Burren College of Art | FA/SP/SU Individualized

Spring 2025 Application Deadline: Friday, October 11 (Week 5)

JOIN US FOR AN INFO SESSION WITH THE DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 AT 10AM ON ZOOM. 

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ACADEMICS ELIGIBILITY COST NEXT STEPS

ACADEMICS

Other majors may be eligible.

GOOD FIT FOR

Fine Art | Illustration | Photography & Imaging

Other majors may be eligible.

HOST DEPARTMENT

Exchange & Study Away

CREDIT

12+ units transfer credit

Spring Term: Early-January - Late-April

SCHEDULE

Fall Term: Early-September - Mid-December

Spring Term: Early-January - Late-April

Summer Term: Mid-June - Mid-July

ELIGIBILITY

1) Must have at least three terms completed at the time of application

2) Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0

3) Must have at least one term remaining upon return to ArtCenter

4) Must not be on academic or disciplinary probation at the time of the application

5) Must satisfy all course prerequisites

6) Must not have participated in another individualized program

If you do not meet the minimum eligibility requirements you still may be able to apply.

Please contact studyaway@artcenter.edu.

COST

PROGRAM FEE

Students participating in Burren College of Art programs are responsible for Tuition, Housing, Program & Activity fees. Follow this link for a full breakdown of these fees and what they cover.

All program fees will be paid directly to Burren College of Art and not to ArtCenter. If you wish to receive transfer credit (credit that counts toward your graduation but not toward your grade point average) and federal financial aid for your term abroad, you must complete ArtCenter’s Individualized Study Abroad Authorization process and pay a $200 processing fee. Besides the processing fee, you will owe no other fees to ArtCenter for your term abroad.

NOTE

All program fees will be paid directly to Burren College of Art and not to ArtCenter. If you wish to receive transfer credit (credit that counts toward your graduation but not toward your grade point average) and federal financial aid for your term abroad, you must complete ArtCenter’s Individualized Study Abroad Authorization process and pay a $200 processing fee. Besides the processing fee, you will owe no other fees to ArtCenter for your term abroad.

Costs that you will be responsible for that are NOT included in the program fee include: a passport ($135), a visa (if required), round-trip airfare LAX-Ireland (~$500-$900), and daily personal expenses—food, toiletries, supplies, souvenirs, cell phone, etc. ($50-$60 / day).

ADDITIONAL

Costs that you will be responsible for that are NOT included in the program fee include: a passport ($135), a visa (if required), round-trip airfare LAX-Ireland (~$500-$900), and daily personal expenses—food, toiletries, supplies, souvenirs, cell phone, etc. ($50-$60 / day).

FINANCIAL AID

On Individualized Programs, students can utilize their state and federal aid but ArtCenter aid is not available. Oftentimes, program fees include room and board and can end up costing less than a term at ArtCenter, even after you account for the loss of ArtCenter aid. ESA staff can help you do a cost comparison to find the right program for your budget!

SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

https://www.artcenterstudyaway.com/pay-for-study-away

NEXT STEPS

To start your ArtCenter application, click the Apply Now button below. If a button is not visible, the application is not yet available.

For more details on the ArtCenter application process, visit this page.

1) Review Burren College of Art admission requirements.

2) Complete Burren's Application form.

Upon review of the Application form, a Burren College of Art advisor will email you to confirm your submission.

3) Complete all Burren requirements by the Burren application deadline.

4) By Friday of Week 6, the term prior to your study abroad term, complete the brief ArtCenter Individualized Study Away Application.

5) Once accepted by Burren, forward the official acceptance confirmation to studyaway@artcenter.edu. Follow any instructions from Burren on confirming your participation. Additionally, log in to your Study Away application to change your status to "committed" and pay the 200 non-refundable deposit/administrative fee within one week of your acceptance.

6) Complete remaining ArtCenter paperwork by Monday of Week 12, the term prior to your study abroad term.

