Furniture Design & Making
Dublin College Dún Laoghaire has a long history of providing further education and training courses aimed at students who want to work in the furniture industry. Students develop essential craftsman’s skills to assist them in gaining employment in this industry.
| Award Name | Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 5 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 5 NFQ |
Duration
This is a Full time one year course, which runs from September to May.
Entry Requirements
One of the following:
• Leaving Certificate (LC Established LCVP, LCA) or equivalent
• A Full Level 4 QQI Award (or equivalent)
• For Mature Applicants (aged 21 or over) - appropriate experience will be considered in lieu of formal qualifications. Note: Mature applicants may be entitled to VTOS funding. For details about VTOS, please contact the college.
• Applicants whose first language is not English require level B1 competency on the CEFR language framework. Applicants may be required to undergo English language testing to establish their language competency.
Careers / Further progression
Progression Opportunities
Dublin College Dun Laoghaire: Graduates may progress to the Level 6 QQI Advanced Certificate in Furniture Design and Making at Dublin College Dun Laoghaire.
Elsewhere: Graduates are eligible to apply through the CAO and/or the Higher Education Links Scheme for entry to year one of a range of higher certificate and degree programmes, at Universities, Institutes of Technology and Technological Universities using their full QQI Level 5 major award. Places are not guaranteed in these Institutes and are subject to students meeting certain criteria. It is the students' responsibility to consult with the relevant HEI for information on the admissions process and any specific entry requirements. Students may also refer to the individual HEI prospectus or may also refer to the QQI FET section of the CAO website. www.cao.ie
Examples of CAO progression opportunities are listed on our website.
Career Paths
Graduate opportunities may include the following: furniture designer or maker, apprenticeship in carpentry and joinery, interior design, product design, construction industry, management/sales within the furniture industry or self-employment.
Further information
Start Date: 14/09/2026.
To Apply Online go to "Application Weblink" above.
Overview
Dublin College Dún Laoghaire has a long history of providing further education and training courses aimed at students who want to work in the furniture industry. Students develop essential craftsman’s skills to assist them in gaining employment in this industry. Within this year students will be introduced to the use of hand tools and woodworking machinery as they construct their furniture projects. Students will also learn drawing, design skills, veneering and marquetry, wood finishing and computer aided draughting (2D) to support the design and furniture making process. This course is supported by excellently equipped workshops and IT resources. These include all the expected woodworking equipment, a new industrial grade panel saw, a spray booth and a CNC router.
Work Experience
Students will be required to undertake a period work placement in an organisation connected to their vocational area during the academic year. Work Experience is mandatory for all of our full-time Level 5 courses. Students are required to source their own work placement but will be assisted in this by the work experience teacher. The work placement is usually for a period of 10 days or a minimum of 60 hours. Students usually find the work experience element of the course to be invaluable and should bear in mind that a successful work placement can sometimes lead to further opportunities.
Certification: Level 5 Award Furniture Design and Making (5M2012).
Course Modules:
• Furniture Making
• Computer Aided Draughting (2D)
• Design Skills
• Drawing
• Veneering and Marquetry
• Safety and Health at Work
• Communications
• Work Experience
Assessment techniques will be used to assess the knowledge and skills that students will have achieved on successful completion of modules:
• Student Record
• Collection of Work
• Assignments
• Examination (Written)
• Project
• Skills Demonstration
All assignments are submitted electronically. Therefore all students need access to a device such as a computer/laptop.
A full major award is granted on passing the relevant eight components. On successful completion of each component, you will be awarded a pass, a merit or a distinction grade. See www.qqi.ie for more details.
5M2012 - Furniture Design and Making.
Tel: +353 1 2809676
Email: info@dfei.ie