Advertising - Creative Stream - Conversion Course - Aungier Street

What is a Postgraduate Conversion Programme?

A conversion programme enables graduates of one discipline to acquire a qualification in a different discipline at Postgraduate Diploma and Masters Level. Having studied a particular degree you may decide that you wish to change your career path and consider undertaking a conversion programme at TU Dublin.

What is... Advertising (Creative Stream)?
The Masters in Advertising course focuses on the acquisition of knowledge and the development of skills in the field of advertising. Students are exposed to a range of relevant marketing communications topics. The masters is designed to equip students for a career in advertising in general, and in advertising agencies in particular.

Why Study Advertising at TU Dublin?
• Learn the Tools of the Trade- Students gain invaluable experience in advertising theory and practice.

• Be in High Demand- TU Dublin Advertising Graduates are highly skilled, work-ready and in high demand in industry.

• Enjoy Diverse Work Opportunities- TU Dublin's Advertising graduates can take their skills to any location or industry, with graduates working for leading companies in Ireland and internationally.

• Be Close to Industry- In addition to work placement, students participate in corporate visits, hear from industry speakers and are involved in real life company projects- leaving our graduates work ready

• Increase your Learning and Performance Capabilities- it is proven that smaller class sizes result in more individual attention, increased participation and better communication between student and lecturer.

• Enjoy City Life- a mere two minute walk from St. Stephens Green, the Luas and all main bus routes, TU Dublin City Campus at Aungier Street is truly in the heart of Dublin city.

The first semester introduces participants to the principles of advertising, marketing, consumer behaviour, marketing communications, advertising research, advertising media and creative and production techniques.

In the second semester students specialise in either the creative or executive aspects of advertising depending on their chosen stream. Places on each stream are allocated during the initial selection process. The creative stream focuses on copy writing, art direction, TV and radio production, and design and layout. The executive stream focuses on issues in advertising and marketing, client service and media planning. At the end of semester two all students work on an advertising campaign using a real brief supplied by a client, which they develop and execute in teams, or 'advertising agencies', that 'pitch for the account'; at the end of the course.

Research methods are also introduced to all students in advance of their independent research.

Semester three involves independent learning in the completion of a research dissertation, under the guidance of a supervisor.

Minimum Entry Requirements?
Minimum second class honours bachelor degree (2.2 or higher) in any discipline or equivalent third level qualification. Interviews for Short listed candidates are currently being scheduled. Applicants will be notified of the outcome within 2 weeks of interview. Students must apply for a place in their preferred stream either creative or executive during the application process.

** If you do not yet have your final degree results this will not hinder your application as we are happy to issue conditional offer letters in such circumstances.

If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website. Applicants for this programme should have a minimum IELTS (Academic Version) English Proficiency of 6.5 overall (or equivalent) with nothing less than 6 in each component.

Note: Due to the considerable competition for our postgraduate programmes satisfying the minimum entry requirement is not a guarantee of a place. Depending on the programme of study applications will be assessed based on your academic grades and may also take into account your work/life experience. Applicants may also be required to attend for interview for specific programmes. Applicants for the creative stream should complete the following brief:

Creative Stream application brief:

Ideas. They are the foundation of advertising, whether the medium is a poster, an event, a video, social media content, or a message projected on the moon. Ideas matter when they disrupt, surprise, engage, challenge, connect and change, and they matter because they do these things.

If you're the kind of person who wants to spend their days turning blank pages into great ideas that sell, then maybe this is the course for you.

And because we'd hate to waste your time, we first want to find out if you are the person for this programme.

Submit four things, each on a single A4 page and upload with your application:

1. Tell us why you want to work in the creative department of an agency.

2. Create a poster for one of the following:

GoCar
The Kenwood Chef
Spotify
3. Create a poster for something you care about

4. Pick an ad and tell us what's so great about it.

Your posters should be drawn simply, with a black pen - we're interested in your ideas, not the quality of the execution of them.

Portfolio guidelines:

Those who are invited to interview can bring a portfolio of other creative work in support of their application (though this is not a requirement).

We're particularly interested in anything that shows more of your ability to have and express ideas. This can be in any medium - from poetry, storytelling, to film and other visual media as long as there's an idea in there. And if you've more advertising ideas we'd love to see them too.

We're less interested in seeing work that only shows evidence of craft. This might include drawings, photography that only seeks to represent, or long form writing of the technical variety.

If it surprises and engages then include it, if not better to leave it out. We're looking for quality not quantity at this stage, and remember that if you've been invited to interview then the ideas you've already submitted have convinced us that you have potential.

Applications open from November 2021.

During semester three (June - September), students work independently in researching and writing a dissertation which normally accounts for circa one third of the marks for the course overall. This is a self-directed learning module that is reported in a final Dissertation. The research and learning process attached to this module will address an advertising related problem or issue.

1 Year Full Time.

Method of Delivery Classroom

While next year's timetable is obviously yet to be finalised there are normally circa 20 to 25 contact hours per week in Semester 1. In Semester 2 there are normally circa 15 hours per week. Given the intensive nature of a one-year taught Masters' programme, and the fact that subjects are new, students are advised to keep a clear working week, and to minimize other commitments in order to participate in the course.

Commencement Date: 01/09/2020

Graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills to enable them to take up positions of responsibility in advertising agencies. Some also work in specialist advertising companies such as creative boutiques or media specialists. Others work in related advertising and marketing service areas such as market research, graphic design, sales promotions or direct marketing. Opportunities also arise with media companies in media sales or on the client side in advertising or promotions management.