Thinking of studying Architecture?
We often tend to think of architecture in terms of walls and roofs, of style and decoration. But what we actually live in are the spaces surrounded by these things. Even when we are outdoors we move about in spaces defined by buildings, walls, fences, roads and hedges. And the shape, size and organisation of the spaces we make reflect the needs -and the values -of the society we live in.
Space is not just a functional necessity. When we say that a house is 'spacious', we do not mean only that there is enough room to fit a family, its belongings and its activities. It is the quality as much as the quantity of the space that we respond to. Our first reactions to a building are sensory and emotional -intellectual analysis comes later. If someone's heart lifts when they go into a cathedral, it is not because it was built in the year 'x', as part of a 'y' kind of settlement pattern, and has columns in the 'z' style. It is because the space soars, the structure is heroic and the light beautiful.
Of all the arts, architecture probably has the most immediate and inescapable impact on the everyday lives of all of us. And it is an art which straddles most aspects of human thought and experience. Architects have been inspired by poetry, philosophy, scientific theories, psychology, paintings, technological breakthroughs, social needs, religion, aesthetics, geometry... Architecture presents endless possibilities for learning experiences which embody the philosophy of life and living.
From Shaping Space, Architecture in the Transition Year by David Keane for the RIAI, 1997.
The School makes 50 places available to students coming through the CAO system. A further 5 places are available for mature students or for students transferring from related courses in Architectural Technology, whose qualifications are recognised by the National Council for Education Awards and the RIAI.
It has been the policy of the School to maintain the entry to First year at 55. However, numbers fluctuate in the statistics issued by the University reflecting the fact that students may leave their selected course prior to a set date without penalty. The minimum entry levels for the past five years are as follows:| 1998-1999 | 495 |
| 1999-2000 | 505 |
| 2000-2001 | 500 |
| 2001-2002 | 510 |
| 2002-2003 | 530 |
The School also makes provision to admit students who have successfully completed their first three years at another college, and who wish to complete their studies at this School. Generally, four places are made available. Admission is by competition and involves an interview and portfolio review.
