Animation & Illustration - Athlone
Our graduates apply their knowledge and understanding of illustration and animation to a broad range of areas within creative sectors in Ireland and internationally. Our students develop the capacity for independent learning as well as producing work collaboratively. Solid analytical and IT-related skills, as well as high levels of critical reasoning through the twin emphasis of both animation and illustration, are vital to creating strong, visually appealing and imaginative artwork. Our students develop the capability of thriving and adapting to the rapidly changing visual culture and world of animated media and illustration. They are given the freedom to give full vent to their creativity and explore a variety of areas where illustration and animation skills could be used.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Technological University of the Shannon |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | Technological University of the Shannon | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 years full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Grade H5 in two subjects, plus Grade O6 in four other 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.
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
Foundation Level Irish
Foundation Level Irish at Grade F2 will meet the minimum language requirement for all courses.
Bonus Points for Honours Mathematics
25 bonus points will be awarded to any CAO applicant who has gained a grade H6 or higher in Leaving Certificate Honours Mathematics. For example, if an applicant receives a H6 grade an additional 25 points will be added to the 46 points already awarded for a H6 grade i.e. Higher Level Mathematics now carries a points score of 71 for this applicant.
Foundation Level Mathematics*
Foundation Level Mathematics at Grade F2 or higher is acceptable as meeting the Mathematics requirement for the following courses:
Courses located in Limerick, Thurles and Ennis Campuses:
US808/US703 Music Production & Technology
US807/US702 Creative Broadcast & Film Production
US920/US922 Social Care Work (Limerick / Thurles)
US923/US781 Social Care Work (Ennis)
US640 Sports Development & Coaching
US954/US785 Sports Development & Performance
US953/US787 Business Studies with Sports Management
US941/US791 Business Studies with Event Management
US940/US790 Business Studies with Travel & Tourism Management
US946/US792 Business Studies with Beauty & Spa Management
US927/US783 Early Childhood Education & Care
US931 Culinary Entrepreneurship
US795/US631 Culinary Arts
Courses located in Athlone Campus:
US926/US780 Early Childhood Education & Care (ECEC)
US782 Applied Social Studies in Social Care
US921 Social Care Practice
US700 Graphic Design
US802 Animation and Illustration
US803 Graphic and Digital Design
US778 Animation and Illustration
*Please note, this list is correct at the time of print
GARDA VETTING
To ensure the protection of the public and justify public trust and confidence, TUS uses the Garda Vetting Unit (GCVU) service to assess the suitability of applicants to courses:
Athlone based courses:
US877 General Nursing
US878 Mental Health Nursing
US921 Social Care Practice
US780/US926 Early Childhood Education & Care (ECEC)
US782 Applied Social Studies in Social Care
US950 Nutrition and Health Science
US951 Sport Science Exercise Physiology
US956 Athletic and Rehabilitation Therapy
US957 Physical Activity and Health Science
US788 Exercise and Health Science
Limerick, Thurles and Ennis based courses:
US801 Art & Design Teacher Education (Limerick)
US640 Sports Development & Coaching (Limerick)
US958/US786 Applied Sports Science with Strength & Conditioning (Thurles)
US959/US789 Applied Sports Science with Performance Technology (Thurles)
US953/US787 Business Studies with Sports Management (Limerick)
US954/US785 Sports Development & Performance (Limerick)
US927/US783 Early Childhood Education & Care (Limerick)
US940/US790 Business Studies with Travel & Tourism Management (Limerick)
US941/US791 Business Studies with Event Management (Limerick)
US920/US922 Social Care Work (Limerick/Thurles)
US923/US781 Social Care Work (Ennis)
US928 Community & Addiction Studies (Limerick)
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Points will be awarded for LCVP Link Modules as follows:
Pass: 28 points Merit: 46 points Distinction: 66 points
Leaving Certificate Applied Programme LCAP
QQI FET Applicants General Information
TUS accepts QQI-FET/FETAC awards for entry on all courses of study. The following minimum entry requirements will apply to graduates of QQI-FET/FETAC qualifications who are seeking admission to courses at TUS.
HIGHER CERTIFICATE (LEVEL 6)
Minimum entry: A full QQI FET/FETAC Level 5 award totalling 120 credits.
AB-INITIO BACHELOR DEGREE (LEVEL 7)
Minimum entry: A full QQI FET/FETAC Level 5 award totalling 120 credits.
AB-INITIO HONOURS BACHELOR DEGREE (LEVEL 8)
Minimum entry: A full QQI FET/FETAC Level 5 award totalling 120 credits and including a Distinction Grade in at least three modules.
Please note that special requirements may exist for particular courses, for example, a requirement
for a particular subject such as Mathematics.
A full QQI FET/FETAC award normally contains 8 modules.
