Interior Design - Limerick

September 2026

MATURE APPLICATIONS
All EU nationals aged 23 or over on 1st January in the year of application are classified as ‘mature applicants’. The closing date for receipt of applications for consideration in this category is 1st February in the year of entry. Late applications will be considered for courses which do not require additional assessment. On an exceptional basis e.g. the quota remains unfilled, late applications may be considered for other courses.

Trade Qualifications
A trade applicant, seeking admission to the first year of a course, should do so through the CAO. Such application may be on the basis of National Craft Certificate, Senior Trades or Advanced Tourism Certification Board (NTCB)/QQI qualifications, instead of, or in addition to, Leaving Certificate results. TUS welcomes applications from such candidates. Possession of these awards at advanced level normally qualifies an applicant for entry to TUS.

Other Qualifications
Applicants with qualifications other than those listed above (including EU and overseas qualifications) should apply in the usual way, giving full details of their qualifications/application category on their application.

HEAR

DARE

RPL

Student Finance

At Limerick School of Art & Design (LSAD) we celebrate creativity. Our wide range of courses, specialising in everything from fine art, design to digital content creation, are intended to empower creativity in all its forms and produce valued sought-after graduates. Some of our courses ask you, the prospective student, to submit a portfolio of work so that we can reward your creativity, and you can showcase your passions and skills. Your portfolio of work is all about you and can contain creative content from your school or personal life.

The following courses require applicants to successfully complete a Portfolio for assessment prior to entry:

• US800 First Year Art and Design (Common Entry)
• US801 Art and Design Teacher Education
• US805 / US701 Digital Animation
• US806 / US706 Game Art and Design
• US810 / US707 Visual Effects for Film TV and Animation
• US811 Interior Design

Digital Portfolio
Applicants will be required to submit their portfolio online. A Digital Portfolio is a digital representation of your creative skills, abilities, interests, and personality. It can include photographs and videos of your physical work, such as, painting, sculptures and fashion items; as well as files containing your digital work, such as, digital art, images, photography, 3D models, designs, videos and animation. Your digital portfolio can also include videos of notebooks containing research, sketches, and exploratory work.

For applicants that include an LSAD course requiring an online portfolio submission on their CAO application, TUS will send applicants an invitation to submit a digital portfolio online (approximately mid to late February) where you can easily upload your images, digital files or videos and answer a few simple questions about your interests and what you included.

The portfolio is scored out of 600 with a minimum score of 240 required to pass, all those who are successful at this stage will be considered for entry. As the number of applicants who are successful after the Portfolio Assessment may be greater than the number of places available, the system of final selection is carried out on the basis of combined points. The portfolio score is added to the Leaving Certificate score (or international equivalent) to rank applicants for the available places.

PORTFOLIO OPEN DAY
LSAD, Clare Street, Limerick 15th January 2026

Entry 2026

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

Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: €65 Closing Date: 1 May 2026 at 5pm

Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2026 at 5pm

Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.

LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2026. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2026, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2026 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €65 applies.

Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:

General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices

Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course

Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants

Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR

What is this course about?
The Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Interior Design at the Limerick School of Art & Design is a dynamic and comprehensive course aimed at students aspiring to excel in the field of interior design. Whether you envision working within architectural practices, design consultancies, commercial companies, or as part of an in-house design team, our course equips you with the skills and knowledge to thrive in diverse professional environments.

The course offers a comprehensive and engaging learning experience through:
• Studio Based Learning: Prioritises studio-based learning, providing hands-on experiences to foster creativity and practical skills.

• Diverse Activities: Students participate in a variety of activities, from traditional sketching to utilising advanced computer software, allowing them to create dynamic 2D and 3D content.

• Assessment Through Design Projects: Assessment focuses on design projects, where students apply theoretical knowledge to real-world situations.

• Emphasis on Design Process: The curriculum emphasises the design process, analysis, research, and intervention, equipping students with the tools to understand user needs and develop innovative solutions.

• Structured Skill Development: Structured for gradual skill development, students start with foundational concepts in their first year and progress to more complex projects over time.

• Professional Placement Practice: In 3rd year, a dedicated module offers professional placement practice, or the option to engage in Erasmus+ allowing students to study or practice in mainland Europe.

• Self-Directed Project: The 4th year culminates in a self-directed project, allowing students to showcase their expertise and creativity in an area of their interest.

• Promotion of Collaboration: The course promotes collaboration through group work and individual studio practice, fostering teamwork and exposing students to diverse perspectives.

• Enrichment Opportunities: Additional enrichment opportunities, such as local and international field trips and visiting lectures from industry professionals, further enrich the learning experience.

Why study this course?
This course is suited to students from second level and mature students who wish to pursue a career in an exciting problem-solving design discipline. There is an embedded exit award included at Level 7 within the course (after successful completion of 3rd year).

Modules at a Glance:
Design, Built Environment, Information Communication Technology, Analysis & Explore.

Ms. Trish Geraghty
Email: Trish.Geraghty@tus.ie

TUS Global Students