Higher Certificate in Arts

Are you someone who has a broad interest in studying the arts or social sciences but feels uncertain as to how far or in what direction you would like to pursue that interest? Are you someone who would like to earn a substantial academic qualification but feel daunted by the idea of a long three or four year commitment? Are you someone who prefers learning by doing, through participation in projects and activities? Are you someone who might flourish under the very close guidance and extended support of a team of dedicated lecturers? Are you searching for inspiration and ideas as to what to do in the future? Or are you just curious about life and wish to reflect upon it through the prism of ideas and theories derived from some of the great thinkers of the past and present?

If you can answer yes to one or more of the questions above, then the Higher Certificate in Arts may be the educational option that is best for you. An entirely unique offering within the Irish educational landscape, the Higher Certificate in Arts is a two-year programme of arts education which can serve equally well as a significant achievement and qualification in its own right and as an extended and guided process of transition into higher levels of study. As well as building knowledge and developing intellectual and academic skills across a very diverse range of areas, the programme fosters the development of a broad set of key skills and competencies readily transferrable to a variety of work-related contexts.

Programme Aims and Objectives

The primary aim of the Higher Certificate in Arts is to prepare you for future challenges, whether those challenges lie in the areas of study or work. The objectives of the programme can be summarised as follows:

• To provide a substantial and extended introduction to a range of subjects available for study within the arts and social sciences.
• To prepare students for the challenges of studying particular subjects at higher levels.
• To promote an understanding of how different academic disciplines or subjects engage and explore different and related concepts and issues.
• To facilitate the development of writing, oral presentation and IT skills.
• To promote the practice of writing in a range of conventions, forms and styles appropriate to different academic subject or disciplines.
• To facilitate in the development of independent study, research and learning skills.
• To facilitate in the development of team-working, project-management, time management and careers skills.
• To offer the opportunity for advanced level entry onto honours degree programmes of education and training in subject areas related to the content of the programme.