Cheryl Finnerty

Graduate

RTL Return to Learning

Overall, … the RTL course was a great experience and gave me great confidence moving forward in my life

Vera Gsenger

Musician and Performer

PRH Contemporary Music Performance Diploma (HND)

BCFE offered the space for me to start writing songs myself. In addition to that I got the chance to gain experience and learn about live performance in a band setting. I’ve experienced so much creativity, so many talented musicians with unique styles and what spoke to me the most was the support of artistry. The main focus lay on every artist being unique and refining their individual styles instead of making them into something they are actually not.

Kat O’Connor

Deputy Editor, Shemazing.net

MJH Higher National Diploma in Journalism

BCFE’s journalism course gave me the confidence, courage and knowledge to pursue a career in journalism. I landed an internship at a women’s digital media publication in 2017 and was promoted to Deputy Editor of three websites, including Shemazing.net in 2019. I’ve been able to interview all kinds of people thanks to the skills I developed during my two years at BCFE. The course is hands-on, practical and gives you a strong understanding of the industry and will strengthen your love of writing and storytelling.

Oisín Ó Cuilleanáin

Multimedia Journalist RTE

MJH MPM Higher National Diploma in Journalism, BA in Media Production Management

Ballyfermot College of Further Education helped to shape my understanding of the Irish media landscape and its different news values. During the two-year Diploma in Journalism we created a student newspaper, the Student Chronicle. While working on the paper I discovered I really enjoyed working in a news environment, the thrill of trying to find stories, getting interviews and seeing the finished product. Without BCFE I wouldn’t be where I am today. I can’t recommend the college enough for anyone who is looking to work in journalism.

Carla Rodera

Graduate

AIH HND in Illustration

Being a student of Illustration at BCFE was a challenging and enjoyable experience. The course helped me improve my artistic skills as well as develop my career professionally. It has broadened my horizons and prepared me to continue forward in this field. I found the staff and tutors to be friendly, supportive and highly skilled. In my final year, I did an Erasmus+ programme in Malta.

Caoimhe Hennessy

Graduate

CDS AIH Animation Drawing Studies & HND in Illustration

I completed both the Animation Drawing Studies (CDS) course and the HND in Illustration (AIH) and I am so grateful for everything I learned while at BCFE. I was given direction and feedback by tutors but was also given the freedom to explore my own style and ideas. This means everyone has graduated with a completely unique and original portfolio. I loved the supportive and honest environment in the college and I knew I could ask my peers for advice and critiques when I needed. I also gained the opportunity to go on the Erasmus+ programme in February 2020 when I worked as an illustrator for the Esplora Science Museum in Malta. My work improved so much during my three years at BCFE and so has my confidence in pursuing my dream career.
Caoimhe Hennessy
Animation Drawing Studies (CDS, 2017-2018); HND in Illustration (AIH, 2018- 2020)

Oluwafunmilayo (La’Fun) Ayibiowu

Graduate

SVC Social Care Studies Level 6 Advanced

I am a female that knows what I want in life and I pursue it whole heartedly. I am a mum, wife, sister and someone’s daughter. I love telling stories and making music and I have a lot of experience of life.

By studying the Social Care Studies Level 6 Advanced at BCFE, I gained invaluable knowledge in Social Studies, Mental Health Awareness, Rehabilitation Practice, Personal and Professional Development, Disability Awareness, Person Cantered Planning, Learning Difficulty Awareness, and Communications. I have added to my toolkit and all the roles I have are enhanced. I believe I have acquired the necessary tools to support my own mental health as well as the mental health of others and I ready to use my compassion in a person-centred capacity helping others in any social care setting.

Kim Manley Killeen

Graduate

SVC Social Care Studies Level 6 Advanced

I commenced the Social Care Studies Level 6 Advanced course in Sept 2019 as a mature student. At the beginning I was somewhat nervous as I had not been in a classroom setting since my leaving cert in 2004. The teachers I had were extremely patient, helpful and informative. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Ballyfermot College, made friends for life and learned all sorts of nuggets of wisdom from my classes. Would highly recommend this course to anybody.

Ian Fallon

Graduate

ITC Television & Digital Film

Television & Digital Film (ITC) student 2018-2019

In 2019 I completed the one year course in BCFE in Television and Digital Film (ITC). Prior to applying, I had little or no experience in this area and was unsure if I would like it, let alone see it as a possible future career. Luckily, with the great introduction the course provided in different areas of filmmaking, from screen writing to editing, television production and photography, I realised that I had found the career path for me.

With supportive, friendly and knowledgeable teaching, BCFE gave me a great foundation in the skills I need to communicate my stories and begin my journey into the industry. Some highlights from the year were the end of year exhibition of our films and photography, taking part in script read-throughs and gaining invaluable teamwork experience.

I was able to use my ITC short film “Victim”, to successfully secure a place on the Film & Television Production course in IADT where I’m continuing my education. For the same film I was nominated in the ‘film under 5 minutes’ category for the Royal Television Society Student Awards 2020, for the Republic of Ireland. Given that this was my very first film, I was extremely pleased with the nomination, and am thankful to BCFE for providing me with these opportunities