The number of portfolio preparation courses on offer is an indication of the extent of the competition for third-level places on art and design courses.
Dr Fiona McGrath, director of Monaghan Institute of Further Education and Training, explains that Leaving Cert students may not have enough time to concentrate on the production of a quality portfolio to be used for admission to these courses.
Taking a one-year Post Leaving Certificate course affords them that space. It also allows students a taste of the various art and design specialisms. For instance, the course in MIFET includes drawing, painting, sculpture, textiles, combined materials, communications, graphic design, photography, printmaking, design, and history and appreciation of art and design.
There are no tuition fees for PLC courses and students are eligible to apply for maintenance grants. Some PLC courses, leading to NCVA level 2 awards, articulate directly with third-level courses so students may apply for reserved places. You are not guaranteed a place but you are not competing with Leaving Cert students but, rather, with other PLC graduates.
If you plan to use this route, you should make sure the PLC course you are interested in articulates with a third-level course. For instance, there are three PLCs linked with Athlone IT's national diploma in design (communications) - art (AAXXX), art/craft/design (AACDX) and graphic design (AGDXX). The National Council for Vocational Awards produces a listing of PLC courses linked with third-level courses (tel: (01) 837 2211).
