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Duration
1 years
Level
FET
Outlook
Growing
On a QQI Level 6 Web Design programme, you develop practical skills in designing, building and maintaining websites and digital interfaces. You work with HTML, CSS and JavaScript alongside content management systems such as WordPress, and you learn how to apply UX (user experience) principles and responsive design so that sites function well on any device. Specialist modules may cover graphic design for the web, accessibility standards, e-commerce solutions and basic search engine optimisation. A typical week combines hands-on lab sessions building live projects with tutor-led instruction and peer critique of your growing portfolio. Many courses include a work placement component, giving you real-world experience with a local business or agency. By the end of the course, your portfolio of completed projects is your primary asset for employment or further study.
Entry to a QQI Level 6 Web Design programme typically requires a Leaving Certificate with passes in five subjects, including English at Ordinary level or above; no Higher-level Maths is usually mandatory, though a basic comfort with numbers and logical thinking is helpful. Subjects such as Art, Design & Communication Graphics, Computer Science or Business are a clear advantage. Some colleges may accept applicants with a relevant QQI Level 5 award, such as a certificate in IT or Multimedia, through a direct progression link rather than via CAO points. Mature applicants aged 23 or over are normally considered on the basis of relevant work or life experience, and HEAR and DARE access routes may also apply at participating colleges. Application is typically made directly to the college or through the Qualifax/ETB admissions process rather than through the CAO. Interview or a short portfolio submission may form part of the selection process at some providers.
Demand for web and digital design skills remains consistently strong in Ireland, where a large concentration of multinational tech companies and a growing domestic digital economy create steady entry-level opportunities. Graduates with a good portfolio and some placement experience can expect to find employment relatively quickly after completing the programme. Salaries for junior web designer roles typically range from approximately €28,000 to €38,000 gross per year, rising with experience and specialisation. Those who progress to further study or develop stronger coding skills often move into better-paid front-end development or UX roles over time.
AI tools such as generative design assistants, AI-powered code completion (for example, GitHub Copilot) and automated layout suggestions are already changing day-to-day web design workflows. You will increasingly be expected to use these tools efficiently rather than treat them as a threat, integrating AI into prototyping and content generation tasks. However, human judgement around brand identity, accessibility, client communication and creative problem-solving remains essential and is not easily automated. Understanding how to critically evaluate AI-generated output and tailor it to specific user needs is becoming a core professional skill in this field.
Providers and indicative points are curated with AI support. Always double-check with the institution itself.
How to apply
QQI Level 6 Web Design courses at Colleges of Further Education are typically applied for directly through the individual college or via www.fetchcourses.ie, the national FET course finder — there is no CAO code involved. Entry requirements are generally a Leaving Certificate (or equivalent), though mature applicants and those with relevant QQI Level 5 awards are also welcomed.
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