applicants to this programme should be 21 years or over by January 1st of the year they intend to start the programme. Applicants are expected to have completed a CEAD Level 7 Certificate or the equivalent and will be required to submit a portfolio as part of the selection process (see portfolio brief above). Applicants are also required to demonstrate a commitment to the development of an art practice and be willing to engage in a programme involving investigation and experimentation.
Application Process
Students will have to complete an online application form and submit a portfolio of images as part of the process of application process. See link to Online Application Form and Portfolio Brief above.
Advanced Entry
Advanced entry to year 2 of the Higher Dipoma in Art is evaluated by the prior learning of the individual student. Please contact CEAD@staff.ncad.ie Please note advance entry places are limited.
Who is this programme for?
Typically a student applying to this programme will be able to show an interest in and commitment to developing a professional practice in art. Previous experience of art is required, either through attending accredited courses in continuing education at NCAD or similar further education courses. Students participating in this programme will be encouraged to challenge traditional views of art and engage in a process of experimentation with the view to developing a direction for their practice. The programme is intensive and while delivered in a flexible manner it will involve a considerable time commitment.
Programme Duration
The Higher Diploma in Art commences in mid September. Students will attend on a part-time basis for approximately 30 weeks. Normally students will attend for a minimum of 6 hours per week, 6.15 to 9pm. Typically this could be Tuesday and Thursday evening (year 1 students), and Monday and Wednesday evening (year 2 students). The course is blended and some of these sessions will be online. The programme includes evening attendance and the occasional Saturday morning. In year 1 there are two additional evenings in semester one to facilitate workshops and in year 2 there is a 3/4 day block at Easter when students are asked to attend during the day. These dates will be in the timetable received at the beginning of the year.
Programme staff
Felicity Clear BA MA
Beth O’Halloran BA MA
Elaine Leader BA MA
Vivian Hansbury Dip Fine Art MA Fine Art
Dr Emma Mahony
Mark Clare BA MA
Henry Martin BA MA MRes
