Where is the school?

We are based in Gorey, Ireland. You will find a map on our contact page.

Who accredits your courses?

Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) is the state agency responsible for promoting the quality, integrity and reputation of Ireland’s further and higher education system.

Ensuring that learners achieve qualifications that are valued nationally and internationally.

Providing trusted information on the qualifications included on the National Framework of Qualifications.

Please visit www.qqi.ie for more details

Are additional learning supports available at your school?

Yes, Gorey School of Art is committed to providing inclusive learning opportunities. We understand that some students may require additional support, and we work diligently to facilitate this.

Each year, we apply for the Fund for Students with Disabilities on a case-by-case basis to secure necessary resources. These resources can include Personal Assistants, Additional Tuition, Assistive Technology, and access to our dedicated Career and Counselling service. Please contact us to discuss your specific needs and how we can best support your learning journey.

Please visit our dedicated page for Learning Support for more information.

When can I apply?

Applications are accepted online from November to September each year. Late applications are considered, however places are limited and no guarantee can be made that places will be available. Entry requirements and key dates are available on each course page.

How do I apply?

Click “courses” on our navigation bar or homepage. Once you have selected your course of interest, click the "Apply Now" button located on the left-hand side bar. Fill out this form and click "Submit". We aim to have your application processed in a week, however, during the summer months this may take a little longer.

What are the entry requirements for your courses?

The entry requirements for each course vary. You will find information about the entry requirements on each course page.

I've applied, what happens next?

We often process applications within a week, however, depending on the time of year this may be longer. For example, during the summer months, staff will take annual leave and this can result in a delay in processing applications. When your application is process, you will receive a confirmation email and a text message to your mobile.

Applications for courses where interviews are necessary will be given a specific time a week in advance of the interview date. Our first round of interviews will take place in early May each year, followed by another round of interviews for late applications in early September.

What should I bring to my interview?

Apart from yourself, it depends on the course that you've applied for. Our biggest wish is to populate our courses with interesting, engaged and committed learners. Interviews are one way of trying to guarantee that that happens. We don't like to specify exactly what to bring simply because we'd like to meet the real you and not somebody you think we'd like to meet. For those of you who would like some direction, we'll mention a few things that might help you.

Drawings, visual diary, research about artists (photographers, painters, sculptors, filmmakers, etc), collages, assemblages, found objects, a list of interests you have or clubs that you might be involved in. This list could go on forever and might never list the right thing for every applicant.

As educators who are passionate about our work, we will never achieve our goals if we have groups of learners who are not prepared to work. So again, we want students who are interesting, engaged and committed. Skills can be taught once we have the learners with the right attitude.

Am I eligible for a BTEI course?

The Back to Education Initiative (BTEI) provides part-time courses for adults and young people aged over 16 who left school with few or no formal qualifications or low literacy levels.

The groups prioritised for participation in the BTEI are listed in the Back to Education Initiative Operational Guidelines (pdf). Within these groups, priority is given to those most educationally disadvantaged.

You can also take part in BTEI if you are working and on a low income. The aim is to give people an opportunity to combine their learning with family, work and other commitments.

The participants eligible for free tuition are people who (or their dependants):

• Have less than upper-second level education or

• Are getting a jobseeker’s payment or means-tested social welfare payment (there is a list of eligible payments in the BTEI Operational Guidelines (pdf) or

• Are getting Working Family Payment (formerly knows as Family Income Supplement) or

• Have a medical card or

• Are eligible to participate on VTOS or Youthreach.

How do I pay for a course?

Payments can only be made online. You will be emailed a secure link to make the payment when we have offered you a place.

Can I apply for a grant?

Yes of course. Please refer to SUSI and Student Finance for more information. You might also benefit from visiting the Citizens Information website.

What time do the courses start and finish each day?

All full-time courses operate from 9.30am to 4.00pm, Monday to Friday, September to May. Part-time courses start at 10am and finish at 3pm on the day the course is scheduled to take place.

What materials and equipment do I need?

We aim to supply learners with most of the materials and equipment that they’ll need to successfully complete the course. If any specific items are required, learners will be informed in advance of the course starting. It is helpful that art students have their own willow charcoal, a range of B grade pencils, putty rubber, masking tape and a craft knife.

Learners on technical courses such as our filmmaking and photography course should aim to have their own SD card, 64GB U3 Class 10.

Please be aware that we will always support learners in accessing the equipment and materials they need to complete courses work, finances will never be a barrier, we’re happy to help.