Communications
The BA in Communications is a three-year full-time programme which aims to give learners an introduction to communications platforms including photography, radio, journalism, and TV. The course involves both practical and academic projects and gives students the chance to work in real journalistic situations over the course of six semesters.
| Award Name | Degree - Ordinary Bachelor (Level 7 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 7 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Ordinary Bachelor (Level 7 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 7 NFQ |
Duration
3 years full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Leaving Certificate
5 O6/H7 grades, to include a language (English, Irish or another language) and maths.
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Holders of the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme apply in the usual way through the CAO system. Points are awarded on the same basis as the Leaving Certificate. The Link Modules are considered as a single unit and are awarded points based on the result per unit. The Link Modules can be used as a sixth subject for points calculations only.
Leaving Certificate Applied Programme LCAP
The College does not recognise LCA subjects as meeting its minimum entry requirements. If combined with a Grade 5 FETAC Award, applicants may apply for a higher certificate or degree course in the College.
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Griffith College welcomes applications from students who hold a full FETAC Level 5 Award which typically contains eight modules. A full award may be accumulated over more than one academic year. In such cases, it is the responsibility of the student to apply to FETAC for a full award where the modules are taken over more than one year. Please note that a record of achievement does not meet the minimum entry requirements.
• To be eligible for consideration for an Honours Degree programme, the applicant must hold a FETAC Level 5 certificate with a distinction grade in at least three modules.
• To be eligible for consideration for an Ordinary Degree or Higher Certificate programme, students are required to hold a FETAC Level 5 Award.
FETAC Application Process
Applications must be made through the CAO for those courses offered through the CAO. For direct entry programmes, applicants must send a completed direct entry application form to the College. For more information on this access route, please contact the Admissions Office on +353 1 415 0400 or email admissions@griffith.ie.
Careers / Further progression
Academic Progression
Graduates of this course have the option to continue their studies at Griffith College. If you graduate from this programme you are eligible to enter the final year of the BA (Hons) in Communications & Media Production.
You can contact our admissions team to discuss what progression options are available to you.
Career Progression
Through the BA in Journalism, you will have gained valuable professional experience, built a strong portfolio and covered a diverse range of media.
There is a wide range of career options for our graduates including:
• A cross media Journalist
• Press Editor
• Media Analyst
• Advertising Copywriter
• Information Officer
• Multimedia Specialist
• Freelance Media Professional
Further information
Griffith College Dublin welcomes applications from mature applicants. Applicants interested in applying for a programme as a mature student should contact the Admissions Office for more details and applicants should apply directly online at www. griffith.ie/apply.
https://www.griffith.ie/admissions/undergraduate/how-apply
Entry 2024
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2024 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2024 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2024 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2024 at 5pm
Exceptional online late application (see page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2024 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2024. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2024, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2024 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.
Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22 July at 5pm applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1 May 2024 in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system. This is an exceptional late closing date and all steps must be completed by 5pm on 22 July. No changes may be made after this date.
If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.
Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.
Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Marino Institute of Education, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick and Maynooth University have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these five HEIs, you should apply through CAO.
Refer to page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
Take the first steps to a career as a working media professional
This hands-on course builds the knowledge and skills needed today in the changing and dynamic world of media, whether is working online, in radio, TV or photojournalism, giving you the practical, real-world experience needed to succeed.
Why Study Communications at Griffith College?
The BA in Communications is a three-year full-time programme which aims to give learners an introduction to communications platforms including photography, radio, journalism, and TV. The course involves both practical and academic projects and gives students the chance to work in real journalistic situations over the course of six semesters. Graduates of this programme can also progress onto the final year of the BA (Hons) in Communications and Media Production to obtain a Level 8 qualification.
In this course, students will:
• Develop writing, radio, video and photography skills, and explore reporting, feature writing and investigative journalism, through work with the college newspaper, magazine and radio station, while filming and editing your own short video pieces.
• Gain an understanding of essential journalism skills, media history and social structures.
• Write, edit and design their own publications;
• Build a portfolio of work to show future employers.
Influence their career path with specialisation in two elective choices.
• Have access to state-of-the-art facilities on campus including radio station, photography studio and film and TV studio;
• Be able to access a National Union of Journalists press pass.
Year One
• Digital, Online and Social Media Production
• Mobile Media
• Photography 1
• Thinking, Writing, Presenting
• Understanding Society
• Communications History
• Cultural Journalism
• Radio Production 1
• Writing for Media
Year Two
• Contemporary Politics
• Media Production
• Photography 2
• Radio Production 2
• Media Law and Ethics
• News Reporting and Feature Writing
• Understanding Narrative
• Shorthand (Elective)
• Writing and Presentation Skills (Elective)
Year Three
• Business of Media
• Investigative Journalism
• Media Reporting and Editing
• Video Production 1
• History of Art and Photography
• Media Studies
• Research Methods
• Video Production 2
South Circular Road, Dublin 8.
Tel: +353 1 415 0400
Email: admissions@griffith.ie