QQI Level 5 Major Award in Cultural and Heritage Studies

FETCH Course Code - 463961

Start Date: 22nd September 2025

Course Overview

The QQI Cultural and Heritage Studies Local Training Initiative (LTI) is a long-established, award- winning course which runs at the National Print Museum, and which is supported by the City of Dublin ETB. This learner-centred course seeks to assist people, entering or re-entering the workforce, to develop the skills to seek employment in the Culture and Heritage industry and/or progress to Further Education after the course. The programme combines theory with practical work experience, offering participants the opportunity to work as tour guides within the NationaPrint Museum and another heritage site of choice for the work experience placement. Course participants benefit from weekly familiarisation trips to heritage sites, museums and galleriesaround the country. In addition, weekly workshops are provided in the traditional craft of Letterpress.

The National Print Museum seeks to collect, document, preserve, exhibit and make accessible the material evidence of the printing craft and foster associated skills of the craft in Ireland. It is supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht Sport and Media and the City of Dublin Education Training Board (City of Dublin ETB). It is also fully accredited under the Heritage Council’s Museum Standards Programme for Ireland. The duration of the programme is 50 weeks.

On Completion

Past students have progressed to employment in the National Museum of Ireland, Malahide Castle, Airfield, National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin City Council Culture Company, Teeling’s Distillery, Trinity College Dublin Library and Visitor Services, IMMA, and to OPW sites throughout Ireland. Others have taken up places in Trinity College Dublin, UCD, DIT (now TU Dublin), Maynooth University and GMIT (now ATU), either applying as mature students, through the CAO, or through Access courses.

Aims of the LTI Programme

The programme aims to

• provide learners with the skills, knowledge and competence in a range of core subjects in Irish cultural and heritage studies.
• upskill to work in a range of cultural and heritage contexts and or to progress to further or higher education and training.

Skill and Competencies

On completion of the course learners will be able to:

• Demonstrate a broad range of knowledge in the disciplines of archaeology, folklore & ethnology, history, the arts and other areas of study relevant to Irish culture and heritage.
• Apply the skills and tools of research, interpretation and presentation in the study of Irish culture and heritage
• Demonstrate personal appreciation and critical awareness of new learning in the areas of cultural and heritage studies.
• Use skills and knowledge in accordance with recognised academic and professional standards in the areas of culture and heritage.
• Take responsibility for their learning within a structured context.

Breakdown

Accredited modules included in this Major Award are:

• Folklore and Ethnology
• Heritage
• Local History
• Archaeology
• Appreciation of Irish Culture
• Customer Service
• Work Experience
• Communications

Further unaccredited modules covered are Tour Guide Training and Letterpress training.

Course Fees:

There are no charges or fees for this LTI course. If eligible for it, successful applicants will receive a weekly training allowance paid by the City of Dublin ETB. Applications from candidates in receipt of a Jobseeker’s Allowance from the Department of Social Protection will be prioritised.

To apply:

Please apply via Fetch National Print Museum - Cultural and Heritage Studies

For further information, please email: rachelobyrne@nationalprintmuseum.ie

Phone: 01 6603770