Location: Hillside, Board Room (#256) and on Zoom

INFORMATION SESSIONS

Study Away 101 - General Info Session: Tuesday, September 17 (Week 2) at 1pm

Location: Hillside, Board Room (#256) and on Zoom

Study Away 101 - General Info Session: Thursday, September 19 (Week 2) at 1pm

Location: South Campus, 1111 Room 402 and on Zoom

Program-Specific Info session: Join us on Zoom and meet the Director of Admissions on Tuesday, September 24 (Week 3) at 10am

Check our Inside Page for zoom info

Can't make it to an info session?

Sign up for a 1-on-1 advising meeting with the Exchange and Study Away office to learn more about the program.

UNDERGRADUATE INDIVIDUAL STUDY ABROAD

If you are ready to step away from the mainstream art school experience, then welcome to the Burren College of Art.

Burren College of Art, located in the stunning Burren region of County Clare, Ireland, is a unique institution dedicated to the study of visual arts. It offers an immersive experience for artists, combining studio practice with a strong emphasis on the natural landscape and cultural heritage of the area.

The college is known for its small class sizes, fostering close relationships between students and faculty.The college hosts 40 students, a combination of study abroad undergraduate students, postgraduate students, and several artists-in-residence from all over the world. This intimate community creates an exciting platform for discussion, artistic collaboration, and cross-disciplinary exchanges. A study away term is particularly suited for students interested in painting, sculpture, photography, or digital media. The picturesque surroundings serve as both inspiration and a backdrop for creative exploration.

Students are assigned a large studio space for the duration of their program, which they have access 24/7.  Courses are delivered in-studio, on a tutorial basis, or as group courses. Tutorial courses are taught through scheduled 1-to-1 contact in a student’s own studio, supplemented by regularly scheduled group presentations, discussions, and critiques. Group courses are taught as a unified class, with all students present with the tutor at the same time, along with individual advising sessions.

For full program information, visit the Burren College of Art Individual Study Abroad page and watch this recorded info session with Dr. Lisa Newman, Director of Admissions.

Note that this is an Individualized Program option and not an ArtCenter program. You can learn more about that process here.

FALL, SPRING, + SUMMER COURSES

Students normally take 5 courses during the semester, each carrying 3 credits.  There is a diverse array of courses from which to choose in the areas of Painting, Sculpture, Drawing, Photography, as well as adjunct courses such as Art & Ecology, Art of Daily Living, Walking as Art Practice, and Art in Context.  Courses are available at Introductory, Intermediate, Advanced and Independent level and a full description of the range of courses is available in the adjacent online tabs.

A weekly visiting artist program, regular trips to galleries in Dublin, London and Berlin as well as local galleries and visual art festivals in the West of Ireland ensure students are exposed to the best of European contemporary art.

• Drawing

  Students choose which orientation in drawing is most suited to them and develop their ideas and skills in consultation with faculty.

  Students may propose an emphasis at Advanced or Independent levels. Emphases on Drawing and Environmental or Ecological Engagement are particularly welcomed. These courses satisfy both the major and elective requirements for studio practice. Courses include:
  
  BCADR 2 Intermediate Drawing
  BCADR 3 Advanced Drawing
  BCADR 5 Independent Study Drawing
  BCADR 6 Life Drawing
  
  See full course descriptions here.

• Painting

  We consider painting to include visual enquiry and expression of ideas through colour and fluid mediums of any kind, possibly in conjunction with other materials. Painting ranges from traditional 2D mediums such as oil, acrylic and watercolour to experimental use of any fluid medium as well as the digital extension of painting.

  Students are encouraged to experiment with the painting process, including the use of different grounds. We do not favour any one approach to painting and we encourage students to discover and develop their personal artistic standing as painters.

  Advanced and Independent Study Painting students have the option of declaring an emphasis in their course and to have it represented on their transcript.

  Approved emphases are: Figurative Painting; Abstract Painting; Narrative Painting; and Painting and Ecological Engagement and Landscape Painting. Students wishing another emphasis to be identified on their transcript may apply for approval at the time of registration.

  These courses satisfy both the major and elective requirements for studio practice.

