The one year Diploma course is the only course of its kind available in Ireland and is designed to provide an opportunity for students who are interested in the Fine and Decorative Arts to pursue their interest in a supervised and structured manner. This Diploma is awarded by the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers (IPAV) in association with the Irish Antique Dealers Association (IADA).

The Diploma has a broad and flexible syllabus with the emphasis on identifying art objects in their historical context. Cataloguing receives particular attention and lecturers are drawn from the commercial art world as well as from the universities and art colleges.

Information is imparted by means of PowerPoint and slide lectures.  As part of the curriculum, architectural walking tours, visits to museums, galleries and houses of interest throughout Ireland are incorporated into the course.  Each year, a weekend trip to London is organised.

A particular requirement of the course is the preparation and submission of a written dissertation by students on a subject of particular interest to themselves allied to the course.  This project is carefully selected in conjunction with their lecturers and is undertaken with the personal supervision of an individual lecturer.