DL157 - Certificate Electronics for Creatives
This course is currently offered in collaboration with Creative Futures Academy (CFA). CFA is a ground-breaking partnership between: The National College of Art and Design, University College Dublin, and the Institute of Art, Design + Technology. Our tailored programmes and micro courses offer access to expertise and networks across the three leading creative institutions and our industry partners. Learn with us as we experiment, innovate and respond to change.
What is Electronics for Creatives*?
The postgraduate certificate involves the application of electronics technologies to artistic and design practice, from the point of view of creative, aesthetic, mood and thematic aspects of art and the problem-solution paradigm of design in an elegant sense.
The course will explore applications of electronics technologies in a basic, mixed media sense, within a thematic research context, underpinned by academic methodologies, leaning heavily into the learners’ existing creative practices, in terms of practical projects of their collective choice. Learners will ultimately gain practical and research knowledge, skills and competencies applicable within their own professional context.
The course will allow you to:
- explore your own creative practice
- conduct academic research to determine how your professional practice can be enhanced through technology
- Undertake practice in developing electronics systems involving audio, visual and tactile sensors, microcontrollers, audio, visual and kinetic actuators
- Develop a portfolio, documenting your learning journey in the course
- Participate in group projects, to produce an electronics prototype, proof-of-concept artefact in the creative space.
* subject to validation
How will I be assessed?
You will be assessed through the submission of an individual portfolio and participation in a group project.
Dates + Times
The course will be delivered on a blended format as follows:
Tuesdays | 7pm – 9pm | online:
- 16th, 23rd, 30th September 2025
- 7th, 14th, 21st October
- 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th November
Thursdays | 6pm – 9pm | on campus:
- 25th September
- 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd October
- 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th November
Note: On Friday, 19th September we will attend a Culture Night 2025 event.
Are there any Materials or Equipment requirements?
You should budget for contributing to electronics and construction materials, typically €100 to €150 approximately per project.
You will also need to have access to a laptop or portable computer running either Windows or Mac operating systems.
Fees + Scholarships
Fees for this course in 2025/2026 are €550, subsidised by the Higher Education Authority’s Human Capital Initiative. Check your eligibility HERE
Two weeks before the start of the course, you will be asked to complete a declaration form to confirm your eligibility.
Fees for those who do not meet the eligibility criteria above are €1,100.
CFA Scholarship:
A CFA scholarship encourages the participation of learners from sections of society that are significantly under-represented in higher education by offering one free place on all of our CFA short courses.
Find out if you are eligible to apply HERE
Fill in the CFA@IADT scholarship application form HERE