Cinema Studies in Dublin | Global Education Oregon

Cinema Studies in Dublin

Language Requirement: None

Academic Standing by Program Start: Sophomore or above

Location: Europe, Ireland

GPA: 2.5

Program Overview

In this summer program, you will be immersed in cinema studies in Ireland. You will get to work both critically and creatively, taking courses on contemporary Irish cinema and digital filmmaking, as well as attending Ireland’s largest film festival held every year in Galway, the Film Fleadh. Weekly excursions and local outings in and around Dublin and the Irish countryside allow you to learn on location about the country’s rich film history and explore the sites where important historical events, and films about those events, took place.

You will attend courses at the Institute Of Art Design and Technology (IADT) in Dún Laoghaire, a community on the coastal outskirts of Dublin, and live with Irish families in homestays. The program fee includes excursions, the film festival, many other group cultural and social activities, full on-site support, and a program orientation.

Dates and Deadlines


Term	Year	Final Deadline	Arrival Date	Departure Date
Summer	2025	3/15/2025	06/22/2025	07/26/2025

**Students are encouraged to apply early. This program has received high interest and may fill before the application deadline.

This program has a rolling admission application process: GEO staff and the program faculty leader will complete a review of the application materials of complete applications in the order that they are submitted (“first come, first serve”). Decisions about acceptance will be made shortly after you submit a complete application. There are some programs that fill fast, some even before the deadline. Students are encouraged to complete applications and commit to programs early.

Acceptance is based on a holistic review of your application. This includes a review of your GPA, transcripts (including courses taken and in-progress), any additional requirements or prerequisites (see section "Additional Requirements"), and the short statement.

Hear from Our Students

Finding the Iron Throne in Belfast

Five college students standing in front of a "Game of Thrones" set.

My experience studying abroad in Ireland was one that entered my life exactly when I most needed it. I feel so fortunate to come out of this program a stronger filmmaker that can now confidently edit… read more

Faculty-Led Scholarship Opportunity

Applicants to this program are eligible for program-specific scholarship funds. Award recipients are chosen based on academic merit, financial need, and overall quality of their essay. Individual awards range from $500-$1,500. To be considered, apply to the GEO General Scholarship by the advertised deadline for the term you will be abroad. Students who apply will automatically be considered for all available funding within the General Scholarship, including this program's scholarship funds.

Academic Details

You will enroll in two, four-credit classes during the program. These courses will combine classroom learning with experiential excursions that provide access to important locations and individuals within the cinema industry and communities of Ireland. All student will take Ireland Onscreen taught by University of Oregon Cinema Studies Professor Michael Aronson. In addition, you will take Digital Dublin: Filmmaking in Ireland, taught by Frank Reid, an editor and instructor at the National Film School of Ireland.

The courses will consist of weekday class meetings (Monday-Thursday), screenings, guest lectures, field activities including location shooting, excursions to relevant film and historical sites, and a long weekend group trip to the Galway Film Fleadh (Festival).

For Non-UO students, actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your home university in consultation with your home study abroad office. Check with your study abroad advisor for more information.

Course Equivalencies

UO students: please refer to the UO Course Equivalency Process and the UO Office of the Registrar Course Equivalency Database.

Non-UO students: Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with the study abroad office. Check with your study abroad advisor for more information.

Faculty and Staff

Michael Aronson is an Associate Professor of Cinema Studies at the University of Oregon. He came to academia from a background as a commercial cameraman but most of his current research revolves around the history and culture of early cinema. Dr. Aronson helped start the GEO Cinema Studies program in Dublin in 2012 and believes that Irish cinema is severely underrated and thoroughly enjoyable.

Housing Description

You will be placed (usually with another student or more) as a "paying guest" with a family in Dún Laoghaire or surrounding Dublin County, and commute to IADT each day by local transportation. Breakfasts and dinners are offered by the family, but lunches are usually not provided. Dún Laoghaire offers a variety of nice cafés, pubs and eateries.

Host families are very carefully screened and provide good, affordable accommodation offering you the opportunity to develop your independence and social skills by participating in family, community, cultural and recreational activities. Many cherish the homestay experience as one of the most rewarding aspects of the Dublin program experience and remain lifelong friends with their host family

See a program alum's homestay experience they captured in a short film on the program.