| Start Date | Duration | Cost | Max Participant Numbers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28th October 2026 | 1 year P/T | €950 | 15 |
Strategic Development For Creative Professionals | Level 9
THIS PROGRAMME IS CO FUNDED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF IRELAND AND THE EUROPEAN UNION (EUFUNDS.IE)
Developed in collaboration with the Institute of Art, Design & Technology 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
The Strategic Development for Creative Professionals programme is a part-time postgraduate course tailored for the creative industries. Developed collaboratively by Cultural and Creative Industries Skillnet and IADT, this programme addresses a recognised need within the creative sector.
Aimed at creative professionals from various disciplines, including filmmakers, designers, photographers, actors, theatre and event professionals, game developers, animators, painters, sculptors, and more. The learning will be relevant to any creative professional seeking a deeper understanding of the business landscape within their sector.
Aims & Objectives
This part-time postgraduate course is designed for creative professionals from all disciplines (filmmakers, designers, photographers, actors, theatre and event professionals, game developers, animators, painters, sculptors, and more) who want to develop a strategy for their practice or business, and to take the next step in transforming their passion into a more commercial venture. This may involve expanding an existing business, launching a new venture, or better positioning yourself within the creative marketplace.
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What will you study?
In contrast to general business courses, this course is designed for forward-thinking creative professionals offering a unique mix of four key modules, worth 5 ECTS each, tailored to help you thrive in the ever-evolving creative industries.
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Participant opportunities
Each module will have specific industry experiences built in that will enhance and support the teaching.
Each participant will be paired with a business mentor to support them through their learning journey. Where possible/appropriate, the mentor will be from their individual creative sector.
Field trips and networking events will form part of the overall experience.
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How will you be assessed?
You will be assessed based on a final business plan/strategy for an existing or new business/venture and supported by your work across all the modules.
Participant profile/Who can apply
This postgraduate certificate is designed for both established and emerging creative professionals who have experienced success in their creative endeavours and who want to further develop and enrich their business potential.
This programme is designed for anyone who wants to develop a strategy for their practice, livelihood or business, and to take the next step in transforming their passion into a commercial venture. This may involve expanding an existing business, launching a new venture, or better positioning themselves within the creative marketplace.
Creative professionals, including successful artists, will gain the business acumen needed to fully realize the potential of their work. The programme equips participants with the confidence, connections, and knowledge necessary to enhance their creative skills and maximize their impact and success in the marketplace.
In contrast to general business programmes, this programme is tailored specifically to the creative sector, applying strategic thinking to empower creatives with valuable insights and agency within their industry networks.
The programme supports professionals from all areas of the creative industries, including filmmakers, designers, photographers, actors, theatre and event professionals, game developers, animators, painters, sculptors, and more. The learning will be relevant to any creative professional seeking a deeper understanding of the business landscape within their industry.
Minimum Entry Requirements
We welcome applications from people with an established or emergent creative career at least 3-5 years post-graduation.
This course is suitable for those 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.
You will be required to submit on the IADT application form the following:
- A letter of intent / personal statement
- A CV
- Details of one referee
- You may be called for interview.
IADT operates a rolling admissions policy for graduate taught courses, with decisions issued in 4 weeks after a submitted and complete application is received. An application is incomplete until you provide all required items on the checklist (including the application fee, if applicable). Generally, courses will remain open to applications until all places are filled.
Other Requirements
A desktop/laptop, camera, microphone and reliable wi-fi connection is required for online classes.
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 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.
Location
This programme will take place both on the IADT campus and online.
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.
Costs/fee
This pilot programme is supported by the European Social Fund and as such the fee is a special CCIS/IADT partnership rate of €950 per person (normally €1700).
Payment will be due in full before the course commences.
Refunds cannot be issued once the course has commenced in line with IADT’s refund policy.
Application
This is a 3-Step Application.
- Complete the Special Category Data Participant Questionnaire below (Scroll to the bottom of the page for the QR Code or Link)
- Fill out the Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet membership application form below (Green ‘Apply’ button)
- 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.
DOWNLOAD APPLICATION STEP BY STEP GUIDE HERE
CCIS membership application deadline
CCIS Membership Application Deadline: Rolling
If you experience any questions about support or difficulties with your CCIS membership application please contact creativeskillnet@furthr.ie with a Subject Heading of: IADT | CCIS Application | [Course Name]
Important: All Course Applications To Be Made Separately via IADT/CFA. Deadline is 24th July 2026
Dates & Times
Delivery is blended with online weekly lectures (Wednesday evenings) 4 intensive in-person sessions (Saturdays), and some field trips to allow you to continue your usual projects and activities whilst also developing your business strategy and future aims.
Start date: 28th October 2026
Delivery is blended with online weekly lectures (Wednesday evenings) and intensive in-person sessions (Saturdays), and some field trips to allow you to continue your usual projects and activities whilst also developing your business strategy and future aims.
Module 1:
- Wednesday evenings (6.30pm – 9pm) | Online: 28th October; 4th, 11th and 18th November
- Saturday (10am – 3.30pm) | On Campus: 7th November
As part of this module, students have attended CULTURE CRUSH in the past.
Module 2:
- Wednesday evenings (6.30pm – 9pm) | Online: 2nd and 9th December; 13th, 20th and 27th January 2027
- Saturdays (10am – 3.30pm) | On Campus: 12th December and 23rd January
Module 3:
- Wednesday evenings (6.30pm – 9pm) | Online: 10th, 17th and 24th February; 3rd and 10th March
- Saturdays (10am – 3.30pm) | On Campus: 27th February and 13th March
Module 4:
- Wednesday evenings (6.30pm – 9pm) | Online: 14th, 21st and 28th April; 12th and 19th May
- Saturdays (10am – 3.30pm) | On Campus: 24th April and 22nd May 2027
Capstone event (in person presentations): Saturday, 12th June 2027
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 Strategic Development For Creative Professionals 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.
