MFA/MA in Art & Ecology

Frequently Asked Questions

As you are preparing to join us for the MFA or MA in Art & Ecology program, we will aim to give you as much information as possible regarding the logistics of coming to conduct research in rural Ireland and what to expect from the program.

Students will receive a Student Handbook prior to arrival, which contains information about immigration information for international (non-EU) students, travel options to and from the Burren, what facilities and resources are available on campus and other information about services and resources in Ireland.

You will also be receiving an Academic Handbook which will provide information about the course as well as assessment information.

To get you started, here are some answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.

For additional questions, please contact our Director of Admissions, Lisa Newman at lisa@burrencollege.ie.

Location

Where is Burren College of Art located?

Our campus is located just outside of the small village of Ballyvaughan, in North Clare, on the south shore of Galway Bay.  The year-round population of the village is around 250, though it is also a big tourist destination during the Summer months, so the temporary population becomes quite large between May and September.  Ballyvaughan has very basic amenities, including a small market, post office, medical centre, church and a few cafes, restaurants and pubs.   

We do take students on regular shopping trips to larger towns and cities to be able to access a larger variety of shops and services, however, these are generally scheduled every two weeks or as needed. The majority of students order supplies online from Irish companies, and deliveries are usually sent within a day or two of ordering.

The majority of the area surrounding the College and the housing is farmland or national park, and the main road in and out of the village does not have sidewalks or streetlights.  We provide students with hi-visibility vests to wear on the road to ensure safety and being seen by cars.  The village is a 30 minute walk from the College campus.

 

Immigration and visas

Do I need a visa to come to Ireland?

Students coming from the US, Canada, the EU and many other countries do not need an entry visa to come to Ireland, but will need a student visa after arriving.

If you are a citizen of any of the following countries listed HERE, you will need to first apply for an entry visa through your local Irish embassy before arriving in Ireland.

When you arrive at the airport, Passport Control will give you a tourist stamp in your passport, which allows you to be in the country for up to 90 days.  You will need to apply to get your Student Visa, which will allow you to be in the country for educational purposes for the duration of the academic year.  All new student visas are processed through a central immigration office in Dublin.  You will need to book your appointment for the visa as soon as possible after arriving in Ireland.  More information on the process can be found here: https://www.burrencollege.ie/immigration-information-for-international-students/  

What to Bring to Your Appointment

Up-to-date information on financial requirements can be found on the Irish Immigration website.

Can I bring my family with me?

Under current immigration rules, only Full-Time PhD students who hold non-EU citizenship are able to bring their partners and families to Ireland.  Non-EU family members of students enrolled in the MFA or MA programs will not be eligible for dependent visas to stay in Ireland longer than the 90-day tourist allowance.  More information can be found HERE on the Irish immigration website:

Will my student visa allow me to work?

For international (Non-EU) students, your student visa allows you to work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year (September-April) and up to 40 hours per week during the Summer months and Winter break.  This can be any type of employment, and as we are located in a tourist economy, many of our students are able to find jobs in the hotels, pubs, cafes and shops in the local area.

Accommodation and Studios

What are my accommodation options?

On-Campus Housing

The Burren College of Art has three housing facilities: the Lodge and Bungalow (located within ten minutes walk from campus) and Newtown house (located right on campus).  We reserve a number of private rooms for postgraduate students in our Lodge and Bungalow accommodation.

What is provided in the housing?

All bedding is provided and all accommodation options have a fully equipped kitchen and laundry facilities. Towels are not provided, so please bring your own.

 

 

Off-campus Housing

As we are located in a rural area, we are in contact with several landlords in the area who provide apartment and house options for students in the village of Ballyvaughan, or in nearby villages for students with cars or other transportation.  Once you have been accepted to a postgraduate degree, we will provide a list of contact details for landlords and housing options for you, at your request.

How do I get from my accommodation to the College?

The College campus is a 15 minute walk from the Lodge. For students living in accommodation in the village, we also provide a campus shuttle Monday to Friday at 9 am and again at 5 pm to bring you from the village to the College. Outside of these times, walking or biking will be your best option to get to and from the College and to explore the area.

For those interested in purchasing a car, a good website to get an idea of the cost of purchasing a vehicle can be found on www.donedeal.ie. You will also need to consider the cost of insurance, annual Road tax, and annual National Car Testing (NCT) for older cars.  These will vary depending on your driving history and the make and year of the car.

Will I have my own studio?

All postgraduate students have their own studio space within a shared building. You will have 24/7 access to your studio and several other facilities on campus.

Cost of Living

What is provided in the program and what should I plan for?

The tuition and fees cover the cost of the program itself, including supervisory tutorials and studio and lab use for Full Time students.  All other expenses are not covered in the tuition or fees and remain the responsibility of the student, including:

  • Accommodation
  • Travel to and from Ireland
  • Food and entertainment
  • Medical expenses and insurance
  • Art materials
  • (optional) car purchase, insurance, road tax, NCT and maintenance www.donedeal.ie
  • €300 Student Visa registration fees (non-EU students)

Estimated Cost of Attendance for 2026/2027 Academic Year (Single student)

MFA Tuition

International Students       €18,990 per year 

EU Students                      €9,500 per year 

MA Tuition 

International Students €23,460

EU Students  €11,955 

NOTE: To be eligible for EU fee rates, you must hold an EU passport which has been valid for at least one year prior to applying to the program.

