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Ireland Study Abroad Program at the Burren College of Art

Burren College of Art

Required GPA: 3.0 (4.0 scale)
Application deadlines: April 1 for fall or full year; October 15 for spring
Program advisor: Beth Ehrsam

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Program Snapshot

Burren College of Art is a Rapid Response program
What is this?

Cead Mile Failte! We’re so excited that you’re preparing to study abroad on an IFSA-Butler program and have chosen the Burren College of Art as your destination. The Burren College of Art is a great art school located on the grounds of a 16th century castle. We’re sure you’re going to love studying there!

What the Burren College of Art has to offer

An inspiring setting on the grounds of a restored 16th-century castle
An international faculty and one-on-one mentoring
A curriculum designed to maximum your personal development as an artist
Studio programs meet the requirements of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
Modern studios and a darkroom, with an emphasis on individual space
An art materials store on campus
A college cafeteria serving snacks and light meals

Housing

Housing is in 1 of 2 large student houses between the village and the campus, or in the village in small, comfortable cottages
Each has its own cooking and laundry facilities
Students purchase or prepare their own meals

A limited meal plan (hot lunch) is available on campus

Academics

An independent studio option allows you to work on your own under the supervision of a faculty member
Courses in studio arts (painting, photography and sculpture) supplemental courses in mixed media and art in context
Courses in supporting academic subjects: Art history, creative writing and Irish studies
A faculty-led trip to Dublin is included in the program fee
Faculty lead trips to London in the fall or to Berlin in the spring for an additional fee

Students take five courses per semester

We look forward to working with you! You can learn more about the Burren College of Art by visiting their web site here.

Academics

Academic Structure

What are the courses like at the Burren College of Art?
Studio courses are very independent. Students work in their studio space with minimal supervision and detailed instructions. Tutors are generally available if there are questions, and assignments are due every couple of weeks. Studying at the Burren is designed to give students the opportunity to flourish with their work and explore their own ideas. Students who need close supervision and/or detailed instructions should consider other IFSA-Butler program options.

Is there anything special I should know about studying at the Burren College of Art?
Yes, attendance in class or studio is compulsory at Burren College of Art. Students must sign in each morning. Attendance for scheduled critiques and exams is also mandatory.

Will I have my own studio space?
Yes. Classes are from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but studios are open 24 hours a day.

What facilities do students have access to?
Besides your own studio space, students have use of college facilities, such as the sculpture workshop, photographic studio, and darkrooms, and computer suite.

Does the Burren College of Art offer any trips?
Each semester there is an optional trip to the galleries, museums and sights of either London (autumn) or Paris (spring) for four days. The trips are not included in your IFSA-Butler program fee, and participants pay the Burren College of Art directly. There are also optional trips from to Belfast and other places of interest. Each semester we also provide opportunities to attend ceilis and storytelling sessions.

Courses

Where can I find a list of courses that the university offers?
You can find the Burren College of Art's online course catalogue here.

Chose one the mediums listed to read more about the courses offered in each discipline.

What if I need to take a required course?
Please be aware that IFSA-Butler cannot guarantee that your host university will offer a particular course, or that you will be allowed to take that particular course. However, if you need to take a required course, you may indicate that it is required on your course preference form. Your IFSA-Butler program advisor will communicate your needs to your host university.

What courses am I eligible to take?

As an IFSA-Butler student, you are entitled to enroll in undergraduate courses for which you are qualified and in which space is available. Course descriptions in the online course catalog (see above) include prerequisites you must fulfill in order to enroll in each course.

Credits

How many courses am I able to take, and how do I determine U.S. semester credit hours?
IFSA-Butler requires students to enroll in a full course load at the host institution as defined by IFSA-Butler. The number of courses you take depends on the credit value of the courses you select. At Burren College of Art, each course is worth three U.S. semestcredit hours. Students must take five courses for a total of 15 U.S. semester credit hours per semester.

