PhotographyGrianghrafadóireacht

The arrival of affordable digital cameras has stimulated widespread interest in photography, presenting the professional photographer with both new opportunities and challenges.

This course will prepare you for a career in professional photographic media practice, as well as the broader visual arts sector. It will equip you with key skills, while encouraging you to reflect on your actions and practices.

There are three main strands: Critical Studies (Visual Studies, History, Theory and Criticism); Photographic Practice, and Professional Studies (Study Skills, Law, and Business). The Critical Studies will develop your understanding of the context of media and visual arts production, while fostering intellectual enquiry into the nature of society and culture. The practice modules are underpinned by theoretical study of photographic technologies and images in the social and institutional context in which the photographer operates.

The wide variety of career opportunities include commercial and industrial photography (ranging from medical to fashion), photography as visual arts practice, multimedia, print and electronic media, photojournalism and editorial work. Others pursue careers in education and postgraduate research.

Check our Instagram feed to see what Photography students are working on right now.

Leaving Certificate Requirements

QQI/FET Requirements

In addition to the QQI minimum entry requirements, QQI quotas and QQI points apply. The max QQI points awarded is 390. Further details at www.tudublin.ie/qqi

Mature Applicants

Applications from mature students (23+) are welcome. Further details at www.tudublin.ie/mature

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website. Applicants for this course should have a minimum IELTS (Academic Version) English Proficiency of 6 overall (or equivalent) with nothing less than 6 in each component.

Click on the link below to view an indicative timetable for this course. Timetables are subject to change and up to date timetables will be provided to students on commencement.

View Sample Timetable

• Advertising/Editorial Photographer
• Commercial Photographer
• Fashion Photographer
• Fine Art Photographer
• Food Photographer
• Forensic Photographer
• Freelance Photographer
• Industrial Photographer
• Medical Illustrator/Clinical Photographer
• Picture Researcher/Editor
• Portrait Photographer
• Press Photographer
• Wedding and Event Photographer

We are currently closed for Advanced Entry Applications. The courses that will be open for advanced entry will be listed on the CAO website in January 2025. For information on how to make an Advanced Entry application, please visit our CAO Hub. 

If this course opens for advanced entry, the following will apply: 

To qualify for Advanced Entry applicants must be currently studying, completing, or have successfully completed, studies at Level 6, 7 or 8 in a Higher Education Institution (HEI) or an equivalent, in a related area. You must demonstrate by providing transcripts of results that you have achieved the learning outcomes for each stage you wish to advance past, for example:

• To enter Year 2 via Advanced Entry, you must demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for Year 1.
• For entry to Year 3, you must demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for Years 1 and 2.
• For entry to Year 4, you must demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for Years 1, 2, and 3.

If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website.

On graduation, you may proceed to postgraduate studies leading to the award of MSc, MPhil or PhD at research institutes and universities worldwide.