Graphic Design – BA

CAO Points: 765 (Including Portfolio)
Location: Athlone
years: 3

Course Code US700
Level 7
Course Type Undergraduate
Study Mode Full Time
Department Midlands Media & Design

Course Overview

As one of the top graphic design courses in Ireland, the BA (Honours) in Graphic and Digital Design will provide you with 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. You will receive one-to-one tuition from staff who want your experience to be the best and who understand that design learning must be tailored to the student’s distinctive, creative flair and interests. You will be encouraged to follow your passion and to develop your design process through research and experimentation. At the same time, you will be exposed to a host of new, exciting disciplines and skills that will enhance your critical and theoretical thinking to help you advance as a conceptual and strategic graphic designer. Over your design education journey, supported by committed staff, you will grow into a designer with broad knowledge and an informed world view, who can deconstruct communication problems, conceptualise and execute resolutions, and who can articulate and confidently present your creative work. You will have access to staff members with a wide-ranging body of knowledge and experience in both visual communications and fine art practice, both at national and international levels. You are guaranteed one-to-one learner/ lecturer interactivity in a purpose-built environment with your own personal studio space and excellent production facilities.

The programme comprises of a series of core pillars: Design, Image, Studio Practice, and Visual Culture that advance over the four years.

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:

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. Please see link enclosed to find about more about the portfolio https://tus.ie/LSAD/portfolio/
The portfolio can be presented in person or applicants can submit their three pieces digitally. The portal for uploading the digital portfolios will open from the 14th to the 28nd March 2025 inclusive and applicants will be contacted via email with the link.

Or alternatively:

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.

Contact Details

Tara Cullen

Email: Tara.Cullen@tus.ie

What are the 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. Find out more here.

Course Modules

Year 1

DESIGN: Foundation

Credits: 10
IMAGE: Illustration and Photography 1.1

Credits: 10
STUDIO PRACTICE: Confidence

Credits: 5
VISUAL CULTURE 1.1: Image-Text an Intro

Credits: 5
DESIGN: Exploration

Credits: 10
IMAGE: Illustration and Photography 1.2

Credits: 10
STUDIO PRACTICE: Voice

Credits: 5
VISUAL CULTURE 1.2 : 19th Century Design & Technology

Credits: 5

Year 2

DESIGN: Visual Thinking

Credits: 10
IMAGE: Creation & Animation

Credits: 10
STUDIO PRACTICE: Profile

Credits : 5
VISUAL CULTURE 2.1 : Modernism

Credits: 5
DESIGN: Typography & Meaning

Credits: 10
IMAGE: The Moving Image

Credits: 10
STUDIO PRACTICE: Presentation

Credit: 5
VISUAL CULTURE 2.2 : Post Modernism

Credits: 5

Year 3

DESIGN: Creative Direction

Credits: 10
IMAGE: Visual Narrative

Credits: 5
STUDIO PRACTICE: Placement

Credits: 10
VISUAL CULTURE 3.1 : Themes & Theory

Credits: 5
DESIGN: Final Project

Credits: 10
IMAGE: Type in Motion

Credits: 5
STUDIO PRACTICE: Promotion

Credits: 10
VISUAL CULTURE 3.2 : Critical Perspectives

Credits: 5

What can you do after this programme?

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.

Student Testimonial

Hannah Doyle
Graphic Designer – Ball and Socket Branding Agency

My time at TUS Athlone’s graphic design department was a journey of creativity and growth. The coursework encourages students to experiment and explore various mediums such as fine art, printing, photography and digital design, allowing you to apply your own ideas and interests.

The lecturers and staff were always approachable, offering support and guidance. I met amazing friends and like-minded people who enriched my experience.

I truly enjoyed my time at the college and highly recommend the graphic design course in Athlone to anyone eager to explore design.