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BA (Hons) in Design Communications

BA (Hons) in Design Communications

Overview

Discover how to create visually striking imagery while gaining an understanding of marketing and photography.

If you’re fascinated by words and pictures, bursting with ideas, and a natural problem solver then this course is for you.

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Why Study Design Communications at Griffith?

Our BA (Hons) in Design Communications is a three-year level 8 degree course available on a full-time basis. This challenging degree will teach you how to continuously respond with creativity, and create innovative visuals while developing a keen understanding of consumer culture and market trends.​

  • Achieve an honours degree in Design Communications in three years.
  • Receive a solid foundation in traditional design practices alongside modern concepts of graphic design and develop your skills and style across multiple media.
  • Learn to think creatively when faced with design challenges, adapt to industry changes, and recognise key trends and the integral role of target markets and consumer culture in their design.
  • The practical nature of the course encourages students to learn by doing while small class sizes ensure you can work closely with your tutors.
  • The calibre of work produced by the Design Faculty has been recognised numerous times through industry awards and exhibitions.
  • An annual Creative Week showcases the Design faculty graduates with those of Media, Journalism, Computing, Film and Photography.

Course Highlights 

Field Class Trips

Every year classes travel to current and historical places of design importance, both nationally and internationally. Previous trips have included London, Rome, Milan, Berlin, Paris, Bilbao, Barcelona, and Venice.

Industry Links

You will be taught by practising architects, designers, buyers, and art historians. Professionals from industry regularly give guest lectures.

Portfolio Assessments 2017

A portfolio is required for our design communications degree.

Interested to find out more about Design Communications? Check out this recent blog article where our head of faculty, Deirdre Doherty, outlines some of the unique aspects of the course and how it can prepare you for a career in the design industry.

Intake Dates

Our next intake for this course commences September 2019.

Are you applying through the CAO?

Download our 2018 CAO Toolkit for everything you need to know about applying to the CAO!

Related Courses 
BA in Animation
Course details
Core Modules:
Year One
  • Design Principles & Study Skills
  • Design Communication 1
  • Design For Print
  • Analytical Drawing
  • Computer Studies
  • Visual Culture & Theory 1
  • History of Art & Design
  • History of Illustration & Graphic
  • Design
  • Introduction To Typography
  • Web Design
Year Two
  • Design Communication 2
  • Illustration
  • Photography
  • Visual Culture & Theory 2
  • History Of Art & Design 2
  • Visual Culture
  • Typography 2
  • Interaction Design
  • Visual Merchandising Brand & Marketing
Year Three
  • Design Communication 3
  • Thesis
  • Advanced Web Design & E-Commerce
  • Marketing For Business
Timetables

Prospective Timetable - Year 1

Prospective Timetable - Year 2

 

How to Apply

Entry Requirements 

Leaving Certificate

2 H5 and 4 O6/H7 grades, to include a language (English, Irish or another language) and either Maths, Art or Design and Communication Graphics plus a portfolio which can include samples of sketching, notebooks, concept development and technical drawings

Mature Applicant

Applicants over 23 years of age on 1st January 2019 must provide a copy of ID i.e. passport and submit a portfolio for assessment.

English Language

If English is not your native language, you must show that your English level is of a suitable standard. For further information please contact a member of the admissions team

FETAC/PLC Entry Requirements:

Level 5: Min. 3 Distinctions and a Full Level 5 Award achieved.

Level 6: We will assess on a case by case basis applicants from Level 6 FETAC awards for advanced entry to Year 2. Please contact the Admissions Office to discuss.

BTEC e.g. Higher National Diploma (HND) Entry Requirements:

We will assess on a case by case basis applicants from Level 4 or above BTEC awards for advanced entry to Year 2.

Please contact the Admissions Office to discuss.

How to Apply 

Applicants under 23 years

Applicants under 23 years of age on 1st of January 2019 must apply through the CAO system www.cao.ie. Please consult the CAO website for information on important dates for 2019 applications.

AppPPLY THROUGH CAO

Applicants over 23 years

Applicants over 23 years of age on 1st January 2019 must apply to Griffith College directly online using the Apply Online facility. Mature applicants will be asked for a copy of their passport.

APPLY DIRECTLY
Fees
Tuition Fees
Irish/EU

General Fee Information 

An Academic Administration Fee of EUR250.00 and a 2% Learner Protection Charge is applicable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted below. The fees below relate to Year 1 fees only.

Study Mode: Full-Time

Dublin 

Irish/EU living in Ireland: EUR 5,850.00

International

General Fee Information 

An Academic Administration Fee of EUR250.00 and a 2% Learner Protection Charge is applicable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted below.

Non-EU students: a Medical Insurance, Student Services and Administration fee of EUR300 is payable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted below.

Study Mode: Full-Time

Dublin 

Non-EU Living in Ireland or abroad: Please refer to our Non-EU Tuition Fees section.

EU Living Abroad: EUR 6,650.00

Direct Debit Scheme

Students wishing to pay for their fees monthly may avail of our direct debit scheme. Please download our Fee Payment Information document to review the payment plan schedule and how to apply.

Sponsorship

Is your company paying for your course?

They will need to complete a Griffith College Sponsorship Form and send this to the Student Fees Office:

  • Post: Student Fees, Griffith College Dublin, South Circular Road, Dublin 8
  • Email: [email protected]

2% Learner Protection Charge

All QQI accredited programmes of education and training of 3 months or longer duration are covered by arrangements under section 65 (4) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 whereby, in the event of the provider ceasing to provide the programme for any reason, enrolled learners may transfer to a similar programme at another provider, or, in the event that this is not practicable, the fees most recently paid will be refunded.

QQI Award Fee

Please note that a QQI Award Fee applies in the final year of all QQI courses. To find the relevant fee for your course level, please see the Fees page.

Progression

Academic Progression

You’ll have gained a unique knowledge of traditional design, graphic design, business and marketing, as well as created an extensive practical portfolio upon completion of this course. Following on from your undergraduate studies you may wish to pursue postgraduate study in other academic institutions in Ireland or abroad. Graduate may consider progressing within Griffith College onto the following programme:

MSc in Applied Digital Media

You can contact our admissions team to discuss what progression options are available to you.

Career Progression

Through the BA (Hons) in Design Communications, you will have gained valuable design experience, built a strong foundation of creative skills, and covered a diverse range of topics. As a graduate of the BA (Hons) in Design Communications, you will have the experience to work within a wide variety of areas. Our previous graduates are employed in many fields including design agencies, graphic design, advertising, web design, game design, broadcasting, post-production for television and film, illustration, and promotion. The visual experience, both online and offline, is becoming more important with a large variety of mediums and platforms to cater for; this has resulted in a greater demand for skilled designers and a broader range of careers available to graduates.There is a wide range of career options for our graduates including:

  • Web Designer

  • Communications and Marketing Officer

  • Game Designer

  • Materials Consultant

  • Graphic Designer

  • Media Officer

  • Telecommunications Network Designer

  • Retail Store Designer

  • Film and Set Design Associate

Discover what a Design Communications degree can do for you!

 

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