Special Requirements

Various programmes outline different special requirements. These will be listed within each programme, under the ‘Entry Requirement’ section. The below provides a brief synopsis on what each of these mean for you the applicant.

Garda Vetting

ATU Donegal has a number of programmes which include a placement element, during which students may come into contact with vulnerable adults or children.  Applicants for these programmes are required to undergo Garda Vetting.  For any programme where Garda Vetting is required, non EU applicants will not be considered unless/until the pool of qualified EU applicants has been exhausted.  For those admitted to any course requiring Garda Vetting, registration is temporary until such time as the vetting process is successfuly completed. 

Work Placement 

The work placement modules are an integral part of the course. The aim of the placement is to provide learners with an opportunity to gain skills, experience and competence. Please note that with while the institute will make every effort to assist the learner in finding a placement final responsibility for securing the placement resides with the learner. Travel and accommodation are the responsibility of the learner.

Health Declaration

Applicants wishing to pursue any of the nursing degree programmes are subject to an Occupational Health Assessment. Applicants must be deemed fit to practice in order to continue on the programme. 

LC Art or Design or DigitalPortfolio 

Specific courses within the Department of Design & Creative Media outline that an applicant either needs to have studied Leaving Certificate Art or Design if you did not study Art or Design at Leaving Certificate, you may be assessed by digital portfolio. The below provide information about a portfolio.

What is a digital portfolio? 

A digital portfolio is a sample collection of your best work. It should be edited, easy to look through, and well presented. Be selective: include and highlight only your best work, excluding early works unless there are some exceptional pieces. Do not “pack” it with any more than 20 pieces (we appreciate quality, not quantity).

Submit all material in digital image and/or video format.

What to include: 
  • Notebooks, cuttings, creative sketchbooks, or visual diaries indicating your interest in visual communication, animation, or fashion
  • Drawings - studies in line and tone, based on your immediate environment. Include still life, life drawings and analytical drawings in a range of media
  • 3D - sculpture / model making
  • Clearly identify your role if teamwork is included
When to submit:
  • Submissions are accepted during the Month of May.

Please submit directly to the Head of Department, Design & Creative Media.

What not to include:
  • Do not include drawings or paintings copied from photographs, books or magazines
  • Do not include any artwork which is a copy of someone else’s work

Some colleges ask applicants to limit their portfolio to a “special project”. At ATU Donegal, we do not ask for a special project as we recognise that every applicant is different, and the portfolio should show your individual abilities and interests. If you are working on a special project then please do include it in your portfolio if you are pleased with it, but we really want to see work that demonstrates a real enthusiasm for design, animation or fashion.