Film - Pathfinder Joint International Programme - Portugal
This innovative three-year European Film degree, delivered across multiple European locations with our FilmEU partners, positions you at the forefront of the global screen arts industry. You’ll develop a blend of traditional filmmaking techniques alongside modern innovations and specialisations.
| 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
3 years full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Min Entry Requirements
2 H5 + 4 O6/H7
English: O6/H7
Portfolio Yes
Offers made based on a Portfolio + Interview score to applicants who meet the minimum academic requirement.
For information on Portfolio Submission go to https://iadt.ie/study/portfolio-guidelines/
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Portfolio: Yes
For information on portfolio submission see https://iadt.ie/study/portfolio-guidelines/
Careers / Further progression
What will I do after I graduate?
National Film School graduates work across the Creative Industries as independent filmmakers, and as directors, producers, screenwriters, cinematographers, editors and sound designers, in addition to virtual reality, augmented reality and interactive media. Alumni success includes Oscar®, BAFTA and IFTA recognition.
Graduates may apply to any of the prestigious Erasmus Mundus MA programmes for example:
DOC NOMADS the Erasmus Mundus Master in Documentary Film Directing
FilmMemory, the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Media Arts Cultures
KinoEyes, the joint MA in Filmmaking
Postgraduate programmes at IADT include the MA in Screenwriting for Film + Television.
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/
12
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
Film: Pathfinder Joint International Programme
Applicants to the Film: Pathfinder Joint International Programme for intake 2026 will apply separately through the CAO for your preferred starting country, using the course codes below.
DL860: National Academy for Theatre & Film Arts, Sofia
DL859: Lusófona University, Lisbon
DL858: LUCA School of Arts, Brussels
DL857: National Film School, IADT, Dublin
As this is a joint international programme, you will study across multiple partner institutions during the three years, but your chosen CAO code determines where you begin your first year.
We strongly encourage you to apply to all available campuses and list them in order of preference when applying.
What is the Film: Pathfinder Joint International Programme?
This joint programme emphasises practical learning, self-directed study, and international collaboration. The course offers a comprehensive curriculum covering both traditional filmmaking techniques and modern innovations, including cinema, television, immersive media, music videos, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and documentary production. Students will develop the skills to create high-quality content while staying ahead of industry trends.
What is FilmEU?
FilmEU is a European University Alliance dedicated to advancing education, research, and innovation in film, media arts, and the creative industries. Through joint degree programmes, shared resources, and cross-border initiatives, FilmEU prepares graduates to become adaptable, globally minded creative professionals equipped to meet the evolving demands of the screen industries.
Partner Institutions
Students will begin their study at one of these partner institutions each academic year:
National Academy for Theatre & Film Arts, Sofia
Lusófona University, Lisbon
LUCA School of Arts, Brussels
National Film School, IADT, Dublin
Additionally, you will engage with our associate partners:
LMTA – Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre
VŠMU – Academy of Performing Arts, Bratislava
These prestigious institutions offer diverse cultural and academic environments, ensuring a truly international and collaborative experience.
International Study Opportunities
The Pathfinder programme is a European degree where students engage in both digital and physical mobilities. You will start your first year at one of the base institutes, with hybrid classes co-taught by module leaders from different institutions. In the second semester of the first year, all students come together for a collaborative filmmaking project. In the second year, you will relocate to a different partner institution for two semesters, allowing you to tailor your learning path. In the final year, you can either return to your base institute or opt for further mobility.
What will I study?
Core modules include Film Theory and History, Cinematography, Editing, Sound Design, and Screenwriting. The curriculum also includes innovative subjects such as Digital Media Production, World Cinema, and Sustainable Film Practices.
You will have the freedom to select courses and projects that align with your interests and goals, with specialisations in areas like Directing, Producing, and Moving Image.
Cultural diversity is a cornerstone of this programme. By studying at different partner institutions, students will experience a dynamic educational atmosphere that enhances both their learning experience and professional readiness.
Assessment methods include practical assignments, written essays, and group projects. Hybrid modules will be co-taught and co-assessed by module leaders from two institutions.
What will I do?
Gain comprehensive knowledge and technical skills in traditional filmmaking techniques and modern innovations, including cinema, television, immersive media, VR, AR, and documentary production.
Acquire the ability to create high-quality content, navigate industry trends, and meet professional standards.
Tailor your education by selecting modules and projects that reflect your interests and career aspirations.
Immerse yourself in diverse cultural and academic environments through international mobility and hybrid learning.
Engage in hands-on learning through practical labs, collaborative projects, and the use of industry-standard equipment.
Build a global professional network through unique opportunities for international collaboration and mobility.
Year 1
Semester 1
Introduction to European Film
Cineclub – Film Analysis & Critic
Story & Origins
Cinematic Craft Skill 1- Non-Fiction
Semester 2
World Cinema
Sustainable Filmmaking
Story & Film Language
Cinematic Craft Skill 2 – Fiction
Year 2
Semester 3
European Cinema
New Ways of Seeing
Radical Creativity and Technology
New Ways of Telling Stories
Semester 4
Masterclasses: Shared Encounters with Contemporary Filmmakers and Artists
Media & Society.The Ethics and Politics of Film
Entrepreneurial Thinking. Business Survival Kit
Collaborative Project
Year 3
Semester 5
Artistic Research & Reflection
Co-production and Distribution
Advanced Project Development
Advanced Cinematic Craft Skill
Semester 6
Artistic Research & Writing
Graduation Project
Further details are available here: www.filmeu.eu/pathfinder.
Deirdre O'Toole
Course co-ordinator
Email: deirdre.o'toole@iadt.ie
Admissions Queries
Email: admissions@iadt.ie