Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Furniture Design and Manufacture
School of Design and Creative Arts
About this program
Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Furniture Design and Manufacture
If you like to solve problems using creative techniques and if you are interested in learning the range of skills required to design and make contemporary and innovative furniture products, then this course is for you.
You will get an opportunity to develop skills in both traditional and advanced manufacturing techniques and learn how to apply the design process from concept through to fully finished furniture projects.
Initially focusing on hand and power tools, you will acquire the skills to utilise a range of woodworking machinery, CNC technology, laser equipment and digital manufacturing.
Keen attention is paid to intelligent design that addresses issues such as markets, competitiveness, cost and environment and these criteria are closely linked with the ability of graduates to produce high-quality furniture product prototypes.
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 respond to design briefs and apply the design process through to finished prototypes. There is a focus on more industrial and automated machinery in Manufacturing Skills 2.
Other subjects include Visual Communications and Contextual Studies, CAD /CAM, Advanced Materials and Sustainability 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 Furniture industry. During their placement, students also undertake some online learning including subjects Product Development and Marketing and Computer Aided Design and Manufacture.
Year 4:
In Year 4, students undertake the design and creation of furniture items suitable for commercial and domestic interiors through a subject called Professional Design Practice.
Students also develop their ability to research and learn professional and management skills, undertaking subjects in Commercial Design, 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 a balanced mix of design and manufacturing skills. These transferrable skills allow graduates to enter the segment of the industry that most appeals to them, ranging from craft-based workshops to modern furniture manufacturers, both in Ireland and internationally.
Some graduates also go on to establish their own businesses after gaining industrial experience.
Design – Career Opportunities
- Designer Maker
- Product Designer
- Kitchen Designer
- Space Planner
- CAD Design
- Procurement
- Prototyper
- 3D Modelling
- 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...
