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.

Work Placement

There is a work placement element to this course. 

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

Irish/EU Applicants

Applications from all Irish/EU citizens are made through the Central Applications Office (CAO).

Note: Applicants presenting with the Irish Leaving Certificate or a QQI FET award, regardless of nationality, should apply through the CAO.

The standard closing date to apply is February 1st. Late applications will close on May 1st. For restricted courses, the closing date is February 1st. Please see important dates on the CAO website. For a detailed guide on how to apply, please visit our CAO Hub.

International Students (Non-EU) 

Applications from international students are welcome for this programme. If you meet any of the following criteria, applications should be made directly to TU Dublin via the “Apply Now – Non-EU” link on each programme webpage.

• You hold Non-EU Nationality, and you live in a Non-EU country.
• You hold EU Nationality, but you have not lived in an EU country for 3 of the last 5 years AND you have not attended 5 years primary/secondary education in an EU country.
• You require a Student Visa to study in Ireland

Note: Applicants presenting with the Irish Leaving Certificate or a QQI FET award, regardless of nationality, should apply through the CAO.

For full details on How to Apply, Visa & Immigration Information, Accommodation Information and International Fees, please visit our International Hub.

Application Dates for Non-EU Applicants

Applications for undergraduate courses commencing September 2025 are now closed.

Applications for undergraduate courses commencing in September 2026 will open in November 2025. Applications will close in June 2026.

Advanced Entry applications are accepted to this course. For further information on how to make an Advanced Entry application, please visit our CAO Hub. A full list of courses open for Advanced Entry are listed on the CAO website.

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.