Year 1

On entry to NCAD, no matter what pathway you are registered on you will be instantly immersed in an exciting and unique interdisciplinary programme where art and design students work side-by-side and together to explore and discover the wide range of pathways open to them. Taught and guided in the studio by both art and design practitioners, you are encouraged to engage in an open and experimental research process in a manner that helps ensure that you enter the pathway that is best suited to your individual goals and abilities.

Year 2

The focus in the second year is on developing a personal visual language and the skills necessary to translate this into a successful creative practice.

Year 3: Studio+ & International

Studio+ is an optional year that gives students the opportunity between their second and final years to engage with the world beyond NCAD by gaining practical work experience in the form of internships and working on live commercial, social or community projects. Students can also take a number of electives from across NCAD and partner institutions. Studio+ can also include a work placement abroad or a study abroad period through the Erasmus programme with internationally recognised art and design faculties partnered with NCAD. Students who choose an Erasmus placement will graduate with a BA (International).

Final Year

In the final year, students are ready to develop their own programme of study, which reflects each individual’s skills and interests within their pathway / discipline.

As a consequence of the skills acquired, our applied art graduates have a wide range of national and international opportunities open to them. Many of our graduates go on to become practising applied artists and makers in Ireland and internationally.

NCAD offers a range of innovative masters programmes, practice-based PhD’s as well as a range of CPD courses.