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Creative Arts & Design
Duration
1 years
Level
FET
Outlook
Growing
This QQI Level 6 course teaches you the principles and practice of interior design, covering space planning, colour theory, technical drawing, and materials selection. You will explore how to create functional and aesthetically considered interior environments for residential and commercial settings. Practical studio sessions form the core of your week, where you develop mood boards, floor plans, and design proposals using both hand-drawing techniques and industry software such as AutoCAD or SketchUp. Client briefs and live projects give you real experience of working to a brief, presenting ideas, and managing feedback. Some colleges offer study visits to trade fairs, showrooms, or design studios, broadening your understanding of the professional industry.
Entry typically requires a Leaving Certificate with a minimum of five passes, though many colleges prefer at least an O4 or higher in English and a pass in Maths. Art and Design at Junior or Senior Cycle is a strong advantage, and some colleges may request a portfolio of creative or design work as part of the application process. This course is also open to mature applicants aged 23 or over who can demonstrate relevant life or work experience in lieu of formal qualifications. If you hold a QQI Level 5 award in Art, Design, or a related creative area, you may be eligible for direct entry. EU nationals and non-traditional applicants can enquire through their local ETB about access, VTOS, or BTEI routes.
Demand for interior design skills in Ireland has grown steadily alongside the construction and hospitality sectors, making graduate prospects reasonably positive. Entry-level salaries typically range from around €25,000 to €32,000 per year, with experienced designers earning considerably more. Freelance and self-employed work is common in this field, offering flexibility but requiring strong business and marketing skills. Progression within studios or moving into specialist areas such as commercial fit-out or sustainable design can bring higher earning potential over time.
AI-powered visualisation and rendering tools are increasingly used in interior design, allowing designers to produce photorealistic room previews more quickly and at lower cost. Tools such as generative design software can suggest layout options and colour palettes based on client preferences, streamlining early-stage design work. However, the core skills of understanding client needs, spatial reasoning, and hands-on materials knowledge remain distinctly human strengths that AI cannot fully replicate. Familiarity with digital tools, including AI-assisted rendering platforms, is becoming an expected part of a designer's toolkit.
Providers and indicative points are curated with AI support. Always double-check with the institution itself.
How to apply
QQI Level 6 Further Education courses are applied for directly through each college or ETB — not through the CAO — typically via an online application on the provider's own website, often opening in spring for September entry. Entry requirements generally include a Leaving Certificate (or equivalent) and, in many cases, a portfolio of creative or design work submitted as part of the selection process.
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