Architectural Design & Technology Foundation
Architecture is a rewarding field of work and study that calls for both creative and technical skill in the design of buildings and environments. This architecture course is designed to provide learners with the opportunity to develop skills and to prepare a portfolio in architecture or architectural technology to further their studies at degree level.
| Award Name | Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 5 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 5 NFQ |
Duration
1 year full-time.
Entry Requirements
Leaving Certificate, Leaving Cert Applied, Mature students are welcome to apply.
Applicants will be required to meet with the course team, to learn more about the course and to present a small sample of creative work – for example drawings, sculpture, collage, 3D work, technical drawing, poster design, photography etc. – to ensure this course is a good fit.
You will be notified in advance with a date and time to meet with the course team. This meeting will be held in our Raheny Campus.
Careers / Further progression
Progression Opportunities
QQI Level 6 courses in the area of Design and Technology in further education colleges around the country.
Degree Level
Your results on completing this QQI award can be used in lieu of Leaving Certificate to gain entry to some programmes, eligibility for each programme needs to be checked by applicants.
Architectural Technology:
Graduates of this course will be considered for progression onto the Level 8 degree in Architectural Technology in TU Dublin, based on achieving particular QQI grades. Those who complete the award may also apply to Architectural Technology degree programmes such as Carlow IT, and Waterford IT.
Architecture:
Students may apply to Architecture Degree courses – including TU Dublin, University of Limerick, UCD – that take a portfolio into account in their application processes, in Ireland and the UK. TU Dublin accepts the QQI award as an alternative to Leaving Cert, and CAO application will take both into account.
Further information
The college welcomes applications from qualified international applicants. International (non-EU) learners must comply with Irish immigration requirements and must present either a student visa or a letter of permission to remain in Ireland issued by the Immigration section of the Department of Justice. Non-EU applicants may be liable for an extra fee of €3654.
All courses are delivered through English. Learners are advised that to benefit from their chosen course they should be proficient in written and spoken English. Learners may be required to do an English Language proficiency assessment as part of the interview process.
€50
Students undertaking any full time Further Education course may apply for a means tested maintenance grant. Application forms are available from www.susi.ie. Students from designated disadvantaged partnership areas may be eligible for financial assistance towards course charges.
Yes
Step 1 – Apply Online
When you complete your application, you will receive an acknowledgement email with login details, username and password, for your new account on our college applications system (Enrol). Please ensure you receive this email as it sometimes goes into spam/junk folders.
You will need to log into the college applications system (Enrol) regularly to manage your application to CDCFE. Please note that your login details must be kept, by you, in a safe and secure place as they will be needed to access your account each time.
Step 2 – Offer of Place
After applying, provisional places* are offered on a first come, first served basis.
Within 10 working days from the date of your application, your provisional offer letter will be uploaded to your Enrol account and you should receive a notification sms and email. To view it, please login using the Enrol login details found in the initial acknowledgement email you received after applying.
*This offer is provisional and is subject to places being available and any specific course requirements being met, such as an audition, sample artwork, specific Leaving Cert. Results, relevant experience, attending a meet & greet with the course coordinator, etc. Refer to the course entry requirement for the course you are applying for on the course page here.
Applicants to courses that have additional requirements will be contacted directly about how to fulfil the additional requirements e.g., uploading sample artwork, auditions etc.
Uploading of Sample Artwork for all courses in the Art & Design Department – “How To“
Login to your MIT account
Select the Documents TAB
Click on the “+” button and upload your 4 pieces of work. For specifications please check individual course pages. Please name each file with a suitable file name if possible. E.G. Sample piece 1 etc.
Step-3 – Pay a non-refundable Course Charge online to secure your place.
Once you have received your offer letter, you will need to pay a non-refundable €50 course charge in order to hold your place. Please go to the college website and click on the Pay Fees button (or you may login to your account in the usual way). This will take you to the login page of the college applications system. Please ensure you login to the Academic year 2024/25. Once you are logged in, select the Payments tab to pay the course charge. Failure to pay your charge by the given deadline may result in your application being cancelled and the loss of your place. Click here to login to your account and pay your charge.
Your login details are on the initial email you received after making your application.
Step 4 – Complete Registration
We will contact you during the summer with details on how to complete your registration. You will be required to upload your Academic certification, Leaving Certificate results etc., to your application account.
You are also required to upload proof of identity in the form of a photo of your passport or driver’s license. All of this will be checked and verified when you attend registration week in September (dates to follow).
Medical Card
Please upload a copy of your medical card if you hold a full medical card in your own right or you are the dependent child of a full medical card holder.
Uploading Documentation to your account – “How To“
Medical Card (if applicable)
Leaving Cert Results
Click on the “+” button and upload a photo/scan of the document. If possible please name the file e.g. Medical Card with your initials.
An Architect’s work primarily focusses on creative, conceptual and detail design of buildings. An Architectural Technologist works more on the technical design for construction. Learners will gain skills in the areas of building design and sustainability, to prepare them for either Architecture or Architectural Technology.
The Architectural pathway emphasises conceptual and spatial design, theory of architecture and model-making.
The Architectural Technology pathway develops abilities in building construction and technical design.
Design Skills
Drawing
Computer Aided Design
Architectural Drawing
Appreciation of Architecture and Design
Combined Materials
Communications
Work Experience
5M2208 - Design
Certification
Certificate in Design QQI Level 5 (5M2208)
Coolock Campus:
Barryscourt Road, Coolock, Dublin 17.
Eircode: D17 T227
Tel: 01 848 1400
Fax: 01 848 1544
Email: coolock@cdcfe.cdetb.ie
Kilbarrack Campus:
Briarfield Villas, Kilbarrack, Dublin 5.
Eircode: D05 NR25
Tel: 01 832 2735
Fax: 01 832 6393
Email: kilbarrack@cdcfe.cdetb.ie
Raheny Campus:
Springdale Road, Raheny, Dublin 5.
Eircode: D05 XN65
Tel: 01 831 4677
Fax: 01 832 9405
Email: raheny@cdcfe.cdetb.ie