Key information for BA (Hons) in Visual Art

Code: SE203 | Level: 8 | Duration: 4 years | Delivery: Fulltime | Credits: 240

Location for BA (Hons) in Visual Art

Location: Waterford | Campus: College Street

Application Information for BA (Hons) in Visual Art

Next Intake: Rolling Intake | Application Status: Open | Fee Information Link: /current-students/fees-and-grants/fees/lll-fees

Study Options for BA (Hons) in Visual Art

Study abroad options: Available (View details at https://www.setu.ie/global/global-mobility)

International Applicants information for BA (Hons) in Visual Art

International Application Status: Open | Application Information Link: https://www.setu.ie/global/study-at-setu/applying-to-setu | International Fees Link: https://www.setu.ie/current-students/fees-and-grants/fees/global-fees

What modules are taught in BA (Hons) in Visual Art?

Year 1: Sem 1: Art Core Studies 1 | Sem 2: Art Core Studies 2, Sem 1: 2D Media 1 | Sem 2: 2D Media 2, Sem 1: 3D Media 1 | Sem 2: 3D Media 2, Sem 1: Creative IT Skills | Sem 2: Art History 2: Critical Thinking, Sem 1: Art History 1: Research Methods | Sem 2: | Year 2: Sem 3: 3D Media 3 | Sem 4: Art History 4: Modern Art and its Critics, Sem 3: Art History 3: Modern Art | Sem 4: Creative Multimedia 2, Sem 3: Creative Multimedia 1 | Sem 4: Introduction to Drama Practice and Theatre Practice, Sem 3: Live Art 1 | Sem 4: Live Art 2, Sem 3: Painting | Sem 4: , Sem 3: Photography 1 | Sem 4: | Year 3: Sem 5: Art History 5: Postmodernism | Sem 6: Art History 6: Dissertation Proposal, Sem 5: Arts Management | Sem 6: Contextualising Studio Practices, Sem 5: Research becoming Object | Sem 6: Creative Multimedia 3, Sem 5: Choose one of the following electives: | Sem 6: Object as Art, Sem 5: *2D Media Studies | Sem 6: , Sem 5: *3D Media Studies | Sem 6: , Sem 5: * = elective | Sem 6: The delivery of electives will depend on the demand and resources available | Year 4: Sem 7: Art History 7: Dissertation | Sem 8: Studio Project 2, Sem 7: Professional Practice: Profile Development | Sem 8: , Sem 7: Studio Project 1 | Sem 8:

What further study options exist for graduates of BA (Hons) in Visual Art?

Completion of a level 8 programme will also enable students to undertake taught Masters programmes or Masters degrees by research at SETU in Waterford or other third-level colleges Career Opportunities Graduates of the programme may find work in the following areas: Professional Artists Community Artists Art Teacher Arts Administrator Workshop Facilitator Arts Management Photography Gallery Curator Follow On Study Options Masters in Fine Art Taught MA in Art and Heritage Management Masters by Research Art & Design Education

SE203 Waterford

Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

Visual Art

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Programme Overview

The BA (Hons) in Visual Art is a four-year Level 8 studio-based degree designed to foster self-expression, creative confidence, and individual artistic identity. Taught at SETU Waterford, the programme develops students' critical thinking and ability to interpret the world through visual language, determination, and resilience. Students are encouraged to think beyond established boundaries while building a strong foundation in visual awareness, artistic analysis, and contemporary art history.

Practical Learning & Graduate Exhibition

The course is heavily studio-focused, giving students the freedom to work broadly and experiment across a wide range of fine art media. A defining highlight of the programme is the final-year SETU Waterford Art Graduate Exhibition, where students showcase their personal artistic capstone projects to the public, industry professionals, and the wider art community.

Coursework

The four-year modular curriculum progresses from foundational techniques to self-directed artistic practice:

Core Skill Inculcation: Establishing foundational abilities across drawing, painting, sculpture, print-making, photography, performance, video, and digital media.
Thematic & Experimental Projects: Extending practical technical skills through structured thematic projects that build visual awareness and experimental practice.
Contemporary Art History & Theory: Contextualizing personal studio work within historical and contemporary art theories, critical analysis, and cultural discourse.
Personal Artistic Project (Final Year Capstone): Developing a cohesive, self-directed body of original artwork culminating in the public graduate exhibition.

Career Opportunities

Graduates earn a professional Level 8 qualification in visual art that prepares them for creative practice, cultural sector roles, and advanced postgraduate study:

Practicing Visual Artist & Fine Artist
Gallery & Exhibition Curator
Arts Administrator & Cultural Officer
Community Arts Facilitator & Educator
Commercial Illustrator, Photographer, or Media Specialist
Postgraduate Study (including Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Art Therapy, or Professional Master of Education in Art)

Upon completion of the four-year degree, graduates possess the refined technical skills, critical analysis, and creative confidence required to establish an independent artistic practice, contribute to the creative industries, or pursue postgraduate specialization.

SETU in Waterford Visual Art Department Instagram

Year 1

Semester 1	Semester 2
Art Core Studies 1	Art Core Studies 2
2D Media 1	2D Media 2
3D Media 1	3D Media 2
Creative IT Skills	Art History 2: Critical Thinking
Art History 1: Research Methods

Year 2

Semester 3	Semester 4
3D Media 3	Art History 4: Modern Art and its Critics
Art History 3: Modern Art	Creative Multimedia 2
Creative Multimedia 1	Introduction to Drama Practice and Theatre Practice
Live Art 1	Live Art 2
Painting
Photography 1

Year 3

Semester 5	Semester 6
Art History 5: Postmodernism	Art History 6: Dissertation Proposal
Arts Management	Contextualising Studio Practices
Research becoming Object	Creative Multimedia 3
Choose one of the following electives:	Object as Art
*2D Media Studies
*3D Media Studies
* = elective	The delivery of electives will depend on the demand and resources available

Year 4

Semester 7	Semester 8
Art History 7: Dissertation	Studio Project 2
Professional Practice: Profile Development
Studio Project 1

Leaving Cert: Minimum entry requirements for BA (Hons) in Visual Art

2 subjects: H5
4 subjects: O6/H7
English or Irish: O6/H7
Mathematics: O6/H7
Art or Design and Communication Graphics: O3/H5

Advanced and Equivalent Entry for BA (Hons) in Visual Art:

Completion of a level 8 programme will also enable students to undertake taught Masters programmes or Masters degrees by research at SETU in Waterford or other third-level colleges