What Is In-Person Learning at Portobello Institute and How Does It Work?

When you're working towards a specific career or looking to open up new professional opportunities, choosing what to study is an important decision. But how you study can make just as much of a difference to your experience.

For some students, the flexibility of online learning and weekend classes is essential for balancing their studies with existing commitments.

For others, attending regular weekday classes, learning face-to-face with tutors and fellow students, and being part of a campus environment may better support the way they learn.

At Portobello Institute, in-person learning offers a campus-based approach to gaining a qualification, combining scheduled weekday classes with practical learning opportunities to help you develop the skills and confidence for your future career.

Whether you’re taking your first step into higher education, continuing your studies at postgraduate level, or pursuing a new professional direction, in-person programme delivery could be the right fit for you.

What Is In-Person Learning?

When we say in-person learning, we mean exactly that. You'll study predominantly in person, attending scheduled classes at Portobello Institute's Dublin City Centre campus, generally two to three weekdays per week, depending on your programme.

Unlike blended learning, where much of your learning happens online, in-person study means committing to regular lectures, tutorials, workshops, and practical sessions on campus.

This provides a structured weekly timetable, with opportunities to engage face-to-face with tutors and collaborate with other students.

As with all Portobello Institute programmes, independent study plays a significant role, requiring you to take responsibility for your learning and build on what you've covered in class.

What Programmes Are Available Through In-Person Learning?

Portobello Institute offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes through in-person learning.

If your interests lie in sport, you could study our BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching & Physical Education or BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy, gaining hands-on practical experience and learning directly from experienced professionals working in the sports industry.

For those pursuing a career in healthcare, our BSc (Hons) Applied Health Science can lead to a variety of roles in the sector and provides a pathway towards postgraduate study, while our four health science pre-registration master's programmes offer routes into physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and dietetics.

If you're looking to build a career in the fashion industry, our BA (Hons) Fashion Management and BA (Hons) Fashion Buying & Merchandising degrees are delivered exclusively through in-person learning. You'll learn face-to-face from tutors with extensive industry experience, gaining first-hand insights into the world of fashion through their professional knowledge and connections.

What Is Campus Life Like at Portobello Institute?

At Portobello Institute, you'll become part of a welcoming, close-knit learning community. Our small class sizes create a supportive environment where you can build relationships with your tutors and fellow students, with plenty of opportunities for individual guidance as you progress through your studies.

Our campus is located in the heart of Dublin City Centre, at 43 Dominick Street Lower, directly across from the Dominick stop on the Luas Green Line. With excellent public transport connections and the city on your doorstep, getting to and from campus is straightforward.

Studying in person means becoming part of the day-to-day life of Portobello Institute, with regular opportunities to connect with others and make the most of your time on campus.

Does In-Person Learning Mean Attending Classes Five Days a Week?

One important distinction to understand is that in-person learning doesn't mean attending classes on campus from Monday to Friday.

Our in-person programmes involve classes on selected weekdays, rather than five full days on campus, and also incorporate elements of online learning. This allows time for independent study alongside part-time employment and other commitments.

Remember, scheduled classes are only part of your studies, and some programmes also require compulsory professional placements outside your normal timetable.

Portobello’s academic teams design timetables with students’ needs in mind, considering travel and accommodation arrangements while supporting a healthy balance between study and other commitments.

Check your chosen programme page for specific teaching schedules and attendance requirements before applying, and if you have questions, reach out to one of our Career Pathway Consultants.

How Does In-Person Learning Differ from Blended Learning?

When exploring our programmes, you may notice that some offer a choice between in-person and blended learning.

That's because we recognise that every student has different circumstances, learning preferences, and commitments, and we want to offer delivery options that accommodate these wherever possible.

The main difference between the two delivery formats is how and when teaching takes place.

In-person learning involves attending scheduled weekday classes on campus, whereas blended learning combines online study with scheduled teaching during weekday evenings or weekends.

Both in-person and blended learning provide access to experienced tutors and practical opportunities, but offer different ways to structure your studies around your life.

Does blended learning sound like a better fit for you? Find out more about this delivery format in our article: What Is Blended Learning at Portobello Institute and How Does It Work?

Real Student Experiences

From building confidence to developing hands-on practical skills, studying on campus can support students in different ways. For Sam Whelan and Elaine McKeon, in-person learning has played a valuable role in their academic and professional development.

Sam Whelan: Gaining Confidence and Industry Insight Through In-Person Study

Portobello Institute's business of fashion degrees are delivered exclusively through in-person learning, offering students face-to-face teaching and opportunities to develop practical skills.

For Sam Whelan, who graduated with first-class honours in BA (Hons) Fashion Management, the in-person delivery helped him develop his confidence in presenting, with regular opportunities to practise public speaking in front of tutors and fellow students.

“The presentations really build your confidence, which is such an important skill to have,” Sam explains.

“I used to get very nervous, but the more presentations I did, the more comfortable I became. Learning how to maintain that confidence really helped me grow.”

Beyond classroom teaching, Sam also benefited from industry networking opportunities and international study trips, including a visit to Première Vision, an international fashion trade show in Paris, during his second year.

“The trips, the teachers, the guest speakers, and the professionalism across the board were some of the best things about studying at Portobello,” he says.

Read Sam's full story.

Elaine McKeon: Building the Foundations for Physiotherapy Through Practical Learning

Elaine McKeon chose in-person learning for both her undergraduate and postgraduate studies at Portobello Institute, finding this delivery format well suited to her learning preferences and career ambitions.

She highlights the supportive learning environment and small class sizes as some of the most valuable aspects of studying for her BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy degree.

Elaine explains: “The best thing was the support from the lecturers and staff. They were always available to help, whether it was academic guidance or general advice.

“Their real-world experience made the course content engaging and practical, which really enhanced my learning.”

The hands-on learning throughout her undergraduate degree also helped Elaine confirm her ambition to become a physiotherapist, leading her to progress to Portobello Institute’s MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-registration), which she is now preparing to complete.

“I’ve always had a strong desire to work in physiotherapy, and hands-on experience definitely helped confirm that,” says Elaine.

Both programmes are available through in-person and blended learning, allowing students to choose a delivery format that aligns with their lifestyle and commitments.

Read Elaine's full story.

Which Delivery Is Right for You?

Choosing between in-person and blended learning comes down to your circumstances, learning preferences, and the type of experience you're looking for.

If you enjoy learning in a classroom environment, prefer regular face-to-face interaction with tutors, and want to spend time on campus alongside other students, in-person learning could be a good fit.

It can also suit students who value a structured weekly timetable or want to develop practical skills through regular, scheduled teaching sessions.

On the other hand, if you're working full-time, have family responsibilities, or live further away from Dublin, blended learning may be more practical.

Both delivery formats offer pathways towards recognised qualifications, and neither is necessarily better than the other. What matters is choosing an option that supports your learning and fits your day-to-day life.

Not every Portobello Institute programme offers both delivery options, so we recommend exploring what's available for your chosen qualification.

Start Your Journey at Portobello Institute

Take the next step towards your professional future with in-person learning at Portobello Institute. Find your chosen programme, check the entry requirements, and start your application.

Our Career Pathway Consultants are here to answer any questions and guide you through the application process.