Registration

The course preference form is not a registration form; it is a guideline to let your host university know which courses you are interested in taking abroad. You should discuss your course selections with your academic advisor at your home institution and have several backup choices in mind. Accepted students will receive their provisional schedule shortly after an admissions decision is made. This schedule will be based on the courses listed on the course preference form.

What are the registration conditions?
You must take a full Burren College of Art course load as determined by IFSA-Butler. Credit will be awarded on a Butler University transcript based on a typical U.S. full course load. All courses are graded on an A-F scale, and there is no provision for pass/fail or auditing courses unless pass/fail is the only method of assessment for the course. You are not allowed to register for online, distance education or hybrid courses.

You should also be aware that you may be charged additional fees by your home institution or host university to take or process additional credits. Taking less than a full course load may jeopardize your student status and result in personal academic repercussions and/or loss of financial aid.

Exams

What do I need to know about exams?
Because of the differences in the academic systems, you will not know your exam schedule until after you arrive at your host university. Please refer to your program calendar to review the exam period for your host university. Your host university's policies do not permit you to reschedule any exams, request alternate assessments or arrange to have your exams proctored in the United States. If this occurs, IFSA-Butler cannot assist you in conducting a grade query or academic follow-up for the course in which you made this arrangement. You will need to complete and submit all academic work prior to departing the program.

Transcripts

How will my home university know what my classes were and what grades I received?
After you have returned to the U.S., your home university will receive a Butler University transcript with the credit you earned at the Burren College of Art. The Butler University transcript will report the equivalent U.S. semester credit hours and letter grades. We also will send an official transcript to your permanent address.

Housing

Housing Options

Students at the Burren College of Art will be housed in self-catering cottages convenient to the college and village of Ballyvaughan. These cottages are bright houses with all modern facilities. All housing has fully equipped kitchens with oven, microwave, dishwasher and laundry facilities. Each house has three to four bedrooms, with students sharing rooms. Bedding is provided and consists of a duvet (comforter), pillows and two sets of bed linens. No towels are provided.

Housing FAQs

Is my housing included in the program fee?
Yes. Your program fee includes accommodation at the university while classes are in session. You will be responsible for the cost of your meals (whether a meal plan or self-catered) and any commuting costs you may incur. Some university housing requires students to move out during winter and spring breaks. If you wish to remain in residence during the vacation period(s), you must notify the university housing office upon arrival to make necessary arrangements. Staying in residence during university breaks may incur additional costs not covered by the IFSA-Butler program fee.

When will I receive my housing assignment?
You will most likely receive your housing assignment one to two weeks before your departure. However, in some cases you may not receive your housing assignment until you arrive in Scotland for orientation. Your program advisor will notify you of your housing assignment via e-mail when it is released by the university.

Please keep in mind that while IFSA-Butler guarantees housing, we cannot guarantee your preferences.

Do I have to pay a housing deposit?
Yes. IFSA-Butler requires a refundable housing deposit of $300 before going abroad. We will return this deposit to you after March 1 for fall programs or September 1 for spring and year programs, less any fines, damages or outstanding debts in your name.

Can I arrange my own housing?
Yes. IFSA-Butler recognizes that some students require independent housing for their time abroad. If you choose not to take advantage of our guaranteed housing, you may sign up for independent housing on the housing preference form. Once you've made this choice, we will not provide housing for you or bill you for the accommodation fee.

Please be advised that housing costs can be high abroad, and many times students living independently end up spending more money than students living in IFSA-Butler arranged housing. If you are hoping to save money by arranging housing on your own, please research your options early so you can compare costs. You must notify us of your intention to live in independent housing by December 1 for spring and semester 1 programs or by May 1 for fall and semester 2 programs. We are not able to accommodate independent housing requests after these dates.

