The National College
Your College
On this page:
- History of the College
- National University of Ireland
- College Structure
- Freedom of Information
- Staff Directory
- Heads of Faculties & Departments
- Student Services and Admissions
- Your Student Card
- Requests for Letters
History of the College
The National College of Art & Design occupies a unique position in art & design education in Ireland. It offers the largest range of art & design degrees in the state including postgraduate degrees. No matter where you are you will probably find that a graduate of the National College of Art & Design has contributed to the visual culture, which surrounds you. In the past many of the most important Irish artists, designers and art teachers have studied in the College and it has long been the central and most important art & design educational institution in Ireland.
The College has had many guises over the years, the origins dating from 1746 when Robert West had a private drawing school in George's Lane in Dublin. In its present structure the National College of Art & Design was established in 1971 by Act of An tOireachtas and is now governed by a board (An Bord) appointed by the Minister for Education & Science. Students have two places on that board.
We have been located in Thomas Street since 1980 but it has only been since 1998 that all of the Faculties and Departments of the College have been located on this one campus.
During the academic year 2000/2001 the College completed a Campus Development Plan. While the current financial climate is delaying progress in realising these ambitions, this radical address of the college's infrastructure and development remains a priority. Copies of the Campus Development Plan can be read in the Faculty and Departmental Offices, the Library and in the Students' Union.
In 2008 the College completed the refurbishment of what was the old fire station in Thomas Street. Now renamed Harry Clarke House, this building houses the Faculty of Visual Culture, a number of lecture theatres and the NCAD gallery. The gallery has a programme of exhibitions scheduled each year.
This year will be both exciting and challenging for the College. Our Academic Alliance with UCD comes into effect from 1st September 2011. Beyond becoming the validating body for our degrees, the relationship with UCD offers exciting possibilities for collaboration at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels some of which will be manifest in the coming year. At the same time, the College will continue to face many challenges in the coming year, some from recommendations from the Hunt Report (National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030) and other from the continuing pressures of reduced finance available for Third Level education. Student input to decisions will focus on Department/Faculty Board membership and at Academic and An Bord membership by the Student Union Representatives.
University College Dublin & National University of Ireland
The College, with effect from 1st September 2011, is a Recognised College of the University College Dublin. All new students who enter during 2011/12 at either undergraduate or postgraduate courses are on courses validated by the University College Dublin.
All continuing students are on courses validated by the National University of Ireland.
College Structure
An Board (An Bord), appointed by the Minister for Education and Science governs the College. There are 11 members of An Bord; 6 direct appointees of the Minister, the Director, 2 staff and 2 student members. A new Board is appointed every three years and the current Board which was appointed in 2009 has the following representatives:
| Chairperson | Dr Joe Mulholland |
| Director | Professor Declan McGonagle |
| Academic Staff Representatives | Ms Theresa McKenna Mr Andrew Folan |
| Day Student Representative | Mr David Fagan |
| CEAD Student Representative | Ms Aoife Goodman |
| Members of an Bord | Ms Christine Byrne Mr Liam Crowley Ms Catherine Fitzgerald Ms Orla Flynn Mr Mick McDonagh |
| Non-Academic Staff Representative (non-voting) | Ms Adeline Dolan |
The term of office of An Bord will end in 2012.
Academic Council regulates the academic policies of the College and has representatives from all Faculties. Students are represented through their Faculty. The Director is the Chairperson of Academic Council.
Faculty Board and Department Board meetings take place about five times a year. This is an important opportunity for student representatives from each class to put forward particular areas of concern.
Freedom of Information Act
With effect from 1 October 2001 the Freedom of Information Act has applied to the National College of Art and Design. The Act establishes three important statutory rights:
- The legal right for each person to access information held by public bodies.
- The legal right for each person to have official information relating to her/himself amended where it is incomplete, incorrect or misleading.
- The legal right to obtain reasons for decisions affecting oneself. You should consult the College’s website in respect of the Freedom of Information Act entitlements but as a student you will be entitled to all details in relation to your student records and any files held in your name.
The Freedom of Information Officer for the College is Damian Downes and correspondence to him should be addressed as follows:
Damian Downes
Freedom of Information Officer
National College of Art and Design
100 Thomas Street, Dublin 8
email: downesd@ncad.ie
NCAD Staff Directory
Student Services and Admissions Opening Hours
Opening hours are from
9.30am to 12.45pm and
2.00pm to 5.00pm
The Admissions Office is closed from 3.30pm on Friday afternoons.
Your Student Card
When you register as a student in the College, you will be issued with a student card. This is a very important item as it has the purpose of student card, Library card and photocopy card should be looked after carefully. You may be asked to produce your card at any time e.g. when picking up your grant cheque, collecting your vouchers, using the Library, collecting any letters you request, as well as outside use such as USIT. You might also be requested to produce your card on entering the campus as a security measure.
If you lose your card it will cost you €15 to replace it. Replacement cards are only issued between 2.30 – 3.30 pm on Tuesdays.
So remember — your student card is as important as a bankcard and should be treated as such.
Requests for letters
Certain letters and forms will need to be obtained from the Admissions Office e.g.
- Letter of Student Status
- Letters for Grant Authorities
- Forms to be completed and stamped
- J1 Visas
These letters are available when requested but only at the following times:
Letters requested on Fridays & Mondays will be available for collection at Reception from 2.00 pm on Tuesdays.
Letters requested on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays will be available at Reception from 2.00 pm – 3.00 pm on Fridays.
Download: Printable Student Handbook (PDF 742k)