These fees include teaching and supervision, course participation and class-related field trips, studio space, use of College facilities including the library, labs and workshops, and final exhibition support and promotional material created by the College. The cost of art materials, books, external technical services, vary and are met by students.

Other Fees

  • Programme Fee €550 per year
  • Activity Fee €450 per year
  • Optional Faculty-led trip to London (Fall Semester) €720*
  • Optional Faculty-led trip to Barcelona (Spring Semester) €720*
  • Graduation Fee €100 final year

Additional Expenses

Accommodation:

Single room in campus housing: €6,600 total for academic year (September-April excluding Winter Holiday)

Off-campus housing: monthly rental varies from €550-€900+ per month for a private apartment or shared house.

Food/Groceries: est. €3000 per academic year

Art Materials: (varies depending on media): est. €800 per academic year

Health Insurance: €800-€1000 per year, depending on servicer and plan

Entertainment / in-country travel: €700 per academic year

Travel to Ireland (varies depending on flight prices) €800-€1500

Misc: €700 per academic year

 

What is the optional Faculty-Led field trip?

In the Fall semester, we offer an optional Faculty-Led field trip to London, and to Barcelona in the Spring semester.  This is a 4-5 day field trip that gives you the opportunity to visit contemporary and historical art galleries and museums with our College faculty in one of the major art hubs in Europe.  Outside of the gallery and museums visits, you will have time to explore the city on your own or with other students.  The fee for each field trip is around €720, and includes your flights and accommodation for the duration of the trip.  Food and entertainment expenses are not included in the fee.

Please note that attending or not attending the optional field trip will not affect your academics, though it is an opportunity to experience other parts of Europe.

What about food and groceries?

We will take students on shopping trips throughout the semester, usually every two weeks, or as needed to larger towns and cities for grocery stockups at supermarkets and specialty shops. Ballyvaughan also has a smaller market open every day.

Groceries can also be ordered online for delivery from Tesco, SuperValu and Dunnes. There are also pubs and cafes in Ballyvaughan which serve food.

Our cafe on campus offers lunches at very reasonable prices and caters for most dietary requirements. The cafe is open on weekdays from 9 am – 2 pm.

Is there an art shop on campus or do I bring my own supplies?

Although we do have a very small art shop on campus, it only caters for very basic items, therefore we recommend that students either bring their own materials or order online from Irish suppliers such as Cork Art Supplies or Cregal Art, which usually deliver within a day or two. The best method is to self- address your order and have it shipped to:

Your name
Burren College of Art
Newtown Castle
Ballyvaughan
Co Clare
H91 H299

NOTE: If you are shipping personal belongings to yourself from outside of Ireland, please follow the instructions on the Revenue website HERE to avoid paying customs charges as a student.

For details on what equipment we have in our campus labs, please visit our Facilities Page HERE.

What clothes should I bring?

The weather in Ireland is very unpredictable even during the summer months and we recommend that you bring clothes for both warm and cool weather, but definitely pack a rainproof jacket, good hiking boots and comfortable clothes. As the program is based in the Burren, it is very likely that you will be walking through uneven, rugged terrain and it is important that you have appropriate footware and clothes. Sun cream and a flashlight are also essential.

More information on what to bring will be found in the Student Handbook, which you will receive once accepted to the program.

 

Student Support and Advisory Service

The Student Support & Advisory Service is here to help you have the best student experience possible! Our services are available to all students throughout the year, not just during term time, so feel free to reach out anytime. The sooner you get in touch, the quicker we can assist you.

We can help with all kind of queries, including accommodation, cost of living questions, logistical matters, navigating study challenges and dealing with exceptional life circumstances. Plus, we work closely with other student welfare services, like student counselling, to ensure you receive caring and comprehensive support.

If you’re unsure which support fits your needs, we invite you to drop by the Library to have any questions about student life answered. We are open Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm.  We’re here for you!

Our Student Affairs Office is located in the Library, right in the centre of the campus and is open five days a week. Our Student Affairs Officer is your first stop when interacting with BCA support network. Trained in compassionate and effective communication,  she is ready to assist you with any questions you may have about student life. From day to day questions, logistics, bus schedules, trails to accessibility relating matters, the SAO will endeavor to help you find the best solution possible or direct you to the relevant staff or faculty member. 

Pop into the Library from 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday. Don’t have time to drop in? You can email julia@burrencollege.ie or join our Discord server here.

  • What about Medical or Additional Counselling Services?

While we endeavor to support the needs of all our students, access to some resources may prove a little more difficult, given the rural, remote location and small size of the College. For any medical services, we can help you arrange an appointment at the Medical Centre in Ballyvaughan. In case of emergency, the closest hospital is in Galway, located at an hour driving distance by taxi or bus.

Our postgraduate students also have full access to the Student Service Centre from University of Galway, including the Student Health Unit, and Counselling Services.

Postgraduates are also eligible to join group plans for Health Insurance through the University.  You can find a selection of providers here on their website.

Covid Information

While there are currently no restrictions on travel related to covid, it is still prevalent globally and in Ireland.  For your own safety and those on campus, we recommend that students wear masks while travelling and in crowded public areas to minimize the risk of covid.

Should you have any questions, please contact Lisa Newman at lisa@burrencollege.ie or +353 65 7077200.