Architectural Technology and Design – Level 5 QQI Award

Duration:
This is a Full-time one-year course, which runs from September to May.

Overview:

This course meets the needs of students who wish to develop a portfolio of valuable skills, for example, Architectural Drawing, CAD2D and 3D, Architectural Model Making and Design. These skills will equip students to find employment in the architectural, engineering and design sectors and/or also to progress to third-level colleges. Students achieve a level of competence and confidence in their skills in order to maximize their abilities and potential for the future.

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 B2 competency on the CEFR language framework. Applicants may be required to undergo English language testing to establish their language competency.

Course Modules:

• Architectural Drawing
• Building Construction
• Computer Aided Draughting (2D)
• Design Skills
• Mathematics
• Spreadsheet Methods
• Communications
• Work Experience
• Introduction to Revit 3D

Certification:

• Level 5 Award Computer-Aided Design (5M1940)

Special Features:
This course is supported by FIT, which offers students the opportunity to acquire essential skills to gain employment. Students are given training in job interview techniques and CV preparation.

Free Autodesk Software Subscription for all students on this course to facilitate assessment work.

All DFEi students are provided with an M365 account, which gives them access to the tools and resources needed to deliver assessment work while attending their course. M365 Apps include Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and OneDrive.

Work Experience
Students will be required to undertake a period of 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.

Additional Information:
Assessment:

Assessment techniques will be used to assess the knowledge and skills that students will have achieved on successful completion of modules:

• Student Record
• Portfolio/Collection of Work
• Assignments
• Examination – Written or Practical
• Project
• Skills Demonstration

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

Progression Opportunities:
DFEi: Graduates may progress to the Level 6 QQI Advanced Certificate in Architectural Technology and Design at DFEi.

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 student’s 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 below.

Progression Examples:
BSc (Hons) Applied Psychology (DL825)

BA (Hons) Animation (DL832)

BA (Hons) Graphic Design (DL826)

IADT, Dún Laoghaire – www.iadt.ie

BSc Building Surveying (DK830)

BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology (DK831)

Dundalk Institute of Technology – www.dkit.ie

Bachelor of Architecture (Hons) (WD144)

BSc Architectural Technology (WD094)

BSc Quantity Surveying (WD162)

Waterford Institute of Technology – www.wit.ie

BSc Product Design (MH305)

Maynooth University – www.nuimaynooth.ie

Bachelor of Architecture (Hons) (TU832)

BSc Architectural Technology (TU831)

BSc Product Design (TU811)

BSc Planning and Environment Management (TU835)

Technological University Dublin – www.tudublin.ie

BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology (CW468)

BA Product Design Innovation (CW728)

BSc Architectural Technology (CW407)

Institute of Technology Carlow – www.itcarlow.ie

BSc Architectural Technology (GA472)

BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology (GA483)

Galway Mayo Institute of Technology – www.gmit.ie

Career Paths:
Graduates will be equipped with the skills for employment opportunities in surveying, construction, 3D design within the architectural, engineering and design sectors