Fine Arts Courses in Ireland

Burren College Of Art:
Burren College of Art is an internationally recognised not-for-profit independent college specialising in undergraduate and graduate fine art education. We offer artists and art students from around the world time, space and inspiration within the unique environment of the Burren. The Master of Fine Art programme is accredited by the National University of Ireland, Galway and is operated in association with the Royal College of Art, London and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Our undergraduate Study Abroad programmes, Summer School and Artist Residency Scheme also recruit internationally. The College is a 4 hour drive from Dublin by car, 1 hour from Galway and approximately 1.5 hours to Limerick.

Master of Fine Art
Our MFA programme is unique. The environment of this two-year full time professional programme gives students the time and space to create and debate art in the inspirational landscape of the Burren, free from urban distractions. This is an ideal location for high level reflection and energetic creation. The remote yet internationally connected aspects of the college combine to place it at the confluence of European and American cultures. This is a place of international ideas yet it has its own distinctive cultural heritage that is five thousand years old. In the USA the Master of Fine Art is generally accepted as the terminal degree in studio arts and is a pre-requisite for teaching in university level education.

Programme Content
The programme is operated as an integrated and progressive learning experience resulting in students' readiness for artistic practice and public exhibition. The modules deal with distinct aspects of artistic practice but are operated together as parts of one holistic experience.

- Studio Research: These modules introduce students to the concepts and methods of art research that envision studio based artistic endeavour as a process of enquiry that can generate new knowledge and understanding. As the core of the programme, they enable students to contribute to knowledge and understanding of art by means of their own artistic production. The fields of enquiry are determined individually for each student by negotiation between the student and the Dean. These modules conclude in a thesis exhibition.

- Professional Skills: These modules enable students to develop the technical and organisational skills necessary for professional practice and exhibition.

- Historical and Critical Studies: These modules enable students to gain a well-informed perspective on contemporary art in its various contexts, and personal ability in critical discourse rooted in their own artistic interests.

Higher Diploma in Fine Art
The Post Baccalaureate programme offers a one year full time introduction to graduate level fine art education to students who are not yet ready to undertake a two-year Master of Fine Art programme or who do not wish to do so. The Post-Bac is accredited by the National University of Ireland, Galway and leads to the award of the Higher Diploma in Fine Art. Post-Bac students are full students of the university as well as the Burren College of Art and have access to its library and other facilities.

Since students whose artistic identity is not yet clearly formed are very diverse in their needs, this programme is structured flexibly so as to respond to and fulfil that wide range of requirements and interests. Each student's programme is individually negotiated and agreed. This structural flexibility distinguishes it from the MFA programme, which offers a personally oriented developmental programme leading to professional practice.

Individual Study Abroad
The Individual Study Abroad programme at Burren College of Art is available to Bachelors students who wish to study abroad for one or two semesters of their Junior year at a specialist art college in a unique environment. Exceptionally students take these courses in their sophomore or Senior year. Students may select courses from those that will fulfil the requirements of their home college or they may choose courses solely to enhance their own development. Credits transfer to the home college. Courses include Drawing, Painting, Photography, Sculpture, Time Arts Studio, Art in Context, Mixed Media, Irish Studies, Creative Writing, Art History.

Other Courses
Study Abroad programs for individuals and groups, Artist Residencies and short summer courses.