About Us
The National College of Art and Design (NCAD) occupies a unique position in art and design education in Ireland. It offers the largest range of art and design degrees in the state at undergraduate and postgraduate level. NCAD welcomes applicants who are committed to art and design. It is a preparation for life in both a professional and a broad educational sense..
Why Study at NCAD?
- NCAD is ranked among the worlds top 100 universities for Art & Design (2016, QS University Rankings, World Wide by Subject)
- You will gain a university degree from University College Dublin (UCD) which is ranked in the top 1% of world universities.
- The National College of Art and Design has been the most significant provider of Art & Design Education in Ireland for over 250 years.
- Our Thomas Street location has all the energy and excitement of a university campus with a full academic and student life as well as easy access to the dynamic urban and cultural environment of the city. We've been describes as "a mecca of arts and design study" by The Irish Times.
- Our campus facilities include: individual studio space for all studio based students, the NCAD Library, the National Irish Visual Arts Library (NIVAL), the NCAD Gallery, the student concourse and Student’s Union area, the Lucheonette Café, the student gallery and a garden and outdoor area for sunny days.
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FIRST YEAR STUDIES
"First Year really opens your mind to new work and how you actually make great work." Aoife Slevin, First Year
"One of the reasons I came to NCAD was to experience all aspects of art and design." Chenyi Ye, First Year
DESIGN
"I think I’ve grown as a person and matured a lot since I started in NCAD." Genevieve Howard, Fourth Year Jewellery & Metalwork
"It’s a constant learning experience. That’s what I love about designing" William Doherty, Fourth Year Visual Communication
"That’s the cool thing about this college, you have the time and the space and opportunity to put yourself in situations where you can make mistakes." Fabian Strunden, Fourth Year Product Design
FINE ART
“NCAD is a very inclusive and welcoming environment.” Rian Coulter, Third Year Fine Art Print
"The broadness of the course is fantastic. I would honestly recommend it. " Eimear Kinsella, Fourth Year Textile Art & Artefact
EDUCATION
"I class myself as an artist teacher. Everything I learn and do in the studio influences what I do in the classroom." Eileen Mooney, Fourth Year Education
VISUAL CULTURE
"The course makes you question everything you are seeing and think in a completely different way." Grainne Brennan, First Year Visual Culture
More NCAD Student Conversations here
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The Centre for Continuing Education in Art and Design (CEAD) is part of the School of Education and offers a range of part-time courses including certificate courses. More information here.
 QQI/FET Admission Information available here. |
Why Us?
Top Ranked Art and Design Institution in Ireland for over 250 years, and ranked among the world’s top 100 universities for Art and Design (2016, QS University Rankings, World Wide by Subject)
All degrees accredited by UCD, which is ranked in the top 1% of the world’s universities
Home to students from over 40 countries, creating a culturally rich community
New and Unique to NCAD, Studio+ gives Design and Fine Art Students the opportunity to engage with the world beyond campus and gain practical work experience, helping students to prepare for life after college. NCAD is also active in Erasmus+ and International exchanges. The college is linked with over 100 partner institutions and organisations globally - offering students an extensive range of study-abroad and traineeship opportunities.
NCAD students and graduates continually manage to push the boundaries in the contemporary Art and Design worlds, creating thought-provoking dialogue and opening minds to fascinating concepts. This is reflected in both nationally and internationally with our 2017 graduating students winning the RDS Visual Arts Prize, our students sweeping the board at the Design and Craft Council’s Future Makers Awards, and students winning global RSA Design Awards.
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Key Facts
Facilities
Individual studio space for all studio based students.
The Edward Murphy Library - The Library has an unrivalled collection of over 96,000 books and exhibition catalogues. The Library subscribes to about 300 magazines and these offer an international view of the subjects taught in NCAD.
The National Irish Visual Arts Library (NIVAL) is a public research resource dedicated to the documentation of 20th and 21st century Irish visual art and design. NIVAL collects, stores and makes accessible for research an unparalleled collection of documentation about Irish art in all media.
The NCAD Gallery- supports contemporary practice and critical debate in the visual arts and reflects the diversity and strengths of the College by developing and promoting the future of art and design in Ireland. Origin8 is NCAD’s centre for innovation and commercialisation. Students work directly with clients to creatively address specific consumer needs and gain invaluable experience on live industry projects The International Society of Typographical Designers (ISTD) rated NCAD’s Communication Design Department number two in the world.The campus is a beautiful mix of old buildings, industrial heritage and contemporary additions, with an active Student’s Union and vibrant student concourse.
Dining
The Luncheonette Café, run by NCAD alumni, Jennie Moran, offers high-quality, nourishing food at prices that make it affordable for everyone.
Fees and Grants
For information on fees and grants see below:
Student Supports
Transport Links
The following Dublin Bus routes serve The National College of Art and Design: 13, 40 & 123.
Walking and cycling are perfectly viable options for getting here. There are a number of stations for the popular Dublin Bikes scheme in the area. Bus, train and Luas stops are all close by. There is ample parking both on-street and in a number of commercial carparks.
Heuston Station is located close to NCAD. Lines serving Heuston are mainly regional routes, but also serve some outer suburban areas. Luas (Red Line), Dublin Bus and Dublin Bikes also connect at Heuston Station.
The Luas Red Line runs from Tallaght to The Point and from Saggart to Connolly. Stops on this line within or close to Thomas Street include Rialto, Fatima, James’s and Heuston Station. There are also park & ride facilities at certain stops on the Red Line.
