3D Animation
Do you want to create imaginary and realistic environments and characters and bring them to life? Learn to design, build and create digital worlds and tell the stories of tomorrow using advanced technologies.
| 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: O6/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
Future careers
Our graduates will be equipped with the creative, technical and production expertise to be able to choose from multiple pathways on graduation, either directly into the animation, film & tv, games, motion graphics and the visual effects industries, to engage and create using new immersive technologies or to post graduate studies. This course will lead to a career in the dynamic Irish or International animation industry.
Further study
MA 3D Animation
MA Broadcast Production.
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/
30
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
Do you want to create imaginary and realistic environments and characters and bring them to life? Learn to design, build and create digital worlds and tell the stories of tomorrow using advanced technologies.
This unique course is the first 3D animation undergraduate degree in Ireland. It will allow you to understand the highly artistic and technical practices that are involved in creating characters, stories and worlds using advanced digital technologies.
It builds on IADT’s longstanding BA (Hons) in Animation and our collaboration with Sheridan College, Toronto. Students will learn the fundamentals of digital design, storytelling, animation principles as well as how to build, light and composite animation sequences and stories.
What will I do?
Learn both advanced technical and creative skills to understand 3D animation pipelines, including character, design, world building, animation principles, lighting, rendering along with other specialised areas
Develop the critical thinking skills and individual point of view that will distinguish you as an artist and thinker
Learn from real-world experiences through live projects, work placements, group projects and collaboration with peers in a variety of ways
In Year 3, there is an opportunity to study abroad under the Erasmus+ programme, or to do an industry placement in Ireland or abroad.
What modules will I study?
Year 1
Semester 1
Animating in a Virtual Space
History of Film + Animation 1
Introduction to the Digital World
IADT Connect
Semester 2
World Building
Bringing a Character to life
History of Film + Animation 2
IADT Year 1 Workshop
Year 2
Semester 1
Issues in Screen Studies
Advanced Technical Skills + Cinematography for Digital Film
Acting with a Digital Character
Semester 2
Group Project Development + Preproduction
Group Project: Production
Digital Cultures
IADT Year 2 Elective
Year 3
Semester 1
Digital Studies + Research Methodologies
Design Research Proposal
New Ways of Seeing
New Media Production
Semester 2
Business + Entrepreneurship for Creative Practice
Professional Placement
Thesis Research + Proposal
Year 4
Semester 1
Thesis
Minor Project
Semester 2
Major Project
Damien Byrne
Programme Chair
Email: damien.byrne@iadt.ie