Course Details

Course Code(s):
HI6231
Available:
Part-Time
Intake:
Autumn/Fall
Course Start Date:
Autumn 2026
Duration:
10 Weeks
Award:
Certificate of Completion
Qualification:
NFQ Level 9 Minor Award
Faculty: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Course Type: Professional/Flexible, Online
Fees: For Information on Fees, see section below.

Contact(s):

Name: Dr Niamh Nic Ghabhann
Address: Department of History, University of Limerick
 Email: Niamh.NicGhabhann@ul.ie
Express Interest

Register your interest here for more information or to be notified when applications are open.

Brief Description

Are you curious about how art and architecture reflect the beliefs, politics, and cultures of the past? 

This 10 week online micro-credential takes you on a curated journey through key periods and styles in European art and architecture, from early Christian Ireland to Renaissance Italy, Modernism, and contemporary Irish art.  

You'll learn how to interpret buildings and artworks, and understand how they are presented in museums, galleries, and digital collections. You’ll explore how styles evolved, and ideas spread as you deepen your understanding of the cultural and historical forces that shape what we see.  

This module is ideal for teachers delivering the Leaving Certificate Visual Studies curriculum, as well as heritage professionals, and lifelong learners.  

Content is accessible in both text and audio formats, with flexible assessments to suit different learning styles. 

This module can be taken as a standalone University Certificate of Study (UCOS) module or as part of a pathway to a larger award. 

During this module, you will: 

  • Study four major areas of European art and architecture: early Christian and medieval Ireland; Renaissance and Baroque Italy; Modernist transformations; and contemporary Irish visual culture. 

  • Engage with key themes and cutting-edge scholarship in art and architectural history, deepening your understanding of visual culture across time. 

  • Explore local or national collections including museums, galleries, and digital archives, applying your learning to artworks and architecture in your own community. 

  • Evaluate how complex ideas and values are represented in art and heritage spaces and consider how different audiences engage with these interpretations. 

Key Information 

  • This micro-credential is designed for all learners, with content structured for accessibility in both text and audio.  

  • It is delivered online over 10 weeks, with an optional day-long seminar.  

  • You will be assessed using continuous assessment methods, including 3 assignments which can be submitted in text or audio with no final exam. 

Part-time considerations:     

  • Designed for working professionals     

  • Evening or recorded lectures     

  • Additional prep and group work time     

  • Timetable provided after registration  

To help you to be successful on this course:  

Open to all applicants with no academic or prior learning required.  

Guidelines for your applications: 

  • When applying, be sure to include the Module Code HI6231. We can’t process your application without it. You can apply for more than one module using the same application.  

  • By applying, you confirm that you meet the entry requirements and can take part in the course and its assessments.  

  • This course will go ahead if it meets minimum enrolment number.  

  • Completing this module doesn’t guarantee you a place in a full programme. If you want to apply for a full programme, you must meet the specific entry requirements for that programme. 

EU - €525

Non-EU - €525

Further information on fees and payment of fees is available from the Student Fees Office  website. All fee related queries should be directed to the Student Fees Office (Phone: +353 61 213 007 or email student.fees.office@ul.ie).    

Other funding  

Find further information on funding and scholarships. 

This micro-credential can lead to the following sectors and careers: 

  • Teaching and curriculum support, particularly for Leaving Certificate Visual Studies  

  • Museum, gallery, and heritage roles that involve public engagement or educational programming  

  • Cultural and creative industries where an understanding of visual history is valuable  

  • Progression to further study in art history, heritage, or the wider humanities