How to Apply
Portfolio Requirements
Frequently Asked Questions - Portfolios
I want to apply for a course in IADT that requires a portfolio - what do I do?
1) apply via the CAO system before the 1st February 2012. Have the courses that require a portfolio (restricted courses) that you wish to apply for on your list of choices. You can remove restricted courses from your list of preferences and you can change your order of preference for restricted courses already on your list at the 1st of February using the change of mind facility but you cannot introduce new restricted courses after that date. (No late applications can be accepted - no exceptions!)
2) we will contact you (via the email address that you supplied to the CAO) around the 12th of March 2012 and inform you of your portfolio assessment date, which will be between the 26th and 30th of March 2012.
What courses at IADT require a portfolio assessment?
| CODE | TITLE |
|---|---|
| DLO41 | BA (Hons) in Animation |
| DLO42 | BA (Hons) in Photography |
| DL043 | BA (Hons) in Design in Visual Communications |
| DL044 | BA (Hons) in Visual Arts Practice(Fine Art) |
| DL045 | BA (Hons) in Film and Television Production |
| DL046 | BA (Hons) in Modelmaking, Design and Digital Effects |
| DL047 | BA (Hons) in Design for Stage & Screen (Production Design) |
| DL048 | BA (Hons) in Design for Stage & Screen (Costume Design) |
| DL049 | BA (Hons) in Design for Stage & Screen (Make up Design) |
How does the portfolio assessment work?
1) we contact you (via the email address that you supplied to the CAO) around the 12th of March 2012 and inform you of your portfolio assessment date, which will be between the 26th and 30th of March 2012.
2) you deliver your portfolio to us on the morning of the specified date, complete with labels etc that have been supplied to you in (1) above. (note - there is no need for you to deliver the portfolio in person but it is your responsibility to ensure that it is delivered to us and collected from us.)
3) we assess your portfolio.
4) you collect your portfolio from us in the afternoon of the same day you dropped it into us.
5) we inform you before the end of May of your portfolio result.
How are portfolios scored?
Portfolios are scored out of 600 points, the pass mark is 240 points (40%). If you get less than 240 points you are not considered eligible for the course and cannot be offered a place.
How do I calculate my total points score?
1) take your portfolio score; eg - 360
2) take your leaving cert points or mature student score or FETAC points; eg - 400
3) add (1) to (2); eg 360 + 400 = 760.
This is your total points score.
What were the points for the portfolio courses last year?
| CODE | TITLE | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DL041 | BA (Hons) in Animation | 765 | 695 | 850 |
| DL042 | BA (Hons) in Photography | 699 | 760 | 725 |
| DL043 | BA (Hons) in Design in Visual Communications | 790 | 585 | 695 |
| DL044 | A (Hons) in Visual Arts Practice (Fine Art) |
630 | 565 | 565 |
| DL045 | BA (Hons) in Film and Television Production | 919 | 870 | 900 |
| DL046 | BA (Hons) in Modelmaking, Design and Digital Effects | 480 | 600 | 690 |
| DL047 | BA (Hons) in Design for Stage & Screen (Production Design) | 695 | 879 | 630 |
| DL048 | BA (Hons) in Design for Stage & Screen (Costume Design | N/A | 895 | 860 |
| DL049 | BA (Hons) in Design for Stage & Screen (Make Up Design) | N/A | 895 | 860 |
Note - 2010 was the first year of DL048 & DL049, so there are no points for these courses for 2009.
Will I need to do an interview?
Not all courses interview applicants. Do not worry of you are not called for interview - once you score 240 points or more in your portfolio you have passed the portfolio assessment for that course.
If an interview is required we will contact you (via the email address that you supplied to the CAO) and the interview will take place at IADT between the 16th & 20th of April 2012.
What will I put in my portfolio?
Guidelines are given in our current prospectus for each course. Please refer to the prospectus.
In all cases the portfolio should be easy to look through, well presented and the edited range of work presented should show evidence of interest, hard work and quality. Be selective in the work you present.
No 3D work should be included, only 2D documentation of 3D work.
Portfolios are restricted to a maximum weight of 10 kilograms and must not contain any organic matter or dangerous substances.
What if I have prepared a 'special project' portfolio for NCAD - do I have to prepare a second portfolio for IADT?
Some institutions now limit you to the completion of a “special project” as the only content for your portfolio. At IADT (and DIT), we do not ask for a “special project” because we recognize that every applicant is different, and as such the portfolio should show your individual abilities, interests, and readiness to join one of our innovative programmes.
If you have completed a “special project”, or you are working on one – that’s fine. If you are pleased with it, do include it in your portfolio. But please remember, we want to see the work that clearly shows you are ready for the exciting, individual opportunities offered by our programmes. Make sure you read the guidelines we publish in our prospectus’ and on our websites about the particular requirements programmes have. These guidelines will generally ask you to show a good range of your best work – and to demonstrate a real enthusiasm for the programme you have applied for.
Enjoy putting your portfolio together – it’s a great opportunity for you to show what you are already capable of, and your potential as a student on some of the most exciting and challenging arts and media programmes in Europe.




