Film
This course is for those who want to tell stories and express themselves through the medium of filmmaking. Our BA (Hons) Film is dedicated to teaching practice-based film making. Throughout the four years you will develop and create drama, documentary and experimental film. You will write scripts, shoot films, and submerge yourselves in cinema culture and tradition. You will work both individually and in teams to create powerful films that develop your own creative voice.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Institute of Art Design and Technology |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | Institute of Art Design and Technology | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 years full-time
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Min Entry Requirements
2 H5 + 4 O6/H7
English: 06/H7
Portfolio required. Combination of CAO and Portfolio Assessment Points.
For information on portfolio submission see https://iadt.ie/study/portfolio-guidelines/
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Applicants with QQI/FETAC Level 5 or Level 6 Awards require distinctions in 3 (of 8) modules.
Portfolio: Yes
For information on portfolio submission see https://iadt.ie/study/portfolio-guidelines/
Careers / Further progression
What will I be able to do when I graduate?
Work in film production; television, web & screen industries; and the broader screen arts and cultural sectors. Graduate employment opportunities exist in all levels of the film industry; VFX; television; online content providers; commercial production; production facilities; motion graphics; in house production facilities; and corporate and state bodies.
Pathways for taught and by research postgraduate programmes in film and screen arts include: MA in Screenwriting, MA in Creative Production + Screen Finance, Viewfinder international Joint MA in Cinematography and KinoEyes international Joint MA in Filmmaking.
Further information
September 2026
Mature Students
We welcome applications from mature students, who must apply to the CAO.
More info for Mature https://iadt.ie/services/institute-student-services/access-social-inclusion/mature-students/
25
Entry 2026 - Restricted Course
Early online application (discounted): Fee €35 Closing Date: 20 January 2026 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €50 Closing Date: 1 February 2026 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid submitting an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all fees are non-refundable.
Restricted Courses
Applying for a restricted course – you must have applied to CAO by 1 February 2026 at 5pm if you wish to apply for a restricted course. The restricted course must be included on your course choices list by that date, or added to your application using the facility to amend course choices (for a fee of €10) before 1 March at 5pm.
Restricted courses normally require additional assessment procedures, for example, the submission of a portfolio, an oral assessment or interview, or a written assessment. Restricted courses are identified in the handbook by the words “(Restricted - see page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook)" on the same line as the restricted course’s title. Please make sure to acquaint yourself with the additional requirements, if any, of the restricted course(s) that you have applied for and go to page 24 of the 2026 CAO Handbook for more information about interviews and assessments.
Exception: If a restricted course shares the exact same assessment procedures with a course you had applied for by 1 February 2026, you may be permitted to introduce it on a Change of Mind. You should consult with the relevant HEI before introducing such a course.
Mature Applicants
Mature applicants – most HEIs will require mature applicants, who wish to be assessed on mature grounds, to have applied to CAO by 1st February 2026 at 5pm, and include course choices by that date or add them using the facility to amend course choices (for a fee of €10) before 1 March at 5pm. (This restriction does not apply if the applicant wishes to be considered on the basis of school leaving qualifications only.) For more information about applying to CAO on the basis of mature years go to www.cao.ie/mature
Supplementary Admission Routes
Applying for DARE and/or HEAR – to be considered for DARE and/or HEAR, applicants must have registered on the CAO system by 1 February 2026 at 5pm. To apply to DARE, you must answer YES to Question 1 ('Do you wish to be considered for DARE?) on Section A of the fully completed Supplementary Information Form (SIF) by 5pm on 1 March 2026.
To apply to HEAR, you must indicate on your CAO application that you wish to apply for HEAR and fully and correctly complete all elements of the online HEAR form by 5pm on 1 March 2026.
Supporting documents for DARE and/or HEAR applicants must be sent to CAO offices before 10 March 2026 at 5pm
Named by Variety Magazine in 2020 as one of the world’s top film schools, the National Film School at IADT has taught film and television for over 30 years. Graduates work in all sectors of the industry, and have won or been nominated for international awards and festivals including the Academy Awards, Berlin Film Festival, and Cannes.
It provides students with a challenging and creative environment to develop the practical and critical skills necessary to realise your story telling abilities. In Year 1 and 2 you will learn practical and technical skills in script writing, production, direction, cinematography, editing and sound across a range of fiction, non-fiction and experimental work. In the last two years you will specialise in two of these craft areas.
What will I do?
Learn practical skills in production, script, direction, cinematography, lighting, sound and editing, drama, documentary, commercials, promotional, non-narrative and educational programming
Learn all modern online and traditional distribution modes
Get hands-on production experience and access to world-class facilities
Advance your practical film-making skills while developing strong and creative storytelling abilities
Work industry placement takes place in Year 3 and informally throughout the four years
In year 2 & 3 opportunities to study abroad exist through our Erasmus Programme
60% of modules are shared in full or in part with BA [Hons] Television
Cost for materials and/or field trips
Allow approximately €750-€1000 per year (for production-related costs, equipment and software purchases, field trips, etc.) We advise you to budget for costs associated with the graduate project / exhibition in your final year.
What modules will I study?
Year 1
Semester 1
Silent Cinema
Screen Skills 1: Location
Telling Stories
IADT Connect
Semester 2
Hollywood Cinema + TV History
Screen Skills 2
Personal Project
IADT Year 1 Workshop
Year 2
Semester 1
Exploring Visual + Material Culture
Documentary Development
Visual Drama Development
Visual Drama Production + Post Production
Semester 2
European Cinema Past + Present
Documentary Production
Film as Art
IADT Year 2 Elective
Year 3
Semester 1
Business + Entrepreneurship for Creative Practice
Irish Film History Past + Present
Fiction: Narrative Drama Development + Research
Micro Drama Location Filming
Semester 2
Professional Placement
Thesis Research + Proposal
The Old Masters: Recreation + Reinterpretation
Year 4
Semester 1
Minor Project
Semester 2
Thesis
Major Project
Jean Rice
Programme Chair
Email: jean.rice@iadt.ie