Study Architecture in Ireland

Architecture is a course that has been listed on the Critical Skill list in Ireland. Due to this, the programs offered for Architecture in the country are of high quality. The country also provides candidates with a lot of job opportunities in the field of Architecture and Engineering. The course will focus on subjects like mathematics, science, 3D modeling, art history, etc. Visual art is a major component of Architecture courses that candidates will have to focus on while studying architecture.

Ireland provides architecture aspirants with the perfect balance of city and nature which will help them get inspired to further create great works of art. Considering architecture to be a field that thrives by blending both history and art, candidates must benefit from the various historical sites and monuments that exist in Ireland through which they will get a perspective of Irish architecture and history. The country also provides students with the opportunity of meeting like-minded students from different parts of the world thereby helping them create networks that will be beneficial in their work lives.

Benefits of Studying Architecture in Ireland

Ireland offers candidates with a high quality of education in the fields of sciences, engineering, and business with a curriculum that they claim to be different from the rest of the world. The core structure of programs that are offered here blends theoretical and practical approaches to learning thereby making the students job-ready as soon as they have graduated from the course they have completed. Architecture is one of the programs that are highly sought-after in the country due to the apparent shortage of architects in the work field. This creates a demand in the people who complete the architectural programs in the country since they will be able to start practicing as soon as they have registered as an architect.

A few of the benefits of studying architecture in Ireland include-

• Ireland provides candidates with the best career options when it comes to a subject like Architecture. Though candidates will have to invest over 5 years to complete their education and another 2 years to be accredited as an architect, once they are accredited, they will be able to work for the best international companies.
• Candidates will be able to make use of the post-study work visa option upon the completion of the course. This is important since Ireland is the only English-speaking country offering post-study work visas. Candidates will also be able to apply for a residency once they find full-time employment in the country.
• Candidates will be able to explore Ireland and learn more about the Irish culture and language during the duration of their stay in the country. This will help them broaden their perspectives as they will also be introduced to the architectural wonders of Ireland which will help them in their study.
• Architecture has been listed among the Critical Skills in the country making it easy for candidates to find a job as an architect as soon as they have registered themselves. The benefits they receive are also considered to be higher than other countries in Europe.
• Ireland has an international student population from over 150 different countries in the world which will help candidates learn more about the different cultures around the world and aid them in advancing their creative and imaginative skills both of which are required to be an architect.
• Though it isn’t compulsory, candidates will be able to learn Irish during their stay in the country. This will be a bonus to their resume irrespective of the country they move to later.
• The country is one of the safest places in Europe for international students with a low crime rate that makes the country rank high in peace and human development. Though the cost of living is relatively high in the country, the educational expenses are relatively low especially considering how architecture is a professional course.

Eligibility Requirements for Architecture in Ireland

The eligibility requirements for an architecture program in Ireland vary from university to university and are also based upon the program the candidate has applied for. Candidates will have to contact the admissions office of their respective institutions to get the necessary details regarding the same. A few of the general documents that candidates will have to submit irrespective of the institution they are applying to include-

• Educational Transcripts
• Proof of Proficiency in English
• Proof of Proficiency in Irish, if required
• Statement of Purpose
• Letters of Recommendation

Duration of Architecture Programs in Ireland

Architecture programs are offered as BA, BSc, MA, BArch, and MArch programs in Ireland depending on the university and the kind of syllabus the university focuses on. The duration for an architecture program is estimated to be around 5 years in all of the candidate is doing it in a full-time mode. Most universities split the 5-year duration into 4 + 1 or 3 + 2 formats but completing all 5 years of education is necessary to get accredited as an architect.

The BA in Architecture program will be of 5 years in all whereas a BSc in Architecture is for 3 years after which candidates will have to take an MA or MArch in Architecture which is of 2 years in all. The two programs are often clubbed together but will provide candidates with the option of gaining work experience before enrolling in the second part of the program.

Since professional experience is a must for registering as an architect in the country, it is common for candidates to take a break after the first section of the course and work in different companies. After they have earned the necessary 2 years of experience in the field, they return to their education and complete the 5-year degree after which they apply to be registered as an architect.

While the program in all takes only 5 years in all, it will take candidates a duration between 7 to 9 years to get accredited as an architect and practice in Ireland.

Cost of Architecture Programs in Ireland

The cost for architecture programs changes from institution to institution and can be found to be less expensive in public universities when compared with private institutions that offer similar programs. The fee for a postgraduate program in architecture can range anywhere between €20,000 to €50,000. Candidates will be able to apply for scholarships irrespective of the institution they get into and the amount of the scholarship is generally adequate for them to graduate debt-free.

Bachelor in Architecture/BArch

The BA program in Architecture has a duration of 5 years in all and focuses on both the core concepts of the subject along with the practical applications of the same. This program is essentially different from a BSc in Architecture program which will have a duration of 4 years after which candidates will have to pursue a postgraduate program in the same. The subjects that are generally dealt with in a BA course include technology and environment, design of structures, visual communication, professional studies, architectural design studio, etc.

Candidates will also have to submit a thesis based on a topic of their choice to complete the course. Most universities will offer candidates the option of taking electives during the course.

BSc in Architecture

A BSc in Architecture program has a duration of 3 to 4 years in all depending on the university. It generally deals with the same subjects that a BA program in Architecture does except for the dissertation/thesis that candidates have to submit in the latter. The subjects that are commonly offered in different universities include the theory of architecture, criticism of architecture, construction, visual communication, computer applications, etc. The subjects fall under the categories of technical, cultural, and managerial all of which will advance the level of knowledge the candidate has in the subject.

