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Galway- Mayo-Institute of Technology

Letterfrack Campus, Connemara, Co. Galway, Ireland

Introduction

Galway, on the west coast of Ireland, is a vibrant, exciting and scenic county with an expanding culturally rich city.  It attracts visitors from Ireland and all over the world.  The city and county is host to many thousands of students and the Galway Mayo Institute of Technology provides relevant and stimulating programmes which underpin exciting and rewarding careers.

Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology is a multi-campus institution catering for 4500 full time and 4500 part time students.  It has four campuses, two in Galway city; one in Castlebar, County Mayo and one in Letterfrack, Connemara, County Galway.

GMIT Letterfrack is the only Institute of Technology in Ireland offering premium third level degree programmes in furniture design, wood and manufacturing technology, conservation of wooden objects and teacher training for technology subjects for second level Irish schools. 

Currently six degree programmes are available.  Four are at entry level and two provide progression opportunities to honours degree programmes from ordinary degree programmes.    

Entry-level Ordinary Degree Programmes include:

• Bachelor of Science in Furniture Design and Manufacture
• Bachelor of Science in Furniture Production and Technology

Entry-level Honours Degree Programmes include:

• Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Furniture Conservation and Restoration

• Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Design and Technology Education

Progression level Honours Degree Programmes include:

• Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Product Design (Furniture)
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Manufacturing Technology (Furniture)

Bachelor of Science in Furniture Design and Manufacture  (3Years)

This programme produces highly skilled graduates who combine their creative strengths with manufacturing technology in the design and making of contemporary furniture products.

The progression and focus of skill and knowledge builds through the programme with traditional techniques evolving to computer aided design and manufacture.  This produces graduates with a balanced mix of design and manufacturing skill and allows them enter the industry sector of most interest to them, i.e. from craft based workshop to industrial manufacturer.

Keen attention is paid to intelligent design, which addresses market, cost and manufacture and the ability of the graduate to conceive, develop and produce high quality furniture prototypes. 

Bachelor of Science in Furniture Production and Technology 

(3Years)

This programme uses state of the art production systems and produces graduates with a developed knowledge of current furniture manufacturing technologies and the ability to employ creative and innovative approaches to producing high quality furniture. 

This programme is divided into two distinct areas, workshop based activities and lecture based activities.  The workshop based activities consist of a series of projects which introduce students to furniture manufacturing technologies. The focus of these projects is to develop skill, knowledge and competence of machine use from a basic to advanced level.  The lecture based activities cover essential academic elements and there is a considerable amount of integration between the practical and academic work. 

Graduates are equipped with the skills to work in medium and large scale furniture companies where knowledge of manufacturing and production technology is required.

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Furniture Conservation and Restoration

(4 Years)

This programme produces competent and confident professional conservators and restorers of furniture and wooden objects.  Throughout time some of the most precious and practical objects of daily life have been made of wood and they are now an important part of our heritage. Conservators treat historic objects in order to preserve and restore their function for use, their authentic looks and their value.

Graduates have a high level of practical skill in traditional woodworking and the use of modern machines. Students learn about furniture history and styles as well as fascinating exotic and domestic materials used in the making of antiques. 

Conservators use modern methods for the treatment of objects. They apply science, microscopic analysis and photography in their work as well as business, computer and IT skills.

This degree enables graduates to work in national and international markets either in public institutions, their own businesses or as consultants in the antique and heritage preservation field. It opens up opportunities to study for Masters Degree level qualifications.  

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Design and Technology Education

(4 Years)

This four-year programme produces graduates with technological and pedagogical skills to satisfy the needs of the Irish second level school system in relation to the teaching of Materials Technology Wood, Technical Graphics, Design & Communication Graphics and Architectural Technology.

The programme educates in design, graphics and furniture making from a basic level using hand tools, power tools, and machines as well as the construction principles and technology of furniture making including materials used past and present. This enables graduates to explore new technologies and develop solutions in a creative and imaginative way.

Over the duration of this programme students will learn everything it takes to become excellent teachers.  Alongside a theoretical understanding of education teaching skills and classroom learning techniques are developed in line with best international practice.  Practical teaching experience will be gained through teaching practice blocks and simulated classroom scenarios.

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Product Design (Furniture)

(1 Year)

Applicants to this programme must hold the Ordinary Bachelor of Science Degree in Furniture Design and Manufacture

This programme provides graduates with advanced skills in furniture design and development using high-end CAD/CAM systems, industrial design and prototyping techniques.  Using these skills graduates design and evaluate furniture products with a view to market and production.  The programme begins with a professional work placement of 5 months duration from June to October and a major project is based on this experience.

The programme builds on the practical industry focused theme of the ordinary degree and gives graduates an essential range of knowledge, skills and competencies needed to work as professionals in the furniture and wood products industry. 

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Manufacturing Technology (Furniture)

(1 Year)

Applicants to this programme must hold the Ordinary Bachelor of Science Degree in Furniture Production and Technology

This dynamic programme provides graduates with advanced skills in manufacturing technology and management, using computer-controlled technology and manufacturing systems.  The degree is characterised by its applied approach beginning with a professional work placement of 5 months duration from June to October.  Company study trips and international trade shows complement this learning experience.  

The Manufacturing Technology honours degree provides graduates with the necessary skills to work as professionals in the furniture and wood products industry. 

Facilities

GMIT Letterfrack campus has well equipped workshops, machine halls, design studios, computer suites, laboratories and lecture theatres.  It has a focused and specific library collection of approximately 3,600 titles and 36 current journals allied to all the degree programmes and web access is available through all computer terminals. Access to many more books and facilities is available through inter library loan options.  

Student Life and Accommodation

Student life is complimented by clubs and societies, for example – design, woodturning; film, radio, karate and many students participate in local, regional and inter-college sporting events in Gaelic hurling and football and soccer.

A regular bus service operates from Letterfrack to Galway city and accommodation is available locally in well serviced and maintained properties which are close to the campus and village.

GMIT Letterfrack welcomes overseas applications and has had many overseas students studying on its programmes. 

Contact details:

Michael Hannon

Head of Centre

GMIT Letterfrack

Letterfrack

Co. Galway

Phone: 00353 (0)95 41660

Fax:     00353 (0)95 41112

URL:    www.gmit.ie

            www.letterfrack.net