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 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.

The programme will be of equal interest to those interested in an arts or social sciences third level education and those interested in pursuing a career in any area of work that requires strong skills of written expression, oral presentation, communication, conceptual and critical thought, teamwork or project management. Related DBS courses have an excellent record of inspiring and enabling students to go on to further study, with a very high proportion of graduates progressing onto further educational programmes at honours degree level and beyond and to a very wide variety of jobs and careers. Our graduates can now be found working in education, journalism, health and social