Ballyfermot College of Further Education is a creative, innovative and student-centred college. From Animation, Art and Business to VFX, Music, Media and Social Care BCFE offers a wide range of top class one and two year, level 5 and 6, programmes. In addition, BCFE has three top-up degree programmes in Media Production, Animation and Computer Games. BCFE graduates are recognised both nationally and internationally as leaders in animation, design, music, film, media, art, business, social care and tourism.
For students who have just received their Leaving Certificate results and for adults thinking about returning to education BCFE offers a real choice – fantastic courses which lead directly to work or which are the foundation for further study and creative development in BCFE or in another college. Choose graphic design, animation, music, work with children or television Begin your journey in BCFE.
Art and Design – creative, technological and award-winning
If Art is your choice BCFE invites you to a place of creativity, hard-work, fun, ideas, design and artmaking where you can explore your creativity. The art department has excellent resources: art studios, a darkroom and state-of-the-art Mac Room. Most importantly, as Brian Walsh, Head of Art, Design and Three Dimensional Studies explains, “Art in BCFE offers all the challenges and excitement of Art College in a supportive learning environment with small classes. We are committed to nurturing the creative and artistic development of our students. Students have the opportunity to develop strong dynamic portfolios based on their personal interests.”
Graphic Design is a two year professionally-focussed course which enables students to develop industry-standard portfolios across a range of design specialisms. This highly regarded courses regularly produces award-winning students and graduates. Recent award winners include second year students, Helen O’Higgins and Chiara Tallarini, who won the Childline Campaign category in the ‘New Now’ YCN design competition 2019. Helen and Chiara produced a series of illustrations whose aim was to brighten up the mood of teenagers. They came up with a series of positive tag lines such as ‘Be Active’, ‘Reach out’, ‘Nurture your Mind’; and then created illustrations to represent each of these concepts visually. First year students Susan Sweeney won the highly prestigious Future Illustrator 2019, a partnership between OFFSET, The Irish Examiner and Chemistry to give budding illustrators a chance to get their work seen at OFFSET and published in a national newspaper. Entrants had to develop an illustration which could be used as part of an editorial feature in the Irish Examiner. The feature was about Brexit.
A great job this time next year
Level 5 courses can lead to an interesting and fulfilling job in just one year. BCFE’s Early Childhood Care and Education course has an outstanding record of success. Students regularly go straight into employment at the end of course. According to Bernadette Keegan, Head of Childcare in BCFE, “the course is ideal for anyone who is interested in working with children. It is a good mix of theory and practice. Students learn about child development, well-being and the importance of play. The sector is growing and becoming increasingly professionalized. The level 5 course is the entry level for work in the sector and it is also the foundation for further study and professional development in the future.”
Other course in Social Care, such as Care of the Person with Special Needs leads to a dual qualification and work as a Health Care Assistant or a Special Needs Assistant and the Community and Health Services course similarly lead to employment or to further study.
Business and Travel and Tourism are also excellent career choices. According to Diane McGill, Business Coordinator, “Business is a great area to study. Our two year course is an excellent foundation for further study and many of our students progress to Business degree programmes in IT Tallaght. The course, as a general Business course, opens up avenues within all areas of business. Graduates of business from BCFE can start careers in accounts, HR, sales and marketing and management.” Students from the Business and Travel & Tourism travel abroad for work experience in Finland, Malta and Portugal supported by Erasmus+.
Music: Contemporary & Traditional, Performance, Production & Management
Long establishing pioneering courses, Contemporary Music Performance (Rock School) and Traditional Music (Ceoltóir) continue to provide cutting-edge creative education providing an environment where musicians and singers can develop their composition and performance skills. Ceoltóir introduced a new Instrument Making strand in 2018 in response to the skills shortage within the traditional music community in terms of instrument making. Performance is at the heart of both courses and students regularly perform in college and city centre venues.
Music Production is a high level technical course involving the operation of modern sound equipment and music technology. Successful students can expect to find employment in the media, entertainment and music industries as sound engineers, music producers, editors, midi production programmers, technicians, and pro-audio sales. Management students specialize in the business side, learning all aspects of staging events, managing artists, negotiating with venues and promoters.
Students from all courses collaborate to produce BCFEST, a day long music festival in BCFE in December, a highlight of the first term for all students.
Media, Film, Animation, Computer Games & More
BCFE has great courses in Media, Film, Television, Radio, Animation, Social Care, Business, Media and Television departments. All courses are open to Leaving Certificate students and to mature applicants. Cecilia Munro, principal of BCFE, says “BCFE has an excellent reputation of providing quality first choice courses which prepare students for employment or further or higher education progression within their chosen career area. Students are educated and trained by highly qualified staff who have relevant industry experience. Class sizes are small and students are supported through their educational journey in BCFE with specific guidance, learning, pastrol care and ICT supports. Graduates of BCFE are highly sought after by employers both nationally and internationally. Students attending BCFE can uniquely avail of courses from level 4 to level 8 all of which are fully quality assured and recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications.”
