Yes, there is a portfolio that is assessed on a pass/fail basis. If you pass the portfolio and achieve the CAO points in your Leaving Certificate (points were 431* in 2024) then you will be offered a place on the course. The portfolio/mini project requirements for 2025 are all available on our website Bachelor of Science in Product Design and Technology | UL Undergraduate Courses just click the Entry Requirements tab.

The CAO points for entry on to the course were 431 in 2024. We don’t know yet what they will be for 2025.

The portfolio requirements are available from here Bachelor of Science in Product Design and Technology | UL Undergraduate Courses

But as an overview we really like seeing your creative work, this includes work you’ve done in school as well as outside of school. We prefer seeing work you’ve done over and above project work in school- everybody has this so we would like to see what sets you apart. If you like drawing, include some of your sketchbook pages, if you paint include some pictures, if you take things apart and fix them, make your own clothes, build equipment, or even hack existing products then send us examples of this work. What we are really looking for is evidence that you are a creative person who is curious about the world around you and wants to improve it for the people in it. 

If you don’t have enough work for your portfolio, then you can do the mini project. This year the brief asks you to design solutions for the ‘school bag of the future’. The brief is very open, on purpose, as we want you to think as creatively as possible about how you might address it. 

The closing date for submission of portfolios is 5pm on 24th March, this is for students who submitted their CAO form on the 1st February. There is a late submission for applicants that opens on the 5th of May and closes at 5pm on 19th May. If you submit during the change of mind the system will open on 2nd July and close on the 9th July for portfolios.   

Yes, change of mind applicants can submit their portfolio right after the change of mind closing date.  In 2025, the system will open on 2nd July and close on the 9th July for portfolios.   

The graduates of PDT find jobs in a wide variety of fields, from design consultancy roles where they are working with a mix of clients to in-house designers in areas like consumer products, electronics, exhibition design, lighting and furniture, User Experience or digital design and medical devices. 

The skillset of a Product Designer is so wide that you can work as a design engineer; as an aesthetics designer looking at materials, form, finish etc.; as a design researcher or even designing new services or systems. 

The graduates from 2021 have found jobs in 3D prototyping, Medical Device Design, Design Engineering roles, in a leading Dublin-based design firm, in a large tech company designing their digital user experience. We are finding that year on year the demand for designers is increasing, which is great news for those thinking of doing the course. 

The classes are from 9-5 every day. These are a mix of Design Studio classes where you are working on a specific project brief as well as lectures, labs and workshops. It’s a nice mix of everything, that hopefully will keep you engaged and learning. 

Yes of course, we really welcome mature students (anyone over 23 years of age) on the course as they bring with them a wealth of experience and knowledge that enriches their class. Mature students apply through the CAO, with the same deadlines as other applicants. They follow this up by submitting a personal statement and all the accompanying documents to the Mature Student Office in UL by March 1st. Suitable candidates will be called for an interview; we would love you to bring samples of your creative work to this interview. All successful candidates will be offered places through the CAO system. 

More information is available here Mature Student Applications | UL - University of Limerick