CFA | IADT | Certificate in Writing Television Drama | ESF+ 2026

THIS PROGRAMME IS CO FUNDED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF IRELAND AND THE EUROPEAN UNION (EUFUNDS.IE)

A collaboration between Cultural & Creative Industry Skillnet and CFA-IADT, this programme is offered to creative professionals at a special CCIS partnership rate of €950 (normally the fee for this course would be €1700 in 2026).

Overview

Production companies, broadcasters and streamers are always looking for the next new idea that will capture audience. This course explores current trends and how to ensure ideas, regardless of genre, standout as authentic.

Working with Eilish Kent, a recognised educator in this area with extensive industry expertise in writing and commissioning for television, IADT have developed this course to focus on developing and writing TV Drama.

Aims & Objectives

Writers have become the creative drivers of productions – the showrunners – the creative leaders of productions where in film the director is often that person.

The course will:

• Enable you to write a compelling one-page pitch for an original TV drama idea
• Enable you to write a TV drama pilot script to a professional standard
• Provide a supportive and critical environment for the development and creation of new work
• Develop a disciplined and professional approach to writing for TV drama
• Enable you to develop a personal strategy for the development of your work
• Familiarise you with the process and business of writing for television – including matters relating to contracts and copyright, career opportunities and career pathways.

Participant profile/Who can apply/Eligibility

This course is suitable for applicants who have an undergraduate qualification of 2nd Class Honours or higher at Honours Degree level.

Applicants without a Level 8 qualification may be considered provided they can demonstrate Honours Degree equivalence which can be verified through the RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) process.

Two references must support your application. You may also be asked to attend an online interview.

Dates and times of the course

The course is delivered online in small seminar type classes.

Tuesdays | 7pm – 9.15pm:

• 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th September 2026
• 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th October
• 3rd, 17th November

Saturdays:

• 3rd October (9.30am – 1.30pm)
• 7th November (Students will be allocated a 20 minute time slot during the day to pitch to a panel)

Location

This class is remote with the potential for some modules to be in person at IADT, located on Kill Ave, Dun Laoghaire, is a leader in higher education with a specialist focus on the development of future makers, shapers, technologists, thinkers, storytellers and creators who lead and innovate in a changing digital world.

Tutor

Eilish Kent has been working professionally in TV Drama & Film for over 25 years. She has worked in commissioning for Public Service Broadcasters BBC and RTÉ and state agencies the Arts Council and FÍS.

As a trainer Eilish devised many bespoke courses including a Certificate in Writing TV Drama for the National Film School, Ireland, and Writing Web Series for Screen Training Ireland.

Costs/fee

The fee for this 10 week single module course is €950 per person (normally €1700).
Payment will be due in full before the course commences. Late payments will result in your place being forfeited.

CCIS Membership Support

Who Qualifies:
INDIVIDUALS

• Sole traders or Freelancers who are Resident in the ROI are eligible as Member Companies.
• Private company (SME) or Enterprise employees.

COMPANIES

• Private Enterprise & SMEs based in the Republic of Ireland.
• Commercial semi-state companies providing that income contributed to a Network is not sourced from the public purse (must provide a letter).
• Social enterprises that trade as commercial social enterprises, and are companies registered with the CRO

Who Does Not Qualify:
INDIVIDUALS

• Applicants who are not Resident in the Republic of Ireland
• Applicants who are Unemployed and in receipt of Long Term Unemployment Benefit
• Applicants participating on a CE Scheme
• Applicants in receipt of a BURSARY, SCHOLARSHIP OR GRANT AID toward fees for this course from another government agency or programme.

COMPANIES

• Skillnet Ireland funding is not available to public sector bodies or organisation that are publicly funded such as community-based not-for-profit companies or charities.
• Social enterprises that are solely constituted as charities do not currently meet the eligibility criteria.

All programmes are provided without discrimination. This includes discrimination based on gender, race or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation. An inclusive environment that welcomes participants from diverse communities is promoted.

Application process

This is a 3-Step Application.

1. Complete the Special Category Data Participant Questionnaire below (QR Code or Link)
2. Fill out the Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet membership application form below (Green ‘Apply’ button)
3. If your CCIS Membership application is successful, you will be notified and given access to the IADT Course application link. You may also access this link via the IADT website. Complete your IADT Course Application.
   
   If your Course Application is successful you will be notified by IADT and given access to a CCIS Registration/Payment Link.
   Refunds cannot be issued once the course has commenced in line with IADTs refund policy.
   
   DOWNLOAD APPLICATION STEP BY STEP GUIDE HERE

This course is part funded by ESF+.

ESF+ stands for European Social Fund Plus. It is a European fund that focuses on lifelong learning through improving employment and education opportunities.

In addition to the CCIS support application, Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet is required by Government to collect ‘Special Category Data‘ from those who wish to avail of ESF+ supports for this programme. Given the sensitive nature of this data, strict controls over access have been implemented.

Your Rights and Choices
The mandatory form will ask for general and special category data about you. You can choose if you want to share the special category information in questions 13 to 18. If you do answer these questions, we will handle answers with utmost care.

You have the right to access your data, get us to correct it if we get your details wrong, and ask us to delete your data. You can also choose to opt out or withdraw at any time (*I Do Not Consent). However, if you withdraw, we will not be able to provide you with access to the Writing Television Drama  course until you reapply.

At the end of this questionnaire, we will also ask you to declare that the information you have provided is true. If you would like to take part in the ESF+ course, you must answer all the questions even if they do not apply. 

Further data will be collected at the following milestones.

• the course certification date
• 6 months post certification

If you wish to use your rights to access or change your information, or are concerned about anything on your participant form, please email dpo@skillnetireland.ie. 

For more information on ESF+ data processing and your rights, please see the ESF+ Data Privacy Notice.  You can find this on the Skillnet Ireland website or email your postal address and we will post it to you. 

Special Category Data Questionnaire

PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM OR ACCESS VIA THE QR CODE BELOW.

CCIS membership application deadline

CCIS Membership Application Deadline: Rolling but before course commences

If you experience any difficulties with your CCIS membership application please contact susantalbot@furthr.ie with a Subject Heading of : IADT | CCIS Application | [Course Name]

Important: All Course Applications To Be Made Separately via IADT.