  BCAPA2 Intermediate Painting
  BCAPA5 Advanced Paining
  BCAPA7 Independent Study Painting

  See full course descriptions here.

• Sculpture

  We consider sculpture to be an open field of material practices that can additionally include aspects of other modes of art making including 2D images, 4D virtual realities, sound, video art, performance, political and socially engaged practices. Sculpture can also include temporary installations, permanent public sculpture and the world wide web as a platform for art.

  Our approach to teaching sculpture is inter-disciplinary and focused on 'joined-up' thinking and action. We encourage a research-based studio practice that leads to innovation and the discovery and development of the students personal artistic language.

  Approved emphases at Advanced and Independent levels are: Sculpture in the environment, Ecological sculpture, Interactive and Socially Engaged Sculpture, Installation and Public Sculpture, Duration and Movement, Figurative or Sound and Virtual Space. Students wishing another emphasis to be identified on their transcript may apply for approval at the time of registration.

  These courses satisfy both the major and elective requirements for studio practice.
  
  BCASC1 Intermediate Sculpture
  BCASC3 Advanced Sculpture
  BCAS4 Independent Sculpture

  See full course descriptions here.

• Photography

  Burren College of Art considers Photography to be a vehicle of expression, perception and artistic voice. Technical instruction is provided as appropriate. The program is designed to encourage student engagement with the concepts as well as the mechanics of the field.

  Due to the relatively small scale of the college, students have a high level of concentrated access to the photographic facility as well as to tutors, peers and visiting artists. As well as working individually on guided or independent projects, students may also choose to work on a team-orientated assignment. Cross-media interaction and collaboration are actively encouraged.
  
  Approved emphases at Advanced and Independent Levels are: Landscape and Environmental Photography; Experimental and Conceptual Art; Street and Studio Portraiture; Documentary Photography; or another proposed emphasis, subject to faculty approval.

  These courses satisfy both the major and elective requirements for studio practice.

  BCAPH1 Introductory Photography
  BCAPH3 Advanced Photography
  BCAPH4 Independent Study Photography
  
  See full course descriptions here.

• H&S Courses

  Students may chose up to two liberal arts courses to complement their studio courses. Burren College of Art recommends all students take Irish Studies.
  
  BCANS1 Irish Studies
  BCANS2 Art History
  BCANS3 Creative Writing

  Find full course descriptions for the above courses here.

  BCAAE1 Art and Ecology
  BCAAJ2 Art in Context
  BCAAJ4 Walking as Art Practice
  BCAAJ6 The Art of Daily Living

  Find full course descriptions for the above courses here.

ABOUT COUNTY CLARE

Ballyvaughan is a charming village located in County Clare, Ireland, nestled along the scenic Wild Atlantic Way. Known for its stunning coastal views and proximity to the Burren, a unique limestone landscape, Ballyvaughan offers a blend of natural beauty and rich heritage. The village features traditional Irish architecture, local shops, and cozy pubs where visitors can enjoy live music and delicious seafood.

Outdoor enthusiasts will love the opportunities for hiking, cycling, and exploring nearby attractions like Aillwee Cave and the Cliffs of Moher. With its friendly atmosphere and picturesque surroundings, Ballyvaughan is a perfect spot for a relaxing getaway or a base to explore the rugged beauty of the west coast of Ireland.

Find out more about Ballyvaughan here.

HOUSING

Burren College of Art offers campus accommodation for undergraduate study abroad students at three distinct locations.

The 11-room Lodge is set on extensive grounds with inspiring views of the Burren, and is a pleasant 10 minute walk from the College and 35 minutes from Ballyvaughan village.

The Bungalow is adjacent to the Lodge and has 2 en suite double bedrooms and 2 single rooms with a shared full bathroom. The house also has a spacious communal area and cozy sitting room, along with a fully equipped kitchen and laundry facilities.

Newtown House is one of the original buildings on the campus, located next to the 16th century Newtown Castle.  The House offers six twin/double bedroom accommodation for students.  The House has a fully equipped kitchen, shared communal spaces, and wi-fi throughout.  Laundry facilities are available next to the House.