A full award may be accumulated over more than one academic year. In such cases, it is the responsibility of the applicant to contact QQI FET/FETAC for a full award where programmes are taken over more than one year. A QQI FET/FETAC Level 5 or Level 6 Record of Achievement does not meet the minimum entry standards.
The maximum possible total score will be multiplied by 13 and divided by 12, to give a maximum overall points score of 390 for applicants from further education and training.
If a QQI FET/FETAC applicant also presents a Leaving Certificate, the CAO will use whichever is the better.
Applicants to Restricted Application courses or courses where a Portfolio is required will have their Portfolio Score added to their QQI FET/FETAC Score
Careers / Further progression
What can I do after this course?
We have had graduates that have gone on to work with internationally acclaimed and Oscar nominated animation studios and well as producing print and digital illustration for the global market. Our graduates have established their own companies and some are working independently on original content. Our graduates carry out a number of roles in animation and illustration production associated with animated films, television production and television advertising.
Other specific roles include; background artist, character designer, animator, VFX compositing, scene prep, storyboard artist, comic and graphic novel artist, agency illustrator and production management roles. This programme will particularly suit applicants who wish to work in creative industries that value artistic talent, visual awareness and organisational skills. There is also the opportunity to go on to further studies at Level 9 and Level 10 after graduating from the our 4-Year Level 8 programme. We have students that have went on to post-graduate Level 9 programmes such as Professional Masters of Education (PME) and post-graduate studies with the fields of animation or illustration practice
Further information
Trade Qualifications
A trade applicant, seeking admission to the first year of a course, should do so through the CAO. Such application may be on the basis of National Craft Certificate, Senior Trades or Advanced Tourism Certification Board (NTCB)/QQI qualifications, instead of, or in addition to, Leaving Certificate results. TUS welcomes applications from such candidates. Possession of these awards at advanced level normally qualifies an applicant for entry to TUS.
Other Qualifications
Applicants with qualifications other than those listed above (including EU and overseas qualifications) should apply in the usual way, giving full details of their qualifications/application category on their application.
US802 and US778 Animation and Illustration Portfolio Requirement:
1: A MINIMUM OF ONE FULL SKETCHBOOK
Applicants must submit one completed sketchbook. Applicants who have additional sketchbooks may submit up to 5 sketchbooks in total if they wish.
Your sketchbook should include a large amount of observational studies of both humans and animals. These can be quick sketches capturing movement and gestures. These are best submitted within a sketchbook. You can include photographic work, as well as photographs of clay, collage, mixed media, stop motion models/sets and photographs of large pieces of artwork that you cannot fit into sketchbook itself. Storyboards, comic book pages and poster design can be included. Please fix the pages together in sequence and clearly label and number them. Your storyboards can show an idea for a short film or advertisement using any style or medium you like to work in. Your sketchbooks can include visual development, concept doodles and ideas that you have been working on. Show us what interests you and what inspires you to make the work you make from the world around you.
2: 8-10 PIECES OF COMPLETED ARTWORK
Include 8-10 pieces of completed work. Longer studies of humans, animals, objects or landscapes should be further developed with colour, tone and texture. These studies are usually part of your main portfolio of completed work outside of your sketchbook work. 8-10 of these artworks is sufficient.
Portfolio Submissions:
You must apply through the CAO website. Take note of the course name and the course code. You will receive notification regarding when to submit your portfolio a number of weeks before the assessments. Digital portfolios can also be submitted. However, we advise that you present your portfolio in person, if you can, so we can see your work in its best format.
For further information on portfolio requirements please see the FAQ document or contact the Programme Leader,
Dr Yvonne Hennessy, at email: yvonne.hennessy@tus.ie
Mature Applications:
TUS considers applicants who are 23 years or over on 1 January in the year of entry to be mature applicants. Such applicants may not be required to have the minimum entry requirements. However, TUS will look for satisfactory evidence of the applicant’s ability to pursue and benefit from the course. Knowledge and skills gained through experiential learning will be taken in account. Such applicants should apply through the CAO system, they will be required to comply with point 1 or 2 above and to attend an interview at the Technological University as part of the selection process.
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
Why take this course?
There has been significant growth in the animation and illustration industries globally. The sectors have become a central component of Ireland’s digital and creative economy with increasing career opportunities every year. With a host of successful home-grown studios the opportunities within animated series, feature films and co-productions has risen steadily over the past number of years. Ireland has talented and technically sophisticated studios creating and producing content for print, television, cinema, video games, mobile platforms, immersive exhibitions and virtual and augmented reality.
Modules at a glance:
Explorative Illustration 1, Explorative Animation 1, Explorative Drawing 1, Explorative Practice - Ideation, Creativity in Context 1, Explorative Illustration 2, Creativity in Context 2, Explorative Drawing 2, Explorative Animation 2
Yvonne Hennessy
Course Leader
Tel: +353 (0) 90 6471872
Email: Yvonne.Hennessy@tus.ie