Candidates are required to take a Master's degree in Architecture after the completion of this course to fulfill the eligibility criteria to be listed in the Register of Architects by RIAI.

Master in Architecture/MArch

The MArch program is taken by candidates who have completed their BSc in the subject. The duration of the course ranges from 1 to 2 years depending on the institution and is often provided only in the full-time mode. Candidates will be learning about architectural design, research, and innovation, professional studies, etc.

Candidates will be required to submit design portfolios during the program and they will also be required to submit a thesis based on a topic of their interest. Taking this program allows candidates who have only taken a BSc in the subject to fulfill the 5-year term required by the RIAI to get registered as an architect in the Republic of Ireland.

Top Universities for Architecture in Ireland

The top universities for studying Architecture in Ireland are-

• University College Dublin
• University College Cork
• University of Limerick
• Waterford Institute of Technology
• Technological University Dublin
• Griffith University
• Dublin Institute of Technology
• Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology

Top Architecture Programs in Ireland

The programs that have been accredited by the RIAI allowing candidates who completed the said programs to enter the Register of Architects in the Republic of Ireland are-

BSc in Architecture- University College Cork

This program is offered by the College of Science, Engineering, and Food Science and is a full-time program that takes 4 years in all to complete. Candidates who wish to get registered as an architect will have to combine this course with the Master of Architecture program offered by the same department. The program is rooted in modules that deal with technological and contextual aspects of architecture. The subjects that are taught include construction, design studio, applied technology, environmental design, conservation, history and theory of architecture, etc.

Candidates are required to complete a dissertation as part of the course. The fee for the program is €22,130 per year for non-EU candidates.

Master of Architecture- University College Cork

This program is often taken by candidates as a continuation of the BSc in Architecture program offered by the same university. It is offered by the College of Science, Engineering, and Food Science and is taught in a full-time mode. The program has a duration of only 1 year and candidates will be dealing with subjects like construction, history of architecture, theory of architecture, applied technology, environmental design, etc.

Candidates will be required to deal with the practical side of architecture by visiting one major European city and investigating the cities under the direction of practicing architects and faculty. The fee for the program is €22,130 per year for non-EU candidates.

Bachelor’s in Architecture- Technological University Dublin

This program in Architecture has a duration of 5 years in all and is considered to be an Honors program in the subject. Candidates are required to be proficient in mathematics and English/Irish to be able to apply for the course. The subjects that are taught during the duration of the course include architecture design, history, theory, and criticism, building technology and structure, environmental services, etc.

The fee for the program is €14,500 per year for non-EU candidates.

Master of Architecture- Technological University Dublin

This program has a duration of 1.5 years and is clubbed with the BSc in Architecture program offered by the same university which has a duration of 4 years in all. The program is provided in full-time mode and is a professional degree that has 3 semesters. They focus on architectural practice and architectural research mainly with a focus on subjects like architecture and culture, whole life design, research methods, architectural design, the durability of design, etc.

The fee for international students is estimated to be €14,500 per year.

BSc in Architectural Science- University College Dublin

This program is offered by the School of Architecture, Plan, and Environment Policy and is provided as a full-time program with a duration of 3 years. The program deals with the professional aspects of architecture and is split into the two elements of project work and lecture programs. The project work includes architectural design, drawing, and model making whereas the lecture programs generally include historical and theoretical material. The subjects that are involved in the program are architectural design, engineering, and architecture of structures, imagining architecture, architectural technologies, indoor environment, etc.

Candidates have to follow up this program with the Master of Architecture program offered by the same university to get registered as an architect in the country. The fee for the program is €25,600 per year for international students.

Master of Architecture- University College Dublin

This program is taken as a continuation of the BSc in Architectural Science offered by the same university. It is a 2-year program which is provided on a full-time basis. Candidates will be dealing with topics like design technologies, research, and innovation, architectural design, professional studies, etc. Candidates are also required to complete a dissertation on the topic of their choice along with the submission of two design theses to complete the course.

The fee for international students is €14,135 per year.

Bachelor’s in Architecture- University of Limerick

This is a 5-year program offered by the University of Limerick. It is offered on a full-time basis with the learning time spent mostly in design studios than in lectures. The subjects that candidates will learn during the course include history and theory of architecture, assembly, and techniques, environmental systems, gravity and reaction, drawing, advanced construction, professional practice, etc. Candidates will be dealing with elective courses in the last two years of the program.

EU students have to pay a tuition fee of around €7,354 per year whereas non-EU students have to pay an amount of €16,465 per year.

Bachelor of Architecture- Waterford Institute of Technology

This is a 5-year program that is provided on a full-time mode to both domestic and international candidates. The topics that are dealt with as part of the course have been clubbed under headings like cultural context, communications, and technology, and the environment. The subjects that are taught include architectural design, research, and academic development, visual communication, model making, acoustics in the built environment, etc.

The fee for EU candidates is €4,450 per year.

Career Options for Architecture Graduates in Ireland

Candidates who wish to work as an architect in Ireland will have to get listed in the Register for Architects the country has. There are different methods through which candidates will be able to register for practicing the profession but most often this begins with the candidate completing a degree in architecture. Upon completing the degree, they are required to complete another 2 years of postgraduate professional training. After this, they have to clear the Professional Practice Examination which is accredited by the RIAI.

A few of the career options that candidates will have after completing a degree in architecture are-

• Landscape Architect
• Architectural Technologist
• Interior and Spatial Designer
• Urban Designer
• Architect
• Structural Engineer
• Site Manager