What is the social life like in Ballyvaughan?
For such a small place, Ballyvaughan (population 450) is very lively socially and artistically. There are two reasons for this: The residents are very sociable and the village attracts many visitors from around the world. This small village has a cosmopolitan population, which includes numerous artists, writers and musicians. The area has attracted creative people since the times of WB Yeats, who lived nearby.

There are 11 places to dine out locally, five of them being pubs or bars. The pub is a different sort of institution from those found in cities: There is no expectation that you will consume alcohol and a cup of tea is as much a favorite as Guinness. Rowdy behavior in these places is largely unknown. The Burren is a center for traditional Irish music, and music can be heard in pubs and bars throughout the year. During the summer, the village is full of music! It is possible to join in traditional Irish dancing locally. Students are always made welcome at the community events that are organized periodically.

Location Info

Population: 450
Location:County Clare, in the west of Ireland

Village features

Thatched-roof cottages reflecting traditional life in Ireland
Restaurants, pubs and traditional music
Friendly, welcoming residents

Do more!

Explore the beauty of the Burren, a source of inspiration to poets, novelists, painters, sculptors, musicians and playwrights
Enjoy traditional Irish music and gorgeous views in nearby Lisdoonvarna, the Aran Islands and the Cliffs of Moher

Take a bus from Ballyvaughan to Galway City, an hour away

Links
Visit Ballyvaughan
Burren National Park
Cliffs of Moher
Aran Islands
Discover Galway

Dates & Fees

Bureen College of Art Dates

Individual program dates coming soon!
Click here to view our full Ireland program calendar.

Burren College of Art Fees

Individual program fees coming soon!
Click here to view a full list of Ireland program fees.

What's included in our Ireland program fees
Expense calculator

Personal Cost Estimates

Personal cost estimates coming soon!
Click here to view a full list of Ireland personal cost estimates.

Expense calculator

Forms

To apply to the Burren College of Art program, use our easy online application.

Applicants to the Burren College of Art must complete four additional forms as part of the application process:

We must receive these forms before we can send your application to the Burren College of Art for an admissions decision. They can be sent to IFSA-Butler via email, fax or regular mail. Please submit these forms with the remainder of your program application.

If you have already started an application to the Burren College of Art program, you can check the status of your application using the Student Portal.

Meet Your IFSA-Butler Team

IFSA-Butler has a dedicated team of staff who are here to help students prepare for their program in Ireland:

beth ireland Program Advisor Beth Ehrsam assists with the application process and is here to answer program, cultural and academic questions before departure. Beth can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229, extn. 9279. Beth has been with the Institute for Study Abroad for the past three years. Beth spent her junior year studying abroad at Trinity College Dublin with IFSA-Butler and now enjoys being on the other side of the application process advising students during the application and predeparture process.

alt Student Accounts Coordinator Angelita Shaffer assists with the financial side of study abroad and processes payments and invoices. Angelita can be reached at the email link above or at 317-940-4221.

Student & Parent Services Manager Donnetta Spears is available to both students and parents for travel questions and information. Donnetta has worked with IFSA-Butler for 11 years, and she has traveled through parts of Europe, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand. As the mother of 4 college students (including one who studied abroad on an IFSA-Butler program), she has a deep understanding of the ins-and-outs of study abroad from a parent perspective. Donnetta can be reached at the email link above or at 317-940-4252.

Once abroad, our students are in the capable hands of our on-site office in Dublin. Click here to read more about Resident Director Dr. Tim Conway.

paige Upon return from your study abroad program, Academic Affairs Coordinator Paige Ward processes your Butler University transcript and assists with any academic record queries. Paige graduated from Butler University, and she studied abroad for a semester in Paris, Belfast, London and the English Lake District. Studying abroad for Paige was an eye-opening and knowledge-gaining experience, and she is excited to work with students who are looking for the same. Paige can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229 ext. 4254.

Get Connected

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Connect with IFSA-Butler Students

If you really want to know what it's like to study abroad, connect with IFSA-Butler alumni and students who are currently abroad on an IFSA-Butler program. Check out the following: