DL827 BA [Hons] Art

Art students develop projects that can be presented publicly from their first year of studies, through collaborations with professional art galleries and museums.

As a student you will continuously develop your skills, through ongoing practical workshops and tutorials that provide supportive feedback and guidance. You can choose to focus on a specific artform or you can combine varied forms of artmaking, such as drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, woodworking, metalwork, sculptural installation, film production, zine publishing and live performance.

IADT emphasises the importance of hands-on practical and technical skills, and you will have access to dedicated production facilities throughout your studies, including painting studios, print studios, sculpture workshops, photography darkrooms and digital media labs.

At IADT, which is also Ireland’s National Film School, you can connect with students from many other areas, collaborating with them on editing, sound recording, visual storytelling and immersive media experiences. You will also gain valuable experience in business, entrepreneurship and arts management through a professional placement, and you will have the option to study abroad if you wish.

In the final year of your BA in Art, you will present a public exhibition of your own artistic work and also complete an ambitious research study demonstrating in-depth knowledge of your chosen topic. Once you graduate from IADT, you’ll become a valued member of our alumni network, joining a vibrant community of internationally successful arts professionals.

What will I do?

• Develop artistic and technical skills to a high level by working with professional artists in excellent facilities
• Experiment with new forms of self-expression through group workshops and self-directed personal projects in media such as drawing, paint, print, sculpture, video and performance
• Collaborate with other art students on exhibitions and public presentations in contexts such as the Irish Museum of Modern Art
• Explore how artists can help to positively shape social and cultural change
• Expand social connections and gain practical professional experience through the Placement Module
• Identify practical ways to finance artistic productions through business and project management skills
• Build confidence in communicating and writing by studying in a supportive academic learning environment
• Study abroad at an art institution connected to IADT through the (optional) Erasmus programme

What will I be able to do when I graduate?

Careers include: professional artist, teacher, film-maker, creative producer, exhibition curator, designer, arts administrator, art director, arts policy-maker, arts entrepreneur, art writer, public arts officer, media content developer, image researcher.

Post-graduate study options include the Postgraduate Diploma in Cultural Event Management, Postgraduate Diploma in Circular Economy Entrepreneurship, Postgraduate Diploma in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, or Masters by Research.

Cost for materials and/or field trips

Approximately €300 per year (years 1, 2 and 3) for materials and tools. You may also have an opportunity to take part in extended field trips or international visits (but these are not compulsory). Your final year exhibition is your professional showcase of work, which can be produced in a range of different formats. We advise you to budget for not less than €500. It’s extremely useful to have a good quality digital camera, portable hard drive and laptop. We recommend you don’t purchase these in advance, but seek advice from your tutors.

Portfolio Submission

Please use IADT’s Portfolio Guidelines to help put together your portfolio; they are designed to help you ensure it becomes the perfect showcase for your work.

Portfolio Workshop – 17th February 2026

If you have applied through the CAO you will be invited to the BA [Hons] Art Portfolio Workshop on IADT campus on Tuesday February 17th 2026, where you can demonstrate your skills and aptitude for the BA [Hons] Art course through a series of drawing exercises that will receive CAO points. You can attend the Portfolio Workshop or submit a Portfolio, or do both, in which case your highest CAO score will be used to calculate your total points for entry.