Open Learning allows you to select the modules you wish to study, set the pace of your study, and whether you undertake the module assessment
Open Learning is for you if you:
- Need a more flexible study schedule
- Don’t yet qualify for entry to an undergraduate degree
- Want to get a feel for academic life before starting a full degree
- Are interested in one or more of the module topics available and want to learn more from experts in that field.
You can browse all of the modules offered to Open Learners in IADT and our partner institutions in the Open Learning brochure.
Open Learning 2024-25
How Does It Work
The date when applications will be open for the academic year 2024 – 2025 is to be confirmed.
All of the modules are at undergraduate level, so it’s a chance to join classes with full-time degree students while learning at your own pace.
- There are no entry requirements for Open Learners – Anyone is welcome to sign-up for a module. You can take as few or as many modules as you want, whatever best suits your own schedule.
- As an Open Learner, you are a fully registered IADT student, will have a student card, and have access to all of the facilities available to other IADT students.
- Most modules can be taken either for audit (€375 per module) or for credit (€500 per module). Audited modules are purely for interest or to get a taste of university classes and do not involve any form of assessment, so there’s no need to worry about exams. Credited modules involve completing any of the assessments required for those modules, such as essays, presentations or end of semester exams.
Modules Available in IADT
Module Title | Department |
---|---|
Introduction to Visual & Material Culture | Design & Visual Arts |
Visual & Material Culture: Histories & Theories | Design & Visual Arts |
Music Industries | Humanities & Arts Management |
Music Business: Rap & Hip-Hop | Humanities & Arts Management |
Digital Media & Prototyping | Technology & Psychology |
Web Design | Technology & Psychology |
Film and Animation History | Film and Media |
Film and Animation History II | Film and Media |
Society, Culture and the Image | Film and Media |
Registration
To register please follow these steps:
1. Select your chosen module(s)
2. Decide if you want to take the module(s) for audit or credit
3. Complete the online Booking Form ( the form will be available shortly)
4. Our Admissions Office will confirm if you have been allocated a place on each of your chosen modules.
5. Follow the instructions to register as a student in IADT.
*Open Learning places on modules are limited and are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.
Applicants may enrol in up to four modules per semester.
If you need help with your registration or if you have queries about the modules available, please contact us by emailing OpenLearning@iadt.ie or calling us on +353 1 2394621
IADT Academic Dates 2024-2025
Semester 1 Teaching Period: 16th September 2024 to 13th December 2024
Semester 2 Teaching Period: 20th January 2024 to 11th April 2024
Fees
Credit Only:
Attend a module and complete the assessment requirements for credit – €500 per module
Audit Only:
Attend a module and do not complete assessments for credit – €350 per module
Fee Support
You may be eligible to apply for a PATH (Programme for Access To Higher Education) Open Learning fee-waiver.
We offer a number of Open Learning Scholarship opportunities each year to help support students in need of fee assistance.
These scholarships are funded by the Department of Education and Science PATH fund and are offered in collaboration with UCD, NCAD, TCD and MIE.
This scholarship is particularly aimed at students who wish to accumulate credits towards a recognised award and who are restricted by socio-economic factors, family responsibilities or health constraints and may, therefore, be excluded from full-time higher education.
Applicants from low-income households are invited, and priority will be given to:
-
- Students with a disability
- First time Mature students (Students aged 23 years and over on 1 January of the year of entry to the HEI, with no previous undergraduate degree)
- Members of the Travelling Community
- Further Education award holders (students entering the undergraduate study with a QQI-FET award)
- Lone parents (who are in receipt of a means-tested social welfare payment)
- Ethnic minorities
- Part-time/flexible learners
- Refugees, those with leave to remain, and asylum seekers
- Socio-economically disadvantaged students
- First-time entrants to Higher Education, who have not attained a Level 7 qualification or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications
Applicants will be assessed based on:
- Low household income (less than €55,924 a year) and/or receipt of means-tested Social Welfare
- Motivation to study at higher education
- Career plans
Alternatively, support may also be available to you through our Sanctuary Scholarship Programme.
Terms & Conditions
- This is a scholarship funded through HEA PATH, in partnership with UCD, TCD, NCAD and MIE.
- Students must be in good academic and financial standing, and if successful will be responsible for paying their full Open Learning fees.
- Scholarships cannot be deferred.
- Students can apply for scholarships for up to 3 modules per semester.
- Students can only take modules which are available through the Open Learning programme.
- Modules must be taken and completed for credit.
- Payment is conditional and subject to the successful student registering for their modules.
- The maximum cumulative amount a student can receive in Open Learning Scholarships is €3,000, or the value of 6 modules, over the lifetime of their studies.
- Students must be first-time entrants to Higher Education, who have not previously achieved a qualification of Level 7 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications.
- Scholarships will be withdrawn if students face disciplinary proceedings within their institution.
- Successful candidates may be asked to take part in feedback sessions and publicity material to promote the Open Learning scholarship and programme.
- Academic performance will be monitored, and withdrawal from the programme will result in revocation of Scholarship.
- Failure to pass modules will invalidate future applications for Open Learning Scholarships.
- In the event of unforeseen circumstances or illness, the usual extenuating circumstances policy for each institution will apply.
- Applicants must have a legal entitlement to remain in Ireland to complete their proposed course of study. The onus rests with the applicant to satisfy the institution in this regard.
- Applicants must have been resident in the EU for at least 3 of the past 5 years.
- Open Learning Scholars will be encouraged to act as role models within their institution and their local community.
- Personal and supporting information supplied by you in this application will be used by the Access office in IADT to assess your application for eligibility.
- If successful in receiving a scholarship, data will be kept for the duration of your studies, plus one year.
Appeals
The Leinster Pillar I Cluster is committed to ensuring all applications are assessed fairly and accurately.
Appeals can be made by emailing openlearning@ucd.ie. Appeals will be independently reviewed on the grounds that the information provided was considered, assessed and scored correctly. The information submitted in the online application and the supporting documentation received will be used in consideration of the appeal. It will not be possible to submit further documentation at the appeal stage. The closing date for Semester 1 2024/2025 appeals will be the published after the opening of registration.
For further information or details regarding these Terms and Conditions please contact: openlearning@iadt.ie
Funded by the HEA’s Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH) initiative
Contact Details
For application details please contact our Admissions team -OpenLearning@iadt.ie / +353 1 2394621