Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Furniture and Digital Manufacturing
School of Design and Creative ArtsAbout this program
Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Furniture and Digital Manufacturing
If you are interested in an exciting career combining wood, engineering principles andthe most advanced manufacturing technology, then this course is for you.
Students undertaking this programs will Initially focus on the use of hand and power tools inproducing a range of furniture products.
Once students master these initial skills they learn to use more advanced manufacturing equipment, operating CNC routers, largescale woodworking machinery, laser equipment and 3D printers in the fabrication offurniture and furniture components.
Students will also learn a range of professionalskills such as covering operations management, lean manufacturing, estimating andCAD engineering with a focus on their application in the furniture and wood manufacturing industry.
A year-long Work Placement in year 3, in Ireland and overseas, ensures graduates gain invaluable experience and have a good understanding of their roles in industry.
Admission requirements
The general minimum Leaving Certificate entry requirement is a Grade O6/H7 or better in six Leaving Certificate subjects including English or Irish and Mathematics, two of which must be passed in higher level papers at Grade H5 or higher.
For more information about admission requirements, please visit the university website.
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Learn moreProgram content
Year 1:
Common First Year - Furniture Design, Making and Technology
Year 2:
Through projects, students develop their skills in digital processing and automated manufacturing techniques relevant to the furniture industry.
There is a focus on more industrial and automated machinery in Manufacturing Skills 2.
Other subjects include CNC Technology, Automation, CAD/CAM, and Applied Science and Testing.
Students also research and prepare for Work Placement through the subject Business Environment.
Year 3:
For Year 3, students are placed in a company or organisations linked to the Irish Wood and Furniture industry.
During their placement, students also undertake some online learning including subjects Enterprise Operations and Computer Aided Design and Manufacture.
See the section on placement to find out more.
Year 4:
In Year 4, students undertake a major applied project related to domestic and commercial interiors through a subject called Professional Digital Manufacture Practice.
Students also develop their ability to research and learn professional and management skills, undertaking subjects in Lean Operations, Project Management, Entrepreneurship and Advanced CAD and BIM.
Scholarships & funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please check the university website for more information.
Tuition
There are two main elements to Undergraduate Fees at GMIT:
- Student Contribution – all students are liable for the Student Contribution fee. The fee for the 2020/2021 Academic Year is €3,000.
- Tuition Fee – the government will pay the Tuition Fee for most first-time, full-time EU Undergraduates as part of the Free Fees Initiative.
The tuition fee for Non-EU students is €6,950 per academic year.
Career paths
There is a very strong demand for graduates who have skills in advanced manufacturing aligned with the needs of Industry 4.0 and smart factories.
Through Work Placement, students can explore the segment of the industry that most appeals to them, ranging from small workshops to modern furniture manufacturing companies.
Some graduates also go on to establish their own businesses after gaining industrial experience.
Digital – Career Opportunities
- CNC programsr
- Operation manager
- Production line technician
- Quality control
- Automation
- Robotics technician
- programsr
- BIM Technician
- Project Management
- Costing and Estimating
- Entrepreneurship
Currently there is 100% graduate-employment for those wishing to enter the wood and furniture manufacturing industry following study in GMIT Letterfrack.
About this institute

School of Design and Creative Arts
The School of Design and Creative Arts is based on ATU Galway City campus, Wellpark Road, and on ATU Connemara campus. The school currently has three departments: Centre for Creative Arts & Media Department of Creative Education National Centre of Excellence in...